New-York tribune., 1895-12-16
ENRAGED AT THE GRIPMAN.
THE CROWD PREVENTED HIS MOVING ON
AFTER HIS CAR HAD KILLED A BOY.
AN EXCITING SUNDAY AFTERNOON SCENE IN
BROADWAY NEAR THIRTY NINTH THE
GRIPMAN ARRESTED CAPTAIN PICXETT'S
KINDNESS TO THE BEREAVED AND
DESTITUTE MOTHER.

KINDNESS TO THE BEREAvED AND
DESTITUTE MOTHER.
John Mcdonald, thirteen years old, OF the
two surviving sons Of Mrs Grace Mcdonald. a
widow. who lives in two small rooms in the
tenement-h house No. 2i2 West Thirty -ninth-st,
and supports herself by dressmaking. was run
down and killed by a cable-cai in upper Broad
way yesterday afternoon. He lived only
moment after his body had been dragged from
underneath the car by witnesses Of the accident.
John and his eleven -year-old brother Walter
were both employed cash-boys in Altmans
drygoods store and their wages went to help their
mother in supporting the three. 1t is said that she
was once belle Of Newport Town, but was cast
off by her relatives for marrying man in humble
life. Since his death eleven years ago shortly be-
fore Walter was born. she has earned a scanty
living for herself and her boys by dressmaking.
Johnnie and Walter left home at O'Clock yes
terday afternoon to go for walk. They were re-
turning home for an early supper and were walk
ing along Broadway toward Thirty -ninth-st..
when the fire-engines ratified past on their way to
Il small fire in the Alpine apartment-house. The
boys caught the excitement from the rafting
engines and ran along to 9ee the fire. John. not
needing the warning shout cf MS brother started
at a run across Broadway. as two cabe-cars
bound I'm opposite directions passed along. He
lodged in front Of the first car. bound downtown,
and ran directly In the path OF car No. $50 as 1t
along on the northbound track.
The grpman failed to see tie lad and did not
heed the shout of "Lookoutr from Walter. He,
too was watching the fre-engines and the rush
ing crowd and In moment John was Knocked
down and lay under the fender Of the car. Then
the gripman awole from tht day dream in which
he had been lost. and jammed down the brake;
but he was too late. The car half block
before II came to stands'in
Planls and crowbars were obtained. The car
was raised fully two hundred people assisting,
and the boys body wac taken out. The wheel
had passed over his forehead. crushing in the
skull.
As soon as the body had been taken out the
erlpman attempted to start the car again. In
an instant there was wild roar from the crowd
4 dozen people sprang on 60 the front PLATFORM
and one rough fellow. seizlns plank, swung it
over the mans head. crying. "If you don't stop
right here III smash your skull"
The gripman grew pale az he looked at the
circle OF angry faces. lie made no further attempt
to escape, and Detectivs Westerfelz, Of the West
Thirtieth-st. station who happened to be pass
ing elbowed his way through the crowd and
ductor to take on the car.
Then a little procession was formed TO the West
Thirtieth-st. police station. The body Of the dead
boy. laid out on a stretcher was in front, then
came the detective with the prisoner and in the
rear the crowd. The curious people surged
around the door Of the station. trying to get in
while inside the usual formalites were gone
through The body was laid ont In the section
room and the prisoner. who gave his name as
Robert Witt of No. l21 West Sxtieth-st. was
charged with carelessly running his car and
sent below TO cell to await the action OF the
Coroner.
As ne removed tho IOOr opened and the
dead boys frantic mothe: appeared with her sec
ond son. from whom she bad heard the news of
the accident. Wild with grief she threw herself
the body. and 1t was some time before she
could tell the story Of her circumstances.
II was a sad story when II told. The
woman was almost destitute and she did not
know where 10 obtain money TO bury her son.
collection was taken up for her by the policemen
and the reporters present. and when the money
was handed to her Captain Pickett supplemented
IT with a note addressed To an undertaken. which
directed him to bury the body at the Captains
personal expense.