Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-14
CORO NER'S INQUEST
INQUIRY INTO ACCIDENT NEAR
NAVY YARD TUNNEL.
Synopsis of Evidence-Funerals of the
Two Victims to Be Held
Tomorrow.

Six men were summoned this morning to
serve members of jury of inquest for
the purpose of passing upon the fatal ac-
cident on the tracks of the Pennsylvania
railroad near the navy yard tunnel yester-
day morning. The members of the jury as
sembled at the sixth precinct police station
at 1 o'clock this afternoon and the taking
of testimony was begun. Alfred Ridgely
Barclay, the brakeman who seri-
ously hurt, died at Providence Hospital
shortly after his leg was amputated. I'm
dertaker ]. William Lee took charge of
both bodies and prepare them for burial.
The funerals of the victims will take place
tomorrow. Services over the remains of
Barclay will be conducted in Lees Chapel
and interment will be at Oak Hill ceme-
terry at IL O'Clock. The funeral of Schwartz
will take place at 1 o'clock in the after
noon at the same place, and interment will
be at Alexandria. The police investigation
of the affair was conducted by Precinct
Detective Lehman Of the fifth precinct. He
visited the scene of the fatal accident and
obtained the names Of the witnesses who
could give testimony and assist the jury in
reaching a conclusion.
The witnesses appeared at the inquest
this afternoon and were sworn.
The Evidence Submitted.
w. A. Ulle, conductor of the dirt train,
was the first witness examined He testi
fled that he was working between the city
and Anacostia yesterday. His train was
run into beyond the tunnel. Witness said
the train had started from the B. H. tower
a short time before the accident occurred,
and his train was going at from twelve to
fifteen miles hour when the other train
struck 1t. The conductor said his train was
about to enter the tunnel when the collision
occurred. The signals gave the train in
charge of witness the right of way. He
col h0 oGn1 frpo IL
mile behind. The u. W." tower is across the
river and the "B. H." tower. is near where
the wreck occurred. Witness said he was
told that everything was all right, and that
he could go ahead. Before the accident
occurred he saw the engine and caboose go
ing out with a freight train.
L. r. Denney, engineer in charge of the
engine drawing the work train, testified
that the first he knew of the accident was
when the engine struck his train. He was
given clear signal at Apple House Hill
and the conductor gave him word to move
ahead. The members of the crew of his
train, he said, were in their proper places
1t was the understanding of witness that
the fagman saw the engine and caboose
approaching, but there was no way that he
could warn witness.
Testimony of Trainmen.
Fireman Hardisty. who was member of
Engineer Denny's crew, gave similar testi-
mony.
F. j. Hardy. fagman, member of the
same crew, testified that he gave the sig
nal to go ahead, and after the start was
made he saw the R., F. and p engine and
caboose following. Just before the crash
came he jumped off to save himself The |
dirt train. he said, had the right Of way.
Augustus w. Coates, operator at the II. |
W. tower, testified that ne gave to the |
conductor of the engine proceed order,'
which gave him the right to proceed care
fully to the next block. Witness knew the
work train was in the block. and that was
why he gave the proceed order" His order
was given to Conductor Schwartz, and it
was his duty to deliver the order to the en-
gineer
James Rowe, engineer, who was in charge
of the engine drawing the caboose testified
the tower he told witnesses they had plenty
of time, but did not give him copy of the
order. The conductor gave him a signal to
hurry. His cab was in front of the engine
Witness said when he realized the danger
he did all in his power to prevent an acct
dent
The Jury's Verdict.
Upon the conclusion of the testimony
given by H. L. Stevens. fireman; FIagman
Corners. r. S. Thurles. brakeman; r. F.
Dougherty telegraph operator, and Deputy
coroner Glazebrook who described the con-
dition of the body of the dead conductor |
the jury. after a brief deliberat ton, return
ed verdict to the effect that Jacob |
Swartz. the conductor who lost his life
was responsible for the accident