Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-19
EX0NERATED BY JURY
William Wyman Not Responsible
for Dr.. Reynolds Death.
EVIDENCE SUBMITTED TODAY
Witnesses Testify That Injuries Were
Accidentally inflicted.
Funeral Services This Afternoon Over
Remains Of DR.. Reynolds-Grand
Army Pallbearers.

death of DR.. Elmer r. Reynolds of 3lS
Maryland avenue northeast. who was run
down by an automobile at the corner of Sd
and streets northeast, the coroner's jury
returned a verdict of accidental DEATH"
generating from blame William Wyman,
owner and operator of the car.
Assistant District Attorney Turner ap-
peared at the inquest to hear the stories
told by witnesses and to determine whether
the matter should be brought to the atten-
ton OF the grand Jury. Attorney Ambrose
appeared for the Reynolds family, and At
torneys Leckie and Fulton for Mr.. Wyman
The inquiry was conducted by Acting Coro-
ner GIazebrook.
Fred G. Mitchell of 9Th and E streets
northeast was the first witness. He stated
he was a passenger on the same car with
DR.. Reynolds Tuesday.
Il was standing beside him on the front
platform as the trolley car approached Sd
and c streets northeast" said Mitchell.
'and I stepped out Of the way to let DR..
Reynolds reach the step. Reynolds had
been talking to another man on the plat
form and he was still talking as he swung
to the ground The car was not yet at a
standstill, and 1 heard the automobile horn
sound once or twice hardly an instant be-
fore Reynolds was struck. Mr. Wyman.
who was driving the auto, cried out a
warning. The front wheel Of the auto
struck DR.. Reynolds and he staggered and
FELL and both wheels passed over his body"
Mr.. Mitchell said he one OF the first
to reach the side Of the fallen man and he
helped to place Reynolds in Mr.. Wyman's
automobile and to hold him on the way
to the hospital
Other Testimony.
w. II. Smoot of 227 C street was In front
Of his home as the trolley and the auto
mobile passed, and he heard the warning
toot of the horn.
THE trolley car was coming to a stop
and Just as he sounded the horn Mr.. Wy
man reached forward grasped a lever and
apparently tried to increase his speed
before the trolley stopped and people be-
gan to alight," witness said "Dr. Rey-
nolds' feet had just touched the ground
and he had released his grip on the
handles of the as the automobile
struck him and passed over his body"
Mr.. Smoot estimated the speed Of the au-
tomobile in the little squirt which preceded
the accident at about twenty-five miles an
hour.
william Harlow of 1ls4 Parls place north
east; George A. Jenning. coiored, $50 Sd
street northeast. and John L. Neuroth of
1898 C street northeast did not see either
Reynolds or the automobile In the instant
the accident occurred but from them 1t
was established that the automobile was
running about midway of the roadway be-
tween the trolley tracks and the sidewalk;
that the trolley car had stopped at the east
line of Sd street. and that the automobile
stopped within a few feet after passing
over Dr. REYNOLDS
DR.. NJ. 7. Sweeney of the resident staff
of Casualty Hospital, testified that DR..
Reynolds was brought to that institution
about $40 o'clock Tuesday. suffering from
a deep laceration of the scalp and fracture
Of the skull The patient was able to give
his name, witness said, but he soon lapsed
into Inconsistencies. and death occurred
Tuesday night.
DR.. r. w. Baker. deputy coroner, stated
that the autopsy showed death to have
been caused by fracture Of the skull and
hemor-hage Of the brain
In His Own Behalf.
Taking the stand to make statement in
his own behalf William H. Wyman. owner
Of the automobile, said:
II was taking my car to the shop to be
repaired because 1t was In poor condition.
Approaching the cornor of Sd street on
northeast l ran alongside a trolley car,
which was In the act of stopping. The
back platform was crowded, but no one
was getting off as I passed, and l kept
ahead. DR.. Reynolds jumped off the front
platform and took two steps, which brought
him directly in front of me.
Il sounded my horn, cried out and put on
the brake all at once but 1t was all over
striking DR.. Reynolds.'
Mr.. Wyman stated that he first put on
brakes, but released the clutch when he
saw Or. Reynolds disappear beneath the
car. so as to avoid stopping on the body.
Verdict Of the Jury.
The jury returned It's finding after brief
elaboration as follows:
Elmer Reynolds came to his death at the
Casualty Hospital at 1 am, September Ii,
1907. from injuries received by being knock
ed down by an automobile at the corner Of
c and Sd streets northeast In the judg-
ment Of the jury the said death was acct
dental"
Signed: ]. r. 8. Rardesty, Oscar Baum,
Thomas A. Fitzgerald, Patrick J. McManus,
Hugh A. Kane. James A. K. Moore.
Funeral Services.
Funeral services over the body of DR..
Reynolds were held at the family home,
31S Maryland avenue northeast. at o'clock
this afternoon. Rev. Mr.. Miller. pastor of
the Ninth Street Christian Church. offici-
ating. A delegation from Lafayette Post,
G. A. R., of which the deceased was a past
commander, attended, and Chaplain Benja-
min Of the post read the G.. A. r. service.
Other members OF the post acted as pail
bearers. Interment was made in Con-
gressional cemetery.
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