These article, from The Pittsburg Dispatch,
describe an 1892 accident when two cars of Pittsburgh's Central Traction Company
ran into a political parade.
From The Pittsburg Dispatch / Sunday, October 16, 1892.
Marching Men Cut to Pieces by Cable Cars
One Is Killed Instantly and
Another Dies a Few
Hours Afterward.
SEVEN BADLY HURT
AND CARRIED HOME.
Many More Are Slightly Injured, but
Are Able to Hobble Away
Without Assistance.
THREATS OF LYNCHING
MADE AGAINST GRIPMEN.
Sorrowful Scene in the Morgue Deadhouse
Around the Body of Young
Henry Abel.
Ward Euffner Had Both Legs Crushed
and Died at the Homeopathic Hospital at 11 O'clock Last Night -- Terrible
Accident to the Eleventh Ward Republican Club and the American
National Band -- Two Cable Cars
Unable to Stop on the Heavy Grade
on Wylie Avenue -- A Maddened
Crowd Threaten the Lives of the
Crews -- The Disaster as Seen by Eye
witnesses -- The Roster of the Dead
and Injured.
Two men killed and seven injured was the result of a terrible street
car accident last night. This occurred on Wylie avenue when the Eleventh
Ward Republican Club and the Michael Downey Club, of the Thirteenth
ward, were marching down the avenue to join in the Republican
demonstration.
The disaster occurred between Fulton and Townsend streets. This is
the steepest place on the hill The marchers were coming gaily down the
avenue, led by the American National Band. The streets were lined with
people cheering and applauding the boys. They were marching in the
middle of the street and the music was loud and lively. No one gave a
thought to the street cars, and when No. 61 came creeping down the
hillside, the noise of the marchers and the band drowned the ringing of
the alarm gong.
Plowing Through the Marchers' Ranks.
No. 04 is said to have stopped at Fulton street. It was then close in
the rear of the marchers and they commenced getting off the tracks. The
car was again started on its downward journey, making a swath through
the young Republicans. Loudly the band played and those within sound of
it did not hear the car. It is said that Gripman Gledhill tried hard to
stop his car, but the brakes would not work. On it came, and the next
instant the car was ploughing into the marchers' ranks. In less than a
second two people were under the wheels, while seven more were thrown
aside badly injured. The car ran ten feet further and then Gledhill got
it under control.
For a moment there was an awful calm. Then, like a thunder clap,
there came a series of shrieks and moans from the horror stricken mass
of humanity, which could be heard half a mile away. There were a
thousandpeople there and everyone of them lifted up his voice in horror.
The face of Gledhill was as white as marble.
Threatened to Lynch the Gripman.
The maddened, howling mob commenced to surround his car with crys of
"Lynch him!" "Shoot him!" The gripman made a dash and was off his car
into the mass. Men were knocking others over in their eagerness to get
at him, but he escaped.
While this was going on 100 strong men were trying to run the car
back to get the imprisoned injured from under the wheels. Back of the
car the marchers were standing with their lighted torches. The mass shut
from view car 64. Car No. 51 was coming down the hill It was signaled
to stop at Crawford and Gripman Steven Richardson tried his hardest to
put the brakes on. Crawford was past, Fulton too, but still car 51 went
on. Sand was poured like water on the tracks, but the brake would not
catch. On it came, the crowd with screams and oaths pressing back,
giving it room to pass. The next instant there came a crash, and car 51
had collided with No. 64. This was the blow which did the fatal work.
The collision shot the front car several feet ahead, crushing out the
remaining life of one victim and cutting botn legs off the other.
A Terrible Scene After the Accident.
The scene was then indescribable. For two squares each way the street
was filled with a struggling, shrieking, moaning, crying sea of
humanity. There was an oath from one, a prayer from another, Awhile a
thousand frenzied shrieks rent the night air. Those who were less
frantic went to work to get Ward Ruffner from under the wheels, where he
was tightly wedged. Young Abel was dead, but Ruffner was still alive.
