The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-05-29
CRASH AND PANIC.
Smash Up on the Oakland
Mole Last Night.
Several Severely Injured = Women
Painted and Some Were Trampled
in the General Stampede.

Quite serious accident occurred at the
Oakland mole last night, which might have
resulted more seriously had it not been for
the presence of mind of Al Cushing, the
engineer of the Oakland local train.
The train which left Broadway station
at SIS o'clock was entering the mole at
1926 o'clock at a rate of sixteen miles an
hour when a Berkeley switch engine,
which was moving out at the rate of TWEEN
ty-fve miles an hour crashed into il.
The crash was so unexpected that the
passengers seemed terrified and lost con-
troll of their senses altogether. Many
women screamed in terror and several
tainted. Naturally there was a great crush
for the doors and panic seemed newt
able for the time being. One man named
Antoine Sebrean punched his fist through
one of the windows and attempted to
crawl out. He was severely cut about the
head and fac e.
The lamp chimneys, the glass in the
car doors and the windows were smashed
to smitheTeens. Most of the cars were
crowded to the doors and were filled with
standing passengers Many ladies were
also sta nding. The crash knocked many
from their feet, and they were trampled
upon. A large number Of PEOPLE were cut
about the head and face by falling glass.
The cause of the accident, it is said, lies
at the door of the electric clan, who claims
that certain portions of the machinery
were broken, and thereby caused all The
lights to go out. Close up to the mole are
electric posts, at the top of which ''pots"
are placed and the engineers of the differ
ern trains use them as signals. This lam
tern casts blue light on one side and a
white light on the other side. At the
time the light went out laborer was sum-
moned, and with lantern assembled the
pole.
The engineer of the Oakland Local, see
ing the white light, thought the track was
clear and did not slack the train up more
than he usually does when entering the
pier.
The Berkeley engineer did not see the
light at all, but proceeded TO run his en-
CINE out. and was running at a fast rate
when lie came in contact with the other
engine
Both engines were badly broken and the
Oakland local train engine was derailed.
The engineers and tiremen of the respec-
tive trains stayed at their posts, but were
not hurt.
Among those who were injured were two
ladies and two men. Mrs. gobln of 16
Anthony street. San Francisco, was Sc
verely cut about the head and face by
glass-just how seriously could not be de-
termlned, a. she was unconscious.
Mr. Carlston. her brother, who was sit
ting BESIDE her at the time of the acc dent,
San Francisco bone with her after con-
sclousness had been restored and she was
able to travel.
j. +. Sturner, clerk who is employed
by Fibust Bros, cigar merchants on
Broadway, Oakland, was badly bruised
about the body aud i is feared that be is
hurt internally. He seemed to be In a
benumbed condition and when asked
where he lived said that he didn't know
One of the passengers on the train knew
Siurner and took charge Of him. His
right leg was also bruised somewhat.
c. l.. Edwards. brakeman on the Oak
land local. was IN the front part of the
train standing on the platform when the
accident occurred. He was thrown vio-
lently to the ground and sustained ugly
wounds about the head and body. He was
taken 10 his home in East Oakland. He is
not seriously hurt.
Emily Caravan of Twenty third avenue,
East Oakland, was trampled upon during
the stampede of the passengers for the
door Her right hip was fractured. Sam
Bones, the conductor of the Oakland local.
was standing up in the middle of an aisle
in a bout the sixth coach from the engine
All the passengers in tho coach We're
knocked down aud two men fell on Bones.
His spine was injured and his ankle
sprained.
Division Superintendent Wilder could
not be found. but is reported 10 have said
that the accident was pure negligence on
the part of the Berkeley engineer, Chris
Cotrell. II is not known just who is 10
blame; some blame one, some another
and repeated calls at the telephone failed
to arouse Mr.. Slater, the electrician, who
many said was at fault.