The herald., 1896-04-19
WERE THE CREW cULPABLE?
A Different Version Given of the Kill
ing Of Rev. Joseph Mckee
ana Says That No Warning Was Given
the Deceased in Any Way

During the past few days considerable
comment has been occasioned by the ver-
dict OF the coroners jury in the case OF
Rev. Joseph Mckee. who died a week ago
yesterday as the result of injuries received
the previous Thursday by being knocked
down by an electric car at the corner of
Fourth and Broadway. After several post
ponementS for various reasons the inques5
was concluded OH Tuesday last, one day
after Rev, Mckee's body had been con-
signed to the grave. The jury returned
verdict stating that Joseph Mckee came to
his death by being struck by an electric
car, the property Of the Los Angeles Rail,
way company and We, the jury. find that
the crew did all in their power to avoid the
accident, and We hereby exonerate them
from all blame
AS stated, this verdict has come in for
great deal of criticism for the reason that
several witnesses that saw the occurrence
were not called upon to testify at the in
quest. when, ii is claimed. their testimony
would have shown that the motorman was
cupably to blame for the accident. One of
coroner.s inquest is Hermon F. Wilson of
No 12l North Hill street who gives an en-
tirely different aspect to the sad affair.
Mr.. Wilson states that on Thursday af-
way on Fourth street and had lust reached
the west side of the latter thorouehfare
south. came booming along at a rapid rate
of speed. Wilson saw the old gentleman
apparently crossing the street diagonally
from corner to corner. and at first thought
he intended TO board the oncoming car The
motorman did not ring his bell or use the
brakes. Just as Mr.. Wilson realized that
the old man was in imminent danger of be-
ing hit he heard some one on the sidewalk
shout a warning. At this the old man fall
tered just an instant and then stepped for
ward again. One step further would have
cleared him, but the car with momentum
unchecked, struck him on the right should
er. knocking him down and pushing the
body some fifteen feet before it stopped
When asked whether he was positive
that the motorman did not ring his bell
use the brakes or shout to Mckee before
| the latter was struck. Mr.. Wilson said he
was. Just as Mckee went down under + he
wheels the bell was rung once and the
brakes applied. To his eyes the motor
man seemed daZed or unconscious OF dan
| ger. A young man on the sidewalk did all
the shouting, going down street on the run.
letiin" out veil at every lump. Mr.. Wilson
| saw the car backed off the PROSTATE form
and the body lifted into the patrol wagon.
when he drove on.
That same evening he notified the police
| of his witnessing the tragedy. but never re-
| ceived notification to attend the inquest
When he learned through the papers Of the
generating verdict he sought to know
when the indnest had been held and why
| only one-sided testimony had been taken
| Besides Mr.. Wilson there are several others
who saw the accident who tell exactly the
same story. in substance that the car was
running at dangerously rapid rate. that
no bells were rune, brakes applied or warn
! ings shouted by the car crew. and that Mr.
| Mckee was struck down without warning
being q the time totally unconscious Of his
impending danger.