The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-18
CRUSHED TO DEATH.
Five Year Old Boy Killed
by the Trolley This
Morning.
GRIEF OF HIS PARENTS.
The Child Was On His Way to st.
Peters School-MOtorman
Arrested.

A frightful accident occurred this morn
ing at half past eight o'clock at Grand and
Van Worst streets Joseph James, five years
old, was knocked down and crushed to death
by Grand street motor No 307. in charge of
Luzien Potts.
The wheels of the motor passed over the
boys stomach and almost cut him in two.
The accident was witnessed by at least one
hundred men and women, who were
hurrying to their respective places of
business. A scream uttered by the boy a
moment before he wassunder the wheels of
the motor, attracted their attention to the
horrible scene Many turned from the spot
sickened by the sight. Children on their
way to school, fed horror stricken from the
scene The mangled body of the boy was
picked up carefully and carried to his home
in the rear of No. 1917 Grand street, which is
at the corner of Henderson. The body was
placed on lounge.
GRIEF OF THE PARENTS.
The child's mother was almost crazcd with
grief and her agoniZing screams brought
tears to the eyes OF many OF the onlookers.
His father was frantic. He rushed from the
house and secured medical assistance, belley-
ing there might be some chance to save the
child's life.
County Physician Converse was notified.
Roundsman Richards, who was making
the rounds at the time, was an eye witness of
the accident After seeing TO the removal of
the bows body he placed Motorman Luzien
i, Potts under arrest and preferred charge of
inanslaughter against him. Potts was ar
raigned before Justice ODonneil When in
formed of the nature of the charge against
him he wept like child. He waived ex-
animation and was held without bail for
further hearing tomorrow morning.
nN- LJVG A
The dead boys parents are Poles. Neither
can speak English intelligently. Through an
INTERPRETER a NEWS reporter learned that the
boy left his home at about fifteen minutes
after eight o'clock to go TO school His desti-
nation was ST. Peters Parochial School at
Van Worst and York streets. After leaving
home he crossed Grand street to join some
plavmates Finally he left them and proceeded
alone down the south side of Grand street
Arriving at Van Worst street he stopped a
minute, and noticing Bayonne motor ap-
preaching, kept out of its way. A coal cart
pulled across the street moment later, and
the lad, not seeing the Grand street motor,
dashed across Before the motorman had
time to check the car, it had passed over the
boys body So quickly did it all occur that
the conductor was not aware OF what had
happened until he saw the moterman jump
off the front platform and picked up the
mangled body of the boy.
WAS THE MoToRMAN TO BLAME?
Persons who witnessed the accident say
that it was impossible for the motorman to
stop the car in time to prevent the boys
death The coal cart obstructed his view
and the boy was such little tot that he did
not see him until it was too late.
The motorman says that he believes the
boy was hanging on behind the coal cart,
and seeing the motor became confused and
! attempting to recross the tracks, met his
!. death. He said to Sergeant McGuiness that
2 it was impossible to stop the car when he
caught glimpse of the boy.
An hour after the accident occurred the
boys father appeared at headquarters and
! through an interpreter said that he had
3 been out of work FOR nearly three months
and did not have cent In the world with
q which to pay for the burial of the boy. The
Eman's grief touched the hearts of the police
xoff1cers who heard his story. He was finally
sent to Appraiser Smith, who, it is under.
stood, has arranged for the proper burial OF
the body.
The Traction Company officers have been
making haste since the accident occurred
equipping all its cars with the new Tenders
which are to be used.