New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-25
PASSENGERS IN A PANIC.
EXCITEMENT on An ELEVATED TRAIN
A RUSH FOR THE STATION PLATFORM WHICH
MIGHT HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY.

A RUSH FOR THE STATION PLATFORM WHICH
NIGHT HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY.
There was panic on a Third-ave. elevated
train at the Twcnty-third-st. station last night.
1t was a miracle that nobody was badly injured.
The train was crowded with pcasurc-scclcrs and
Christmas shoppers, and the lvclicSt excitement
prevailed for several seconds.
4 City Hall train left the Thirty fourth-st. sta
ton at 80 u. M. and there scarcely breath
Ing room in the crowded ears. Men, women and
children were packed together in regular New
York elevated road fashion. The crowdinc and
pushing was continuous yet everybody suffered
good -naturedly, as everybody should on the exc
Of the ollic>t day of the year. Nearly half the
passengers were women, burIcncd with bundles
Of all sorts and shapes.
Just before reaching tie Twenty third-St. sta
ton. the train gave a jerk, almost upsctlng The
passengers who were standing in the centre Of
the aisle or hanging to the straps. The engine
seemed Ia itself and drew ur at the station
The guard between the second and third cars
threw open the doors hurrcdly and yelled ::
Everybody out! Hurry there. Quick, quick
His voice rang ont with alarming dislncncsS. ana
every body in the train seemed To See calamity
Of some kind coming. Men turned pale, while
women shrickcd and children began to cry. Every
one made wild rush for the doors The fright
extended to the other ears and wild stampede
for the station platform was the result. The
guard stood at the door with his mouth wide
ol"n, but did not his tongue 10 spy word
to Try 10 check the panic. The crowd which
rushed toward the forward door carried the guard
with il. and he seemed much relieved when he
was landed safely upon the station platform.
Most of the women seemed to rush for the rear
door. some screaming. others sobhng and all ready
10 faint Two young women, seeing the crush
al the doors. deliberately threw mp windows and
crawcd ont To the station platform. \ Tribune
reporter assisted one Of the young women 10 her
i,,.i. and but for bis assistance She would have
fallen 10 the floor She was 50 hyStcrich that
Size could mol keep on hcg fc't. and she was taken
care of by TWO elderly women.
The other young woman when asked why She
had rrawlcd through the window said that She
WAS accustomed 10 travelling alone and taking
care Of lcrsrll and that she did not propose T."
take any chance, >,'nr ct the other women
leaned up against tie railing Of the station and
noaucd. cried and sAl>crd uD'I the nest tram
came along.
The men were more pronounced in their utter
aucc, and il they could have got their hands on
tie carcc,, or ienorut guard they woull have
made hlul feel uucomtorilhlc. Ihr> demo 'h''d
the proceeding, ~ outrageous. An 'Wp"!' "l
the road coInclGci with thc sentiments c\pi'>'cd
and sand tuu some Of tIc guards on iu" I"id
were as crazy us March haIcS. Inc p'SNhI'I',
when they saw That there had been Ho real
danger. pulcicd down. some taking III" uc\i N"I'h
I.rr, train and most of the Others INC tliN Han
tr,iu which followed. \ do/cu or more. most oi
Them women. were 50 badly frightened that they
refused to - further on tine road and made their
way to the street to fcach thcIi destination ln
some other manner.
The real trouble WIS caused h., a lacl, of steam