Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-14
JURY'S INQUIRY ENDS
Coroner's Investigation of
Long Bridge Accident.
VERDICT RENDERED
RICHARD J. ECKERT'S DEATH AS
RESULT OF COLLAPSE
The p, W. and B. Railway Company
Held Responsible for Unsafe Con-
dition of the Bridge.

| The investigation of the death of Richard
J. Eckert. the Waterman on the Long
| bridge. who was drowned at the time Of
| the bridge disaster. when the draw gave
way under the weight of a Chesapeake ant
Ohio railroad train. was resumed by the
cOroner's jury today. The accident occurred
| the night of October 10. and the body of the
| victim was recovered several days later
A number of witnesses were examined al
the first session of the jury and the hearing
was postponed for the purpose of getting
information concerning what, If any action
had been taken by the War Department
officials concerning the condition of the
structure and also for the purpose of es-
tablishing the question of responsibility
Evidence was heard and the jury returned
a verdict follows:
I'VE, the jury find that Richard J. Eek
ert came to his death by drowning on the
18th day of October, in the Potomac river.
in the collapse of the draw of that bridge
on that date.
1--WE further believe that the accident re-
sulting in his death was caused by the I'M
safe condition of the timberS composing the
draw, for the condition of which the Phila-
delphia, Baltimore and Washington Rail-
way Company is responsible
Fireman's Statement.
j. r. Woods, fireman on the Chesapeake
and Ohio railway. who was aboard the
train that figured in the wreck was exam
ined as witness. He is the man who mar
rowly escaped death by holding to the en-
CINE when the tender parted and went
down. The witness explained how he es-
capped. and told of numerous cuts and
bruises he received Timbers from the top
of the wrecked draw injured his htad, and
Tor short time he was senseless. In addi-
ton to the cuts and bruises he received he
was burned by escaping steam The first
witness knew OF the disaster was when he
heard the cracking noise made by the
breaking of the timbers. Then he felt the
swaying sensation caused by the draw go
ing down. He explained that the engine
lurched far enough ahead to get off the
draw.
Woods further explained that he was
standing on the tender attending to his du-
ties when the accident happened Fortu-
rately for him. he said he had one hand on
the engine and managed to save himself.
He was badly stunned. but could not say he
was unconscious Witness said he re-
manned in the Office for nearly an hour and
when he realized that nothing was being
done in the matter of assisting him. he sent
a message to Mr.. Andrews. in Alexandra,
to send an engine to remove the disabled
engine and himself. He said he had often
heard that the bridge had been reported
as being unsafe, but he was never afraid
to cross it. He was certain that the trucks
did not jump the track and cause the dis
aster After he recovered his senses he
lighted a torch and returned to the edge
of the draw where he saw the condition
of things.
Reports From War Department..
Coroner hewitt read to the Jury reports
and communications he had received from
Brigadier General Gillespie. chief of engi-
neerS of the army. respecting the Long
bridge. In these communications informa-
ton was given of the repairs that had
been made to the bridge from time to
time. and of the transfer of the bridge
to the Baltimore and Potomac railroad
The information furnished gave substan-
TALLY the facts embodied in the report of
Major Davis I'm 1892 and of General Wilson
seven years later
The latter report reads:
The Long bridge was built in 1909 and
by act of Congress approved June 2l. 1870.
the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Com
paHy was authorized to take possession of
and extend it's tracks across it. The con-
struction of the bridge is faulty; the spans
are short; the piers too numerous and set
in positions that make them more OBJ
structiye to the flow of water than they
need be; besides. they are built pile and
grillage foundations which reach about to
the level of low water and require en-
rockments, or mounds of stone, around
them to secure and keep the material COM
washed away.
Partially Dams River.
1.-THE bridge as constructed partially dams
up the river seriously obstructs the flow of
water in times of freshets, and when the
river is full of ice sudden thaw or break
ing up causes gorge to form at the bridge.
Freshets more apt to occur when the
ice in the upper Potomac breaks up after
baax "
in the past the bridge has contributed
largely toward raising the level and caus-
ing the flooding of the southern portion of
the city of Washington, destroying private
property and producing unhealthy condi-
tions.
''These matters have been frequently re-
ferred to in the annual reports of the chief
of engineers, and the necessity of recon-
structing the bridge emphasized.
The recent immense fail of snow, and
extremely low temperature causing the for
nation of ice III the river. both of which
are almost unprecedented in this section
of the country, indicate that the fears ex-
pressed by these petitioners of a disastrous
flood in the river are not without reason
able foundation. If such a flood should oc-
cur, accompanied it would be under eX-
floating ice. l am convinced that a jam
would form at this bridge and that the
damage to property in this city would
reach enormous proportions
while in sympathy with the desire of
the petitioners to secure relief from the
threatened calamity. l do not know of any
law under which the SecretaI of War
could provide remedy. The subject is one
that appears to be under the control of
Congress.
Inquiry Regarding Ownership.
Jales A. Cathell employed by the P. B.
| and w. railroad was examined by the jury.
He said he was unable to tell what railroad
owns the bridge although he thought the
men employed on the structure are paid by
| the road by which he is employed.
Joseph Crawford, general agent Of the p,
| B. and w. Railroad Company, testified that
| the company he represents operates trains
| over the Long bridge and is charged with
| the duty of keeping the roadway in repair
| The Seaboard Air Line, Southern railway
| and Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, he said
| pay toll to tine Philadelphia, Baltimore and
Washington railroad. He said that the p,
| B. and w. road succeeded the Baltimore
| and Potomac road. These roads, the wit
ness stated, were merged in November
| 1867 Mr.. Crawford was the last witness
examined.
State Council Visitation.
Mrs Halle Merritt, state councillor
Dauphters of America of the District Of