The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-01-03
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-A'Young Girl Ra 0rer and Killed BY a
Stred Car.-A very unfortunate accident
occurred at the corner Of Chapline and
18th streets, in the Sixth Ward, about Z
o'clock last evening, by which n young
rirlnamed Mary Nicholson was instantly
Killed almost in front Of her fathers
door. The girl, who was only about thir K.
teen years old, was crossing the street TO
the house Of her father, Patrick Nichol-
son, on the northeast corner OF Chapline
and 18th streets, when she was knock
ed down and run over by street
car No. 7, which was going to-
wards South Wheeling ut an unusually
rapid speed. She started from the west
side Of the street, carrying child in her
arms, and followed by a younger sister.
Two boys named John Murphy and VIM.
Deylin were standing on the curbstone, as
the children started to cross the street,
and noticing the danger they were in
Murphy sprang forward and seized the
child from the girls arms, just as the
horses were upon her. The driver, Rob
] ert Conwell by name, apparently did not
notice the girl until he was Immediately
upon her, when he shouted and made IN
effort to stop the car, but as the reins had
become twisted around the brake no was
unable to do so until he had proceeded
some fifty feet beyond the scene OF the
accident. Mr.. Jacob Hughes, who was
walking down Chapline street near by at
the time, ran to the girl and picked her
up, but she was already dead.
Mr.. Hughes carried the body TO Mr.,
Nicholson's house, and Immediately no.
titled Justice Belville OF the accident,
The Justice summoned the following
Jury 10 hold an inquest over the remains;
William Travis, Jacob Hughes, William
Truax, Wilson Johnston, Michael Noon,
Thomas Finnegan, William Deylin, Mi.
chael Conner, Clarence Murphy, Allen
Newman, Louis Asmus, James Cunning
ham, jr.
Dr.. HALEY Mccoy examined the body,
and found that the collar bone had been
broken on the right side, the left arm
broken above the elbow, left hand badly
crushed, left shoulder blade fractured,
and neck broken, 1t was his opinion
/ IUut kllG lHluELGo lSSCtNGu NOAS ouhSiSht
to cause instantaneous death.
Mr.. Jacob Hughes testified that the girl
was dead when he found her on the street
car track, and that he carried the body to
the house OF Patrick Nicholson. The
street car was running at very rapid
speed Mt the time OF the accident. He
stopped the car and told the driver to call
at the house as he came back, as he would
be wanted at the inquest. The driver did
not return, however.
The evidence OF John Murphy is sub.
stantially as follows: Witness was stand.
ing on the curbstone on the west side OF
the street, when he noticed the car
coming down at rapid speed; the
deceased was crossing the street with a
child in her arms, followed by her little
sister; when the car was within about six
feet OF the girl man on the front plat
form hollooed chop the smallest girl
started TO run out in the street, when wit
ness caught her and pulled her back, and
seized the child in the girls arms just as
the horses struck her; deceased was struck
by the horses knee, and thrown about
five yards in front OF the car; the horses
were going ut fast trot at the time;
n man on the reur platform rang
the car bell when witness cried out
for the car 10 stop; was not certain
whether there was driver on the car;
didn't notice any one make any exertion
to stop the car; owing TO the darkness,
probably the man in front could not see
ahead; both wheels on the right Of the car
passed over the girl, and witness heard
her bones crack; didn't think the car was
checked any after the man on the front
platform hallooed; thought the car was
going at faster speed than usual, faster
than railroad trains pass through the
city.
VIM. Devlin was called and testified
that the car was going very fast; the
driver hallooed something; didn't notice
il the driver held the reins; witness was
standing on the opposite corner ut the
time OF the accident.
Robert Conwell, driver Of car No. Z
testified: The car was going down Chap
line street as the usual speed, perhaps q
little faster than usual; did not see the
girl until after she had crossed the
track, when she ran back, and the tongue
Of the car struck her; the lines, which he
held in his left hand, became twisted
about the brake, and he was unable to
stop the car; the car was going faster
than usual to make up for lost time;
witness had never received instructions
in regard to increasing the speed OF the
car; the car was behind time when the
accident occurred; the time between the
switches Is seven minutes; witness hol.
looed when the girl frs: crossed the
track; rs soon as she got across she ran
back; in turning the brake the
lines became twisted; was unable to turn
the brake quick enough to stop; both the
conductor and driver were on the car;
witness, thought lie could not have stop.
ped thaSar even il the lines had not been
twisted around the brake; witness was a
iinisher by trade, and had been five
weeks on the road.
Samuel Vance, conductor Of car No. Z,
stated: The car was one minute behind
time when 1t left the last switch; was not
going faster than usual; could walk it
from switch TO switch in seven minutes,
and had done it.
John Murphy recalled: Could not tell
whether or not the girl crossed the street
and came back second time.
Samuel Vance recalled: Had never
had any instructions as 10 speed; there
are six or seven switches between the Top
mill and the lower end Of the trock; the
time between each Of them is seven min.
utes; some switches are longer than others;
witness had Been on the road about three
months; was upon the rear platform Of
the car when the accident occurred, and
didn't know anything about it until after.
wards.
Robert Conwell recalled: Witness stop.
ped the car at Nicholson's house as he
came back from South Wheeling, but did
not get of; didn't understand any one TO
tell him that he was wanted Mt the in.
quest.
Samuel Vance recalled When the
driver or conductor are at supper or din.
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