Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-06
HAPPENINGS IN ALEXANDRIA
CORONER'S JURY EXONERATES
TRAIN CREW.
Hearing at Inquest Revealed That
Victim Threw Himself on the
Rails-Installatio of Officers.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, January 6, 1909
A coroner's, jury with E. ]. Pennybacker
as foreman. summoned by Coroner Ash
ton of Alexandria county. at noon today
returned a verdict that Emerson Warner
Orrisson of Arcola, Loudoun county. Va,
came to his death by throwing himself In
front of an engine on the Bluemont
branch of the Southern railroad last
evening. and they exonerated the crew
of the train from any blame. The jury
was composed Of E. ]. Pennybacker. fore
man; William Duncan, ]. l.. Reid. w. E.
Norton, J. V. Barrett and J. NJ. Melon
aid
The first witness to testify was Engineer
Jacob Corl He said he saw Orrisson
300 yards ahead of his train freight
which was travelling at the rate of fifteen
to eighteen miles an hour. He sounded
his whistle. The man. however. was
needless of the warning given and con-
tinued walking toward the train When
within fifteen feet of the man he gave
two sharp blasts in rapid succession and
applied the emergency brakes and started
his automatic bell. AS he did so Orrisson
threw up his hands. and in a kneeling
position threw himself backward across
the track. He said it was then impossible
to stop his train, and the entire train. con-
sisting of engine and seven cars. passed
over the mans body, horribly mangling 1t.
Saw the Man Jump.
Fireman w. L. Leatherland testified
that he was attracted when the engineer
cried. Great God. did you see that man
jump under the engine?" He heard the
alarm given by the whistle and added
that the entire train passed over the
dead mans body.
Conductor II. n. Parrish said he was
In the caboose writing when the train
struck Orrisson. He knew the brakes
were applied and heard the whistle
sounded Witness said he was consider
ably Jared by the application of the
braEes and at once went to the rear OF
the caboose. where he saw the mangled
body of Orrisson. Besides the trains crew
no other witnesses were examined.
The accident occurred at 4:45 o'clock
yesterday afternoon at Hume's Springs.
three miles north of Alexandria. The
train which struck Orrsson was known
as train No. 1862 and was eastbound
freight coming from Bluemont, and its
destination was the Potomac yards.
Letters found in the dead mans pock-
His brother. Robert l.. Orrison, came here
this morning upon receiving news of his
brothers death.
The dead man was thirty-five years old
and unmarried. He was engaged in the
agricultural business at Arcola Lou
known. He was a son Of James w. Orri-
son of Arcola. His body will be sent to
Arcola this evening. and his funeral will
probably take place tomorrow afternoon.
Modern Woodnien Installed.
The recently elected officers of Alex
andria Camp. No. 1885. Modern Wood
men of the World were installed last
night by Grand Sentinel J. A. Ward of
Rhode Island. The installation cere-
monies We're followed by a banquet at
the Elkton. Venerable Councillor Wythe
White served as tOastmaSter.
During the evening Interesting i'm
promptu addresses were made by Messrs
Wythe White, ]. A. Ward, A. c. Baden,
wilkins. Ashby Bladen, George l.. Pal
n1er and Marion Rose. 1t was midnight
before the banquet was concluded.
The officers are as follows: Wythe
White. venerable councillor; w. L. Rose
adviser: Z. B. Risdon. banker; J. r. Wad-
Thomas, Waterman; George w. Carter
sentry, and DR.. r. Lee wilkins, physi-
clan.
At the annual meeting of the Young
Mems Sodality Lyceum held last night
the following officers were elected to
serve for the ensuing year: r. E. Power,
president; F. T. Quinn, first vice presi-
dent; c. T. Hellmuth, second vice presi-
dent; w. Z. Toomey, recording secretary;
James Patterson, jr., financial secretary;
ney. librarian, and NJ. Downey, sergeant
alarms.
United States Court Gases.
In the United States court for the east
ern district of Virginia today the case of
Henry De Lifus, colored. charged with
assaulting George Campbell on govern
ment reservation July II last, was again
given to the jury for consideration. The
accused was represented by Attorney R.
G. L. Moncure.
William H. Lomax. colored charged
with violating the internal revenue laws,
entered plea of guilty and the court
suspended judgment. The same action
was taken by the court in the case of D.
offense.
Miss Iva b. MOrriarity and Mr. Frank
w. Smith, son of Lieut.. James Smith of
the police department. were married at II
o'clock this morning at the manse of the
Second Presbyterian Church. Rev. j. r.
Sewer officiating. Only the immediate
relatives of the two were present. Fol
lowing the ceremony, Mr.. and Mrs. Smith
left for southern bridal trip. Upon
their return they will reside in this city.
died yesterday at the residence of her
daughter. Mrs. B. Abrahamson, 1O5 North
Washington street. were sent this morn
ing to Petersburg. Va, at which place the
burial took place.
Brief Mention.
decree for absolute divorce on the
grounds of desertion was given in the
circuit court for this city today in the
case Of Nettie G. Ennis against John w.
Ennis.
II just threw the stone at his door
for fun" said John Underwood, a white
youth in court, when arraigned today
for throwing stones at the door of
shoe shop conducted by Don Block. Your
fun will cost you $3.50" replied the
court.
Several days ago Policeman Rawlett
took in custody a donkey which was
found roaming the streets. 1t Is now a
captive in the city pen. No one having
claimed the property. the police are kept
busy feeding him. What to do with the
donkey is problem to the police
Two bicycles which were stolen yes
terday from the Washington Post Office
were recovered yesterday
afternoon by Policemen Ferguson and
Rawlett in an uptown secondhand store.
The wheels were subsequently turned
over to Detective Springman Of Wash
ington.
The damage suit of Trimyer against
the Washington, Alexandria and Mount
Vernon Electric Railway Company was
gain taken up in the circuit court to-