Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-01-31
The Perils of Uoas.ing.

| SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AND HAIR -RREADTH ESCAPES
| IAN OUTRAGE AT BHANDYwINE BRIDGE.
Notwithst anding the accidents of serious ma
ture which have happened. this season, the ju-
Venile portion of our population, as well as some
others Of more mature age, continue to on :
gage in coasting down the declivities of the city,
In some instances, the perilous nature of the
sport is entirely forgotten, or lost sight OF; in
the exhilaration which it produces and our young
people rush headlong into the very vortex of
imminent danger. II was only yesterday, at
noon, that this was the case, and the fact that
none was killed may be attributed rather to good
fortune than the exercise of calm Judgment
At the very hour when the through New York
and Washington express trains were due here,
and momentarily expected to pass through the
city, the coasters on West street were wholly in
different to their approach. One after anoth-
or, in rapid succession, they would start their
sleds down the descent, and gathering speed as
they went, rush down even in. front Of the ap-
preaching trains, regardless of the danger. This
is simply foolhardness. and the city authorities
should exercise their guardianship over those
who are 30 stupid as to take no thought for
themselves.
Several accidents have happened inthis yicini-
ty, some severe and others only slight The worst
one which has come to our knowledge was that
Of William johns, 16 or II years of age and re-
residing at ia Poplar street. He is an appren-
tics to the IL. & IL. Co., and when the bell rang
uls
grabbed the first sled he could lay his hands on,
and started down West street hill at a furious
rate of speed. At Front street he collided with
passing mule team and was thrown from the
sled under the feet Of the mules. One oil them,
in stepping over him, struck his head
and severed the occiptal artery with the
calk of its shoe, producing q oopious flow OF
blood. He was hurried into Fosters drug store,
where Mr.. Shadinger, the clerk, gathered up the
ends OF the severed artery and stayed the flow
Of blood until medical assistance arrived
Another boy ran his sled under the feet Of a
horse driven by one OF our prominent physi-
clans, but the dumb brute, with greater display
OF Judgment than his reasoning superior stopped
at once and carefully stepping over the boy went
on his way.
A colorsd lad, in coasting down the same hill,
ran under another wagon, and lodged under the
wheels, but fortunately the sled was pushed
along by wheel until the team could be stopped
At Second aud Shipley streets, a woman was
struck by sled and knocked down, but escaped
with few bruises.
The coasters have taken absolute possession
Of Market street hill, from Col. McComb's resi-
denoe to the Brandywine bridge, and the pas
cage of vehicles ID almost entirely prohibited.
When any one does venture 10 pass that way
with a team, they are outraged with all manner
Of indignities and voley after volley of oaths is
heaped upon them. Remembering the fact
that this il the only Avenue leading into the city
from beyond the Brandywine (the coasters run
even into the bridge) it is high time. that this
sport was broken up in this locality. We are
sorry to say it, bat this unruly element is not
confined to boys alone, but includes young men
al we'll