The morning call., 1894-06-20
FLIGHT OF A CAR.
A Wild Dash Down Three
Steep Grades.
BRAKE CHAINS SNAPPED.
Driver Deasy Avoided Danger by
Keeping Cool.
SIX LADIES SEVERELY SHAKEN
Fearful Race of a Horsecar From
Stockton Street Down the WASH
ington- lncIines.

The brake-chains snapped and horse
car dashed down Washington street
through the heart of Chinatown last even
ing. with two horses ON a mad gallop in
front and six terrified ladies inside.
People on the street stood in speechless
amazement expecting to see the horses
fall and fearful accident, but the unex-
pected happened. The drivers GOODNESS
alone saved disaster, and the car rushed
from one company's tracks to another's
and finally stopped on level ground amid L
highly excited crowd.
When turning his car from Stockton
street into Washington street Driver j.
Deasy put OIL the forward brake. The
strain was two much for the worn chain.
which broke with a loud snap. Almost
instantly the car started on its wild down.
ward course with velocity that startled
the passengers. Conductor Thomas Ne
Courtney tugged at his brake, hoping to
stop the runaway, only 10 find the last
chance for safety rudely snatched from
his control.
The rear brake went like the other one,
ana then, without anything to check, the
car sped down grade. All the driver could
do was 10 shout at pedestrians To keep off
the track. His vigorous efforts in this di-
AOSeAVh "NlO idLuiS hOCNSSHl1s lOI buClO
WAS sudden scattering of Chinese. who
became panic-stTicken at the noise and
spectacle OF streetcar passing as flash.
The speed was rapidly accelerated before
the Dupont-Sireet crossing was reached.
but there sudden check was noticed.
This was only temporary. however, for
the runaway took the second grade to
heaTny street quite as fast.
The driver pulled out the pin which con-
meets the car and singletrees. Henext en-
deavored TO pull his team to one SIDE out
OF the way, but 1t was all they could do to
save their heels and keep ahead. At the
kearnYstreet corner one horse slipped.
The dashboard struck his TANKS. throwing
him over against his travelling companion
and luckily turning both aside.
A third grade was taken by the car with
Increased velocity, though with no danger
of colliding with the two horses, which
were left behind. The driver wondered
what would happen at the turn into Mont
gomery street. as it would not he ssible
! 10 follow the rails around a corner at such
! nigh speed. de was very agreeably sur
| prlsed 10 see the car rush across the cob
! bles and preserving its direct course down
| Washington street. At this point one of
| those UDaccoUntsbl vagaries of runaway
! streetcars took place, this enc forsaking
! the beaten track for the Preside and Fer
| ries CompGny'S rails.
! The cobbIes decided the runaway's
destiny. so that after going half a block
! farther 1t stopped with the best grace
| inn giuable, little the worse for its ex-
perienee, having one wheel, three windows,
the lamps and Two wheel-bOxes broken.
The passengers were severely shaken ND
and badly frightened, but escaped without
serious injury. They left the car N a
hurry, and were soon lost in the crowd.
Among them was Mrs. Anna Richter of
1903 Stockton street. who had a similar ex-
perence previously. She was The least
frightened of the lot but admitted that the
experience was one to be long remem-
! bered.