Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-06
MR.. ROSS INJURED
Struck by Gable Car and Dragged Many
Feet.
His Life MarvelOusly Preserved-The
Got OF on the Wrong Side.

Shortly after II o'clock last night District
Commissioner John w. Ross narrowly es-
capped being crushed to death under the
wheels OF a weSt-bound cable car on the
avenue, nearly opposite the Metropolitan
Hotel. While Mr.. Ross miraculously es-
capped instant death, he was unfortunately
very severely injured. and is confined to
his bed where he will probably remain
some time as the result Of the accident.
According to the statements Of those who
witnessed the accident, Mr.. Ross was re-
turning from attendance at the banquet
rendered to the medical congress at the
Arlington Hotel last evening, on a cable
car, and desiring to stop at the Metropoli-
tan Hotel. jumped from the car when he
recalled the fact that the car stopped only
at street crossings. Jumping from the
track side Of the car, he noticed q train
bound west. too late to avoid 1t.
He was struck squarely in front by the
grip car. the head light being broken by
the force of the blow, and thrown in front
OF the fender. His clothes becoming en-
tangled Mr.. Ross was dragged some 20 or
80 feet before Gripman Ernest n. Madigan
could bring the train to a stan1still. Then
the Commissioner was discovered in a
semi-conscious condition. .ymg between
the fender Of the grip car and it's first set
Of wheels.
ed up by the bystanders, a great crowd
being attracted by the accident, and car
rted to his apartments in the National
Hotel. Owing to the presence Of physi-
clans at the Arlington Hotel 1t was some
time before one could be found. but finally
Dr. F. Bell of Texas one Of the members
OF the medical congress, was summoned.
DR.. Bell hastily examined the injuries Of
Mr. Ross AMI explained that he had suf-
fered a fractured rib. bad cut above the
ear and considerable bruises about the
head and body. Later the injured man was
examined by Drs. Bell Chamberln and
Briscoe. They reached the conclusion that
while seriously injured, Mr.. Ross was not
fatally so. DR.. Chamberlin. who is a rela-
tive of the Commissioner. took charge Of
the case. and stated this morning that Mr..
Ross was resting very well and would re-
cover.
Arrested and Released.
Detective George Boyd. who was one of
those who witnessed the accident, accompa-
MED the train to Georgetown and there
placed Gripman Madigan under arrest. De-
tective Boyd then went back to the hotel,
and sending word into Commissioner Ross
Of the gripman's arrest, Mr.. Ross, with his
characteristic fairness, sent word out to re-
lease the man, as the accident was due
alone to his Ross) forgetfuness. Detec-
tive Boyd thereupOn directed the release of
the gripman. The officer stated to a Star
reporter today that Mr.. Ross size alone
prevented him from being crushed and torn
by the wheels Of the grip, as his body did
not pass entirely underneath the fender.
The clothing of the Commissioner was
badly torn, and those who picked him up
were much surprised to discover that he
was alive. Both last night and today the
news Of the accident which spread through
out the city with wonderful swiftness
caused hundreds Of the friends Of Commits
sioner Ross to anXiously inquire al the ho-
tel as to his condition, and these were
greatly relieved to learn that his injuries
while serious and exceedingly painful
would not proye fatal