St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-09-20
AN ELECTRIC SMASH,
Two Trains on the Interurban
Line Come Into Collision
at Lexington.
The Brakes Of the Rear Train
Failed to Act, and the
Smash Followed.
A Score Of People Cut and
More or Less Bruised
About the Body,
And, Miraculously, Those Sc
pinnClu Tni,unL N4-GJ
And, Miraculously, Those Sc
riously Injured Confined
to Three or Four.

serious accident occurred on the in
terurban electric line shortly before the
midnight hour. Just how many peo-
pie were really injured it was impsssi-
bic to ascertain, owing to the confusion
that ensued. Of course, the reporters
were able to learn the facts concerning
those who were worst hurt. While at
least three of the victims are badly in
Jured, it is believed none received fatal
wounds.
1t is peculiar story, although it was
an accident scarcely unexpected. It
will doubtless prove a lesson TO the
street railway company, and they will
probably throw better protection around
their patrons in the future. Two inter
urban electric motors, each drawing a
travler, were coming into st. Paul from
Minneapolis. Both trains were heavily
laden with passengers. Coming
down the steep grade that is
just beyond Lexington avenue,
the motorneer of the hrst train came to
a stand-still. The motorneer of the sec
cond train was absolutely unable to coh-
troll his train, and he came down the de-
cline and into the trailer of the other
train with terrific, crash Happily
goody number of the passengers on the
trailer saw the danger, and averted
many casualties by leaping from the
car. Among the number were several
ladies. They were more or less bruised
in the leap, however.
The motor crashed into the trailer,
dem0lishing seats and every thing in its
way. Two ladies and a young man
were nearly impaled. AS 1t was, they
were pinioned between the wrecked
seats and were liberated with difficulty
from their
PerIIous Situation.
George E. Ross, employed by the
Chester Oil company, and residing at
421 Mackubin street, was seriously hurt.
He was conveyed by friends to his
housr-rr.c Il vsrrsseen-was called. His
injuries were mainly internal. No
bones were broken.
H. A. Capron and Miss Bishop, of 81
West Exchange street, were hurt, but
not dangerously. Miss Bishop had the
flesh of her right arm crushed and LAGER
ated, and she was otherwise bruised.
from the Kent street barn, where the
wrecked motor and trailer were left,
The two ladies most seriously injured
were cousins. They were returning
home from the Exposition, and it being
the last night of the siege of Vera Cruz
accounts for the crowded condition of
the two trains. Miss Minnie Peterson,
aged twenty-five years, besides sustain
ing many painful bruises and contu-
siOns, suffered conclusion of the brain.
The muscles of her left thigh were fright
fully lacerated, and there was also con-
fusion of the left shoulder and scalp
wound fully two inches long over the
left ear.
Miss Lillian Fifteen, seventeen years
old. sustained very serious injuries to
the right thigh, and two front teeth
were knocked out in the collision.
The victims OF the accident were
carefully placed in the motor which
was disengaged from the wrecked cars,
aud taken into the city. They were met
at the corner of Wabasha and Sixth
street by a large crowd of eager
people who had heard of the ca
tastrophe. They were apprehenslve
that friends had been hurt in
the collision. The two ladies, Miss
Fetzen and Miss Peterson, were taken
under the direction of DR.. Walrath,
who had been summoned by the police.
Then they were taken direct to their
home at 1911 South Franklin street,
where their INJURIES were speedily
dressed. DR.. Walfath could not posi-
lively state whether either has been
internally Injured or not, and will make
further examination to-day.
The MOtoneer's story.
The motoneer of the train that crashed
into the other was Peter Nelson.
II don't know how it happened" he
said to reporter. I'VE were following
the other train and making schedule
time. The front train-I don't know
who was running it-stopped on the
heavy down grade, and set the brakes
and shut off the current, but couldn't
stop the car"
Ibid you leave the motor?" he was
asked.
mo, stood right there and held to
the brakes"
This story, it should be explained.
cannot be true, however. 1t would
have been physical impossibility for
him to have remained on the platform
and escape death, for the brakes and
the front of the motor are completely
demolished.
Il saw a woman fall between the
Seats" he pursued, land jumped from
my car into the trailer, and helped re-
lease her. Conductor Larson also
helped me-"
At this juncture the employe Of the
street car company, who has charge of
the Kent street barns, commanded the
motoneer not 10 say word to the re-
porters, and to make assurance dOubly
sure he took the man away where he
could not be found again.
AS stated, the wreck occurred out
beyond Lexington avenue, but the
trailer and the motor were hauled in to
the Kent street barn, where it took until
morning for big crew of men to eXtri-
cate the motor from the trailer, with
lacks" and machinery.
Bruises Galore.
A large number Of ladies were pain
fully bruised, but their injuries were
not sufficient to occasion distress. They
took another car and rode to their
homes, rejoicing that they escaped go
luckily.
The motor man of the train which
was run into was William McKoen, his
brakeman Henry McDonough, and tie
conductor r. G. Galley.
The police We're promptly notified of
of the accident, and the Central and
Rondo street patrol wagons dashed to the
scene. They met the electric trains at
Kent street WITH Drs. Green and Han
ley, but the victims of the wreck had
already either been conveyed to their