Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-27
WITNESSES ARE EXAMINED
Railroad Employees Say Engineer
Murphy Might Have Been Saved.
WERE KEPT BACK BY OFFICERS
Abstract Of the Testimony Today at
Hearing Given the Loco
motive Engineers.

police OF the fourth precinct who were on
duty September IL about the derailed loco
motive. under which Engineer Murphy was
pinned. In the Southern railroad yards.
was begun at 10 am. today by the District
Commissioners. Witnesses who claim that
Murphy died through negligence on the
part Of the police. We're examined
capt. Matthews of the fourth precinct
was In attendance and questioned the wit
nesses for the police. while Attorney
Charles Bendheim represented the men,
pers or the Brotherhood OF Locomotive En-
glneers' who are insisting upon the investi-
CATION
Chief Belt of the fire department. as well
as inspector Boardman of the police de-
partment and members of the brotherhood
were In attendance.
Commissioner mcfarland stated that the
witnesses would be heard and later their
testimony sent to Mai Sylvester for his
consideration in making up his report rela-
tive to the alleged misconduct OF Capt.
Matthews and the police I'm keeping the
trainmen from attempting to release the
engineer. He also said the coroner's YER
diet and report would be given to the super-
intendent of police.
$500. Was on the Ground.
H. 7. Ireland was at the scene of the
accident, he stated. He saw the engine
turn over and after notifying the Off
Gals he got two hydraulic jacks and was
on his knees working when a police Off
Ger pushed him away.
Did you see his NUMBER" asked Com.
missioner mcfarland
No. sir" was the reply; Il did not"
he then said that the policeman had
grease on his sleeve.
Later Capt. Mathews questioned the wit
ness and was informed that he had seen
part Of an engine raised by such a jack.
Baggage Master Sullivan of the Southern
railway was on the scene five minutes after
the wreck. He saw Engineer Murphy In q
cloud of steam under the overturned engine
He said he got scantling with several stran-
gers, and attempted to raise the engine
from the engineers legs.
THE police then arrived and ordered all
back from the engine Mr.. Sullivan stated.
He went back, he declared and attempted
to again help the unfortunate engineer. but
said he was driven away again by the
police.
Being questioned by Attorney Bendheim.
the witness stated the Jacks being used
were powerful enough to raise locomo-
tive.
Commissioner mcfarland then interrupt
ed to say that the attorney should not ask
the witness what expert testimony would
only be able to determine
A. N. Spence. foreman of the Southern
railway yards. said he was on the scene
two minutes after the happening OF the ac-
cident. and found only three men there. He
sent for jacks and for DIR. Thompson. The
police then arrived, he said. and he was or
dered away by Lieut.. ,MulhalI. He said he
stated he was watching the physicians in
struments. and that Lieut.. Mulhall said:
''If you are a good railroad man you will
get out of the way and set good exam
pie"
. A Big Crowd.
Witness said about fifteen hundred We're
in attendance. He stated he saw Capt.
Matthews either strike a man or strike
at him. He did not know who the man
was. but heard Capt Matthews say the
man had hold of his sleeve.
He further stated that one OF the men in
charge of jacks was an experienced hand.
A. s. Moffett said that the jacks he was
going to use could raise fifteen tons, ac-
cording to estimates.
Mr.. Spence was recalled and said the cab
could have been packed up. as it was only
jointed to the heavier part of the engine.
Mr.. Bellshaw Called.
William J. Bellshaw, oiler on the P.
B. and w. railroad. stated that he bathed
Murphy's head with cool water
DIR. G. ]. Jones Of the Emergency Hos
pital knew nothing Of the conduct of the
police at the scene of the accident He
was excused.
Frank Stewart. assistant yardmaster at
night of the p, B. and w. railroad yards
said the engine was a Hilton engine ac-
cording to his estimation. He thought that
Will JACKS dl MANU- the Work OF eXtricAtiQR
Engineer Murphy would have taken right
smart time"
Other witnesses examined were s. T.
Ryan. conductor, and Thomas H. Cox
machinst.
Testimony Of Mr.. Downs.
Thomas H. Downs. grocer at 600 Mary.
land avenue southwest, said all of Murphy's
words were Of his wife. children and a
priest
tof tod ba clyo
to stand back, but he did not go, but con-
tlnued to ran the engineer. He said a large
crowd was in attendance.
Commissioner Macfarland asked:
Did You see the police require men In
overalls to stand ba ck?'
About two were driven back" answered
the witness.
He thought that Murphy's left leg was
the only one caught by the overturned cab.
Upon inquiry by Capt. Mathews, witness
said he was positive Murphys right leg was
held tight.
G. 3. Eppley, commission merchant at 2l2
10th street, said he was one of the first to
arrive upon the scene, and that he was one
of those attempting to jack the cab up.
Murphy told witness that his feet
burning up and witness went for a
bucket of water.
Coming back he was stopped by tall po-
liceman and not allowed to go near
Murphy.
v. M. Acors. employed in the yard of the
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington
railroad. said he was stopped by police
when sent by his superior officer to aid in
the effort to pull the car attached to the
engine away.
At 10 o'clock the hearing of the witnesses
was suspended until 1:30 o'clock.
The inquiry was resumed shortly after
30 o'clock with A. McWelsh, a fireman on
The C.. & o. train as a witness. He said he
arrived shortly after the accident and was
driven back by the police.
A. NJ McCurry, c. & o. railroad en-
oloye. said he came shortly after o'clock
md did not know who the police were driv-
ng back. The reason the men were driven
pack, according to the witness was be-
,ause they were In their shirt sleeves.
]. L. Reynolds of S04 Duke street Alex
lndria, fireman on the Southern railroad,
said he saw police drive crowd back from
scene of accident. Witness was also kept
back, he stated.
He said he was the fireman for Murphy,
The engineer who was killed, and when he
attempted to aid him Capt. Matthews drove
him back.
He also said that Capt. Matthews showed
Conductor Loving of the train back The
conductor told him who he was and that
ais duty was where he was standing Wit
less did not see men work with jacks.
In answer to inquiry. witness said jacks
night have been used while he was away
or short time.