The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-28
WILD CABLE CARS.
Frightful Accident on New Line.
The Very First Trip Over the Road
Disastrous. =
The Grip Loses It's Hold While on
q Steep Grade.
The Passenger Cars Fly the Track
and Are Dragged.
Only One Passenger Killed, but Num-
Der OF Others Receive Severe,
II Not Serious Wounds in


sr. fAuL, MIMI, Jan. 2I.--for months
topic OF vivid local interest has been Us TO
when the st. Anthony hill line OF cable
cars would be opened, the horse cars being
quite inadequate 10 supply the rapidly in
creasing population in that partoi the city,
Shows have covered the tracks and minor
accidents have caused repeated postpone
mcnts, but today the ears first began TO
run with some regularity and the public
was allowed TO make use Of them, and u
most serious accident signalized the occa-
sion. About half way up the Third street
hill the line turns into Selby avenue at
an obtuse angle, and from this curve
10 the top OF the hill the grade
is sleeper, probably one foot in four. Some
days ago an experienced civil engineer
pointed out, in published interview, the
danger Of locating curve ut the bottom Of
80 long and steep an incline, but the otli-
Gers Of the road declared Il perfectly safe.
At 1880 O'Clock this afternoon grip and
passenger car, both heavily loaded with
passengers, started down the hill. II was
in charge Of Conductor North and Grip
man johnson. The grip had been in
spccted before Il left the end Of the line,
and seemed in perfect order. But about
midway down the hill, the grip
failed TO hold thread, and the train
rushed down 10 the curve, reach
ing which II had attained u speed
OF twenty miles an hour. The grip car did
not leave the track, but the passenger
coach whipped oil, turned over and was
dragged some distance. Many Of the pas
sengen jumped of, hut the majority OF
those in the closed ear couldn't do 80, and
all Of them, twenty or mort, were mon or
less hurt.
Gripman johnson says:
"Wo were about half way down Selby
avenue hill, when the can began TO slide.
The grip slipped-no II didn't either; they
just ran away. | don't know lust why.
At the corner they rolled over. | did my
best TO stop the ears and throw my weight
on the grip. But | could not hold tho
cars. At the curve on 90 Thirl street the
cars went of aud rolled over aud over"
johnson Is new man, but had been
under the instruction of an experienced
gripman for some days. When he found
the grip slipping he called TO the conduc.
tor, but that person was too busy collect
ing fares 10 assist him. The only fatality
no far known Ii that Of Melville l.. Saun-
dcrs, assistant treasurer Of the Northwest
ern Fuel company, who was standing on
the rear platform Of the passenger car with
another man and was thrown against tree
when the car flew tho track. lie was
horribly crushed and died soon after being
taken home. lie leaves n family. The
hospitablc residents Of the neighborhoOd
threw open their houses 10 the injured,
and police and physicians were on the
ground In few minutes.
Those most seriously hurt were as FOL.
lows
Louis Robert Of Dayton aycnnc. a lad. had nj.
left hand torn on At the wrist, the arm being badly
nephew Of Chief ~ Police Clark
Conductor frank y North. badly cut about face
aud hands with broken glass, aud perhaps hurt In
Geo II. Watson. Manhaii avenue. seriously hur,
In both legs below the knec.
e. A. BAKER. hands aud legs cut and bruised.
Mis- Ada kcnen. Dayton avenue, severely cut
Nh. Charles steele. North Washington street, In.
icrnal injuries and cuts. badly hurt.
Bcfi Danow. solhy avenue, & very seriously hurt
about the chest and toyer -calp wounds.
Mr. scenery, corner u Dayton and Virginia ave
nuea cut with broken glass aud badly shocked.
A. Bortrm. West Tenth street. cut about the
head aud skull imciufrd
Henry X. smith. IglehhH street, severe scalp
wound from broken Fiass
a, = smith aud son burned BY the car stove
falling on them.
Million q, brown. nal estate dealer. right arm
huH.
Andrew Nelson, badly cut on head and hands
burned
Mis- Linda Ihouon aud Mn Don SEAMAN. both
Of Milwaukee, Wis, were Ia the car Miss Thonnu
was thrown against the stove AMI wrdgrd there hy
the body Of n heavy man. She n severely burned
about the limbs and body. Nra. seaman escaped
with bad cut on the lace Both ladies weru taken
10 the Ryan. Mis- fhorson IL sister Of Mr.. John.
snn. wifu Of the cashier and yiCc.pfoidCnt OF the
firc aud Marine Insurance company OF Milwaukee,
They came 10 ~ Paul ~ visit the carnival.
y J. Mclst, superintendent Of kcllogga printing
Office. right knee shattered.