The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-28
CABLE-CAR CASUALTY.
The Opening of the st. Paul Line Marked BY
Shocking and Fatal Accident

ST. PAUL. Mimi. Jan. 27-For months a top
ic of vivid local interest has been to when the
ST. Anthony Hill line of cable-cars would be
opened, the horse-cars being quite inadequate to
supply the rapidly increasing population in that
par. of the city. Shows have covered the
tracks and minor accidents have caused
repeated postponements, but to-day the
cars first began to run with some regularity
the public was allowed to make use of them,
and a most serious accident sigualized the occa-
sion. About half way ND the ThIrd-street hill
the line turns into Selby avenue at an obtuse
angle, and from this curve to the
top of the hill the grade is sleeper.
probably foot in four. Some
days ago experienced civil engineer
pointed out, in published interview, the dan
ger of locating curve at the bottom of so long
and steep an incline, but the officers OF the road
declared it perfectly safe. At 1:3O o'clock this
afternoon grip and passenger car, both heav-
lily loaded with passengers, started down the
hill. 1t was in charge of conductor North and
gripmau Johnson. The grip had been inspected
before it left the end of the line. and seemed in
perfect order. But about midway down the
hill the grip failed to hold the thread and the
train rushed down to the curve, on reaching
which it had attained speed of twenty miles
an hour. The grip car did not leave the track,
but the passenger coach whipped off, turned
over, and was dragged some distance. Many OF
the passengers jumped off, but the majority OF
those in the closed could not do SO, and all OF
them. twenty or more were more or less hurt.
Gripman johnson says: I'VE were about half
way down Selby avenue hill when the cars be-
gan to slide. The grip slipped-no it did not.
either; they just ran away. don't know Just
why. At the corner they rolled over. L did my
best to stop the care. and threw my weight on
the grip, but could not hold the cars. AT the
curve into Third street the cars went off and
rolled over and over"
Johnson is a 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 conductor. but that person was too busy
co llecting fares to help him. The only fatality,
so far as known, is that of Merville l.. Saupd-
ers assistant treasurer of the Northwestern
Fuel Company, who was standing on the rear
platform of the passenger car. and. with another
man, thrown against tree when the car
few tho track He was horribly crushed, and
died soon after being taken home. He leaves
family. The residents of the neghborhood
threw open their houaes to the injured, ana
police and physicians were on the ground IN
few minutes
Those most seriously hurt were as follows:
Louis Robert of Dayton avenue a lad had his
left hand torn off at the wrist the arm being
badly mangled. His mother is in California.
He is a nephew of Chief of Police Clark. Con-
ductor Frank E. North badly cut about the
face and hands with broken glass, and perhaps
hurt internally. Geo. FL. Watson, of Marshall
avenue, seriously hurt in both legs below the
knee G. A. Baker, hands and legs cut and
bruised; Miss Ada Keisten, of Dayton avenue,
severely cut about the face; Mrs. Charles Steele.
North Washington street internal injuries
and cuts, badly hurt; Bert Darrow. of Shelby
avenue. is very seriously hurt about the chest
and severe scalp wounds; Mr.. Seney, with
broken glass and badly shocked; A. Bertram
cut about the head and skull fractured; Henry
K. Smith, severe scalp wound from broken
glass; A. L. Smith ard son, burned by the
stove falling on them; Milton g. Brown. real
estate dealer right arm hurt; Andrew Nelson,
badly cut head and hands burned. Miss
Linda Thorsen and Mrs Don Seamon, both of
Milwaukee, Wis, in the Miss
Thorsen thrown against the stove. and
wedged there by the body of heavy
man. She is severely burned about the limbs
and body Mrs. Seamon escaped with bad cut
the face. Both ladies were taken to the
Ryan. Miss Thorsen is a sister of Mrs. John
son, wife of the cashier and vice-president of
the Fire and Marine Insurance Company, of
Milwaukee. Mrs. Seamons is also a sister of
Mrs. Johnson, wife of J. d. Seamon a promi
nent gentleman of Milwaukee. They came to
St Paul last week to visit the carnival. E. j.
Meist, superutendent of keloggs printing
Office, right knee shattered