Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-09-17

Frank Exum, colored, forty years OF
age, of Anacostis, d. O., was run over
by the electric train which left this city
at 7:l5 Saturday night on l4th street
near B northwest, Washington, and in-
stautly killed. Several witnesses OF the
accident saw that Exum was struck In
the face a few moments before BY
youne white man, said to be Thomas
Ennis, of this city, and all seemed to
think that the colored man was
dazed by he blow and that this had
some bearing 90 the fatality. The col
ored mans assailant jumped from the
train Immediately after delivering the
blow, and, although he was heavily
thrown, be quickly regained bis feet and
disappeared among the trees OF the mall.
Just where Exum boarded the train
IN not known, although it is supposed
he got on ut the north end of the High
wsy bridge He was standing on the
front platform of the trailer. The white
man, Who was apparently intoxicated
at that timc, coupled position on the
lower step Just in front of Exum, and
il is alleged that the former seemed de-
termined upon resenting some real or
fancied sffront. He was heard to ad-
dress Exum 10 a threatening manner,
and Immediately thereafter he struck The
colored man terrific blow in the face.
The sssaiant then swung to the ground,
falling heavily on the pavement aud
rolling over and over. Another mao,
who was said to be his travelling com
panion, followed him from ths train and
they ran away together.
Whether the blow so dazed Exum that
he was unable to direct his movement or
whether he leaped TO the ground with
the intention of pursuing bis assaiiant
orobably never will be known. He
fell forward aud Immediately under
the wheels and his body was terribly
msngled. =,
Responding to an emergency signal
the motOrman get the brakes, but Exum
was dragged considerable distance, and
when the train was finally stopped his
head was under the front trucks. At
the time of the occurrence the train was
travelling at the rate OF ten or twelve
miles an hour.
A card found in the pocket of the dead
man after be had been placed 10 the
morgue indicated that he had been
patient at the Emergency Hospital
about a year ago, and that he had been
a sufferer from lOcOmOter ataxia.
The train, which was crowded, was IN
charge of Motormsn Henry Y. Kelly,
Conductor Stephen Sorrell and Trolley
man Kincheloe. A loaded revolver sup
posed to have been the property Of the
colored man. was found under bis body
after the train had been brought to
standstill.
Ennis was arrested at late hour Sat
urdsy night. He was taken into Gus
today by Officer Nicholson and Knight
as he was returning to Alexandria on the
electric train which left Washington at
IL O'Clock He was subsequently turned
over to Detectives Grant aud Trumoo
Who conducted him TO Wsshin gton.
Ennis declared he did not remember
TO have had any trouble with any one
duridg the evening. He was until two
weeks ago employed as brakeman on
the r F. and P. railroad, but resigned
TO become 8 fireman on the SIuthern
road. 90,
Coroner hewitt of Washington held
an inquest this morning to investigate
the circumstances 10 connection with the
death of Exum, and after hearing the
evidence decided that it was case OF
aoc;dant and released Ennis