The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-20
JUGGERNAUT CAR.
Wild Runaway at the Fair
Grounds.
A Menace to the Safety of Thousands
of Visitors at the Flower Carni-
val-Four Injured.

A flower-bedecked coach, drawn by four
startled horses, dashed wildly along the
crowded streets of Sunset City yesterday
afternoon, scattered the startled visitors
in retreating heaps, ENDANGERED the lives
of thousands of women and children. and
inclden tally crushed and seriously injured
four ladies unable 10 escape from this
veritable juggernaut.
1t was half an hour before the parade of
the rose carnival and people were packed
close together along the midway. Heavy
floats which should have entered the
grounds at the south gate to form in line
at the space before Festival. Hall, had
been permitted to make the unnecessary
circuit of the Grand Central court and
force their way among the crowds, with
out a preceding platoon of guards.
With difficulty people made way for
these mammoth designs on wheels, D OF
dreaming of any other menace to their
safety. Without moments warning a
heavy coach dashed past the Emergency
Hospital. The horses having shaken off
the wild control of the driver, instead of
turning toward the recreation grounds,
jumped to the right past the Alameda
building.
There was a sudden cry of alarm,
echoed by thousands who partially under
stood the danger behind them. Those
who heard the warning tumbled over
each other in a mad rush for safety.
Many were crushed in the struggle TO es-
cape from the peril, bat the most seriously
injured were the four ladies who neither
perceived runaway nor appreciated the
danger.
The leaders of the four-n-hand struck
two of these ladies, who fell beneath their
hoofs. Two others were knocked down
by the wheels, which miracul9usly tore
only their clothing. iHflicting cuts and
bruises, while the Mortified crowd on
either side believed the unfortunate
women had been crushed to death.
The coach cOllided violently with an
electric-light post with such force that the
stout pole was broken down. This mo-
mentary pause afforded an opportunity to
stop the runaway horses. and scores of
men surrounded the coach and seized the
trembling steeds. The driver stole quickly
and silently away.
Then the wounded women were carried
to thu Emergency Hospital. Their names
are Mrs. S. H. Simon. her daughter. DIR.
Grace Simon. Mrs. Myers and Miss AL.
breent. Mrs. Simon and Mrs. Myers lay on
cots unconscious for hours, and the physi-
clans in attendance were unable 10 state
the extent of their injuries. DR.. Simon, a
recent graduate IN medicine, and Miss
Alorecht received severe Commissions, but
were aiterward able TO tell the story OF
their experiences beneath the wheels.
The ladies were especially severe in de.
nOuncing the management. which so jeop-
ardZed the lives of visitors to the fair
grounds. In the accident they lost several
valuable ornaments, and their wounds
will be painful for days to come. Later in
the evening Mrs. Simon and Mrs. Myers
were able TO be moved to their residence
al SOB Golden Gate avenue and were rest
ing more easily at late hour last night.
Strenuous efforts TO suppress the par
ticulars of the accident were made by
minor clustering employees of the fair
about the Administration building. 1t
was not difficult to learn. however, from
hundreds OF spectators the particulars of
the occurrence. which is the elimination
of series of reckless equestrian episodes
on the exposition grounds INDUCED in by
a few people connected with the admin
istration.
The coach was driven by an employe Of
E. X. Miles, who furnished the conveyance
for the carnival procession.