Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-03-15
The Recent Accident.


Frederick Schneider, who died from
injuries received in the accident on the
Washington, Alexandra and Mt. YER
non Railway at Spring Park on We'd
nesdav. March |, and in which a large
number of other passengers were more
or less sainfully hurt, was reconveneo al
1890 o. clock this morning at Demaine
& Sons undertaker's establishment.
There we're large number OF witnesses
Dresent. whose testimony, in substance,
was about the same. The case was con.
Quoted by Coroner Purvis and the jury
was composed of Messrs. Joseph Lowen-
bach. Robert Graham, Nj. Ruben,
George Uhler, Edgar War6eld, jr., and
Henry F. Robertson.
The witnesses were brought in singly
and neither heard the testimony OF him
or her who preceded.
The first witness called was DR.. VIM.
NJ. Smith, surgeon for the electric rail-
way. He said that he had repaired to
the scene and found Frederick Schneider
in a car and accompanied him to the
Alexandria Hospital, where he found
his injuries to consist of cut on the
temple, knot on the head, bruise on the
chest and both legs below the knees
badly crushed, with the bones protrudlng
therefrom. The man died that night,
principally from shock. At the au--
topsy he learned that the mans
organs were in good condition, except
an unusual Iatty growth around the
heart but that the deceased had died
from shock due TO his injuries.
II. b. Cation stated that he was
passenger on the northbound train and
that il did not stop at Payne street. He
was seated in the trailer three seats
from the front and did not have any
intimation of the accident until after 1t
had occurred. The train had stopped
at Washington street, but, although
there we're three people waiting at Payne
street, it passed on. He did not recog-
nize Schneider as the man standing on
the platform.
Mark l.. Price, jrs, saw man standing
on the platform, but did not recognize
him as Schneider. He said the train did
not stop at Payne street.
Can't. A. A. Davis, conductor on the
southbound train, stated that he lett
Washington at 6:05 on the night OF the
accident and that the trip was without
incident until he reached the point about
50 Yards from Spring Park, where the
accident occurred Upon being inter
rogated he said that on the night in
question his train was due at the switch
above Spring Park at 6.2S o'clock, but
did not arrive until $50. No notice
had been given him of special train
being run, or to look out for any.
John Sutton, motorman of the south
bound train, testified that he left WASH
inxton at Cos and upon entering the
archway near Spring Park he noticed
ahe approach of the nOrthbound train
and knowing that collision was ineVi-
table jumped from his motor. When
be arrived at the switch near the scene
of the accident it was between $50 and
6.Sl. He was due at that point at 6;2o,
but had sufficient time TO meet the o:oO
train from Alexandria at Payne street
and was proceeding there when the &C.
cidept occurred. He had received neither
notice nor signal Of the approach OF an
extra. Upon being questioned be stated
that he was not always given notice OF
the running of extras. but had to use his
own discretion in avoiding accidents.
john Kerrick, conductor OF the north
hound train, stated that on the night in
question he had arrived in Alexandra
from Mount Vernon late and had been
instructed by Mr.. Smithers, dis
hatcher at the Royal street station,
10 proceed to Washington as All extra.
His train proceeded, when It passed a
train on the siding at Washington
street. After leaving Washington street
thew were on their way north when the
accident occurred. IN answer to a
question he said that he had received
no orders to meet sBy train at a given
point and that he had entirely over
looked the Cos train from Washington.
Harry Hudson, mOtorman OF the
northbound train said that his orders
were to run to Washington as an extra.
He left Royal street at 6:2S and pro.
ceeded to Washington street and
passed a train on the siding, and
took it to be 275, or the 6:O5 train
from Washington. He was proceeding
northward when he saw the lights Of an
approaching train dear Spring Park
when he jumped. lie afterward learned
that the train he passed was No. III.
he had received no instructions to meet
any train. The witness further stated
that the current of bis train was cut of
and the speed was between 5 and ~
miles an hour. Upon being cross
questioned, the witness stated that lac
had overlooked the southbsund train
Several other witnesses testified, but
their evidence was OF no material value
After celebrating for about half an
hour the coroner's jury returned the toll
lowing verdict:
Frederick G. Schneider came to hi
death on the eveningof March l, 1905, IL
collision on the Washington, Alexandra
and Mt. Vernon Railway, due to care
iessness on the pert of ]. n. kerrick
conductor, and II. d. Hudson. motor
man, on the north bound train, the
both testifyiog to having overlooEe'
south bound train No. 275.
Ifany further legal steps are to b
aaken in the matter they must be by tn
.,,~.v