Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-18
THIS Is AN INCREASE In NUMBER,
But Not So Considered When Compared With
the Growth of the Rapid Transit
Roads in Operation.
RECOMMENDATIONS OF TIE CORONER
More Than 200 Deaths Already on the Steam Railways
Within Allegheny County.


number swelled to II. Although there is
an even score of lives lost so far, it is prac-
tically decrease, as there are almost twice
as many miles of rapid transit roads this
year as last Within the year the entire
Duquesne, Birmingham and Manchester
systems have been put in operation, as we'll
as the miles of additions tc the Pleasant
Valley system, including their Troy Hill
and Woods Run extensions
The decrease is due to the recon-
mendations made by Coroner Nc
Dowell. Under his instructions bells
were first placed on the car axles.
Later he asked for cornermen and they have
been granted. In the accidents of last year
it was noticed that nearly all the deaths
were caused by the cars mounting their
victims. The Coroner made demand for
life guards on the cars and now nearly all of
them are so equipped.
a Precaution That Has Saved Lives.
Another guard against loss of life has been
the stopping Of all cars before they cross the
line Of another company, which was one of
the recommendations of the Coroner's Office.
The result has been that in the present
month, with more rapid transit roads in
operation than ever before, there has not
been single death from that cause. It is
true number of people have been injured,
but the guards have thrown them off and
death was avoided.
Under the system by which the business of
the Coroner's Office is conducted every case
of the more than 1, 600 handled by the pres
ent Coroner, is so recorded, that even the
mlnutest detail of the manner of death and
the disposition of the case can be found on o
moments notice. In fact, the records there
are more complete and easier of access than
these OF the courts.
For II months of this year 7S2 inquests
have been held. There were 210 deaths by
the railways and 80 murders were COM
mitted. During the same period SO people
ended their own lives Eight plunged into
the river and were no more; Is found eternal
surcease of earthly sorrow from pistol
balls; ropes of various kinds swung 12 other
into eternity; five other burdens were cut
asunder by severing as many throats, and 13
others took the poison route and bid an
everlasting farewell to this earth.
Most of the Victims Children.
A noticeable fact in the list of traction
deaths is that most of them are of children
under IL years of age There are but few
deaths of people of an age able to take care
Of themselves under ordinary circumstances.
In fact, of the millions of passengers car
ried on the street car lines only two were
killed One was on the Birmingham line
and was caused by bad brake. Upon the 7
recommendation of the Coroner different
brake has been put on those ears, as well as
the guards on the windows
One of the principal recommendations
l. j..
this year will be that parents keep their
children off the streets over which traction
roads pass. Yesterday he said
parents are more to blame for the num-
ber Of deaths on the traction roads than any,
one else. 1t is impossible to make any reg
ulations which will avoid large number of
fatalities as long as the streets are play
grounds for children of from to 10 years of
age. In nearly every case the parents are
tc blame themselves for not keeping them
in. Danger from other sources can be pro-
vided against, but nothing can save the
children unless parents exercise more
care
The Long List of Fatalities.
In January there were no deaths from
traction roads, but within the first nine davs
of February three victims had been re-
corded This is the list:
g.,
hert aged 6, ran in front of Citizens car27
and was instantly killed.
NAXwELL-Rosea Maxwell, aged D months
was killed by the horse car line at McKees.
port on February 5.
EDLER-William Edler. aged % years, wns
pushed or fell under a Rebecca street car |
Rebecca street. Allegheny, and died from
his injuries. A verdict of accidental death |
was rendered, but the jury found that the
street at that point was filed with cirt and |
rubbish, and that no signal lights had been
displayed.
PHILLIPs-On May the first death of the
year on the Pleasant Valley system was re-
corded. III. Raymond Phillips, 9-year-old |
boy, while running beside n car on Perrys- |
vile avenue was thrown under the wheels |
and died the next day. |
GALLAHER-Patrick Gallaher, aged years, |
was crossing Forbes street on May 26. when |
he was killed by car No. ], of the Duquesne |
line
BAGLIN-AIena A. Baglin, aged years and |
) months. ran in front of Pittsburg Traction |
car % near Pride street, on Nav a6 and was |
instantly killed.
GRIBBoN-Car No. 12 of the Pittsburp |
Traction line, ran down Thomas Gribbon at |
Fifth avenue and High street on June 13. |
He was 6j years old. A recommendation |
was made that watchman be placed there, |
but as yet it has not been complied with.
CoNLEY-On June 90 William Conley, aged |
l5 years, was stealing ride on Birmingham |
car No. II when he was thrown against one
of the Gbutments of the Smitnfild street |
bridge and killed.
N,
ing Forbes street on June 26, when Duquesne
car No. 4 struck her. She was drawn under
the car and crushed to death.
EGsEL-Walton f. Eisel, aged years, at
tempted to cross Fremont street, Allegheny,
in front of a Pleasant Valley car on June &c,
when he was run over and killed.
DE EITo-Biase De Vito. 3year-old child
was killed on July 8, on Fifth avenue in
front of splane's court, by Pittsburg Trac-
tion car.
CAprAIN-Car 81 OF the Central Traction,
ran down Wilson Captain, q 7-yearold boy,
On Wylie avenue, on July IA.
SCHUTTEE-Marv Schutter aged L. wns
killed on Carson street by a Birmingham
ear on July p. She had just alighted from
EAR No. 10 and was crossing the track when |
struck by car No. 80. A verdict of acci-
dental death was rendered, but the Jury
recommended that a better or quicker brake
be used on cars, and that more precaution
De taken while passing cars are loading or
Unloading passengers. The jury also CEN
Unloading deceased between squares
FRITz-On August 20 Jacob Fritz, aged 4s
years, was run over and instantly killed by
ar q of the Allegheny Traction Company
1t the Pittsburg end OF the Sixteenth street
bridge. Though verdict of accidental
icath was given, it was recommended that
better lights be supplied there and that
be stationed at that point.
GoLDINo-William Golding, aged 81 wears.
vas killed on september by a Birmingham
ar on Smithfield street, near the bridge.
MCCoRHICK-kate Mccormick, little g.
-ear-old tot while attempting to cross
'orbes street in front OF car IS, of the Du-
IuesEe line. was run over ana killed on Oc-
ober ].
TRENT-While crossing in front of Man.
ged years, was instantly killed
GIsING = On November John Gising,
ged years, while stealing a ride on car 90,
u the Citizens Traction line, jumped Off in
ront OF car l50 and was instantly killed. |
HEITZMAN-NincenZ Heitzman aged "a !