Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-18
AN ELECTRIC SHOCK.
PASSENGER ON THE UNION LINE Sc
vERELY INJURED YESTERDAY.
whiio the Trap-Door Is Open to Fir the
Machinery He steps Upon
the Motor.

II am burning up; am burning up"
The words were those of MIR. Luther
johnson.
The spot was an electric car on Fifth
street where the Baker-street extension
connects with the main line on Clay street.
The hour was 1890 o'clock p. NJ. yester-
day and the occasion was Mr.. Johnsons
misstep into the open box under the aisle
of the car which contains the electrical
machinery.
His cries brought prompt assistance. He
was drawn from tho place Of torture and
taken TO the sidewalk. Here. attracted by
the injured mans screams, a great crowd
assembled. The city ambulance was soon
summoned, aud under the charge OF DIR.
Davis came rattling down the street at
great speed, and Mr.. Johnson was cared
for, bundled up, put IN, and forthwith car
ried home.
TIE HOME.
At 7O5 north Third street is two-story
frame house. The lower front room is "A
store kept by Mrs. johnson. Back of it IS
n kitchen and dining-room. Upstairs are
chambers. and in the one facing 1hird
street Mr. johnson was borne and laid
upon bed. and DIR. F.. II. Robinson having
been summoned at the request OF the fami-
ly the duties of the ambulance doctor were
ended.
ICE nor NEEDED.
DR.. Robinson found upon his arrival that
Johns0n's legs had been swathed in ice
cloths. Johnson had begged that ice
might be applied to relieve the terrible
burning sensation, and his wishes were
gratifed. DR.. Robinson ordered the ice
TO be taken OFF. He resorted to quite
different treatment. and applied the RENE
dies recommended by the authorities for
lightning shocks and for burns. Mean
while, however, the patient cried out in
great agony. So acute seemed 10 be his
pains that he begged his wife. daughter.
and friends in mercy to him to put him out
of MS misery.
HIS ACCOUNT.
Mr.. johnson was asked by DR.. Robinson
how he received his injuries; but his ac-
count was unintellgible. What with rack
inc pains and the influence of anodynes
that had been given him, he was IN no
mind accurately to recall the incidents of
the occurrence. He, however. made out TO
say that he slipped III the hole. and that
then he felt like he "ha1 gone crazy II
was terrible, said he. He declared that he
was perfectly sober and had not been
drinking at all, and had been from home
only about An hour. and was returning 20
dinner when he got on the car; came into
contact with the electrical apparatus, and
was shocked.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. johnson is about thirty-fve years of
age. Until lately he was employed as a
driver of one of the wagons of Mr. I. Il.
Gill, baker. Some time back he had an
illness. and upon his recovering from that
he went 20 work for some one near the
corner Of Franklin and Fifteenth streets.
His attempt 10 describe his pains was
not very successful. II seemed, however,
that he was burning up in both legs, and
had besides a sensation of numbness.
at o'clock yesterday afternoon John
son was suffering very keenly, but there
were no untayora6ie symptoms ana II ana
not appear that he was IN any very great
danger of losing his life. The brain seemed
not to be affected. except by the anodynes
given and the excitement natural to such
an event IN ones life.
no ENTBENAL ISJURIEs.
Johnson's injuries are entirely from the
shock received. There are no burns.
THE PROPER THING.
DR.. Davis. when he found Johnson suf-
ferng so severely. first administered NOR
phino, and then finding that it afforded no
relief, gave chlOrOfOrm. which was more
efectiye-a preliminary treatment found
cory salutary in numerous cases IN the
North where such accidents have occurred.
TEMPORARILY DISABLED.
II is understood that the car was in dis
abled condition at the time and the
officers OF it were engaged IN fixing the
motors when Mr.. Johnson came in and
met with the accient.
Mr.. Johnson was doing fairly well last
night and is not regarded as very seriously
hurt.