After considerable work he was released. The Homeopathic ambulance and
patrol wagon were summoned, and the dead and injured taken away.
List of Killed and Injured.
The list of the dead and injured is as follows:
HENRY ABEL, instantly killed aged 15. He lived on Jacobus alley.
WARD RUFNER, aged 18 years, lives at No. 534 Wylie avenue, had both
legs crushed and hurt internally. He was taken to the Homeopathic
Hospital, where he died at 11 o'clock.
HENRY SNITZER, aged 35 years, of 106 Second avenue. He is a clarinet
player in the band. Was thrown under the car and badly injured in legs
and shoulder.
FRANK W. ZILLNER, aged 22 years, of 92 Clark street. Had his heel
crushed and badly bruised.
JOSEPH MANGOLD, Jr,, aged 28 years, of 50 Long alley, Allegheny, a
cornet player In the band; had his hip crushed and side bruised.
JOHN McILVEEN, aged 17 years, of Watt street. He was hurt in the
side; not seriously.
JOSEPH McILVEEN, aged 19 years, of Watt street. He was struck by a
car and slightly injured.
ROBERT K. GINNIFF, aged 17 years, of 128 Erin street. He was struck
in the back and badly hurt.
ALBERT KIRK, aged 26 years, of 29 Reed street. He was playlng the
bass drum in the band. Was hit on the leg and badly injured.
Attacked the Crews of the Cars.
During the work of rescue Conductor F.O. Shonert, of 64, and Gripman
Richardson, of car 51, were having a hard time with the crowd.
Richardson stayed in his car. The mob gathered around it and stones and
torches were thrown through the windows. He tried to explain to the
people that he had done all in his power to stay the car, and finally
the attack stopped. His conductor was tackled in the rear. Three burly
colored men boarded and swore they would have his life, but some of the
passengers interfered. Conductor Shonert was assaulted several times,but
was uninjured.
Finally the two cars were moved down the hill. The avenue still
remained crowded. At the scene of the accident it was strewn with
torches, still burning, and here and there one of the marcher's caps was
laying. Running hither and thither were the paraders, trying to learn
who was dead and injured.
All of them were wild with excitement and were loudly denouncing the
street car employes. At last the remaining victims were taken away and
the crowd began to disperse. The street was still crowded, however, when
the headlight of car 54 came into view down the hill. "There it comes!"
"There it comes!" were the cries of the mob. As it came up through the
crowds groans and hisses arose on every side and an occasional stone was
thrown. It finally got through the mob, but the whole way out to the car
barn insulting epithets were hurled at the crew. Car 51 was treated in
the same way, but no one was injured.
The Hill district was thrown into a state of excitement by this
accident, which it will take some time to recover from. Late last night
the thoroughfare was still crowded and the one topic was the awful
disaster. The general opinion was that the gripmen were to blame.
From The Pittsburg Dispatch / Sunday, October 16, 1892.
WARD RUFFNER'S DEATH.
With Henry Abel He Was Safe Until the
Second Car Thundered Down
His
Widowed Mother Watches Death Claim
Her Darling Boy.
Patrol wagon No. 2 was answering a call near the scene of the
accident. As soon as the officers heard the screams of the spectators
they gave their prisoner to the care of another officer and hurried to
the scene. The first man they cared for was Ward Ruffner. They placed
him in the wagon and conveyed him to the Homeopathic Hospital. Ruffner
is about 18 years of age, and was the son of Mrs. James Dale by her
first husband.
The case is a particularly sad one. About six months ago Mrs. Dale
visited her mother in a small Ohio town. Shortly after her arrival she
received a letter from home stating that her husband was ill. She had
hardly time to get ready to return home until a telegram announced the
death of her husband. With sorrow-stricken heart she returned to the
city and learned that ber husband had been taken ill suddenly and died
at the Homeopathic Hospital. To-night she was again suddenly called to a
deathbed at the same hospital.
