Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-03-17


Was held yesterday evening for the pur'
pose OF investigating the cause OF tins
collision between an electric train and a
light engine of the Southern Railway al
the intersection of Cameron and Henry
streets at 1875 o'clock on the night OF
the 9th utimO. Two hours and ball
were consumed in tbs hearing, duting
which time twenty-one witnesses were
examined. The warrants we're sworn
out by Officer Herbert O. Knight and
the defendants we're Engineer John B.
Hsr ngton and Fireman William l..
C)nnor, of the Southern Railway, and
Mo,orman Charles H. Robey, Conductor
l.. II. Beshm and Trolleyman Norman
Dove. of the electric railway. Common
,Veslth's Attorney S. G. Brent conduct
cd the prosecution, Mr.. GHdner Il.
Roo. he represented the crew Of the cleo
tic r. twsy train and Mr.. John M. john
son ppeered for the engineer and fire
man. Attorneys r. d. Brumback and
n OH. CoCoer were present in the in-
tsre.ts of the Southern Railway aud
Messrs James K. and h. B. Cation rep
reseuted The electric railway company.
Three men who were passengers on
gbe electric train, Messrs. NJ. 7. Dryer,
james King and Geo. W. Zachary, testi-
led that no atop was made at the cross
ing. Toe trsin. thew stated, slowed mp,
but did not stop. @,hers, on the con-
trsry. averfed that a stop was made aud
that Two passengers boarded the trsla at
Cameron and HeuTy sne';S. john H.
Tdmyer. WAC Vas injured ia the COLI
sion. could not say the train stopped.
Conductor Beshm said the train was
brought to stop and that be slighted
from he motor csr, went ahead, stood
in tho centre of the Southern Railway
track aud, after looking north and south
and not seeing the approaching locomo-
Awe. sipnaled the motorman to go ahead.
The evidence of Motorman RObey and
Trolleyman Dove WAS substantially the
same.
Engineer Harrington, Fireman Con-
nor and two engineers who were on the
locomotive of the Southern Railway, tts'
tilted that the engine was proceeding at
lawful speed, that the bell wss being
nuog aud that light was on the tender.
Their evidence WIS substanliated by
Others.
George w. Zachary, who had asserted
that the electric train did not stop at the
crossing, said he vas seated in the trailer
and saw the light on the tender OF the
engine. Witness said it was q common
occurrence, especially at night, for cleo
trio trains TO cross the Southern Railway
tricks at that point without Stopping.
After all the evidence had been taken
and arguments heard, JOS ice Thompson
dismissed Engineer Harrington and
Fireman Conner, it having been shown
tn the satisfaction Of the court that the
engine (Which WIS being backed) WIS
proceeding at lawful speed, that the
bell was n ing ruug and a light placed
on the terd.r The justice read section
1862 of tie C, de, which is as follows:
'If any driver, or conductor or cap
tain of any vehicle or boat for public
conveyance, in the management of such
vehicle OF boat, willully or negligeDtly
infict bodily injury on any person, be
shall be punished as for misdemeanor. "
He said the evidence made it clear to
the court that Conductor Beahm was re-
soonsibl, for the collision; that although
witnesses had TESTIFIED that the electric
train WI stopped at Henry street, Others
equally as reputable had sverred thai
mo STOP was inside. The statement o.
the conductor himself was Sufficient Il
Bring about a conviction, IS he stated
uhst he stood in the csntre of the South
arn ailway track with locomot W
few Yards away (shich he failed to see
and gave the signal to go ahead. Be
sides all this, passengers in the trailer
testified to ENG the approaching en-
xins. Tte Us ice stated that uuder thu
Law fine rsrgiug from s. to 800 to
geiher With imprisonment could be i'm
posed, but as the court had RENTED
isil sentence in case of negligence oil
the part of electric railway employees
less than a year ago, no impris )nmen
would follow in this csse, although FIN
would be imposed in order to uphold thu
dignity of the law Conductor Beahn
was accordingly fined $l5.
Mr.. BOothe, who represented the cleo
trio rsilSsy meo, reserved the right II
note an appeal today if it should be de
cided to pursue that course.
E. Il. :. BASEBALL SCHEDULE
Cbe schedule of games to be plsye
H. Ell. ,nnal Hinh Schnnl Iaam ihi