The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-14
BIKE COPS DARING FEAT
schuessier Tor B,ocls Mt n Ruuawa,
1boFae'n Head.

NE4 AhNAes
Acting Roundsman John Schuessler. ono OF
the crack policemen OF tho bicycle squad, dis
tinguished himself again yesterday afternoon
by stopping n runaway horse in Lenox avenue.
The horse, which belongs to siegel. Cooper s.
Co., was attached TO a light delivery wagon, and
1t was driven by Max Faus. who had q boy along
with him to mind the rig whilo he delivered
bundles.
Just before 4 o'clock he stopped in Lenox ave
nue., near 137th street, 10 deliver n parcel. At
the same time q northbound electric car hove in
sight. and the horse. becoming frightened,
started on n Rallop down tho avenue on the east
side Of the car tracks. The jolting of the wagon
throw the boy from the seat, and he fell out of
the wagon. A dozen bundles fell with him.
Faus tugged at tho reins with all his strength,
but the horse had the bit In his teeth, and tho
exertions Of the driver seemed only to increase
his speed. Half way down tho block a man ran
from the sidewalk and made a grab at the bride.
missing it by less than three inches.
A little further ON q bicycle rider jumped from
his wheel and planting himself directly In tho
path OF the runaway horse moved his arms
wildly in tho air. Instead OF stopping. the horse
swerved to the right and dashed nlong on the
car tracks.
Schuessler was standing at 134th street md
Lenox avenue waiting for q car. He had left his
hotuo y ~" htAhuttn chS JAN " tOpohb
for night duty at the bicycle squad station at 8
o'clock. CHANGING up the avenue he saw the
horse start and the boy and the bundles tumble
from the wagon.
When tho animal was within twenty Ave feet
of him Schuossler started on a dead run in the
Same direction as the horse was galloping.
When 1t came alongside Of him he reached out
with his right and laid hold of the back saddle.
With his left he grabbed the horses name.
With every bound of tho galloping horse
schuessler was lifted clear of his feet. but he
| hung on like grim death, q roaring, cheering
band Of pedestrians and bicycle riders following
in his wake. But the speed Of the horse did not
slacken. and schuessler realized that IL he didn't
| stop the runaway soon he was In q fair way to
lose his own life.
Fans still held the reins, but he was powerless
to aid the policeman. Just before the runaway
| reached 1881 street Schuessler freed his right
hand and grabbed the bride. The horse jerked
his head to one sido and tho bride came of in
the policcman's hand. He dropped 1t instantly,
and, reaching around, grabbed the horse by the
nose.
The runaway swerved sharply to the right,
and swung Schuessler around in front Of 1t. Its
right forward knee struck him In the side. and
the end of tho shaft plunged into the small Of
his back. The forco Of the blow dazed the POI
liceman, but he did not loosen his hold on the
horse. Finally the animal swung around, and
dashing alongside Of a tree on the edge of the
sidewalk, camo to q dend halt.
The rig was instantly surrounded by, a great
crowd, among whom was Bicycle Policeman
Ohms. He noticed that although tho horse
showed no signs OF starting again. Schucssler
did not release his grip on her nose. When he
got closer he saw that the acting roundsman
was unconscious.
with tho assistance Of several citizens
Schuessler's hands were freed and he was car
ried into a nelghboring drug store. An ambu-
lance was called and he was taken to the Har;
lem Hospital. On the way thithcr he recovered
consciousness and asked II the horse hnd been
stopped.
mar was suffering from several bruises on the
side and left leg and That his back was spraincd.
After his injuries were dressed he expressed a
desire to go homo, and he was taken there in q
cab. Police Surgeon Nesbit, who examined him,
said that the injured man would be laid up for
several days.
schucssler was one Of the first policemen to
be appointed to the bicycle squad, and he has a
splendid record. Besides stopping several run,
aways he once rescued, a woman who was
dragged from her bicycle by a mad dog. Schuess
Ter was badly injured on that occasion. and he
spent three weeks in the Harlem Hospital.