Ruffner was employed in W. G. Johnston's printing establishment and
lived with his mother at 534 Wylie avenue. The hospital surgeons found
the car had passed over both of Ruffner's legs above the knees, crusning
tne bones. He died at 11 o'clock from the shock and hemorrhage caused by
internal injuries.
Ruffner was perfectly conscious when first taken to the hospital, and
with remarkable coolness related the particulars of the accident. He
said the parties working had him partially out from under the car and
the car pushed back upon the track, when the second car thundered down
and forced the wheels over his legs. Mrs. Ruffner, as soon as she heard
of the accident, hurried down to her boy at the hospital and with a
grief pitiful to behold, sat by the bedside until death relieved her
darling from his awful suffering.
From The Pittsburg Dispatch / Sunday, October 16, 1892.
THE GRIPMEN ARRESTED.
They Are Locked Up, but Finally Released on Bail.
When Gripman Gledhill escaped through the crowd Officer William
Elmore gave chase. Gledhill went direct to his home on Ridge street,
where he was arrested. The prisoner was brought to the Eleventh ward
station.
Gledhill said that the accident could not have been avoided. He said
he applied his brakes, and when be found the car sliding he pulled the
gong and shoved his head out the cab window and yelled for the marchers
to get out of the road. He was very much agitated and could hardly
speak. Gledhill has only been on the road one week. Later Steven
Richardson, gripman on car 51, was arrested and locked up. Both
prisoners were afterward released on a bond or $1,000 each, given by the
Central Traction Company. The Coroner sanctioned the release of the men.
The inquest in the case will be held Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock.
From The Pittsburg Dispatch / Sunday, October 16, 1892.
A GRIPMAN HELD UP.
The Mob Threatened to Burn Him if He Moved His Car.
Car 56 was following 51 down the hill and its gripman came near
getting into trouble. Roy Caldwell was a passenger on this ear. He says
when Arthur street, three squares above the scene of the accident, was
reached, a number of men surrounded the car. They made the gripman stop
it. Several of them thrust their torches through the window and said
thev would burn his face off if he dared to move the car. Gripman Meyers
held his car for quite a while.
From The Pittsburg Dispatch / Sunday, October 16, 1892.
HOW HENRY ABEL DIED.
Almost Rescued From Under the First
Car When the Second Ran Into It --
The Collision Killed Him -- Pathetic
Scene at the Morgue -- A Father's Grief.
August Abel, the brother of Heny Abel, the boy who was killed, played
the alto horn in the band which led the Eleventh Ward Club in its march
of death. Upon leaving home last night Henry, who was but 14 years of
age, asked his brother if he wanted him to go with him to hold the torch
for him to see his music. August said it would be very convenient and he
would like to have him come. So it was that his brother was by Henry's
side when the latter fell under the deadly wheels. The car brushed past
August knocking his hat off and his instrument out of his hands, but did
not give him any injury.
Two brotners of the dead boy went to the morgue with the body, and
the grief they manifested was heartrending. The elder brother was
tearfully regretting that he had permitted his little brother to go out
with him. They could not be comforted. In conversation with a DISPATCH
reporter he said:
"I didn't hear the car coming at all. The first thing I knew was that
the car struck me, knocking off my hat and almost felling me to the
ground. Looked quickly around for my brother. I saw him under the car. A
crowd of us got to work and succeeded in pushing ibe car off my brother
and another man who was under it, when, without any warning, a second
car plunged into the first, causing it to run again over my poor
brother. When we pushed the first car off him, before the second car
came, my brother seemed all right. It was the second car that caused his
death, for I think he would have recovered had we been able to rescue
him before the collision." At this point there was a violent knocking on
the glass of the morgue door. The face of an excited man was peering
anxiously through the glass, crying "Let me in, let me in!" It was Henry
Abel, father of the dead boy. When he entered he cried out; "I want to
see my boy!" Upon looking at the body he broke down completely, and all
the efforts of his two sons to comfort him were unavailing. He talked
away In German to his sons bewailing his misfortune, and became so
excited that It took the combined efforts of five men to quiet him down.
