The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-07-12
KILLED BY THE CAR
Little lone Gerdes Crushed to
Death Under Its Wheels.
AN UPPER ASTORIA ACCIDENT
Playing in the Road, She Ran Be-
tween the Tenders Before the
Motorman Could Stop.
AN UPPER ASTORIA ACCIDENT

Last evening little lone Gerdes. the
two-year-old daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Gerdes, Of Upper Astoria, while crossing
the street near Harry Larsons saloon
on the roadway in that portion of town,
was struck by car No. g. of the street
railway company and killed.
The car was going east and running at
the usual rate of speed. The father OF
the Child runs a small barbering estab-
lishment near Larson's saloon, and as the
car came along the girl came out of the
barber shop and started to run across
the street. Before the motorman could
step the car the girl was struck by the
pilot and dragged under the platform.
Several men Immediately rushed to the
little ones assistance, and one of them
pulled the unconscious form from under
the car. She was carried into the house
and a doctor hastily summoned? The
pilot struck the child in the breast with
such force that within twenty minutes
after the accident occurred she died.
The Gerdes family are strangers In
Astoria, having arrived here one month
ago. Mrs. Gerdes is prostrated over the
loss of her little girl, who was an ex-
NSpliOhdhJ DlN6Hl anu pIOtty SullQ, anu
during her short acquaintance with the
little ones in the neighborhood way q
general favorte. The family, and others
tn the vicinity where the accident oc-
Cured in no way blame the motorman
and say that everything was done to
prevent the sad affair.
At 7 O'Clock last evening the body of
the child was taken to the Pohl under
taking parlors where 1t now lies. An in
quest will be held at o'clock this morn
ing. Pending the verdict of the coroner's
jury, John Miller, the motorman, was ar
rested and passed the night in the city
Jail. Mr.. Miller has been for years in
the employ Of the street car company and
has the reputation of being one of their
most careful motormen. He said to an
Astorian representative last evening that
words could not convey the sympathy he
felt for the family in the loss of their
little girl, with whom he was personally
acquainted He felt, he said, that no
blame for the unfortunate accident could
be attached to him and that he did every
thing In his power to bring the car to
a stop.
Superintendent T. w. Newell, of the
car company, when questioned concern
ing the accident said: SIN the neighbor-
hood of where the death of the child
occurred are a large number Of children,
ranging in age from two to ten or twelve
years. When the cars pass, either up or
down, they continually run out and grab
the platform handle, often riding short
distance and then jumping off the car.
have cautioned the children many times
in regard to the awful risk they were
running by doing this, and have also is
sued strict orders to my men to use the
greatest care while passing this district.
Those orders have been faithfully obey
ed, but the annoyance caused by the
children has never stopped. The sor-
rowful death of the child last evening
was in my opinion one in which no
blame can be charged to the motorman."