The Washington herald., 1910-01-17
WASHINGTON HERALD BUREAU,
e. l. IL I. IL

VI hAllb e.hNNA'
Alexandria, Va. Jan. 16-Wnliam E.
Slsson. manager Of The Mah9neysyille
distulery, was struck and instantly killed
this morning at Telegraph Crossing,
Fairfax Couty, Va, by a light north
bound Southern Railway locomotive. The
body was horribly mangled.
An inquest was held at 100 o'clock this
evening at Demaine's undertaking estab-
Iishment by Acting Coroner George c
Stuart. Of Fairfax County. After hearing
a number Of witnesses. the jury returned
verdict Of death due TO gross negligence
on the part of the railroad.
The jury was composed Of George K.
Pickett, foreman; Morris King, John
Fletcher, Charles \. Power. Walter Moore,
and I. 5. Nails Attorney Lewis II.
Machen was present in the interest Of the
family of the deceased.
Mr.. Sisson was returning from the dis
tnlery accompanied by his nephew.
Eugene Sisson The latter was behind
him He talked with the Waterman,
Michael Grimes and started across the
network Of tracks at that point when he
was killed,
/ The first witness 20 be examined at
the inquest was Eugene Sisson. eighteen
years old He testified that he was
standing on the Telegraph road cross
ing. and that the view OF the approaching
locomotive was obstructed by freight cars
on the south siding. Witness also said a
passenger train passed a few minutes be-
fore the accident He heard no whistle
or bell The Waterman, he said. had told
him that he had hallOed TO Sisson to get
ont of the way Of the locomotive, but
witness failed to hear him. he said.
John Bigsby. a farmer, from Fairfax
County, was standing near by at the time.
He saw Michael Grimes. the flagman: Mr.
Sisson. and the latter's nephew convers-
ing. Sisson started up the track. The
fagman called 10 him and made an inef-
fectual effort to grab him. Sissons foot
got caught between the rails and he was
struck. He heard no whistle or bell, he
said.
Michael Grimes. crossing Waterman told
of Sisson and his nephew walking up to
him and speaking as the engine ap-
proached. When he looked around. Sis
son was in the center of the track He
cried 20 him TO look out twice and be-
Ueved Sisson had cleared himself.
Engineer ]. \. Walker, who was run
ming the engine. testified that he ran
train No 50 out Of Washington, and was
taking his engine backward from Cam
eron Run. He gave the usual whistle and
sounded his bell as he passed the cross
ing. His fireman called TO Inim that he
had run over a man. He Immediately
stopped his engine. His train was run
ming at between five and eight miles an
hour, he said.
Fireman Iverson Miller testified he was
on the lookout, and saw the Waterman
The automatic bell was ringing. and the
whistle was sounded. he said. Witness
saw two men at the crossing.
MI Sisson. who was about thirty-five
years old was a son Of L. II. SisSOn
and a native of Culpeper County. Va
For several years he has been manager
of the Mahoneysville distillery Prior to
that time he was engaged in the grocery
business at King and Payne streets. He
lived a S7l9 Duke street. Besides his wife
one young daughter survives The body
will be taken to his home tomorrow
morning and prepared for burial Fun
eral arrangements have not been com
pleted. Mr.. Sisson was a member OF