The herald., 1896-10-03

States, had a narrow escape from death
yesterday afternoon while driving on
the hill leading from the Cliff house to
the ocean beach, says the San Francisco
Examiner Of Thursday. Had it not been
for the GOODNESS and agility displayed by
Colonel Amos s. Kimball, chief quarter
master of the department of California,
and Mr.. w. H. McKittrick Of Bakers
field, q son-in-law of Colonel William
Shafter, the commanding general might
have met his death at the ocean beach.
General Miles had arranged to inspect
the water works plant at the Preside
yesterday morning. A party of friends
was made UP to accompany him. His
guests were Colonel William Shafter, in
temporary command of the division Of
the Pacific; Mrs. William II. McKittrick,
Colonel Shafter's daughter; Mr.. McKit-
trick. Mrs. General Miles, Colonel and
Mrs. Amos S. Kimball Sherman Miles
and Mr. and Mrs Wilbury of Cincinnati
Ohio.
Three rockaways were used by the
party, who left the Palace hotel shortly
after II o'clock. They were driven to the
Presidio where the water plant was duly
inspected, and then all again were seat
ed in the vehicles and a drive was en-
joyed through the park to the Cliff house.
At the Cliff house an elaborate break
fast had been ordered, and the party
spent a couple of hours discussing the
menu and enjoying the scenery.
Shortly after 8 o'clock the carriages
were ordered, and Colonel Kelton ar
ranged for the seating of the party.
Mrs. Kelton had on the outward trip
occupied a seat in the carriage with
General Miles and her husband, but on
the homeward journey Mrs. Miles re-
quested that Mrs. Kelton sit with her.
The ladies and most of the party were
then sent off in two of the carriages,
with instructions to drivers to make
good time to the Palace, as General
Miles wished to catch the Los Angeles
| train.
| The last carriage was the rockaway,
| with Rawlings, one of the most careful
! drivers in the carriage company's en-
ploy, handling the reins On the back
seat was General Miles, with Colonel
Kimball on his left. In front of the
| general sat Mr.. McKittrick, with Mr..
| Wilbury on his right.
The horses were started down the hill
| towards the beach and attained quite
| rapid gait. When passing the second
| bend in the road about one hundred and
| fifty feet from the bottom, the pole
snapped short off close to the crab which
| attached it to the axle.
|
riage sent it on the heels of the horses.
The horses, becoming frightened, COM
| menced to rear and kick, and dashed
the carriage against the bluff.
| The driver lost his seat and fell be-
| tween the frightened animals.
When the driver fell from his box Col
onel Kimball jumped to the ground and
| ran to the head of the nigh horse, while
Mr. McKittrick did the same on the 9TH
| er side. 1t was some time before the
| animals were quieted. In the mean
| time they had dragged the carriage to
| the foot of the hill.
| The two gentlemen were still hold
| ing the struggling animals when several
other gentlemen in the vicinity rushed
| to their assistance.
| General Miles, as cool as in his draw
| ing room, sat upright in the carriage,
| but watched closely every movement.
| The driver was not seriously injured
| Mr.. Coleman, the president and man
| ager of the United Carriage company.
could not account for the accident last
night. The rockaway was the one
used by President Harrison and other
distinguished visitors when viewing the
city, and special care was taken to see
that it was kept in the best of condition.
A few weeks ago a new and stronger
tongue was put in the carriage with ex-
ira strong crabs. New brakes were also
supplied.