Coroners Inquisitions

Coroners Inquisitions are investigations into the deaths of individuals who died by a sudden, violent, unnatural, or suspicious manner, or who died without medical attendance. The coroner would summon a jury of twelve white men, usually prominent citizens of that locality, to assist him in determining cause of death.

Additional information may be found in Judgment records [Book 23].

BLACK, Harry J. - in Hagerstown at Washington County Hospital.
- 25 Nov 1912 - by Daniel W. DOUB, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from being run over by a freight car on the Western Maryland 
  Railroad at the siding of Mill Switch, one mile east of Security.
  Harry was a brakeman on the railway.
- Dr. J. McP. SCOTT, Dr. H. K. DERR, Dr. J. Royer LAUGHLIN.
- Witnesses:  C. E. MACE, J. P. COPELAMD, T. D. SHENK, Samuel Eichelberger.
[Book 13, 3-7] (Filed 6 Dec 1912, Judgment Liber 23, 230)


BOVEY, Harry - at Williamsport
- 28 Aug 1913 - by C. E. RICKARD, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from being run over by C. D. MILLER's automobile; it was deemed 
  an unavoidable accident.
- Dr. W. S. RICHARDSON
- Witnesses:  Rev. H. D. STEWART, C. J. DAVIS, Percy MURRAY, Dr. J. C. 
  WEIDERHALL, Charles DOTY, Arthur QUIGLEY, George THOMPSON, George CURFMAN.
[Book 13, 72-75] (Filed 16 Sep 1913, Judgment Liber 23, 248)


BOWERS, Ernest - at Clearspring
- 20 Jun 1913 - by David S. MILLER, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from gun shot wound inflicted by unknown means on 4 Jun 1913.
- Dr. C. T. MASON
- Witnesses:  
.....John J. CRILLY - He discovered the body when he observed turkey buzzards 
     along the trees at a small hill north of his house in the early morning. 
     He had gone over there and saw the body and called Percy BLAIR and they 
     both thought it was the body of "Peck" BOWERS who had been reported absent
     for some time.  They identified him by his clothing. His wife had been out 
     on Sunday to see after cherries and noticed an odor from the hill and told 
     him about it.  On Monday in Clearspring, Clinton BOWERS had told him of 
     the absence of Ernest, his brother.  He didn't know of any difficulty 
     Ernest had.
.....Grant MILLS, an uncle - He knew the body by the clothes he wore.  Said 
     two weeks from Sunday, Ernest had gone to RIDENOUR's to work, came home 
     on Tuesday and left on Wednesday with the gun which had formerly belonged 
     to a half brother (now deceased) and was given to Ernest by his mother.  
     Ernest had at times gone from his home without telling of his destination 
     and on one occasion had been absent for months.  Geese were found not far 
     away.
.....Percy BLAIR - Testimony similiar to CRILLY's.  He saw Ernest about three 
     weeks ago going to PUTNAM's, but hadn't seen him since.
.....William K. PUTNAM - He last saw Ernest alive at the house of his father, 
     George W. PUTNAM in company with Ed MILLS.  He knew of no grudges or threats. 
.....Daniel HARVEY - He knew Ernest and didn't know of any threats against him 
     or any difficulties.
.....Dr. C. T. MASON - The body had an open wound through the neck on right side
     through which a stick passes and believed it was from a gun shot and caused 
     his death.  Body was badly decomposed; abdomen and face torn by buzzards; 
     some teeth were out both in upper and lower jaw.
.....John BOWERS, age 11, brother of Ernest - Stated Ernest left home about three 
     weeks ago.  John was crying and much distressed.
.....Katie BOWERS, age 13, sister of Ernest - Stated Ernest left home Wednesday, 
     two weeks ago and she wasn't home at the time.
[Book 13, 56-64] (Filed 26 Jun 1913, Judgment Liber 23, 239)


