Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-31
ACCIDENTAL DEATH
INQUEST OVER REMAINS OF IN
FAINT CHILD.

William F. Berry a child fifteen months
old. whose parents live at 1643 Half street
southeast. was run over by a dirt wagon
and instantly killed at point almost In
front OF his parents home shortly before 6
o'clock last night The child's skull was
crushed
Mrs. Berry, the infants mother, left the
house few minutes before the accident
occurred to go to store. The child, 1t Is
believed. started to follow her. and had
just passed out of the narrow path through
the weeds when the wagon came along
The team was driven by Isaiah johnson.
The police of the fourth and fifth pre-
cincts were notified of the accident. and
about 10 o'clock last night Policemen
Shelby and Green of the fourth precinct
arrested johnson. In a wagon behind that
of Johnson's rode three colored men-Felix
Brown, Calvin Hyder and Archibald Balti-
more. They were held as witnesses.
Johnson admitted that he had been told
of the accident, and said he did not return
there because he feared his presence might
cause trouble.
Witnesses were heard by the coroner
jury this morning, and a verdict of un-
avoidable accident was returned.
Testimony of Witnesses.
Felix Brown, one of the three colored men
in the second wagon. was the first witness
examined He testified that he is in the
employ Of Sullivan Bros, on the dump, and
said he was riding on Archibald Baltimore s
wagon yesterday shor.,y before 6 o'clock
when he saw a little child come down the
grade in the direction of the road. The
wagon. he explained, going in the d.
rection of South Capitol street. The child
was near the front team when he saw him
and he could not tell whether the horse or
wagon struck him.
WAS it dark when the accident hap
pened?" the coroner asked.
1T was little dark, he replied, but
could see."
His wagon, he stated, was about five feet
behind the other team.
Policeman Cullinane explained to the jury
that there Is a roadway across the COM
mons and that it Is only wide enough for
one wagon. Weeds about two feet high, he
said, are on each side of the road.
Resuming his testimony, Brown said the
horses were trotting at the time the acci-
dent occurred. When they reached South
Capitol street witness told Johnson that his
wagon had run over a child and the latter
said he would go back and about it,
Did he go back?'
II don't know, said witness, II went on
home
Witness said that both teams passed over
the same track, but he could not say that
the second wagon passed over the child.
Philip Heffron's Statement.
Philip J. Heffron, 323 9th street south
west was at the establishment of the
Washington Asphalt Block and Tile Com
pany yesterday about the time the accident
occurred. He saw the two teams and said
they were going at an unusual rate of
speed. Witness said he saw the wagons
when they returned and the animals were
going about fast when he had first
seen them. So far he could recollect,
he said there was but one man in each
wagon.
In His Own Defense.
Isaiah Johnson, driver of the team that
inflicted the fatal injuries, testified that he
knew nothing of the accident until he was
told of 1t by one of-the other colored men.
What did you do when he told your"
asked the coroner.
II didn't believe it," he responded. II
started back, but man told me not to go
there, and 1 went home after 1 took my
team to the stable"
johnson said he did not the child.
Archibald Baltimore, driver of the second
team, testified that the first he knew of the
accident was when Brown told him of It,
His horses were going In slow trot, he
stated and he was trying to kill a little
time because 1t was too early to go to the
stable. Witness thought his team was the
regulation distance, fifteen feet, behind the
other vehicle.
Calvin Hyder another of the three men
who were in the second vehicle testified
that he would not let Johnson go back be-
cause crowd of people had gathered there
and he feared something might happen to
johnson. Witness said he went back and
saw a man have the child in his arms
Policeman Testifies.
Policeman Cullinane testified to the in
vestigation he made and explained that the
accident occurred on the roadway leading
from Half to South Capitol street Wit
ness said he and Policeman Springman
made an investigation and located Johnson
in South Washington. Witness thought
careful driver could have seen the child
without any difficulty. There is footpath
leading through the weeds to the road, said
witness, and the child probably passed over
it In order to reach the road.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook testified that
the child,s skull was crushed almost fat
and there were marks of mud from the
wheel upon the neck of the child.
REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS.