The morning call., 1890-07-11
DOWN THE SHAFT.
An Elevator Boy Nearly Killed
in the Phelan Block.
The Machinery Was Defective and When He
Stepped Through Doorway the Eie-
vator Was Far Below.

James Rathbun, Is years of age, who
had charge of the small elevator in the
Phelan Building, fell from the top to the
third floor through the shaft and sustained
injuries which may prove fatal.
From all that could be learned of the acct
dent it was due to defects in the elevator
machinery, and Rathbun was not to blame
for his fall.
The boy was in the Photographic gallery
on the fifth floor, when one of the CLERKS
called him to descend with customer. He
responded and, walking to the sliding doors
of the shaft, pushed them aside aud
stepped into the darkness, believing that
the elevator was there. But it had de-
scended to the third floor while he was up
stairs.
THE BOYS INJURIES.
A shrek of pain, followed by loud
crash, startled people in the western end of
the building. The lad was found astride
an iron beam in the elevators roof. lie
had fallen feet first and went clean through
the roof.
When extricated he was unconscious and
bleeding from his mouth. He was carried
to doctors Office on the third floor, where
an examination showed that both his arms
and also his jaw were broken. Surgical aid
was given him, and he soon regalned con-
seriousness.
Then he called for his widowed mother,
who was quickly summoned from her home,
1917 Mission street. She hurried to her
sons side, frantic with grief, until told that
he was not likely to die.
The doctors in the building placed him in
hack, which conveyed him TO the German
Hospital. In addition to the fractures it is
feared he sustained internal injuries.
SANK DOWN ITSELF.
He had been running the elevator for
about one year and was consequently ex-
perienced in its management. But often
while he waited on the top floor for q call it
descended Of its own accord and he had to
run downstairs to catch it on the ground
floor. The hosting apparatus has been out
of repair for long time and the whole
thing was regarded as being far from safe.
Numerous complaints have been made about
its Insecure condition, but they were not
needed. The elevator could not be left
alone for any time without sinking from
the want of sufficient hydraulic pressure.
The delay In repairing 1t may be fatal.
The unfortunate boy had repeatedly
found the elevator going downward and
was aware Of its defect.
But lie rushed too rapidly to answer the
call, and before he could regain his balance
at the door, toppled into the shaft before
the Mortified eyes of several ladies in the
gallery.
BOUND TO HAPPEN.
ne accluenl caused the widest excite
ment among the ladies, two or three of
whom nearly fell into the shaft while look
ing down at the lad. Those in the rear
pressed forward in their anxiety to see
him and came near causing a second acct
dent.
1T was bound to happen sometime" ex-
claimed one of the employees of the photo
graphic gallery. lie is killed, and all
through negligencew Such EXPLANATIONS
were heard on every side Immediately after
little Jimmy's fall.
Fortunately, he dashed downward feet
first, as the general belief is that if lie had
fallen Oh his head or breast he would have
died instantly. AS it was, however, the fall
was broken to some extent by his feet strlk-
ing the elevator roof.