BURGAGE, J. D. - in Hagerstown at Washington County Hospital.
- 27 Nov 1912 (& Dec 2 & 4) - by Daniel W. DOUB, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from injuries sustained during a head-on collision on the Western 
  Maryland Railroad on 27 Nov 1912 at 3:30 am on the third section of freight 
  train #204, in charge of J. W. NICHOLS, conductor, going east with the first 
  section of the freight train #203, in charge of Isaac KING, conductor, going 
  west, about 15 miles east of Hagerstown at Blue Mountain Passing Siding and 
  1/2 mile west of Pen Mar station.  Body found near Edgemont.
  ..Collusion caused by failure of Isaac KING to properly observe the entries 
  made in the register at Highfield by conductor of freight train - second 
  #204, of green signal which indicated that another section was following and 
  requiring him to hold his train at Highfield until the arrival of train - 
  third #204.  
  J. D. BURGAGE was a fireman on train - third #204, and was killed by being 
  crushed between the tender and the engine.
  Also injured in collision was Otis L. HENDRICKSON, engineer of third #204, 
  who was taken to the hospital and died from his injuries on 29 Nov 1912.
- Dr. S. M. WAGAMAN, Dr. J. McP. SCOTT, Dr. H. K. DERR.
- Witnesses:  Samuel HELTZER, Charles B. SPIGLER, D. H. BRAGONIER, J. N. 
  HOCKERSMITH, C. H. PETER, J. N. SPIGLER, F. NORTON, H. E. ROSS, John W. 
  NICHOLS, L. U. ALBERT, E. H. MANAHAN, W. F. ECKHARDT, I. D. MENTZER, G. H. 
  SHEETS, H. H. BERRY, W. F. HARBAUGH, Isaac KING, T. W. GIBBONS.
[Book 13, 8-12] (Filed 6 Dec 1912, Judgment Liber 23, 229)


CULLER, Morris W. - in Hagerstown 
- 14 Apr 1913 - by John ANKENEY, J.P., acting coroner
- Body found at Standard Oil Company Warehouse, Hagerstown.
- Death from unknown causes while operating an elevator on 14 Apr 1913 
  at 8:30 am.
- Dr. D. A. WATKINS.
- Witnesses:  C. E. POOLE.
[Book 13, 28-30] (Filed 3 Jun 1913, Judgment Liber 23, 235-236)


DRISCOLL, Cornelius, Pvt, Troop D, 15th US Cavalry 
- 10 Aug 1913 - by Daniel W. DOUB, J.P., acting coroner
  in Hagerstown at Police Headquarters.
- Body found lying on pavement on North Jonathan St in Hagerstown at 
  3:30 am on 10 Aug 1913; taken to undertaker Charles M. SUTER's.
- Death caused from accidental fall from 3rd floor window of the City Hotel 
  in Hagerstown.
- Dr. W. B. MORRISON.
- Witnesses:  
.....Sgt C. R. MAY, Troop D, 15th US Cavalry - He left Winchester (VA) yesterday 
evening with Captain CARROLL and arrived in Hagerstown about 4 pm, strolled around 
the town and stopped to rest down at the corner of the square on Main St where they 
met Private DRISCOLL, O'SULLIVAN and GREEN and they had a half dozen drinks of beer.  
About 10:30 pm, he and O'SULLIVAN left Captain CARROLL, Private GREEN and DRISCOLL 
and went to the City Hotel and made arrangements for rooms for the night.  We were 
at the bar until 11 pm, talking to Mr McCARDELL when he was closing the bar and then 
went out to the front of the hotel and sat there until 1 am or so.  Then we went to 
our room with O'SULLIVAN and DRISCOLL in Room 22 and I was in Room 24 which were 
adjoining rooms.  
   During the night, while I was sleeping, I heard someone call out "22" and then 
heard a knock on door 24 when I said to go to 22 because that door was unlocked.  
They came in and turned on the light and Mr. McCARDELL said to take stock as one 
of the boys had fallen out of the window.  When looking around the room, I noticed 
DRISCOLL was missing and dressed quickly and went down to the sidewalk and found 
DRISCOLL lying there and the Doctor was working with him and in a short time the 
ambulance came and Mr. McCARDELL and myself went in the ambulance with DRISCOLL to 
the hospital.  We came back to the hotel and, between 5:30 and 6 am, we were told 
DRISCOLL had died.
   DRISCOLL was not drunk and showed no signs of intoxication.  There was a quart 
of liquor and a case of beer in their room, but hadn't been touched and was returned 
to Mr. McCARDELL in the morning.  DRISCOLL was a man of good habits and a good moral 
fellow and well liked and a close friend of O'SULLLIVAN for five years.
   DRISCOLL was slightly conscious in the ambulance and looked up and I called his 
name and asked if he knew me; he answered "yes, Sgt May".  I asked if his head hurt 
and he said "no, way down".

.....Cpl Arthur CARROLL, Troop D, 15th US Cavalry - stationed in Winchester, VA.
Testimony was much the same, he also being in Room 24.  DRISCOLL was a good moral 
man and a good friend.

.....Pvt Eugene O'SULLIVAN, Troop D, 15th US Cavalry - came with DRISCOLL from 
Winchester, VA.  Most of the testimony the same.  About 1:30 am, DRISCOLL smoked 
a cigarette and then we went to bed, he being near the window; later on CARROLL 
and GREEN came in and spoke. He never heard Mr McCARDELL, but about 5:30 am Sgt 
MAY told him DRISCOLL was dead.  He and DRISCOLL were on a 36-hour pass. 
He had known DRISCOLL for five years and was with him in the Phillipines in 1901; 
he had very good habits and in 1904 was discharged April 15th.  He never drank to 
excess, was 30 years old and he believed he came from Worcester, MA.  He smoked 
occasionally.

.....Pvt Roy GREEN, Troop D, 15th US Cavalry - He came on the same train as DRISCOLL 
and O'SULLIVAN.  He went through Room 22 to Room 24 and went to bed about 1:45 am.  
Most of the testimony was the same.  He helped place DRISCOLL on the litter. 
He had no idea how the accident occurred unless DRISCOLL was sitting in the window 
smoking and fell into a doze and fell out.

.....William Earl McCARDELL, proprietor of the City Hotel - Most of testimony was 
the same.  He had gone out to see the automobile accident on the Williamsport Pike 
and came in about 2:45 am.  Then about 3:45 am Jacob SAILLES came up and told him 
one of his guests had fallen from the window.  He dressed and went out and saw the 
fellow lying there in his underclothes and it seemed he had fallen from Room 22;  
his head was cut open.  He knocked on the door and notified the guests and Dr. 
MORRISON was called and did everything possible until the ambulance arrived and 
we placed DRISCOLL in the ambulance and Sgt MAY and I went with him.  DRISCOLL 
was conscious for about 40 seconds.  When he returned to the hotel, he called Major 
RHODES about the matter.  All of the boys were sober when they went to bed.  The 
distance from the window where he fell was about 30 feet.

.....Charles M. SUTER, undertaker - He was called about 3:50 am and reached the 
hospital about 4:05 am.  DRISCOLL was partially conscious in the ambulance and 
asked for water; after that, he went into a comatose state.  He was taken to the 
operating room, but his pulse was almost gone.

.....Dr. W. B. MORRISON, physician - He was called about 3:30 am by Charles 
BURNETT and informed a man had fallen from a City Hotel window to the pavement.  
When he arrived, the man was lying on his back, head toward the curb, scalp 
wound on right side of head, bleeding.  He was unconscious, pulseless and bathed 
in cold sweat.  The Dr. asked for an ambulance to take the man to the hospital 
and administered stimulants to the man while waiting.  On the way to the hospital, 
he regained consciousness for about two minutes but then became unconscious again.  
Upon admission to the hospital, he was very restless, talked incoherently, 
principally to let him alone, which lasted about 15-20 minutes, when he fell into 
a stupor and gradually got weaker and died.  Besides the scalp wound, both elbows 
were bruised and abraided, bruise on right hip and numerous scratches on arms and 
left foot.  His abdomen was filled with blood; the undertaker got a quart of blood 
from his abdomininal cavity, showing a rupture or internal hemorrhage; also had a 
cerebral hemorrhage.  There was no odor of alcohol.

.....Stephen O. ZEIGLER, policeman - at 3:30 am, three fellows in a wagon passed 
and I was standing at the mail box on the corner of the City Hotel when I heard 
something like a door slapp and looked and saw something and went over and found 
a man lying on the pavement on North Jonathan St with his head near the curb of 
the gutter; he was doubled up, but didn't move or make any noise.  I went to the 
Police Headquarters, about 200 feet distant and reported to Mr BARBER and Mr SAILLES. 
Mr MEADE and BURNETT went up; they had passed just five minutes before and he was 
not there.

.....Thomas H. BARBER, policeman - Testimony similar to ZEIGLER's.  Mr. BURNETT 
is a special officer of the Western Maryland Railway as is Columbus MEADE and they 
were both in headquarters when ZEIGLER reported the incident.

.....Jacob SAILES, policeman - Testimony similar to BARBER's.  He called McCARDELL 
and sent for the Doctor and ambulance.
[Book 13, 40-55] (Filed 11 Aug 1913, Judgment Liber 23, 247)


DULANEY, James - at Hagerstown
- 25 Oct 1913 - by John ANKENEY, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from injuries produced by a beating inflicted by an unknown person 
  on the 17th of Oct; he died from the effects on 22 Oct 1913.
- Dr. W. B. MORRISON, Dr. O. H. W. RAGAN
- Witnesses:  Thomas A. BARBER, Jacob TAYLER, Briscoe TAYLER, Mrs. D. WILSON, 
  Rosa LUCAS, J. H. CHRISTY, Jesse BLOOM, Charles SLICK, Henry HOPEWELL.
[Book 13, 69-71] (Filed 11 Nov 1913, Judgment Liber 23, 247)


DURST, Clarence E. - in Hagerstown 
- 27 Jan 1913 - by Daniel W. DOUB, J.P., acting coroner
- Body found at Big Pool Junction, 1/4 mile west of Big Pool Station on 
  the Western Maryland Railroad; death occurred on 26 Jan 1913 at 7:45 am.
- Death from being crushed in train wreck. A rear-end collision of the second 
  section of 350 freight train with the first section.  Clarence E. DURST was 
  the flagman of the first section of freight train and was in the caboose in 
  the rear of the train.  It was his duty to flag the second section of the 
  train, but failed to do so, which then collided with the first section while 
  it was standing on the track at Big Pool Junction, thus causing DURST to 
  be crushed in the caboose at the rear of the first section.
- Witnesses:  Edward MANIOUS, L. HASENBUHLER, H. E. MORGAN, M. L. PHILLIPS, 
  William TEDRICK, Roy McALISTER, J. W. COUGHENOUR, M. D. SMITH, L. A. McGOWAN, 
  B. E. MILLER, H. H. BERRY.
[Book 13, 23-27] (Filed 28 Jan 1913, Judgment Liber 23, 227)


FAUGHNER, Charles - at Williamsport
- 2 Mar 1912 - by J. T. TICE, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by visitation of God as no marks of violence appeared 
  on his body which was found near the canal bridge.
- Dr. David T. LESHER
- Witnesses:  Ross NEWCOMER.
[Book 13, 1-2] (Filed 1 Apr 1912, Judgment Liber 23, 219)


