The San Francisco call., 1898-01-25
PLUCkY NATIVE
 SONS CAPTURE A
 RUNAWAY HORSE.
Tragic Scene at the Corner of Bush and Montgomery
 Streets.

DrOke rom control ana QdSneQ rlQer- less into the crowd and several persons were injured, two seriously. How the animal became loose no one seems to know, but upon realizing that he was no longer under restraint the huge beast, already frightened by the noise of drum, dashed from the west side of Montgomery street and sprang into the mass of people on the east side of the narrow thoroughfare.
 The scene following was tragic. Wo- men screamed, men shouted and chill dren cried in fear. The crowd surged back throwing many to the sidewalk and jamming dozens against the build ings. Escape was impossible and not few fell as they endeavored to save themselves. Over, into and among the prostrate people plunged the big gray, tripping himself as he struck the curb stone. That no one was crushed by the huge body was almost a miracle, and that no ones brains were kicked out while the horse was struggling to re- gain his feet is more remarkable.
 A second later the gray was up and away again, heading for the crowd on the corner diagonally opposite. With three great bounds he was again in the midst of a mass of struggling human ity, with bridle mane and stirrups fly ing. But the people had witnessed the first wild break and to some extent were not unprepared. As the gray dashed into the crowd the latter parted and left a narrow but clear passageway for the terrified animal to escape. The chatter of his heels on the sidewalk be- tween the spectators and the buildings warned those who had not seen what had happened and a rush was made into the street. Opposite the Russ House entrance strong hands graSped the flying bridle and the runaway was brought to a standstill and turned over to the police, who were near by. To Max LichenStein, J. J. McManus and a MT. Somerville belong the credit of stopping the horse before he could do further damage. They are all members of Alcazar Parlor, N. s. G. w, which was passing at the time. They rushed from the ranks, broke through the crowd and caught the horse, which was only subdued after a hard struggle.
 When the horse had made the first dash into the spectators a great crowd had congregated and 1t was quickly spread that several people had been seriously injured. The story was true. Mrs. Amanda Roberts, a middle-aged colored woman living at 262 Jessie street had been knocked down by the horse ana the IOTCe or the SHOCK naQ hurled her into the gutter with a force almost sufficient to have killed her out right. Kindly hands quickly removed the unconscious woman to Wakelee'S drugstore, few feet away, and every thing possible was done to restore her to consciousness, but to no purpose.
 The police ambulance was summoned and Mrs. Roberts was removed to the Branch Receiving Hospital on the city front. There was another passenger, however, in the ambulance. He was lit tie Johnnie Coppertini. seven years of age, who lives with his parents at 73O Vallejo street.
 How the child was hurt no one seemed to know. This much was learned. He was the undermost person in the mass of struggling humanity that was hurled to the sidewalk when the gray made his wild rush toward the drugstore.
 At the city front hospital the woman was first examined by DrS Hill and Za- bala, who found that she was suffering from internal injuries, to say nothing of cuts and bruises on her head and face. These are not serious. but the physicians fear the internal injuries may be difficult to overcome.
 Meanwhile the boy was being cared for. It was found that his injuries were more serious than at first supposed. the little fellows left arm was broken above the elbow and his head and face were cut in three or four places. A short time after he had been in the hospital the child began to show signs of an injury to the brain. As time passed the thought that he was only suffering from a shock gave way to the belief that he had sustained concus- sion of the brain and the doctors re- fused to let him be taken away until the exact nature of the injury to the head could be determined.
 There were others who were hurt but their scratches and bruises were trifling compared to the injuries of those who had to be removed to the city front hospital. Mrs. M Perry of 735 Henry street, Oakland, was taken into a drugstore suffering with a num- Der of contusions on the body and head. Her bruises were received by being knocked down by the surging crowd. Her 1S-year-Cld daughter escaped. Miss E. Williams tainted and was taken into the drugstore. Miss Ida Scott had a similar experience, but both ladies re- covered soon and were sent home in carriages.
 How the gray horse got started in his wild but short career could not he learned, unless the story of one of the clerks in Wakelee's drugstore is correct He said that the rider went into a sa- loon and left the horse standing at the edge of the sidewalk, a small boy hold Ing the bridle. A passing band with a big bass drum attachment started up and the horse became frightened and broke from the control of the small boy. The horseman did not seem in a hurry to recover the animal, for he did not put in an appearance during the excite ment and the big gray was taken to a stable near the police station by Ser geant Shea. Another story is that a mounted police officer was tightening the saddle girt and that his horse broke loose and ran away causing the damage and injuries mentioned. A number of the police. however. say that the anil nal was the property of civilian and not of an officer.
 F. Bennett of Twenty-fourth and Castro streets started to cross Market street. opposite Van Ness avenue, when he slipped and fell, badly fracturing his left kneecap. He was taken to the Receiving Hospital and treated by Dr. Kearney. It will be some months be- frNr-1 l-- s-. II l@@