The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-21
TERRIBLE RUNAWAY.
Fire Horses and Engine Dash
Into a Cable Car.
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH.
A Valuable Animal Almost Instantly
Killed - Passengers and Fire.
men Receive Injuries.

a
slight blaze in the residence of G. W. Merrate
at Liz Third street, last evening, chemical en-
gine NO. crashed into Madison street cable
car between second and Third streets and the
collision was attended with serious results-sev-
erai persons were injured and q $3.50 fire horse
killed. Fire engine No. also met with an acct
Gent AT the corner OF Madison and Third streets
and Driver Charles Spinhorney was thrown from
MS seat and sustained INJURIES of the hip, knee
and elbow.
At 9 O'Clock some over-excited person turned
In the alarm from box 90. Third aud Madison
Streets and few seconds later fire and chem
lcai engines and hook and ladder trucks could
be heard tearing toward the scene from all di.
rectlons. The report was circulated that Cord
ray theater, directly on the corner OF Third
and Madison streets, was on fire, and the thor
oughfares were thronged with excited people
going to the fire.
In the midst of the excitement fire engine
NO came punging down Madison street from
headquarters and scattered the crowds right
ana lett he driver made sharp turn at the
corner OF Third street and was thrown from his
seat and one of the big grays attached to the
eng ne fell. Many willing hands assisted the
driver to his feet and the fallen horse struggled
10 get up, when distant rumbling accom-
panied By the warning cry, "Iook out for the
chemical" caused the people to run in all
directions.
Down steep Madison street four blocks away
came chemical enezpe No. 2 like a wild locomo-
tive The brakes would not work and Driver
George Clancey, sfraining every nerve on the
relns, could not hold in the frenzied team OF
black and bay. At Fourth street the crowd
shouted turn down. but to turn would mean
certain death, and bracing himself the driver in
grim desperation held the runaway animals in
the middle of the street, between the cable car
tracks, and guided them straight ahead.
At the Second street crossing a cable ear loaded
mud h tH-at. NO OF
o'clock passengers-started mp the hill. The
sharp, steep grade cut from view the impending
danger. Vita flashes of fire from their hoofs,
the horses, snorting in wild excitement, dashed
over the hill ana down the 20 per cent. grade,
the ponderons engine urging them to destruc-
ton. Driver Clancy made an effort 10 turn the
horses out but he could not, and engine and car
came together with mighty crash.
In an instant the scene was changed The
painting horses OF a moment before lay motion
less, bleeding and covered with dust under the
engine, while several men lay about stunned
and frightened The front part of the car and
the engine were smashed in. BY the side of his
horses lay Driver Clancy with blood on his
brow. Captain Miller and Fireman AL Johnston,
who were on the engine were thrown off, but
bepond being bruised were uninjured Driver
C.ancey's injuries consisted of many bruises and
painful scalp wound.
AS soon the collision occurred, Gripman
Carroll lifted the grip from the cable and the
car went rapidly back to Second street. Near
the upset engine lay Mr.. c. Criville. With his
wife, Nine Criville, teacher of vocal music, he
was riding in the front seat of the car. Seeing
collision imminent, he jumped just as the en-
CINE struck the car and received painful flesh
wound in the left thigh. His wife, though al
most frightened to death. remained in the car
and escaped unhurt. Miss Katie Conley, q
domestic i'll the employ of Erastus Brainerd,
went into Mysteries through fright, and was car
ried into the Denver market, where she soon re-
covered.
To extricate the horses it was necessary for
many men to roll the heavy engine from OFF
them and cut off the harness. As soon MS the
weight was removed the animals Jumped TO
their feet. 1t was thought for time that be-
yond painful flesh wounds neither an NAL was
dangerously hurt They were led to the Quincy
Cab Company's stables and Drs. Green d Nu-
gent were sent for The Dig black horse dropped
dead few moments after he arrived at the
stables. "Death was caused by heart failure
(syncopel, due TO shock said DR.. Green. SIT is
quite probable that the animal was hurt inter-
nally, but owing TO his sudden death it was i'm
possible for 10 determine the nature of his
injuries"
Driver Spinhorney's injuries were found to be
more painful than dangerous, and he will be all
right in few days.
Chemical engine No. 2, only left the repair
shop few days ago Yesterday Chief Kellogg
coihpidiHeu lildt tHe prdAes were ueIectNe ana
the firm who had made the repairs examined
the engine and promised TO remedy the def
cheney, but action was delayed too long The
brakes would not hold going down Madison
street aud the horses ram away. The engine sus-
tanned damage of about 800.
Fireman Bob Johnston reported to Chief Kel-
lOgC that when he heard the chemical coming
he notified the gr pman on the cable car at Sec
ond street that il would be dangerous TO go I'D
the hill; but the gripman would not heed the
warning and the collision was the result.
The cause of the alarm, fire at LIP Third
street, was defective iue The damage
amounted 20 about SO.