Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-30
TRoLLEY's FIRST VICTIM.


 on the Part of Dwight smith, a Trac- tion Co Employe.
 The trolley found it's first victim in Wa terbury just before s o'clock last night. when the life was cruelty crushed out of Matthew O'Mara, the six years old son ot MT and Mrs John O'Mara of 52 Wall street. The shocking accident occurred within sight of the boys home. DEMO GRAF reporter was at the scene just after the accident occurred. Hundreds of peo- pie gathered and there was not dry eye when the mangled remains of the child were taken from under the wheels and tenderly laid on the step of the car await ing the arrival of the medical examiner. The mother of the boy was among the first to arrive and her cries were heart rending. She pleaded pitifully to be all lowed to see the remains, but sympathetic friends finally induced her to leave the fatal spot.
 The deadly work was done by one of the remodeled horse cars, No 25. It was in charge of Motorman William E. Gould and Conductor Walter N. Benson. The car left the center at 7:50 and proceeded without accident to Wall street. At this point number of passengers left the car. When Motorman Gould attempted to start there was flash of electricity and then the lights went out for a moment, but the car did not move. The motorman left Dwight Smith. superintendent of tracks. in charge of the lever, and going to the office of F. J. Wood telephoned to the sta- ton. He then returned to the car and taking the headlight proceeded to inspect the fuse box under the car. A number of persons had gathered around and young O'Mara stood on the track near the end of the car. Smith was on the plat form and carelessly moved the lever. when the car ran forward about half its length striking the boy. who gave one frightened cry and the next instant was crushed to death. Fred J. Wood and others removed the body and it was placed on the step of the cars, until the arrival of Medical Ex- aminer Ax.elle about S:30. The skull was crushed in on both sides above the ears and on the left side the brains were ex- posed for half the side of the head. The lower and the upper jaws were each broken on both sides. Both arms were crushed from the shoulders to near the elbows and the right arm was all but severed at the shoulder. The left side was considerably bruised, but no ribs were broken. The body was removed to the bereaved home. Undertaken Noriarty 'aking charge of the remains. The father. John O'Mara, who is a laborer on the Gaff- ney pipe line, was notified by telephone. The boy was we'll known to everybody in the neighborhood. lie was a precocious little fellow and was in the habit of sing ing for the storekeepers and others in the vicinity: getting his reward in pennies and candy.
 The conductor. motorman and Smith were examined by the medical examiner and told substantially the above story. The motorman was guilty of negligence in leaving his car and Smith certainly had no right to experiment with the lever. When Electrician Davidson reached the scene the car worked all right and he is of the opinion that the trouble with the car was caused by the trolley pole becoming dis. connected.
 A representative of the Traction Co called at the house of death to offer any aid that they could render. This morning the boys mother told a DEMOCRAT re porter that the company had promised tc do what was right and it is probable tha a settlement of some sort will be reached family consists of Mir and Mrs O'Mara anC three children of Mrs O'Mara by l,er frs husband. Richard Welch.
 Superintendent Bradley of the Traction Co Is out of town. Secretary A. NJ. Younl had nothing to say for publication thi. morning. He said the coroner would Tn vestigate and place the responsibility Until then the company would make nC statement.
 Dwight Smith is a man apparently be | tween fifty-five and sixty years old and re Grets the accident more than anybod, else. He belonged in Southbury and cam to Waterbury about fourteen years agc when Ayers X Mcdonald commence, moving away the big sand hill whicl I stood on the site of the Watch shop Since then he has followed the steam shovel through different parts of the coun try and returned to Waterbury about eigh years ago and entered the employ of tn Traction Co. He said this morning tha he had no idea that the car would nov | when he touched the lever. "In fact. he said. i've all thought thers was some thing wrong and that the car would no move until some one came along wh | could tell what was the matter" NJ Smith lives with his wife at No Danle place.
 Coroner Mix came from New Haven ol the 11:12 train and examined the thre Traction Co employees and Concilmen P. J | McGra.h, who witnessed the accident The examination was behind closed door and lasted less than Fn hour. The core | ner told DEMOCRAT reporter that withou a doubt the accident was due to gros carelessness on the part of Dwigh Smith. The official finding will be mad tomorrow. Coroner Mix ctlled upo Prosecuting Attorney Russell before leay ing for New Haven this afternoon and lei the facts of the case in his hands. It probable that Smith will be arrested fo manslaughter.
 The funeral of the boy was held at o'clock this afternoon to St Joseph's cemG tery.
 | It was rumored thIs morning that Mayo kilduff would issue an order instructin policemen to arrest motormen who run caI at extraordinary speed. The mayor Wa seen about the matter, and said that whil he had issued no such order he was lool ing up authorities to see what power had in the premises and would act accord ingly.
 The accident of last night was not due { fast running. It was the result of thought lessness on the part of Smith and negl gence of the motorman in leaving his ca in charge of another. The only blam that can be attached to the company lies the fact that the car was not provide with lenders. in which event there was least possibility of the boy being throw to one side and not ground to death unde the car.
 EPEIY PI EACIIpE TpII