The body of Abel will be removed to his father's home on Duff street
this morning.
From The Pittsburg Dispatch / Sunday, October 16, 1892.
THE PEOPLE WERE WILD.
The Gripman. Could Not Apparently Control the Car -- Ran Past the
Crossing -- Threats Made Against Him -- Many Narrowly Escaped Injury.
W. H. Burke, who was on car No. 64 when the accident occurred, was
seen afterward, and said "I think the gripman must have been a new hand,
as he could not control his car. What makes me believe this is that I,
with a number of others, were waiting on the hill above at Arthur street
to get on the car. The street here is almost level and there should have
been no trouble in stopping at the right place. Instead of that he ran
nearly half a square before the car was stopped. When he was coming down
the hill the same trouble was apparently experienced at Fulton street,
and at no time did he seem to have control of his charge. The car was
packed at the time, and, as the grade is very steep here, it made it all
the more dangerous.
"I was standing on the rear of the car, and on hearing the excitement
incident to the marching along of the club, I leaned over the side of
the car and saw some of the members of the club separate, but no
attention was apparently paid to it by those in front. The people were
shouting, while the band was playing. These together made a terrible
noise, and those in front must not have heard the oncoming car.
"As soon as the accident happened the street was crowded with people.
No opportunity was given to get oui those under tne wheels, as the
people were jammed up to the very sides of the car. While working as
best they could another car came down and ran into the rear end of 64,
This made the people wild, and many threats were heard against the
gripmen of both cars. I believe it would have taken little to have
caused trouble there and then.
"The only wonder to me is that there were not many more hurt. When
the car first ran into the club the members were knocked about on all
sides. I can't understand how so few were injured. That car simply
plowed through those people. It was the worst sight I ever saw, and I
never want to see another of the kind, much less pass through it again."
From The Pittsburg Dispatch / Sunday, October 16, 1892.
WHAT THE CREW SAY.
They Claim That It Was Impossible to Stop the Car.
"We were coming slowly down the hill," said Conductor F. O. Shonert,
of car 64, "and some distance ahead I could see the marchers. My
gripman, Gledhill, is a new man, and this is the first time I ever
worked with him. I noticed that as soon as he saw the parade he
commenced slowing up. As we approached the crowd Gledhill seemed to be
putting forth all his strength in stopping the car. The brakes refused
to work for some reason and the rest is known. I have three reliable
witnesses who will swear that Gledhill sounded his alarm numerous times.
I had 48 passengers on my car. There was an ordinary load. When they saw
thee impending danger there was almost a panic. Many of them jumped off.
I do no think any of them were injured.
Stephen Richardson, gripman on 51, had this to say: "When I came to
Crawford street. I saw there was something the matter. This is a square
and a half away. I at once commenced to put on the brakes and apply the
sand. I could not see what was the matter: the wall of torch bearers
shut from my view the first car. I tried my hardest to stop my car, but
couldn't. The place where the accident occurred was the steepest point
on the hill. and why the brakes would not work I cannot understand. I do
not think that the first car was shoved more than three feet."
There were over 50 people on this car. Many of them were standing and
when the collision came they were thrown to the floor.
From The Pittsburg Dispatch / Monday, October 17, 1892.
PLACING THE BLAME.
Trouble Found in Settling the Responsibility in the Wylie Avenue Case.
TOO MANY STORIES TOLD.
A Rumor That There Was Oil on the Track Is Exploded.
THE COMPANY'S SIDE OF THE CASE.
Hundreds of People Visit the Morgue to See Young Apel.
