Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-17
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Two Families Have Close Call
From Fire.
FIREMAN COGAN A HERO
Brings to Safety Mrs. Ella Clark
From Burning Home.
w. E. SISSON KILLED BY ENGINE
Jury Returns Verdict of Gross Care
lessness on Part Of the Rail-
way Company.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star
ALEXANDRIA, Va. January II, 1910.
AS a result of fire which burned the
interior Of the Martha Washington cafe,
northeast corner of King and Washing
ton streets, two families living on the
third floor OF the building had narrow
escapes from being suffocated to death
from smoke.
/ A thrilling rescue was made by Fire
man Allen Cogan, when he brought to
safety Mrs. Ella Clark. and Mrs. Clark's
son, George Clark, about fifteen years
old. also made his escape by sliding down
the ladder. Mr.. and Mrs. w. N. Brissey
were aroused by the noise made by the
firemen and found their apartments en-
veloped in sAoke. Both dressed hastily
and came down the steps in safety.
When Mrs. Clark and her son were
aroused Fireman Cogan slid down the
ladder. a distance OF about forty feet.
with Mrs. Clark in his arms. Mrs. Clark
was at once taken to the home Of neigh
bors. where she soon revived.
The fire in the cafe was discovered by
Policemen Young and Arlington, who
turned in an alarm. Flames were shoot
ing out OF the windows from the first and
second floors and the whole place was
enveloped in smoke
The fire Is supposed to have started in
the kitchen of the cafe, which is in the
rear of the first floor, but its origin is
not known
Stepping In front Of tight" engine No.
1929. northbound. over the Southern rail-
way at Telegraph crossing, Fairfax
county. west Of here, at 9:35 o'clock yes
terday morning. William e. Sisson, man
ager of the Mahoneysville distillery,
which Is situated nearby. was literally
ground to pieces The engine was back
ing from Cameron crossing and was 60
ing to the companys round house in this
city. The body was taken to Demaine's
Undertaking establishment and a cor
oner's jury. summoned by Acting Cor
oner George c. Stuart, met last night at
the undertaking establishment and after
examining five witnesses returned a YER
dict to the effect that his death was due
TO gross negligence on the part of the
railway company. The jury was COM
Morris King. John Fletcher, Charles A.
Power, Walter Moore and l.. S. Nails.
Attorney Lewis H. Machen was present
In the interest of the family of the de-
ceased.
Witnesses testified that they heard no
whistle or bell sounded and said freight
cars on the south side obstructed the
view. there being seven tracks at the
point where the accident happened
Mr. Sisson was well known in this city.
He was native of CuIpeper county, Va.
and a son of A. B. Sisson, Fairfax coun-
ty, Va. He was about thirty-fve years
old and lived at No 2719 Duke street
His wife and one little daughter sur
vive. For several years past he had been
manager Of the distillery. At one time
he was engaged in business here at the
northeast corner Of King and Payne
streets. Mr.. Sisson was a member of
Alexandria Lodge of Elks and a meeting
of that organization will be held this
evening, when arrangements will be
made for attending the funeral the ar
rangments for which have not yet been
completed.