Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-10-17
A WILD RIDE ToDEATH,
Down a Steep Incline a Trolley Car
Flies to Destruction,


Filled with Passengers st the Tiine-Three
Killed and Fifteen Badly Hnrt-A Little
Babe Among the Injured.
Pittsburg Oct. H. Three lives were
crushed out and a dozen people injured
in trolley car accident here this oven.
ing. 1T was wild ride to death down
a grade nearly two miles long, and
averaging full l60 feet to the n,ilc The
Carnegie branch of the West End Flee
tric road runs through McCartney's
Hollow, Just before reaching tho city.
The road climbs fully 800 feet in less
than two miles. Sharp, abrupt curves
occur frequently. Outside of the city
limits the road runs on private
property, and the 4 rail- is used Tho
road has only been in operation since
summer and, with lively competition
against the Pan Handletrailroad, speed
has been sought for, and the cars have
fairly flown down the grade.
About $50 this evening car No. 56,
with l6 passengers bound for the city,
started on the run down tho hill The
motorman at the summit threw off tho
power, and, with the brake in hand,
began to check the car at intervals.
Half way down tho car began to travel
at a rapid rate. The motorman tried
the brake, but it refused TO check.
The car gained terrific speed and
rushed long at fearful rate. The
motorman quickly put on the reverse
power, but the wheels whirled on, de-
tying the powerful current trying to
drive them the other way. The fright
ened passengers jumped to their feet
and wild rush followed. On sped the
car, swinging round curves with jolt
that knocked the cooped-up passengers
PROSTATE. The guard rails on curves
did their duty we'll, and the hope
flashed that the descent would be made
in safetyi
just at the connections OF the 7 rail
and regular street rail there is curve.
Tho car struck this and left tho track.
So great was the momentum that il
leaped clear over the second track, half
rolled down into deep gully, alight-
ing trucks up and crushing its human
cargo between the roof and floor. The
crash was terrific. The structure was
reduced to kindling wood like fiimsy
box. Cries Of the wounded filled the
air. Half dozen persons witnessed
the accident and rushed to the scene
Fence rails were hurriedly applied to
the debris, and the unfortunates were
quickly removed. A little babe with a
cash in the head and crying bitterly
was one of the first removed. Then
came lifeless form of an old man,
followed by another poor fellow, evil
IDENTIFY his companion. Underneath tho
car lay the remains of a woman. She
had tried to jump, and had been
dragged beneath the car and life
pressed out in an instant
A patrol wagon came and the injured
were hurried away to the hospitals
while the dead were taken to the po-
lice station.
The dead were: 5ot
George Rothemund, merchant, GO
years old, lived at Carnegie.
Jacob Heisel, glass blower, 65 yeare
of age, lived at Carnegie +. II
Mrs. Elizabeth Bishop, No. 1909
Carson street, Pittsburg. 8
Fifteen were badly hurt
Pittsburg, Pa, Oct. ia. 20. j. Bald
win of YoungsvilIe, Pa, victim of
last nights West End trolley car acct
dent, died at the Homeopathic Hos
pital at O'Clock this morning This
makes four deaths so far and several
others are in critical condition. The
accident was caused by brake chain
and the fact that tho trolley left the
wire. Tho motorman attempted to stop
the runaway car by reversing the cur.
rent, but there was no current The
conductor and motorman both went
down with the passengers and were
badly injured.