The Washington herald., 1912-04-06
NEWSOFALExANDRIA
James Finnell, Aged Sixty, Struck
and Instantly Killed by
Electric Train.

train over the Washington-Nirginia Rail-
way at as o'clock this afternoon while
walking along the track just north Of
King street, at point q short distance
north of the steam railway trestle. His
grandson, Milton Hansborough, nine
years old, with whom he was walking, had
miraculous escape from meeting the
same fate. The boy. however, was sim
ply tossed aside BY the train, and other
than q few slight bruises. escaped In
Jury. He. however. was taken to the
hospital In an ambulance and looked
after by DR.. w. NJ Smith The lad was
dlscharged from the hospital early TO-
night.
FinneIl and his grandson were walking
along the northbound track when tne
1:59 o'clock train out Of Washington
came dashIng along the southbound
track, and about the same time there
also passed overhead on the trestie a
big steam train. Finnell, It Is said.
looked up. being attracted by the noise
and In so doing walked on the southbouBd
track OF the electric railway company,
apparently oblivious to the fact that
the southbound train was approaching
Motorman Van Horn blew his whistle
and at once applied hiS emergency
brakes. while Conductor crockett also
raped vigorously ct the bell cord. but
IL was too late. FinnelI having at the
least expected moment made the sud
den change resulting in being caught.
The electric train was brought TO
sudden stop and the passengers were
horrIhed TO find the mangied form OF
lFinneiI beneath the wheels OF the front
motor truck. There was no doubt that
death had been instantaneous. His skull
was crushed, a number OF ribs broken.
and he was virtually scalped. The MEM
bers Of the trains crew. after short
time, removed the body from beneath the
car. after which II was taken to Wheat
ley's undertaking establishment.
Coroner 8. B. Moore was notified ana
decided TO hold an inquest at 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning. A jury was sum-
moned for that purpose tonight by Sergt
r. H Cox. A large crowd OF spectators
were attracted to the scene OF the acci-
dent.
At the time of the accident there is
said to have been some smoke from
burning BRUSH near by. also there was
smoke from the passing locomotive, and
this may have beWildered the deceased In
noticing the on-coming train. or other
wise the sound made by the passing
steam train overhead deadened the sound
of the electric train.
The deceased was a well-known resi-
dent, and at one time had been employed
las freight conductor by the Southern
Railway Company in this city. Recently
he had been employed in various other
capacities. He lived with his son In
North West street.
Judge B. T. Gordon. Judge Of the
Twenty ninth judicial circuit. Of Nelson
County. Va, has been designated by
Gov. Mann to sit in the annexation pro-
ceedings instituted by the city Of Alex
andria TO obtain part OF Alexandria
and Fairfax counties. The governor has
also fxed upon May 5 next as the date
for the beginning OF the hearing Of the
proceedings.
An order designating Judge Gordon was
entered by the governor on March p
last and received at the Alexandra
County courthouse and entered April l.
Corporation Counsel Fisher received the
news Of the designation of Judge Gordon
late this afternoon while at the county
courthouse. Annexation will be vigor-
ously opposed by Alexandria and Fairfax
counties. both OF these counties having
already employed able legal counsel to
resist the movement
In the proceedings this city will be
represented by Corporation Attorney S.
p. Fisher. who will be assisted by Attor-
neys S. G. Brent and John NJ. Johnson.
Alexandra County will be represented by
Commonwealth's Attorney Capt. Crandal
Mackey. who will be assisted by former
Gov. A J. Montague and his brother.
r. Lynch Montague. of Richmond. Fair
fax County win be represented by Com
monwealth's Attorney c. Vernon Ford.
who will be assisted by Moore, Barbour,
Keith & McCandish, OF Fairfax County.
Automobile owners in this city are ar
ranging for a meeting for the purpose
Of perfecting an organization. A call
for the meeting was issued to-day. to be
held at $50 o'clock Tuesday night next
In the rooms Of the chamber of COM
merce.
One of the principal objects OF the pro-
posed association Is for the betterment
Of roads in this city, together with the
roads in Alexandria and Fairfax coun-
ties.
There are said to be nearly 100 automo-
bile owners in this city, and IL is be-
Iieved that most OF them will eventually
become i&ntifed with the association
for the purpose Of protecting their own
interests and interesting themselves in
the betterment of the roads.
Already complaint has been made that
milkmen throw broken milk jars in the
streets. while other refuse is also dumped
into the streets. making IL very danger
Gus to the tires OF the machines.
In the Circuit Court for this city this
afternoon the will of the late B. Fleet
Board was admitted to probate. Testator
leaves his estate to his wife, Jessie P.
Board, and named her as executrix- She,
however, declined to qualify, and Harvey
Steward, brother-in-Iaw OF the deceased.
qualified as administrator with the will
annexed. The court appointed the follow
ing as appraisers: c. S. 7. Burke, T. c.
Smith, and Carroll Pierce.
Announcement Is made that the Elks'
Dramatic Club has reorganized with the
election Of these officers: Thomas Chaun-
cey, president; Joseph Lowenbach, vice
president; George W. Bontz, Jr., secre-
tary: H. Friedlander. treasurer; d. z.
Robey, director; A. d. Deeton. stage man.
ager "The Man from Out West; or.
Breaking Into Society" will be presented
by the club May and next. They will
be assisted by a quartet composed Of
Archie Nails. Frank Smith. and Gordon
Phillips.
The whistle OF Southern Railway
locomotive got out of adjustment at 7:39
o'clock tonight while in the companys
yards. and for twenty minutes its shrill
sound could be heard throughout the
city Many people believing there was
a fire went In the vicinity Of the yards.
At a meeting OF Potomac Lodge OF
Odd Fellows. held at its hall tonight,
the initatory degree of the order was
-