Where to place the blame in the Wylie avenue street car accident
Saturday night is going to be a hard task. No two men tell the same
story. One man is willing to swear that he saw the gripmen do their best
to stop the cars, while the next man who is spoken to will say that no
effort was made to check the cars. This state of affairs has caused
Coroner McDowell to postpone the inquest until Wednesday afternoon at 2
o'clock. The case is so complicated that the Coroner wants to thoroughly
investigate it before the hearing.
The sensational story that oil was poured on the tracks by a small
boy has been exploded. It was thoroughly investigated by Coroner's Clerk
Brush yesterday afternoon. He, accompanied by a DISPATCH reporter and
Superintendent Smith, visited the scene of the wreck. The tracks were
closely examined and there was no sign of oil. It was learned from
bystanders that a boy had been seen runuing in front of the parade
trailing a broken torch along the rails. The people said that Lieutenant
Scott, of the Police Department, had set the oil on fire after the
accident and burned it off.
Denied by the Bandsmen.
Mr. Scott could not be found in the afternoon, but the parties called
on the members of the band who had marched in the front rank. They all
denied the story and said that no one had been in front ot them coming
down the avenue. Lieutenant Scott was found last night. He had not
burned any oil on the track, nor had he seen any evidence of any or even
heard that there had been oil ou the tracks.
Superintendent W. C. Smith, of the Central Traction Company, had this
to say about the disaster: "The accident, from all that I can learn, was
purely unavoidable. The men certainly did all in their power to stop the
cars. That slope is the most dangerous place we have on the road. This
is not the first time there has been trouble in stopping cars there. The
cars have often slipped the length of themselves on that hill Both 61
and 51 had heavy loads on Saturday night. It is an unusual thing to come
down with crowded cars. The travel is usually scattered on the down
trips.
A New Man on the Road.
"I have been told that Gripman Gledhill, of car 64, had his car
nearly stopped at Fulton street for some reason. He is a new man on the
road, but has been doing very good work, The fellow seemed to understand
his duty. It is said that he swore at Ihe crowd at Fulton street. I do
not think this is true. This happens sometimes between gripmen and
teamsters, but there was no fight Saturday night between my men and the
marchers. Gledhill had come down through their lines for a couple of
squares aud had no trouble. Coming down the hill he only had his grip on
a short way. The car was running itself. Richardson, the gripman on car
51, is the oldest employe of tne company, and until Saturday night never
had an accident. He certainly did all he could to stop his car, but he
had a heavier load than Gledhill. Ihe brakes on both the cars are as
good as they can be. This is evidenced by the fact that the wheels were
sliding.
"I was downtown when the accident occurred. I did not know that there
was to he a parade on Wylie avenue or I would have been prepared for it.
There are so few parades along the avenue that I think it best to let
them have the right of way. Had I known of the parade I would have had a
man stationed at the street where the marchers came onto Wylie and he
would have regulated the running of the cars, I am working with the
Coroner in this matter and I want a thorough investigation."
Told by a Victim's Brother.
Many people were seen yesterday who told stories about the accident.
One of the most interesting was told by A H. Apel, a brother of the boy
who was killed. "I was playing In the band Saturday night," said he.
"Coming down from Fulton we were playing and I heard an unusual noise.
To me it sounded like a horse running away. I never thought of a cable
car and as the noise sounded loudest, I jumped to one side. The next
second the car went by me. I saw a man lying under the car at my feet.
It was Snitzer, our clarinet player. There was a brother of mine in the
crowd and he came up to me and pointing to another form under the car
said, 'My God, it is our brother!'
"We raised car 64 and got Snitzer from under the cow-catcher. He was
lying with his legs crossed. We had gotten him out, and were just
raising the car to rescue my brother Henry when car 51 collided. Henry
was under tne cow-catcher, with one leg sticking out when the collision
occurred. The car ran entirely over him. I think he would not have died
had it not been for the second accident."
A Word for the Gripman.
R. B. Cunningham saw the accident. He thinks Gledhill did all in his
power to stop the car. He is positive that the wheels were locked, but
they were slipping.
