Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-09-05
TIE RUNAWAY STREET CAR.
An Interview with the President OF
the Road Regarding 1t.

\ runaway occurred a day or two
ago on the Abilene street car line caus-
ing considerable excitement in the i'm
mediate vicinity thereof at the time.
In order to sift the matter to the bot
tom REFLECTOR reporter interviewed
the president of the road, Hon. Madi-
son Monroe Shipe, D. D., L. L. D., at
the earliest possible moment that he
could be found in his Office.
Eyes, sir" he replied emphatically,
in response to the first question, Il
monopolize the highest Office in the
Street Car Co. and the dignity of the
aforesaid company demands that l
should eXpunge the odium that has at
tached to said means of rapid transit
by full statement of the casualty.
Il have learned that certain reports
regarding broken legs and damage suits
with a view to depreciating the value
of the stock of the company have been
started. Now, sir. the facts in the
case are these: 4 team of our most
docile long-eaIed motors were propell-
ing one of our sleeping cars round the
curve on Third and Buckeye when it so
happened that menagerie, located
near the corner, consisting of one s.
legged colt, which colt, or parts of colt,
was hobbling around and caused the
motors and vestibule sleeper to leave
the curve at tangent, and in the line
of said tangentwas Mr.. Shaler's phae-
ton, and as no Two things can occupy
the same space at the same time, the
buggy had to give way. No great dam
age was done. The right hand shaft
and holdback strap were found to be
prefectly sound. They were left at the
Novelty Carriage works with instruc-
tions to add such minor features as
would make the carriage complete.
Now, sir, as to passengers in the car,
not one of them had his, her or its leg
broken, nor any part thereof, nor was
it, he or she scared; nor did they or
any part of them jump out; which
fortunate escape was due to the excel
lent management of the road.
1.-The president of the road about tW O
years ago foresaw the possibility of a
three-legged colt pasturing upon some
of our main thOrOughfareS, and know
ing the tangent tendencies of mule
motors and the forgetfulneSs of new
drivers upon such occasions, had, for
the preservation of life and limb and
such, made rule governing all new
drivers; and that rule was, never to
see a passenger coming toward the car.
nor stop for one, nor allow one to get
on the ear until he had driven at least
four months. The rule has not vet
been violated in letter or spirit. but
from other disabilities, such as absent
mindedneSS, hOmesickneSs, melau-
chOly, ETC., it has been found utterly
impossible to keep driver on the cars
longer than three months. Hence
there will be no suits in this case for
damage to passengers.
1T is to be hoped that after this
complete statement of facts, that par
ties who contemplated investing in
street Car stock will not be retarded by
my report of damage suits arising from
this runaway.
For the purpose of encouraging in.
vestment in the stock of the company
I will state that the road is run econ
omically, none of the officers receiving
a salary. BY this arrangement nearly
all the earnings are profits. We expec
to declare a dividend as soon as it j,
convenient"
ptro hld r,ar.aSN, A. KI.yn