New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1912-06-15
THE ENTERPRISE AND
Ob server, Consolidated
Subscription $l.6O Per Annum
N. ". FISHER, elttor and Proprietor.
WICKLIFFE KILLED AT
WASHINGTON.

Washington, June IL. Repre-
sentative Robert G. Wickhffe, O.
Louisiana, was run down on tn,
tracks Of the Southern Railway il
Potomac Park today and instant
ly killed. He had left the capita
yesterday to be away today on
fishing trip. How he happened t,
stray onto the railroad tracks hai
not been cleared up. The engi
neer of the rain said he saw tn,
congressman too late to avoid the
accident.
News of the tragic death of the
prominent Suathern representa-
tive travelled fast, but did no,
reach Mrs. Wickliffe before she
had started for the Capitol, as was
her daily custom to watch the
proceedings in she House.
| That body was about to adjourn
out OF respec'.' to the memory OF
Mr.. Wickliffe when several mem.
bers happened to catch a glimpse
of his wife in the gallery. There
was hurr ed conference. Repre-
sentative Estopinel, of Louisiana,
and Cullop, OF Indiana, made
their way quickly to where Mrs.
Wiclkliffe was sitting and invitetr
j her downstairs to Speaker
Clark s Office
There, as gently as they could,
they broke rhe news to her. Mrs.
Wickl fife tainted.
Later she cried to be taken
home. Mrs. Clark, close friend,
was quickly summoned.
Immediately after she was seen
to leave the gallery the House adj
journed, at II 80 a. m. until II
a. m. tomorrow. Memorial SER
vices will be held later in the SEES.
sion.
Mr.. Wickliffe WIS alone when
killed. He was paired at the
House Of Representa- atiwes yester-
day with Representative Dupre,
Of Louisiana, fer today and jocu-
larly explained to the pair clerk
that he was going on "a fishing
trip"
The accident was ON the rail-
road embankment at the north
end of the railroad bridge over
the Po omac river, just at the Ell
trance to the Potomac Park.
which borders the river in the
southwest section of this city.
Despite a sign at that point
warning againsa trespassing on
the railroad property there, Mr..
Widkliffe was seen to climb the
elevation, apparently unconscious
of an oncoming train. He was
struck and instantly killed. a
deep cash was cut on his fore.
head and the body was badly
crushed. The right leg was brok-
en-.
The body was found about two
feet from the track on the out
side and crumpled up in what is
familiarly known to railroad men
as a "box." Congressman Wick
lffe's secretary was notified of
his death and identified the body.
Mr.. W:ckliffe's watch had.
stopped at 9.23 a. m. His body
was laid on the green near the
track and laer carried to the
Morgue.
Word Of the accident reached
the House as it was convening,
and Speaker Clark and many 9TH
er members made inquiries. Men,
bers of the House were at loss
to account for the accident.
Train No. 235, on the Southern |
Railway, going south. was the one
which killed Mr.. Wickliffe. I'm
mediately after the accident the
train crew notified the Emergen-
cy Hospital and the police au-
thorities, but it was found that
death was almost instantaneous.
On old railroad ticket, a card
and letter established identity.
In the right-hand coat pocket was
a card showing that he was q
member of the Knight of Colum.
bus, carrying an insurance policy
in that organization.
Mr.. Wickliffe was standing 10
one side of the southbound track
when he was struck. 1t is be-
:eved he was watching a north
pound train that was passing at
he time and did not either see
nor hear the southbannd train.
The Southern train had just left
he elevated tracks at the foot of
fourteenth Street and started
llong The south end of Potomac
Park when Engineer L. NJ. Wat ,
inns saw a man climbing the side ],
f the embankment at the north &
nd of the bridge. A northbounG
rain was coming across the
ridge at the time. r
Mr.. Wickliffe was watching the !
orthbound train and was look
ng in the opposite direction from !
rhich the southbound train was
ppr0aching. Not realizing that