The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-20
FEARFUL CRASH.
Cable Car Runs Away and Kills
Conductor SehelL
pAsHEs WILDLY DOWN HILL.
Madison street Car Takes an Imprompt7
Trip With FatsI Rssufts-The
Coroner's Inquest.

ran away about O'Clock yesterday morn
ing. plunged with fearful velocity down
the hill towards Lake Washington, ran
into the rear Of another car on the long
trestIe at the foot Of the hill and instantly
killed William r. scheil, conductor. and
slightly injured 2. A. Rathbun, the grip
man.
Car No. had Just started down the road
towards the lake on its first trip. and No. z
was brought out of the poger-house imrne-
diately afterwards. Although the gripnan
aud conductor are required 70 report
fifteen minutes ahead OF time, James
Carroll, the gripm2n Of No. :, was
the only one Oh hand. G. Shears, the con-
duc4or, being late. The car vas run of
the turntabIe on the eastbound track,
ready for its preliminary trip 10 the lake
before starting down town, and Carroll
went into the power-house for the lamps,
leaving no one in charge. After about five
minutes absence, he returned with the
lamps. and, 70 his astonishment, found
the car had gone. He ran along the track,
which is almost level for some distance
east Of the power-house, and saw the car
just disappearing over the brow Of the bill.
He ran on, but it was useless 70 attempt to
catch the runaway. for il was gaining mo-
nlentum In its rapid descent.
When it reached the foot Of the hill and
started on the long trestis over the gulch
il had attained the speed Of railroad ex-
press and dashed with terrible force into
the rear of No. 8, which had been travel
Ing at the regular speed OF abont ten miles
an hour. Ii was the dark hour before
dawn, and the runaway had no lights 10
give warning of its coming by their bright
glare. The noise made by the motion Of
No. 8 drowned that of the runaway, 50
that scheIl could have known nothing of
the danger in time 70 escape
SchelI appears 10 have been standing ct
his post on the rear platform, facing in the
direction the car was taking. The run
away struck him in the back and drove
him through the door. He fell ON his face
III the aisle, his neck dislocated and his
body covered with cuts and bruises.
The shock threw Rathbun, the gripman,
backward through the door from his posi-
ton at the lever, his head smashing the
glass in the front door. de was badly cut
on the nose and cheek, and for q moment
lay stunned. When he recovered he went
back into the car and found his eomrade
lying on the floor covered with splinters.
His overcoat was lying on the seat
and Rathbun lifted him 10 the seat
rolled up the coat and placed it under
his head. Then he spoke 10 the motion
less form, but no answer came. He felt
the pulse, but il showed no sign of life; he
knew then that his comrade was dead.
There were no passengers on the car.
Carroll soon arrived and was quickly
fcttnuvad ~
lives near and had been aroused. and by
others. Another car was brought down
from the power-house and the body was
lifted on it and taken to the building.
Coroner Horton was summoned and made
an examination, which showed that death
was due to dislocation of the neck. Sehell's
brother, Frank L.. who is conductor on
the Front street line, also appeared and
was almost Frustrated with grief
The body was removed TO Bonney IL
Stewards undertaking rooms, where the
coroner held an inquest at 30 o'clock in
the afternoon. William Caldwell, assist
ant prosecuting attorney, examined the
witnesses. The jury was as follows: Z. s.
Ingraham, foreman; II. A. Frederick, J..
Il. Taylor, X. II. Smith, f. 3. Whiting
and ID. b. Yonk'n.
Raymond Hopkins. a lamp-cleaner,
Testified that he helped to run the cars out
Of the barn, and SO Tar as he knew cars
Nos. 6, 6. and we're in running order
when taken out.
George Oats, car repairer. testified that
he tried the brakes of cars Nos. 5. 6. and
Z, and was certain all were in good trim
that he was certain about the grips being
all right. Closed cars had different run.
ming gears from open cars. The former
required oiling daily, the latter only once
in five or six days. Car No. 7 had open
car trucks under it. and had not been
oiled for three days.
Superintendent Gibson testified that il
was the duty not only of the car-repairer.
but also of the train crew 20 see that the
brakes and grip are IN order; If they are
not he must report, and for failure 10 do
20 is subject to suspension for three To
seven days. II was customary for train
men 10 leave the cars alone on the track
while getting the lamps from the power.
house. He had no idea what pu.
the car in motion: could not saw
whether the brakes were sci
or not. He had asked c. NJ. Anderson
what was the grade from the power.
HoANc ~ tue hiWN VI iIr HfA9s out tnGf
gentleman said he did not know the exact
grade, though he did not think il steep
enough 20 let car run Of its own momen-
tum. He Was himself Of the same opinion.
James Carroll. gripman of car No. 7.
said he took out the Car aud pushed
IL on the turn-tabie and ran il OF
on the track behind No. &. almos,
touching il. The grip MAS closed and not
on the rope. He went in TO pc;
the lamps. leaving no one on the car. The
conductor should have been there, as he
had 20 report fifteen minutes before start.
ing time, aud il was then eleven minutes
before. He stayed In the depot about tive
minutes, got the lamps and when he re.
turned the car was gone. He did not see
or hear 10 Ga. lie always left the grin
closed, and had before LEFT the car alone on
the track While getting the lamps. He
had the brake set. but not tight. No 1
was only far enough ahead TO take the
cable. Il generally took two men 20
push the car far enough to take
the rope. he did not thiak il
possible for the car 70 start without being
pushed. On further questioning. he al.
mitted that the brakes were not set. He
reiterated that the grip Was closed. 80 that
the cable could not get into it. When he
reached the wreck the grip was closed. II
was the duty of both conductor and grip.
man 70 tighten the brakes.
+. A. Rathban, rripnan OF No. 6, testi.
ted that he had been on the road a week.
having no regular car. At 500 o'clock in
the morning he tried 90 push his car up 50
that II could take the rope, and No. :. v hen
run CO the table, was pushed right behind
go that the jar helped him 70 start No. &
IL was ten minutes past when the wreck
occurred. Ii Was dark and he did not see