The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-15
JONES COULDN'T DODGE
KNOCKED A DOZEN FEET BY FIRE
CHIEF wEBsTER's WAGON.
An Occasion Where Bicyclists Made a
Nuisance Of ThemseIves-An
Obstreperous Victim.

Robert Jones. young colored man, at
tempted to cross Washington street in front
of the fire apparatus last night, and. as
result Of his rashness, barely escaped with
his life. AS 1t was. he was knocked from his
feet by Chief Webster's horse and hurled
through the air ten or fifteen feet. AS he
fell his left leg doubled under him and was
broken Just below the knee. The apparatus
from the different fire houses were dashing
west on washington street in answer to
call from box AZ. corner of Capitol avenue
and Washington street. Before any of the
fire wagons approached the street for two or
three blocks was filed with pedestrians and
bicyclists, who surmised that the Park The
alter was on fire. Jones and a companion
were in the thickest OF the crowd and started
towards the sidewalk. just west Of the Bates
House. y hose wagon dashed past them and
Jones started TO run. He was half iatoxi-
Gated and paid no attention to the shouts of
warning raised by his companion and fire.
man Barrett, who was driving Chief Web
ster's horse at a gallop just behind the hose
wagon. Hemmed in with bicycles as he was,
Jones became bewildered and ran almost un-
der the horses feet. He was picked up and
carried to the sidewalk.
A lamp explosion in the apartments OF Mrs.
Miller. living upstairs at 1861 West Wash
ington street. set fire TO the lace curtains.
and man who saw the blaze at the win
dows turned in the alarm. The burning cur
tains were jerked down and the fire was
trampled out before the FIRE apparatus
rived. The drivers OF the fire wagons turned
about and started back to the fire houses.
but made but slow progress. their course
being impeded by the hundreds of bicycles
which completely filled the street for two or
three blocks. Instead of turning down the
side streets and alleys. the wheelmen kept the
middle Of Washington street. Some of them
rode fast In their efforts to get out of the
way OF the fire wagons, and IL seems remark
able that several serious accidents did not
follow the foolhardy action Of the bicyclists
In riding to the fire, II was several minutes
before the streets were clear enough for the
fire wagons to run back to the houses.
In the meantime Jones had been placed In
a cab and was driven to the City Dispensary,
Some person. who did not know that he
had been taken away, telephoned for the
ambulance. DIR. Garshwiler, in charge OF
the ambulance, was just driving TO the
Bates House when the cab, with Jones in
side. drove up. The driver OF the cab did
not stop the ambulance. and waited outside
until DR.. Garshwiler made the run and
found that his patient had been taken TO
the Dispensary. When the latter drove
back Jones had partially regained con-
seriousness and refused to be treated at the
Dispensary. He insisted that he had enough
money TO employ his own physician, and
wanted 10 be driven TO the American Hotel
on South Illinois street. While on the way
| there the horses became frightened and
| started around the Circle on a rum In
| front OF Booths stables they were stopped
Jones then decided to go to the Dispensary
| for treatment. but when taken there he
changed his mind again and insisted that
| he be taken TO the hotel. He was placed
| nois street. The proprietor objected to re-
| ceiving Jones. as he had not paid for his
nights lodging, but finally allowed him to
| be carried TO room on the third floor.
| The man was suffering intensely and
| groaned loudly as he was carried UP the
| stairs. Again he refused to allow DR..
| Garshwiler TO attend TO his case, and in
sisted that physician on Monument place
/ be summoned. DR.. Garshwiler left Jones
and began hunting the physician, but was
| unable to locate him. when he returned TO
| the hotel and offered his assistance the
| third time. Jones remained obdurate, and
would not consent to go TO the City Hos
| THAT alternative. Shortly before midnight
nothing had been done for the man.
| Joseph G.. Drummond, proprietor of the
hotel. says that Jones Is a worthless negro,
/ who cleans carpets for living. This last
/ winter he has stopped at the hotel fire.
| quently, and seemed to have no other home.
| He has been going there for the last five
| or six nights. Yesterday evening he told
| Mr.. Drummond that he had no money To
pay for his lodging, Dut said that he mad
/ job OF work TO do to-day and would settle
| tonight. The proprietor agreed to give
| him a room for the night on those terms
/ An unknown colored man, who says he
/ came here from the South last week, has
been working with Jones. They were to-
| gether when the accident occurred, and he
says that Jones ran in front Of the wagon.
/ giving no heed to the shouts OF warning
/ made by himself and Mr.. Barrett.
/ AT o'clock this morning four hours after
| the accident occurred. the police determined
to notify police surgeon Courtney of the
i accident, and he was called by telephone.
| Nothing was then known of the extent of
/ Jones's injuries, but judging from the blood
oozng through his underclothng il was
| thought that his left leg was broken. and he
appeared to be ffering from Internal in
jurieS.