The sun., 1894-02-08
STOPPING A WILD RUNAWAY.
A Man In a Sulky Gives Chase and
Saves Three Lives.

A Man in a Sulky Gives Chase and
Saves Three Lives.
Yesterday morning, as the bells were
ringing and people were on their way
to church, Dick BlumenthaI, the we'll
known horseman, drove leisurely up
Main street, jogging in light sulliy the
yearling colt that he has lately bought
Possibly some of those who from the
sidewalk watched him go by thought
he might have been doing something
better, considering what day it was.
But the next few minutes showed them
the error of their notions, and marked
Mr. Blumenthal as one person who had
indisputabIy improved his Sunday, and
by his courage and skill had averted a
terrible accident and saved several lives
and had done something none of them
could do.
The large bay horses of President
James q. PATTERSON, of the Travellers
attached to his close carriage, became
unmanageable away up by the tunnel,
and came down Main street running at
terrible pace Mrs. Patterson and
Mrs. Dr. Beach, her daughter, were i'll
side, ard Mrs, Beach's little boy and the
tlTivers sycre on the front seat. 1t Isn't
clear what set the horses going, but 1t
is very clear that they were going, and
going fearfully. The driver kept hold
Of the reins, and could steer them away
from the horse cars, but he couldn't
check their speed at all. Spectators
were utterly helpless. 10 run out from
the sidewalk and take hold would have
been like jumping 1T locomotive.
The wild team swept past ''Dick'' al
most before he knew it, but he said af-
terward that. as they went by, he caught
sight of the little boy on the front seat
and felt he must do something. He
whipped his colt into a dead run, and in
moment was sailing down Main street
after them. He started the chase about
opposite st. Johns Church and it was
hot race. AS the horse cars were close
to the left Of the running team he took
the west side of the roadway. AS he
drew near the sound of his horses feet
reused the runawayS and they put on
more speed, but he dashed by them
and crossed in front of them so rs to be
on their left. Then he took his reins in
his left hand, liberated his own right,
let the running pair come up alongside
and, reaching out, took the nigh horse
by the bit, and, slowing down his own
colt, stopped the whole procession just
below the South Church Mr.. Batter
sons horses had run a mile
Hundreds Of mortified people had
watched the swaying carriage and saw
with immeasurable relief the brave res
cue. A cooler, pluckier thing was ney-
er done On Main street than Mr.. Blum
enthals maS6erly management of his
own and the other horses. A slight
mistake in Judgment might have
wrecked everything, but there was no
mistake. His clear head and thorough
and his ample courage
were adequate to the trying occasion,
and it will be long while before the
story of his brave drive ceases to be-
told by those who saw it. Not Buffalo
Bill nor a Central Park mounted police
man could have done any better.
The ladies were taken home and were
in the afternoon IS somewhat
unnerved, of course, but in No other
way the worse for their thrilling ex.
perience. The little hoy hadn't known
anything about the danger aud thought
1t was fine drive.-Hartford Courant