Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-31
HEARING INCOMPLETE
Coroner's Investigation Of
Long Bridge Accident.
THE EVIDENCE HEARD
FURTHER INQUIRY POSTPONED
UNTIL NEXT WEEK.
The Death of Richard j. Eckert, an
Employe Of Railway Company,
Subject of Inquiry.
THE EVIDENCE HEARD

A searching inquiry was made today by
a jury of inquest impaneled by Coroner
hewitt regarding the death of Richard j.
Eckert, the Waterman who lost his lie at
the time the draw Of the Long bridge col
lapsed under the weight Of a Chesapeake
and Ohio railroad train nearly two weeks
ago. The jury met at the sixth precinct
police station and witness after witness
was sworn and examined. Coroner hewitt
and his assistant had made every effort
to get before the jury all the testimony in
the case which would in any way assist the
jury in reaching a conclusion. War De-
partment officials who have charge OF
bridge matters were consulted and the rail-
read people were also asked to furnish tes-
timony.
The information wanted of the War De-
partment could not be obtained this morn
ing. and when the witnesses in attendance
had been examined an adjournment until
next week was taken. Coroner hewitt sub
sequentIy asked that detective be detailed
to see to getting the additional testimony.
The jurors wanted information showing
something about the construction OF the
bridge. and also what inspections. If any.
have been made by the War Department.
1t was also desired that expert testimony
be given to show the condition of the
bridge at the time of the accident. and
who is responsible for its condition.
Deputy Coroner's Statement.
The first evidence heard was the state
ment Of Deputy Coroner Glazebrook. He
found that the death of the draw tender
was due to drowning. The only evidence of
violence found about the body was a frac-
ture of the right foot. The doctor discov-
cred that the clothing over both hips was
torn.
James Cathell, representative of the P.
w. and b. railroad. testified that he visited
the scene of the wreck Monday morning
about O'Clock. He described the makeup
of the train, and said when he reached the
bridge the Washington end of the draw was
missing In the water was a blind baggage
car, and the tender was out of sight. on
the end of the bridge was the express car.
with one end stove In. The other cars OF
the train had been taken away Witness
was told that the wheels Of the tender had
jumped the track and thrown the train
against the bridge. 1t was rumored that
two tramps on the train had gone down,
but their bodies have not been recovered.
There is an inspector of the bridge. Mr.
Murdoch, the witness stated. and he prac-
tically lives on the bridge. He has a boat
and makes inspections of the bridge from
the craft. Witness recalled a trolley car
accident that occurred in the vicinity of the
draw. but could not recall any accident IN
which steam train had figured.
have been operated by hand or steam. The
draw, he explained. was operated entirely
by the machinery in the house of the en-
gineer in charge.
by whom are these men in charge of
the bridge employei?" asked a juror.
I'm quite sure they are employed by the
P, W. and b. railroad, under Mr.. Smith.
The witness said Mr. Eckert was employ
ed as .watchman on the bridge, but witness
was not familiar with all his duties.
Policeman Testifies,
Policeman Frederick STANCE, who does de-
tail duty on the bridge. told the jury that
he was on duty the night of the accident.
He was on the bridge, he said, with Mr.
Eckert until about thcee minutes before IL
O'Clock when he went to the box and
turned in. He returned there about IL 20
and retraced his steps to the north end OF
the bridge. While there he heard the crash.
The c. and o. train had passed him on the
bridge Witness returned to the draw and
saw the engine on the south end OF the
draw with the tender missing. One baggage
car was In the water and an express car
with a messenger in 1t was hanging over
the water from tho north abutment of the
draw. The policeman said he left four
men in the little watch house on the north
abutment when he went away. They We're
Richard /. Eckert, George Helms, Frank
Howard and a Waterman on the new bridge
named Giles.
Witness explained that the draw is
opened at night only by special permission
from the War Department. An engineer,
he stated. is on duty at the draw day and
night, and a fiagman or Waterman Is also
there. The night Of the accident there were
two workmen in the boiler or engine room
putting in new tubes. He said the draw
Is usually opened Tuesday. Thursday and
Saturday nights, but never on Sunday
night
Coroner hewitt questioned witness con-
corning his last visit that night to the
watch box on the bridge land witness said
he saw Eckert flag a train with his lamp.
Were any of the men in the house under
IT think not" was the officers response.
81 know Capt. Giles is a temperance
orator and church man. and would not stay
where liquor was used
Witness explained that there was single
track on the draw, and explained how the
draw is worked.
AS soon as witness discovered the nature
of the accident he summoned police re-
serves and physicians. He knew the C. and
O. train was usually long one, and he
supposed a number of persons were in the
river. Witness saw two trains pass over
the draw shortly before the accident hap
pened. and no trouble was experienced in
crossing
Was With the Draw Tender
George Helms. a boat builder and ship
carpenter, testified that he was in the house
with Mr.. Eckert the night the accident oc-
CURED. He was building boat for Eckert,
and frequently called to see him on the
bridge. He reached there Sunday night
about o'clock. more than three hours be-
fore the crash came. Just before Eckert
went out to flag the train he complained Of
having headache. The engineer of the
train responded to the tagging. When the
engine reached the draw and the crash was
heard all started out of the little house.
Eckert was the first to run out The other
men, Captain Giles and Frank Howard
climbed over the train. Witness was I'M
able to climb, and he managed to crawl to
a place of safety. 1t was the opinion of
witness that falling timber struck Eckert
and knocked him overheard.
Witness said Eckert left the house several
seconds before he (witness) got out
The Governments Jurisdiction.