Evening star., 1902-01-25
DEATH OF OWEN A. BELL
CORONER's JURY SAYS TT WAS RE-
suit OF ACCIDENT.
Inquiry Into the Circumstances Made
Today-Testimony of Members
of Train Crew.

who was fatally injured Thursday night
In the New Jersey avenue freight yard,
seemed to be destined to meet a violent
death. SO a friend of his remarked at the
inquest held over his body this morning.
Several months ago he was dragged from
an Anacostia street car by a wagon and
subsequently spent several weeks In bed.
A suit in his behalf against the street rail-
way company for $4,000 is pending in the
court
William H. Brown, the engineer In
charge of the engine Thursday night, was
the principal witness at the inquest today.
He was given a certificate emitting him to
fee of $1.25, being the first witness before
coroners jury who ever received fee for
attendance. Payment in such cases is au-
thorized in a provision in the code. The
jurors received 81 each for their services,
Instead of s1.25, which they were formerly
paid
Attorney James E. Padgett represented
were examined and the jury returned
verdict holding that the mans death was
the result of an accident.
Statement of Beginner.
William H. Brown, the engineer in charge
OF the engine at the time the fatal accident
happened, informed the jury that he was
an extra man in charge of a yard engine
Thursday night. Owen Bell he said was a
fireman and had worked on the road for
about eleven years. Thursday was the first
time Bell had worked on the engine with
witness.
The engine, the witness stated, had hold
Of six cars on No. 6 track, with a brake
man on the rear car. Bell called the atten-
tlon OF the witness to the dry condition of
the air pump. When the brakeman had
gwen signal to stop witness got off and
did some oiling. He left Bell on the en-
CINE when he left it. Returning to the en-
gfne witness received signal to go ahead.
he noticed Bell was not in the cab and
supposed he was oiling the cylinder To do
this ne would naturally have been on the
running board, where he would not be in
danger.
Witness threw the bar. which directs the
moving OF the engine, and the noise made
py this, he thought, was loud enough to
nave warned anybody about the engine
The engine was started, and when Bell
made an outcry witness shut down the
steam and applied the brakes. One wheel
OF the tank passed over the firemans leg
HIS pants leg was subsequently torn off in
order to determine the extent of his injury
There was not much blood lost About ten
minutes later the injured man was taken
70 the hospital. He was conscious and
seemed very much excited
Yard Conductor Testiaes.
Rhodia Taylor, yard conductor, testified
that Bell had worked about the yard about
three or four weeks For a number of
years he had been a fireman on the road
between Philadelphia and this city. The
witness testified that he assisted the ensf-
neer and others to remove the injured man
from the track.
Bell, he said, remarked: MY God, this
is awful
He knew nothing about the cause of the
accident.
w. A. Acors, brakeman, testified that he
did not see Bell when the signal to go
the accident was when he heard Bell
scream.
H. Talbert flagman, also a member of
Conductor Taylor's crew, testified that he
the accident occurred. He heard Bell
scream. MY God. am run over"
The injured mans feet, witness said were
across the track between the first and sec
ond wheels, with his body resting under
the platform. 1t is customary to walk on
the engine platform when oiling the air
pump There was a scraper found on the
track, and witness believed Bell was scrap-
ing ashes from the pan when the engine
started Witness gave the engineer the
order to start. 1t was not necessary for
Bell to take out the ashes there.
Engineer Recalled.
Engineer Brown was recalled and he said
small pile of ashes had been scraped from
the pan, for the ashes were found on the
track. Witness walked around the engine
just before the accident occurred, but did
not see Bell. There is no rule of the COM
pany. he said, requiring him to ring his
bell every time the engine stops.
DR.. r. w. Baker, acting deputy coroner,
testified to the condition of the dead mans
body when he saw it at the morgue The
right leg had been amputated
Bells Statement to Physfcfan.
DR.. c. M. Beall testified that Bell reached
the hospital before 7:3O o'clock He had
apparently lost considerable blood. His
condition was critical. Five hours after
the operation was finished the patient died
Bell was conscious when he reached the
hospital. He told witness he was empty
ing the fire box when the engine was start
ed. The fire box caught him, he stated, and
dragged him a short distance.
DR.. f. L. Biscoe, also of Providence Hos
pital appeared as witness, but he was
not examined. This closed the testimony
and the case was submitted