The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-17
FELL UNDER
A CABLE-CAR.
Probably Fatal Accident to Rev.
William J. Walsh.
A EOward-street Car Reduced Him TO a Mass
OF Blood and Broken Bones Recovery
Thought Very Doubtful

Rev. William J. Walsh. who, until year
ago, was an assistant priest at St. Joseph's
Church, Oh Tenth street, near Howard, was
run over by cable-car on the Howard
street line and sustained injuries. q dozen or
more of very serious character. that may
result In his demise as every surgeon who
has examined him pronounced them almost
certainly fatal.
The accident was witnessed by a CALL
reporter, who occupied the front seat of the
dummy Of yellow car No. %, just opposite
the seat Father Walsh meant TO occupy. At
Sixth street Father Walsh and a woman
who refused afIerWard to give her name
hailed the ear, but as they wanted a seat on
the dummy, they had TO pass 10 the other
side Of the car by passing in front Of it.
When Immediately in front of the dummy,
the conductor, who stood on the rear plat
form rang the bell twice-the signal to 90
ahead. Instead Of hurrying. the woman, fol-
lowed by Father Walsh seemed all the
more deliberate about getting of the track
ana on the car. The Eripman waited until
she was seated and Father Walsh was on
the car.
SLOWLY SWUNG AROUND.
Instead Of seating himself as expected by
the reporter, whose attention was particu-
ihi4g dllldCACQ 10 MN U1 Ills utHDttdLb
movements, Father Walsh leaned back, his
left hand holding the curved handle on the
dummY's pilot. Then he slowly swung
around In front of tfs dummy, lost his
fOOthOld and fell on bis back.
The other passenger, who had already
seated herself before the car started.
shrieked. The car passed over his head,
with its dummy's two sets OF wheels, and
one of the car proper, before the gripman
brought it to standstill. Then terror
reigned supreme and men lost their mental
self possession and sought to drag the
wounded man forth.
woman suggested that the car be
raised, which was done, and within a min
ute after Father Walsh had dropped in
front of the ear, he was taken from under, q
bloody, dusty, misshapen mass that gave
no signs Of lie. This was at 80 o'clock
He was al first taken TO the pharmacy not
more than q hundred yards away. where he
was treated by DR.. George II. Graham. who
administered temporary relief TO ease his
suffering.
CONSCIOUSNESS LOST.
The patrOi-wagon was summoned TO take
him TO the Receiving Hospital ride he
took IN SemLCOnSciOus condition. AT the
hospital his injuries were cared for by Drs.
SOmers and Simpson These, so far as
they could be aScertained before he re-
covered from the shock, consisted Of a long
and very deep scalp wound nearly thirteen
inches long, extending from over the left eve
across the head to near the nape of tile neck;
cut across the nose, deep cash under the
chin, severe Commissions of both arms and
shoulders with possible fractures. There
IS also a great probability that his spine has
been injured. which, with his loss Of blood
and general shock, will make his recovery a
matter of extreme doubt.
The wounded priest was attended soon
after by Father Dillon OF ST JOseph's also
BY nurse from st; Mary's Hospital, where
Father Walsh has been for twelve months
under treatment for general debility. due to
OYeTstudy and work. 1t is thought his acct
dent was due to his weak condition.
Father Walsh is about 80 years or age, a
native Of San LeandrO educated in Ireland
and France, and is very we'll known by the
priesthood and laity in this State