Ex-Councilman Charles Hannam was another man who saw the accident. It
occurred right in front of his door. "I saw the car coming down the hill
at a rather rapid rate," said he. "I am certain that the gripman did not
throw one of the levers back until he struck the matchers. I do not know
whether it was the one which controls the brakes or the grip, but I then
saw him pull back on it with all his force. When the car was finally
stopped the front door was opened and Gledhill was standing in it. He
threw up bis hands and exclaimed: 'My God, I could not stop the car.'
The other car was then coming down the hill I saw what was going to
happen aud not wishing to see the crash walked into my store."
Remembers His Last Note.
"I know Just what note I was playing when the accident occurred. The
drum major at that time was facing down the avenue, and according to our
music he would have to be facing the band just three seconds before
that. I know he followed the music, and he says that he could not see
any car coming around the curve at that time. This is a great deal
faster than the cars usually run. The second car came down at almost the
same rate. It was the one that did the fatal work. No one would have
been killed had not the collision occurred."
Superintendent Smith is feeling very badly over the accident. He was
present yesterday when these interviews were given, but the parties did
not know who he was. He felt the remarks made about the management of
the road very keenly. Along tne streets the people were talking about
the accident and scoring him severely. Once car 61 passed a young man
Just as the investigating party came along. The car was spoken or In
language not very choice. Mr. Smith remarked that he supposed both it
and car 5l would be hoodooed. He said that sometime ago one of the cars
ran over a colored boy and since then none of the colored people would
ride on it.
Henry Apel was kept at the morgue until 1 o'clock yesterday
aiternoon. He was then removed to Beinhauer's udertaking rooms and later
taken to his home on Jacobus alley.
Crowds of Curious Sightseers.
As soon as the doors of the morgue were opened yesterday morning the
people commenced to flock in. It was estimated that over 1,200 people
viewed the remains up until 1 o'clock. The curious were made up of all
sorts of people. After the body was taken to the undertaker's many
people called there. Even until late last night people were calling at
the morgue to see the body.
His remains were taken home about 3 o clock. They were encased in a
neat white coffin, bearing the inscription "Our Dear Boy." The scene at
the home was a very sad one. The mother could not he comforted. The
funeral may take place tomorrow afternoon.
At the home of Ward Rufner the scene was the saddest. His mother was
wild with grief and the house was literally bathed In tears. Hundreds of
people called during the day and but few of them departed with dry eyes.
The young man was very popular. His remains will be interred in Homewood
Cemetery this afternoon. One of the saddest things to the friends or
both boys is that they haven't even a photograph of their dead.
There was a rumor yesterday that a subscription would be raised to
prosecute the Central Traction Company. It could not be verified.
The injured were all reported yesterday to be getting along as well
as could be expected. It is thought they will all recover.
From The Pittsburg Dispatch / Wednesday, October 19, 1892.
A DOLEFUL PARADE.
A Boys' Political Club Turns Out to Bury One of Their Number.
Henry Apel, who was killed on Saturday evening at Wylie avenue and
Fulton street, by a cable car running into a political procession was
buried yesterday. The boy was 15 years old. He was carrying a torch for
the band when the awful death over took him.
The Thirteenth ward Junior Republican Club turned out in a body
yesterday afternoon to attend the funeral of their dead member. Forty
members of the organization attended. They carried a flag heavily draped
and they marched in advance of the hearse four abreast. Tbe club was in
command of Willie Petty and they gave to the doleful occasion an
impressive air.
From The Pittsburg Dispatch / Sunday, October 22, 1892.
GRIPMEN GO FREE.
They Are Exonerated From Blame for the Disaster on Wylie Avenue.
RESULT OF THE INQUEST
Held Upon the Bodies of Henry Apel and Ward Ruffner.
AN ORDINANCE RECOMMENDED
To Give the Public Safety Department Control of Parades.
A Boys' Political Club Turns Out to Bury One of Their Number.
