The Washington times., 1913-09-09
TRA|NMEN TELL OF
DEADLY CROSSING
Mt. Vernon Avenue, Much FIRE.
quented by Motor Cars, Is
Dangerous Road.

That within a distance of three
miles from Washington on Mt. Yer
non avenue one of the most frequent
eG automobile roads in this section
used by hundreds of automobilists
daily in travelling from the Capital
TO all parts of the South and the high
way of traffic between Alexandria and
Washington, exists one of the most
dangerous crossings in the United
States. where two fatal accidents have
occurred in recent years. was develop
ed at the coroner's inquest, which
was held in Alexandria yesterday
afternoon, to investigate the death of
William n. Peck and Ernest Zell, VINO
were killed at Humes crossing Sun
Gay morning.
High banks on both sides OF the
railway track, covered with under-
growth and effectually shutting OUT
a clear view of both the macadam
road and the steam road, sharp IN
cline to within fifty feet of the cross
ing and then a dip downward to the
railway steel, the absence of watch
man. gates, or alrming bell, combine
to make a crossing where every ele-
ment of danger is present. over this
danger spot are shuttled the trains
of the Washington and Old dominion
railway. between Alexandria and Blue
mont junction, where they join the
main line. Trains travelling from the
east are operated in the usual metn-
cd of running trains, but the otner
half, those from Bluemont Junction
to Alexandria, back up" the entire
distance.
Rear End Hits.
1t was a train which was backing
that crashed in the Peck automobile
and the startling testimony was de-
veloped that the engineer was unaple
to even see the crossing. Yet, al
though he testified that nearly every
Irip. he saw automobiles waiting for
the train to pass, ne considered a
speed Of fifteen miles an hour safe.
Inexperience on the part of the rail-
way crew and lack OF proper signals
were developed in the hearing, and after
listening to the testimony OF eight VIII
neSses, the coroner's jury summoned d
Coroner r. J. Yates Drought In the loi-
lowing verdict:
NE believe the crew TO be inexperi-
ellced and the accident could have been
avoided with proper warning signals al
crossing and better braking equipment
The jury was composed Oh hooeTI 4.
Green, foreman; John Gary, n. V: Gay
lon George ". Wells, h. ID. PoWel,
and J. Z. Mcpherson.
The inquest commenced at 4:30 o'clock,
and there were present number Oh
lawyers representing the various inter-
ests. The presence OIL Capt Crandali
Nackey, Commonwealth attorney OF
Alexandria county, and the deep IN
terest ne took in the examination oI
witnesses indicated that action would
be taken by the county authorities look
ing TO the abatement of the dangerous
conditions at Humes Crossing.
The family of Mr.. Peck was repre-
sented by Eugene u. Taylor, who VIII
b.; assccIate0 with Douglass stuart in
the case, the family OF Mr.. Zell by
John NJ. Johnson. while the interests oil
The railway company were looked after
by Judge q. L. NlCol and Rudolph 1ate-
an, the latter OF the nrm OF Lambert
d Yaterlan, of Washington, general
counsel tor the Washington ana OIq
DomlniCn-
Has Best Account.
Forrest L. Crook, of Alexandria. flag
man or the rear of the train, who was
struck by pieces cf the automobile and
il Jurcd by broken glass, gave the clear
est account of the accident He said
as the trair rounded the curve just be
lore reaching the crossing he saw the
automobile approaching f. lom distance
of sixty TO seventy 1e"t. He waved at
Cne Of the men IN the car, who weveI
back at him. At that time he thought
The machine would cross the tracks
safely, but at a distance of twenty-five
or thirty feet he saw thai there wouId
be q COLLISION. He Jammed on his emer-
Iency airbrake, but il did not have
ary effect. The railway car struck the
automobile il, the center and the left
wheel rode on the pilot. The tram was
running from ten 10 fifteen miles an
hour, but he could not estimate the
speed OF the automobile.
He had been employed as a ma
chinist on q number OF railroads. but
this was his first position as a mem
Der of train crew. He had made
four trips over the road as flagman,
and had never been examined in the
rules Of the company. He testified
there was no method of communica-
tion between himself and the en-
Gineer except by waving his arms.
Engineer Questioned.
C. NJ. Darley engineer of the train.
Was quesuC at length. He said
that since last July, when the Wash
ington and Old Dominion railway had
taken over the BIuemont branch Of
the Southern railway it had been Gus
tomary to back the trains from
Blucmont Junction t. Alexandria.
He did not known why this was done.
as II was possible TO run on the main
line at the former station and re-
verse the train. In answer to an in
quiry as to whether he thought il
dangerous to back q train over such
an important crossing as Humes he
said that il would be safer TO have
the engine in front The engineer
said that he knew nothing of the ac-
cidCnt until he had been told bv his
fireman. 100 yards after passing the
The 0nv$na& nohv