Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-19
HE TRIED TO FOLLOW.
A Grief Stricken Father Whose Babe
Is Killed by the Cars,
HIMSELF LIES ACROSS THE RAILS.
Strong Men Prevent His Attempted Self
Destruction. ~
AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS He Is LOCKED vi

A Pleasant Valley electric car ran over
and instantly killed little 5-year-old boy
on Duquesne way yesterday afternoon.
Three hours later his father, John McKib-
ben, crazed at the sight of the mangled re-
mains, made two desperate attempts at sui
eide by throwing himself sin front of a
Wylie avenue car.
"They've got the town by the throat!
They've killed my boy, and they may as
we'll kill us all and be done with it!'
screamed the unfortunate father, as he
threw himself across the rails, and it was
only BY the efforts of several strong men
that he was saved from the fate of his baby.
McKibben lives in Pusey's court, in rear
of the Home Hotel. He has son of about
10 and, until yesterdays accident, bright
little boy of about years. The child got
away from his mother, who was engaged
with her home duties, shortly after o'clock
yesterday afternoon. He wandered out on
Duquesne way, and as an ice wagon started
from in front of the Home Hotel the little
one climbed on the rear step for ride.
The Child Instantly Killed.
The wagon had only gone ten feet when
Pleasant Valley car came down the grade
alta high speed ringing loudly for the wagon
to clear the way. The child, confused by
the sound, jumped from the step right into
the middle Of the track. The car was upon
it in twlnkling. There was futter of
skirts and smothered cry. Then the car
stopped. Just behind it there Law the
mangled and bloody corpse of mothers
darling, fathers pet.
Tender hands carried the little body into
the Home Hotel, and a doctor soon arrived,
but he was not needed. The little soul had
gone beyond. The morgue wagon came and
the body was taken to that gruesome place
At 6 o'clock McKibben came home from
days hard work. Wnen informed of the
fate of his baby he rushed up to the morgue
where he was permitted to gaze on the
crushed remains The sight of them seemed
to madden him. He broke into tears at
first, but soon ceased crying and with stolij
face walked to the front door of the build
ing. He stood there for moment when,
hearing the sound of an approaching Cal, he
deliberately walked out and giving vent to
the expression quoted above he threw HIM
self across the track of the Central Traction
line.
Determined to Die on the Track.
A young man at the morgue and two
other men ran out quickly and dragged him
away just as the cable car came along, but
it was all they could do to hold him. At
ter the car passed McKibben promised not to
repeat the attempt and walked away. But
when the next car came along he again ran
out on the track and started toward the car.
The gripman, however, OWNED his
intention and stopped the car just
before it reached him. Sergeant
Bob Gray, who happened to be on
the car, arrested the frenzied father to save
him from selfdestruction and sent him to
Central station. He wept and moaned,
calling for his baby after he was locked up,
but it was deemed best to keep him con-
fined for the night. DR.. Meyer admins
tered opiates, which had little effect until
after midnight, when McKibben fell into a
slumber. 1t is hoped he will have recov-
cred his senses by this morning.
Coroner Mcdowell will hold an inquest
in the case this morning. As McKibben is
very poor the funeral of the little one will
take place from the morgue.