THE CORONER'S CHARGE TO THE JURY
As a result of the verdict rendered by the jury yesterday in the
cable car accident on Wylie avenue last Saturday night, Coroner McDowell
is preparing an ordinance to be presented at the next meeting of
Councils regulating parades on the streets and requiring persons in
charge of such turnouts to secure permission from the Department of
Public Safety. The jury in its verdict on the deaths of Henry Apel and
Ward Ruffner says: "from the evidence we find that it was accidental and
exonerate Gripmen Gledhill and Richardson from all blame and further
believe that if proper arrangements had been made with the Central
Traction Company said accident could have been avoided. "We would
further recommend that an ordinance be pased by Councils that for all
demonstrations of any kind whatever the Department of Public Safety have
charge of routes and make all arrangements for stopping cars, etc., for
the better protection of life, limb and property of the community at
large."
A Crowd at the Inquest.
The was a larce attendance at the inquest yesterday. Among the
witnesses were the gripmen and conductors who ran the cable cars 51 and
64 down Wylie avenue on that fatal trip.
John Spratt testified that, though not present at the time of the
accident, he examined the tracks afterward for oil, but found none. He
found that the Center avenue switch had been greased.
Henry Gledhill, gripman on car 64, the one which first ran into the
marchers, testified that his car was running along all right until he
tried to stop at Tannehill street. When he saw the club ahead he threw
off his grip, put on the brake and rang the bell. The first club turned
off. He found the brake would not hold and threw it off and gripped the
cable. Then seeing the danger ahead he released his hold upon the rope
and put on the brake again, using sand. Seeing it was no use trying to
stop he opened the window and yelled. A lieutenant of one ot the clubs
yelled at him, "Stop that car." He yelled back, "My God! I can't stop!"
"When he did finally get the car stopped he assisted in pushing it back
off young Henry Apel, but when car No. 51 ran into his car he hurriedly
took off his cap and badge and started home, intending to go to a police
station and give himself up. A policeman was waiting for him when he got
home. Gledhill said his brakes had previously held all right on the
hill.
The Wheels Slid on the Rails.
Steven Richardson, gripman of No. 51, testified: "I first saw the
clubs ahead at Crawford street. Such a heavy smoke arose from their
torches I could not see the car below them. "When I got close enough,
saw the crowd on the track I put on the brakes and opened the sand
pipes, but before I reached Fulton street the wheels were blocked and
sliding. I could do no more. I have been on the road two years and this
was my first accident. The hill at Fulton street is the worst place to
stop on the road. Both the sand boxes on my car were wonting freely."
F. O. Shonert, conductor on car No. 64, said there were 54 persons on
the car. His evidence corroborated that of Gledhill. Conductor Pimm's
evidence, of car 51, was also corroborative.
W. T. Taggart and John Spratt testified to examining the tracks after
the accident There was plenty of sand on the rails from Townsend to
Fulton streets, but none above except in a few spots. Where the Fulton
street electric line switch is the rails were greased.
Daniel Crowley, the drum major who led the procession down the hill,
testified to the orders he had received. Just belore the accident he
heard Captain Brown's whistle. It meant "look out for cars." Just as he
looked back he saw the cable car plowing through the company. It was
Crowley's first night out as drum major. His orders were to keen a
lookout for cars, but his view was obstructed. The testimony of several
members of the club corroborated Crowley as to hearing Captain Brown's
whistle.
Will Prepare for Parades.
Superintendent Smith, of the Central Traction Company, testified to
reliability of the crews on the two cars. On the stand he stated that
the company bad received no notice there would be a turnout or some
preparations for safety would nave been made. Mr. Smith stated his
purpose of asking Chief Brown to notify the company in the future of any
expected parade, and when so notified he would make arrange ments so
such accidents will be impossible.