GUISE, Charles E. - in Hagerstown 
- 29 May & 2 Jun 1913 - by Daniel W. DOUB, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from injuries in train wreck on the Western Maryland Railroad, 
  west of Hancock on 28 May 1913 at 3:10 pm.  
  Body taken to establishment of Charles M. SUTER, undertaker, on West 
  Franklin St in Hagerstown.
  Head-on Collision between second #342 Engine 764 going east and extra 
  755 going west at the first stone-cut, 1 mile west of Cohill Station.
  At 1:19 pm, G. P. HAAG, operator at Pearre Station, received an order 
  that second 342 Engine 764 will meet extra 755 west at Pearre, being 
  order 51, which requires HAAG to display signal to the train going east 
  to stop position, but HAAG failed to do so, thus causing the collision.
  G. P. HAAG was determined guilty of criminal negligence.
- Witnesses:  L. M. STEVENS, W. S. DALEY, E. M. MINNICK, C. H. PETER, C. D. 
  BURNETT, L. U. ALBERT, D. M. KNEISLY, C. C. REYNOLDS, R. L. MURPHY, G. B. 
  SPIGLER, C. M. SHRADER, H. H. BERRY, W. R. RICE.
[Book 13, 35-39] (Filed 7 Jun 1913, Judgment Liber 23, 236)


HENDRICKSON, Otis L. - in Hagerstown at Washington County Hospital.
This Inquisition was for J. D. BURGAGE, but included was: 
Also injured in collision was Otis L. HENDRICKSON, engineer of third #204, 
who was taken to the hospital and died from his injuries on 29 Nov 1912.
- 27 Nov 1912 (& Dec 2 & 4) - by Daniel W. DOUB, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from injuries sustained during a head-on collision on the Western 
  Maryland Railroad on 27 Nov 1912 at 3:30 am on the third section of freight 
  train #204, in charge of J. W. NICHOLS, conductor, going east with the first 
  section of the freight train #203, in charge of Isaac KING, conductor, going 
  west, about 15 miles east of Hagerstown at Blue Mountain Passing Siding and 
  1/2 mile west of Pen Mar station.  Body found near Edgemont.
  ..Collusion caused by failure of Isaac KING to properly observe the entries 
  made in the register at Highfield by conductor of freight train - second 
  #204, of green signal which indicated that another section was following and 
  requiring him to hold his train at Highfield until the arrival of train - 
  third #204.  
  J. D. BURGAGE was a fireman on train - third #204, and was killed by being 
  crushed between the tender and the engine.
- Dr. S. M. WAGAMAN, Dr. J. McP. SCOTT, Dr. H. K. DERR.
- Witnesses:  Samuel HELTZER, Charles B. SPIGLER, D. H. BRAGONIER, J. N. 
  HOCKERSMITH, C. H. PETER, J. N. SPIGLER, F. NORTON, H. E. ROSS, John W. 
  NICHOLS, L. U. ALBERT, E. H. MANAHAN, W. F. ECKHARDT, I. D. MENTZER, G. H. 
  SHEETS, H. H. BERRY, W. F. HARBAUGH, Isaac KING, T. W. GIBBONS.
[Book 13, 8-12] (Filed 6 Dec 1912, Judgment Liber 23, 229)


METZ, Franklin A. - at Hagan's Crossing near Eakle's Mills
- 7 Sep 1913 - by John ANKENEY, J.P., acting coroner
- Death from being run over by a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad engine when 
  backing down the track at F. T. HAGAN's Crossing. The Railroad employees 
  were exonerated from any blame.
- Witnesses:  Samuel ITNYRE, Otho J. EATON
[Book 13, 65-68] (Filed 11 Sep 1913, Judgment Liber 23, 241)


MICHAEL, Charles Thomas - in Hagerstown 
- 25 & 30 Oct 1912 - by Daniel W. DOUB, J.P., acting coroner
-  Body found at the B & O Railroad siding at the Hollingsworth Wheel Company 
  in the southern suburbs of Hagerstown.
- Death from injuries sustained during a train derailment on 25 Oct 1912.  
  Locomotive, upon which he was riding, entered an open switch at Hollingsworth 
  Wheel Company's property and derailed.  Switch was left open by John 
  PALIDINO, assistant track foreman, who had no knowledge of the expected 
  arrival of the locomotive which was traveling at an excessive rate of speed 
  within the yard limits of the city.  Found to be caused by joint failure of 
  PALIDINO to close the open switch and failure of the engineer to observe the 
  speed limit.  Charles T. MICHAEL was a flagman.
- Witnesses:  Frank MAZZO, John PALANDINO, Angelo ANASTASIO, Pietro DENICOLAIN, 
  V. ZELLO, B. KING, A. WHITE, George LEFEVRE, Thomas LEFEVRE,  C. C. DEAVER, 
  H. J. HOLLINGSWORTH.
[Book 13, 13-17] (Filed 5 Nov 1912, Judgment Liber 23, 228)


