The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-16
WAS NEARLY KILLED
Rev. e. j. Groeneveld in a Fright
full Accident.
RECKLESS DRIVERS WORK
Twelve Hours Unconscious as the
Result of Being Run Over Near he
Nine Mile House-His Escape
Was a Miracle.

Rev. f. J.. Groeneveld Of the First
Presbyterian church met with a fright
full accident sunday evening while on
the way to the Nine Mile house on his
bicycle. He was run over by a reck-
less driver and so seriously injured
that he lay unconscious nearly 10 hours.
and il would seem little short of a mira
Gle that he escaped being killed. Mr..
G~roeneveld's family. with some friends.
were camping near the Nine Mile
house. Mr.. Groeneveld did not like TO
have to remain alone over night. so de-
cided to ride out and join them after
the evening service. He was accompa-
MED by Alexander Patterson and James
NJ. orion. There had been a big time
at the Nine Mile house during the day
and the road was filled with teams.
Many of the drivers were drunk and
drove like mad. showing the most ut
ter disregard for bicyclists. Several
times the three wheelmen were Obliged
to get clear off the road TO avoid be-
ing run down.
AS they reached a point about a
quarter of a mile beyond the Six Mile
house, they met a hack. the lights of
which dazzled their eyes and they did
not see a single rig coming behind at
the top sf teh horses speed. Mr.. Pat
terson was riding ahead. Mr.. orion
was close behind and Mr.. Groeneveld
brought up the rear. The bicyclists
turned TO the right as usual and lust
as Mr.. Patterson was even with the
hack, to his horror. he saw the single
rig coming like a thunder bolt with
the obvious Intention of passing the
hack on the same side. Mr.. Patterson
rang his bell violently and just did sue
coed in lodging in between the hack
n I'D 1885,
realize his danger and threw himself
and wheel over into the ditch Just as
the rig dashed by. Mr.. Groeneveld com
ing behind. had the hack lights still in
his eyes. and did not see the rig until
il was too late and the flying horse
came fun into him.
That was the last he knew until he
recovered consciousness in DR.. Black
burns hospital yesterday morning. Mr..
Groeneveld fell on his left side and the
wheels of the buggy passed over his
right hand. barely missing his body.
The wheel went under the horses feet,
and was run over by the buggy and
completely wrecked.
The average disregard OF the drunken
driver on the fats. for the safety of
bicyclists. was shown by the conduct
Of the occupants of the buggy. They
never 40 much as turned or SlOwed up,
although Mr.. Groeneveld's friends call
tu W tntIIl ut the lbp ol lntlI NpltfS.
Mr.. Groeneveld was unconscious when
his friends reached his side and they
feared he was dangerously hurt. The
driver Of the cab which came along in
a few minutes was prevailed upon TO
take Mr.. Groeneveld to the Six Mile
house.
Messrs. Patterson and Orton followed
on their wheels and from the Six Mile
house ~telephoned for a Jack to bring
Mr.. Groeneveld to the city. He was
taken to DR.. Blackburn's hospital,
where It was found his injuries. though
serious. were not dangerous. The left
side OF the face was terribly bruised
and swollen. the left eye was in a hor-
rible condition, looking as though it
had been hit by the thill of the buggy,
the right arm was badly bruised as
was also the right hand. where the bug
gy wheels had passed over II. IL was
found no bones were broken.
DR.. Groeneveld's injuries were dressed
and he laid in a comatose state till
about 9 o'clock yesterday morning.
Mrs. Groeneveld IA ~telephoned for in
the morning and she and the family re-
turned TO the city. DR.. Groeneveld was
able to be removed to his home in the
afternoon. In the evenig he was rest
ing comfortably and was able to chat
with the numerous friends who called
TO nuuire after his condition. No seri-
Gus ~consequence are expected TO result
from his injuries. but he had a terribly
close call.
The disregard for bicyclists that has
been shown by drunken drivers on the
fat this season has become so notorious
Il woul seem about time the remedy
afforded by the law were applied.
Neither Mr.. G%roeneveld nor the friends
who were with him know who the oc-
cupants OF the buggy were in this case,
however, and II Is doubtful II they will
be apprehended.