The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-07-06
THE BUTTE ACCIDENT.
Only One Fatality 80 Far RePorted--List OF
the Seriously Injured

I
the Seriously Injured.
BUTTE, July Especial to the Iniie
pendent The accident on the motor lin
last night has so far resulted in but on
fatality. Samuel Verran and his brother
William Verran, the latter accompanies
By his wife, were riding In the runaway
car. As far as can be learned both meI
| jumped from the car and Mrs Verrar
remained on board, escaping with few
bruises. William Verran also escaped
comparatively uAinjnred, but samuel Yer.
ran was thrown violently from his feet,
his head striking the ground with great
force. His neck was broken by the fall
and also hls left wrist. Death was instan-
taneOus. Mr.. Verran was q miner, living
at Walkerville, aged So, and be leaves a
wife and three children residing in Corn
wall His body was removed TO Sherman's
undertaking rooms.
Mrs McGregor. of Walkerville, sustained
fracture Of the collar bone and was intern
ally injured. Serious results are feared
owing to her being in delicate condition
at the time Of the accident jerome Col
well sustained a double fracture of the
right thigh. one of the breaks being just
ABOVE the knee and the other a few inches
from the hip joint He was removed to
the Sisters hospital, where bis Injuries
have been cared for. James Mccullough
had his right leg broken just above the
knee. He is also ut the Sisters hospital
and the injured limb has been
her left leg broken just above
the ankle. The ankle is also severely
sprained. Joseph BuzzO was severely
shaken up, but no bones were broken.
Henry Turner had his left shoulder dislO-
Gated. Miss Hurry, of MeadeTyille, WAS
severely bruised about the head, but no
serious results are feared. Hank Palmer
had his head badly cut one deep cash be
ing over the left eye. Miss Julia A. O'Neill
sustained a dislOeRti0n of the shoulder.
There were al least forty people who
were injured, but the above are the only
persons whose injuries are at all serious.
Bruised heads and injuries Of like de-
scriprion were numerous.
A eoroner's jury was summoned this
afternoon and eight witnesses were exam
ined- AT O'Clock the jury adjourned TO
meet tomorrow at 9 O'Clock. The testi-
mOny developed about the following state
OF facts; At 10 o'clock last night one OF the
large open cars of the Butte street railroad
company was left standing in front OF the
platform at the Columbia gardens. Those
in charge of II, Conductor George Matthews
and brakeman Fred Sohl, stated on oath
that the brakes were set. There
were crowds at the gardens, and
the transportation facilities were insufic-
lent; consequently there was a mad rush
of people toward this empty car. which was
soon to be brought back 70 Butte. More
than 200 people crowded about and the
swinging motion caused by the rush set
the car in motion. The motor which was
10 bring 1t TO Butte stood on a side
track and the car was on
The main track. There is a heavy /
down grade right out from the
gardens, and the car ran at q terrific rate |
Df speed for a mile. The brakeman and /
stuck TO their posts, and were
getting the car under control, having /
passed the steep grade. when IL collided |
With an engine and three loaded cars COM
ng out from Butte. All the cars were de- |
failed and the casualties were as narrated |
above. Most OF the accidents occurred 70 /
hose who jumped of the cars. Public |
opinion is divided as TO the responsibility, |
Ind there is a great deal of interest cen
cred in the jury's verdict.