MOSE, Alonzo - at Sharpsburg
- 18 Jan 1913 - by Charles N. HOFFMASTER, J.P., acting coroner
- Death by suicide on 18 Jan 1913 between 1-3 pm by self-inflicted pistol 
  wound.
- Dr. E. M. GARROTT.
- Witnesses:  five, but not named.
[Book 13, 31-34] (Filed 3 Jun 1913, Judgment Liber 23, 235)


STINE, Charles B., age 27, of Greencastle, PA
- 17 Nov 1913 - (record incomplete) - at Charlton
- Death from being mangled by freight train on Western Maryland Railroad.
  Identified by brother and aunt, Mrs. DURBORAW.
- Witnesses: 
.....L. H. TAYLOR, conductor of freight train extra 707 which left Charlton 
     running eastward at 8:35 pm with 51 cars.  He identified the body as 
     one of the riders whom he ordered from the train at Clearspring.  The 
     man had been insolent and aggressive.  Attention was called to  three 
     men running over the tops of the cars by H. E. RIDGE of crew 104, the 
     engine and caboose on run to Williamsport for water at 8:55 pm.
.....G. F. HERR - He didn't know of the occurence; train was running 6-8 
     miles an hour at the place where the body lay.
.....T. S. BREWER, W. J. HENCHMAN, P. A. HAPRLE, T. CLOONEY - knew nothing.
.....John W. WITMER, conductor of 104, riding at platform of caboose on 
     return from Williamsport, saw something in the half light that looked 
     white and thought it to be the body of a man; brought the engine to a 
     stop by applying the air brakes, but did not succeed in time to prevent 
     passing over him.  Returned and saw that the body lying mangled and 
     nearly stripped between the rails.  He then went to the Charlton Station 
     and reported the occurence to the chief dispatcher at Hagerstown.  He 
     directed us to place the body by the side of the track which we did and 
     then went to Hagerstown.
.....H. E. RIDGE - He told TAYLOR of 707 Express of the men running over the 
     cars at Charlton yard.
.....D. HECKER - He was standing on the platform and saw the body.
.....E. A. HAUPE, fireman - He didn't see the body.
.....J. G. TEETER - He thought he formerly saw the man one month ago at 
     Charlton where he, with a companion,  were under the warehouse.  
     Afterward, the man entered the elevator office and told him he was 
     a son of Jesse STINE, a butcher of Greencastle, PA, and was under 
     alcoholic influence.  His voice was rough, flat, semi-choked.  L. H. 
     TAYLOR tried to communicate with Jesse STINE who seemed to be unable 
     to come to identify the body.
.....Kemp LAY - He thought the body was O. COLEMAN, a boarder, but he didn't 
     identify it.
[Book 13, 76-78] (Filed 25 Nov 1913, Judgment Liber 23, 248)


THOMPSON, John Jacob - in Hagerstown 
- 10 Jun 1913 - by Daniel W. DOUB, J.P., acting coroner
- Body found at his home in bed on NW corner of North Prospect & West Bethel 
  Sts in Hagerstown on 8 Jun 1913.
- Death from undetermined causes; he did have a scar on his back and arm. 
- Witnesses:  Robert ALTER, Margaret THOMPSON, J. R. LAUGHLIN, A. K. COFFMAN, 
  Willliam DOYLE, Harry MINNICH, Mrs. J. J. THOMPSON, Anna THOMPSON, Kate KISH, 
  Edward ALTER, Casper CHARLTON, Mary V. HUGHES, Eliza FEIGLEY, Frank WILLIAMS.
[Book 13, 18-22] (Filed 11 Jun 1913, Judgment Liber 23, 238)

 

The End of Book 13 of Washington Co, Maryland Inquisitions - 1912-1913