The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-18
THROWN IN THE BAY.
An Expressman Drowned by His
Runaway Team.
ONE PLUNGE AND AL WAS OVER.
Thomas White IL Tossed Int the Tide
Flats From His Wagon on Csm-
merciai street Trestie.

Thomas White, driver for the Casn
Commission Company. on West street.
was thrown from has wagon into the bay
BIZ runaway horses at the corner of lower
Commercial and Charles streets. last even
ing At 4 rs O'Clock. and drowned.
The lower part of Commercial street
from Weller is built on piles far above the
water. The west half OF the street is
pIanked. and on the other halt the motor
line runs over stringers. The space be-
tween the track and the planking is four
or i've feet. The east side of the planking
IS guarded by a railing. At the corner OF
Commercial and Charles streets there IS no
railing, for plank road leads east TO sew
eral barns where teamsters keep their
horses. In one Of these barns Thomas
White kent his two scrubby, tough. dingy
white horses. They didn't look as if they
could make i've miles an hour, much less
come tearing down the street as they did
last evening
Where they started or what caused them
to run is still a mystery. but the noise of
gal!oping boots. the bumpty-bump of a
wagon on the rough p,anks brought the
occupants OF the Puget Soundry laundry
offce-on the west side of Commercial, 8
short distance north of Charles street--,o
the door with a rush. There was the run
away team coming down the street at tul
speed. White sitting on the high seat of
the express wagon. holding the reins with
tight grip but silent as death. At
Charles street the horses came around like
lightning and made straight for the barn
door, while White shot into the air, struck
his chin on the end OF the railing and
plunged headlong into the water, fully
sixteen feet below.
The news of the accident spread
rapidly, and before many minutes
passed there were many able bodied
men clustered around the opening into
which White had gone. Ropes were
brought from neighboring building, and
with one of these around his body Michael
Meeiinnis was let down into the cold
water. Whites body was found doubled
up like a jack knife. head and feet under.
A rope was tied around him and w. J.
Sullivan hauled him up TO the planking.
As soon as Whites body was brought TO
light II was laid on a barrel and rolled.
The water that he had taken into his lungs
was forced out. but White gave no signs of
returning consciousness. The patrol
wagon took him to police headquarters,
where DIR. Palmer volunteered his services.
Before many minutes. however, he saw
that if there had been a possible
chance of dormant life it had gone.
Corner Horton was called and, after
listening TO the story of the accident, de.
cided that death was due TO drowning.
There will be no inquest. The body was
removed to Bonney Il Stewards under
taking rooms and lay there until o'clock
before positive identification was secured.
White was So years old, native of In
diana. and lived in the city tor four years.
lie Was unmarried and, so far as known,
without means. he was large man, and
Is believed to have been hard drinker.
he had black mustache aud short black
hair. On his person were 20 cents. blank
book and a ticket for twenty one lucent
meals.
No arrangements have been made for
the funeral.