Evening star., 1932-09-11

Hall q century ago WaShington's 8
steam railroad grade crossings were the
cause Of
Collision Between frequent
Street Car and Train. accidents
One Of the
worst OF these death traps" as they
were then called, was at the intersec-
tion OF Seventh street and Maryland
avenue southwest. The Star of Sen.
tember IL, 1882, thus tells Of q collision
between train and street car at that
point:
Virginia Midland passenger train
que here ut s:40 O'Clock last night, but
which was q little late owing to q
landslide, ran into street car No. II
OF the Washington and GEORGETOWN line
on the crossing at Maryland avenue
and Seventh street southwest. The
street car was on its way toward the
wharf and the Midland train was on
its way toward the Sixth street DEPOT
The street car had seven passen9ers
aboard and was struck about midway
throwing 1t to the east side of the east
track of the street and staving in, its
Sioe, breaking the wheels, windows
Ienoer and injuring all seven of the
passengers more or less, some of them
quite seriously, as well as the driver
ana conductor. The horses became de-
tacneo In some way and ran away to
the stables on Water street.
The engineer at once stopped his
traln, but too late 10 mend matters,
None Of the passengers of the street
car, however, was so badly injured as
10 prevent them from walking, some
nelng supported by others, to the ofice
OF Or. Leach on Seventh street, where.
assisted by Drs. Fenwick and Cook. ali
were attended to and afterward sent
70 tner homes. The driver of the
Street car was John T. Nolan, who was
oIagsed over the fender by the horses
wnen tney broke loose and badly in
Jureo. The passenger worst injured
was Mr.. Frank Palmer, about as wears
oio, VINO appeared to be seriously hurt
about the face, head and arms Mr.
Ed q. Burns, keeper Of a shoe store on
pennsylvania avenue, was seriously hurt
IN the left side. william Connors. a
oricklayer, was badly bruised but his
injuries are not very likely to confine
him. Mr.. william Tucker the well
known pump maker Of South Washing
ton, was badly injured about the legs.
Mr.. Edward Weser, the well known oys-
ter dealer. was badly bruised and shook
up. He Is an elderly man and 1t may
prove a serious affair to him. William
Nallager, boy about 13 years old, liv-
ing on d street near Thirteenth, was
slightly cut on the temple and face.
The engine was No. 80 and William
Fleming, the engineer, with John Bea-
vers, fireman, and is reported by the
passengers on the street car and others
to have been running at fast rate of
speed. The hagman stationed at that
point, an old man named Ahern, states
that he ran before the street car with
his nag and halloed to the driver to
stop; but the driver took no notice of
him, or did not appear to. The bell of
the engine, he also states, was ringing
and there was no excuse for the acct
dent to the driver. The conductor of
the Midland train was named Fisher.
Finding no one killed, the conductor
ordered the train to proceed to the
depot on Sixth street. Detective Nc
Dewitt put Engineer Fleming under ar
rest at once, but afterward consented
to release him long enough to drive his
engine back to Alexandra. where he
had orders to 60 with It, and provided
he would appear ut police headquarters.
He did not put In an appearance at
headquarters this morning and an ON
Ger was directed to 60 to the 3. & p.
depot to learn the reason for 1t. He
was informed by the officers of the road
that Mr.. Fleming would be on hand
whenever 1t became necessary by any
investigation which may follow, but
vuyaa
street car line, the driver not taking
any heed Of the signaling made"
This and other grade crossings In
Southwest and Northeast washington
were the object of persistent endeavors
by The Star for correction which was
finally and fully accomplished within
the city about as years later.