The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-17
RESCUED A CHILD.
Brave Deed of a Young
Heroine.
A Descendant of James King of
William Vindicates Her Race by
Singular Presence of nind.

In pretty little home far out in the
Western Addition lives heroine of whom
the people of San Francisco may justly feel
proud.
She is Miss Elizabeth King, and resides
with her family at 1922 Grove street.
Miss King is well known socially in this
city. She is the granddaughter of the late
James King OF William, pioneer
journalist, who was editor of the Evening
Bulletin in early days. and was assassinated
by James p. Casey.
Miss King is tall. graceful young lady.
about 90 years Of age. and looks every inch
the heroine she has proven herself to be.
1t was Thursday afternoon that Miss
King distinguished herself at the imminent
risk of losing her life.
a horse and cart had been left standing
at the corner OF Grove and Scott streets by
careless driver, who had neglected to hitch
it to one OF the many trees or posts In the
vicinity.
The animal was of nervous disposition,
and finally became frightened at the clang-
ing bell of passing electric car. and with
snort OF terror dashed down the street at
terrible pace.
Men and boys saw the frightened animal
approaching and quickly sought out place
of refuge where they would escape being
struck by the swinging vehicle, when to
their horror they saw brght-haired little
girl aged about years playing In the
middle If the street at the corner Of Scott
and Grove streets, and directly in the path
OF the rapidly approaching runaway.
1t was then that Miss King performed
the brave deed by which she saved the life
of the little girl and earned the lifelong
gratitude OF loving mother. being herself
slightly injured.
The accident occurred shortly after 8
o'clock Thursday afternoon.
On Grove street between Deyisaler0 and
Scott, number of buildings are in course of
construction. They are being built by
Louis Lander, contractor and builder, at
Is Montgomery street. in this city.
The street is INSTRUCTED by plies of lum-
Der and building material deposited there
by transfers during the day.
Shortly before the accident occurred one
OF the fOremen employed by Lander drove
| failed to tie his horse, thinking that the
animal would stand quietly until his return,
and entered the building.
He had scarcely disappeared when an
electrician passed down Scott street
near by.
The gripman rang the bell on the dummy,
as Is customary, when the horse became
frightened and started 70 run away.
Before any OF the WOTkmen near by could
| catch the rig ii dashed I'D Grove street and
turned the corner of Scott. where it struck
board fence, partly denlOlishing the cart.
The cries of the pursuers only tended 10
increase tie terror of the frightened animal
and 1t dashed down Scott street at terrible
pace.
Miss King had been calling on a neighbor
in the vicinity, and as she was returning to
her home passed the corner of Scott and
Grove streets just as the frightened rula-
way approached the opposite corner.
II at once became apparent to her that
the little girl, who continued playing, I'M
conscious Of her dangerous position, would
be run over and instantly killed If struck
by the horses boots.
A number of spectators who were near
by gaZed at the scene in hopeless horror.
but none attempted to rescue the uncon-
seiOus child.
A moment more and Il would all be over.
they thought, with shudder.
But Miss King had already determined
how she would act.
Dropping parcel which she carried In her
hands, she sprang fearlessly in front of the
runaway, now scarcely ten feet distant, and,
grasping the child. quickly flung it to one
side out OF the horses pathway, where it
was later picked up unialured.
Miss King, however, was not as fortunate.
The horse swerved 70 one side at her ap-
| prOach and she was struck severe blow in
| the body with piece of broken shaft as il
| swung round. knocking her down.
She was quickly picked up by the willing
hands of number of spectators and ten-
| DERBY carried to her home in an unconscious
| condition, when medical aid was summoned
| aud sue was soon after restored.
The horse continued its mad career, and
] after coilljing with a lamppost and further
wreeking what remained OF the cart, was
| finally caught in tile vicinity Of the German
| Hospital, some distance away.
The child tor which Miss King so bravely
.risked her life was quickly taken away by
its frightened mother. aud its name could
not be ascertained.
When CALL reporter called last night
Miss King modestly refused to speak of her
heroic deed and referred to il lightly.
In fact. she requested that nothing be
said of the matter, and it was only after
some hesitation that she was induced to ad-
NIT that she had rescued the child.
She stated that beyond being slightly
bruised by her fall she had sustained no
serious injuries.
| A number OF friends called during the
day and congratulated the young heroine
upon her narrow escape from death.
Miss King is also ignorant of the name
of the little one for whom she risked her
t.E