Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-11
W|CKL|FFE KILLED
BY RAILWAY TRAIN
Continued from First Page.)


CONTINUED from First PaSeo
was bearing down upon him Mr. Wick
| life stepped on to the southbound track
when the train was only short distance
away.
Although the train was going at a mod
crate rate of speed. 1t was impossible
to bring the emergency brakes into serv-
| ice in time to prevent hitting the man.
When the engine struck the representa-
tive he was hurled against the signal
apparatus box, which is located within
five feet of the end of the bridge. AS
8 ated, Mr.. Wickliffe's body fell at the
base of tie rost.
Before the train had moved a quarter of
the way across the br dye Engineer Wat
kins succeeded n hrin ne 1t to sto =
Accompanied by Conductor w. L. Cooper
| ran back to the north end of the bridge.
| where the body was found Blood was
streaming from a deep cash extending
! across the right side of his head. Both
his right arm and leg appeared to have
been broken. The impact had been suf-
ficient to knock both of the low shoes
| from his feet.
Death Nearly Instantaneous.
Conductor Cooper notified the railroad
officials by means of telephone located
in a box not far from the one which
was struck by the body. Believing that
Mr. Wicklnle might still be alive the
Emergency Hospital also was notified
Inc ambulance surgeon who responded
Tronounced him dead. He was of the
opinion that death must have been al
most inStan aneOuS.
Policeman j. NJ Smith, who Is stationed
at the north end of the H ghway bridge.
and Park Policeman P. f. Feeney hur-
ried to the scene of the accident uoon
! .%-,. yl,,-r
across The bridge. and Immediately took
charge of tie body. Engineer Watkins
and Conductor Cooper boarded their
train and proceeded on their way south
Conductor Cooper prepared a report,
which was wired back to the rrainmaster
in this city as soon as the first stop was
reached.
When Capt Williams Of the fourth
police precinct reached the scene search
was made OF the clothing of the dead
man. Cards and letters We're found which
identified the man as Mr.. Wickliffe. The
name of Robert C. Wickliffe was en-
graved on a god watch found in one of
his pockets. In other pockets a razor and
SO in bills We're found. One Of the cards
identified him as member of the
knights of Columbus.
The body was removed to the morgue
and Coroner hewitt notified.
He conducted an investiga ton and de-
cided that an inquest would be neces-
sary. 1t will be held tomorrow if the
witnesses. including members of the train
crew. available. if not. it probably
will be called for Thursday. Detective
Warren this afternoon conducted several
represent atives in Congress to the scene
of the fatal accident.
AS soon as Maj Sylvester. superin-
tendent of police. was notified of the ac-
cident he instructed Capt. Boardman,
investigation of the accident. Detectives
Fred Cornwell and Charles Mullen were
assigned to the work.
Wife, Unaware, in Gallery.
Representative Estopinal had the resolu-
ton announcing the death in his hand
and was standing in his Place. Mrs
Wfckliffe was leaning over the rail of
the gallery. Representative Mcclellan of
Tennessee happened to glance her way
and suddenly 1t occurred to him that she
was ignorant of the death of her hus-
band. and was about to be subjected to
the cruel ordeal of learning of her hus-
bands death by pubic proclamation
He looked hurriedly about for a Lou
lsiana member. and finding none other
| than Representative Estopinal, ran hur-
riedly to that members desk and told
him of Mrs. Wickliffe's presence
Just as the two members looked up at
the gallery Mrs. Wickliffe was laughing
Representative John Gardner of Texas
went upstairs and into the gallery. He
asked Mrs. Wickliffe and Miss Wickliffe
the latter Mr.. Wickliffe's sister. to step out
into the upper corridor, and told them
the sad news. Representative Tom Heflin
of Alabama assisted Mrs Wickliffe, when
she swooned. into the office of Speaker
Clark. on the House floor of the Capitol
Mr.. Estopinal read the formal announce
ment to the House with genuine emotion.
announced the following committee to
attend the funeral and represent the
House:
Representatives Pujo. Estopinal. Rams
dell, Dupre, Broussard, Watkins, Thomas,
Roddenbury, Austin, Thistlewood Haw-
ley, Campbell Sisson, Mclaughlin and
| Cullop
The House adjourned promptly
Meantime -ars. Wickliffe. regaining the
strength momentarily lost. was in the
| Speakers office. attending to some bust
ness on the telephone.
rs there anything we can do for your"
Wallace Bassford, clerk to the Speaker,
asked.
my baby" said the stricken woman. The
child is girl of four. Mr.. Bassford
called an automobile. Meantime mem
bers of the House, employees and men
| from the press gallery were standing
Silently in the corridor and in the outer
office of the 81 eaker's room. Representa-
| tive Foster of Illinois, a physician, went
INTO the private room. When he came
out he sent boy Tor some smelling
salts
Oscar Underwood, majority leader.
went to the Speakers room and Joined
the little group there. and he was closely
followed by Mrs. Cullop, wife of the rep
resentative from Indiana, and Miss Gen
evieve Clark. These women ran hurried
| ly into the room where Mrs. Wickliffe
was. and in another minute they came
out again. with Mrs. Wickliffe between
them.
They walked straight out into the cor
| ridor. Mrs. Wickliffe seemed entirely
seif-possessed. She stopped just long
enough to take the proffered hand Of
Oscar Underwood, who gripped hers sin
cerely. Then the groups scattered, and
the automobile carried the stricken
mother to her baby girl.
Was Born May 1, 1874.
Robert c. Wickliffe was born at Bards-
town, KY. May l. 1874. while his parents
were visiting relatives in that place His
father was the late Robert C. Wickliffe
of West Feliciana parish, La He was
educated in the public school of st. Fran
cisville. La. later entering Central Col
lege. Danville. KY. from which he was
graduated in 1888, with the degree of B.
S. He then entered the law department Of