In his address to the jury the Coroner strove to impress the members
with the deep responsibility resting on them. The law of city and State,
he said, gives the street railway companies the right to traverse the
streets over which their charters give them rights, unmolested by any
person, but with due regard to the safety of the public. Cautioning the
jurors against being influenced by any comments they may have heard or
read in regard to the accident under consideration, the Coroner
continued: "I would suggest that you treat the question of an
arrangement for demonstrations upon the highways of the county, as since
this sad accident another similar one has been chronicled in our midst.
This, of course, you are not to consider further than as I call your
attention to it. But the time has arrived when some specific arrangement
should be made by which the life and limb of the pedestrian upon the
streets, as well as the traveling public upon the cars of the traction
companies should be protected, and through some authority other than the
assumed authority that we are daily called upon to notice by the various
organizations and associations that traverse our streets.
Necessity for Police Regulations.
"I would suggest that you take the question into consideration of a
proper ordinance or ordinauces being passed by the Councils of the two
cities by which an arrangement for all demonstrations of every kind
should be made with the Departments of Public Safety so that full
protection could be afforded to the citizens and passengers upon the
cars during such demonstrations.
"You will see, gentlemen, that you have the right and it is your duty
to present in your finding what disposition should be made of the
gripmen in charge of cars 64 and 51, as appears from the testimony.
"Whether or not their actions were such upon the night of the accident
as careful, prudent and careful men. If they were, you have the right to
say whether you exonerate said motorman from any blame. If you believe
that the action of either or both was tardy, derelict or without due
caution which men in their positions should exercise, then you should so
find, so that the matter may be properly certified to the grand jury,
and that they may be dealt with according to law." "
After his charge to the jury the coroner submitted to them a copy of
an opinion handed down bv Judge Green, of the Supreme Court, in the suit
for damages of Carson vs the Federal Street and Pleasant Valley
Passenger Railway Company in January last. One of Carson's wagons was
driven on the company's tracks and was struck by a car, the driver not
having looked nor stopped to see if a car was coming.
A Decision by Justice Green.
In reversing the lower court and denying the claim, Justice Green
points out the law as to the rights of railway, companies "The street
railway," he says, "has become a business necessity in all great cities.
Greater and better facilities and a higher rate of speed are being
constantly demanded. The movement of cars by cable or electricity along
crowded streets is attended with danger and renders a higher measure of
care necessary, both on the part of the street railways and those using
the streets in the ordinary manner. It is the duty of the railway
companies to be watchful and attentive and to use all reasonable
precautions to give notice of their approach to crossings and all places
of danger. Their failure to exercise the care which the rate of speed
and the condition of the street demand is negligence. On the other hand,
new appliances, rendered necessary by the advance in business and
population in a given city, impose new duties on the public.
"The street railway company has a right to the use of its track,
subject to the right of crossing by the public at street intersections;
and one approaching such a place of crossing must take notice of it and
exercise a reasonable measure of care to avoid contact with a moving
car. It may not be necessary to stop on approaching such a crossing, for
the rate of speed of the most rapid of these surface cars is ordinarily
from six to nine miles an hour; but it is necessary to look before
driving on the track.
Must Not Run Into Danger.
"If, by looking, the plaintiff could have seen and so avoided an
approaching train, and this appears from his own evidence, he may be
properly non suited. It is vain for a man to say he looked and listened
who walks directly in front ot a moving locomotive.
The jnry occupied nearly an hour in reaching the verdict. "When it
was announced, the Coroner dismissed the cable car man, who had been
held under bail since the accident.
Relative to the ordinance he intends to introduce, the Coroner last
night said: "I have talked with Chief Brown about it, and he agrees with
me. It will not be the purpose of the bill to interfere with the rights
of any American citizen, but to provide for the safety of the public. My
idea is that the matter be placed in the hands of the Public Safety
Department, to whom any organization desiring to parade must apply for a
permit, giving the entire route, the time of parade and number of men to
be in line. "With such an understanding, accidents could be entirely
avoided. As it is now, the street car companies can't provide against
accidents, because they don't know anything about them until their cars
meet them on the streets."
Go to top of page.
|