Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-01-05
DEATH COMES INSTANTLY
WILLARD F. MARTIN RUN
DOWN BY EXPRESS TRAIN.
Fatal Accident Occurs Between
Langdon and District Line.
Coroner Exonerates Trainmen.

Willard F. Martin, a local insurance
agent. was instantly killed between 1.
and L O'Clock yesterday afternoon by a
fast New York express thain on it's way
north He was run down between Lang
don and the District line.
The accident occurred about fourth
OF mile north of Langdon. and the I'M
fortunate man was dragged fully two hun
dred feet before his body was picked up
oy the train crew and citizens, 1t was
discovered to be in a badly mangled con.
dition.
AT the time of his death Martin was
employed as a special solicitor by the
Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company
OF Philadelphia. whose local office is
located at 1923 G street. The man was on
MS way 10 deliver insurance policies to a
number of, residents in the vicinity of
Langdon. 1t is presumed he chose to
walk along the railroad in order to avoid
long detour by street and vas so I'M
fortunate as to be struck by the train
as stated
Immediately after the accident the re-
mains were taken in charge by Policeman
Schultze of the ninth precinct, and the
coroner was notified. Later. the body
was removed to the morgue, where it
was viewed by Coroner hewitt, and after
were inquired into. a certificate of acct
dental death was issued.
Statement by His Associates.
According to his associates Martin left
his-office yesterday morning with the re-
mark that he would not be back until
late in the afternoon, as he proposed to
go to Langdon after attending to some
minor business in the vicinity Of his Of
nee That was the last seen of him
until his remains were identified near the
scene of the accident. Policeman Schultze,
with the assistance of several citizens.
carried the body of Martin into Langdon,
and took it to the grocery store of z. c.
Chaney, where it was held until it's re-
moval to the morgue.
The identification was made shortly
after the accident by the unfortunate
mar.'s business associates.
Mr.. Martin was fifty-two years of age,
and made ais home with sister, Mrs.
Julia E. Hodges. 476 o street northwest,
where he has lived for the past several
years. Besides the sister mentioned,
Joseph. Robert and John Martin-and
three children-Clara. who lived with her
father at the street residence, and a
married son and daughter-survive him.
Native of Baltimore.
A., Mr.. Martin came to Washington from
Baltimore, where he was born, when but
a small boy. He received the principal
part of his education in the local schools,
and was for many years engaged in the
retail oil business in the southeastern
seton of the city. living for many years
at 524 18th street, southeast.
Five years ago Mr.. Martin disposed Of
his oil business and accepted the position
of special solicitor with the insurance
company mentioned, in which work he
gained an enviable reputation He was
widely known, and his sudden death came
as great shock to his many friends
The body was removed from the
morgue last night to an undertaking es-
Enlistment, where it was prepared for
burial The funeral will probably take
place Monday afternoon, with the inter-
ment in the Congressional cemetery The
dead man was a member of long stand
ing of Naval Lodge No. 4. F. A. A. NJ,
and was also a knight TempIar.
:. V. t. Green of Baltimore, engineer;
A. T. Rubezch, Baltimore. fireman, and
c. 7. Allen. Baltimore, conductor, were
in charge of the train which ran down
the unfortunate man. All three were
exoIeraeed from blame in come ction with
the death.