The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-15
CRASHES INTO THE BUGGY
Hose wagon Coiiides with Mrs. wal

Hose Wagon Collides With Mrs Wal
ter JOne s' Vehicle and She is Hurt
Mrs. Walter Jones, who lives three
miles west of Wanamaker on the Tenth
street road was run into by the hose
wagon from station No last night and
seriously injured
Al $40 an alarm of fire called the
department 10 box % at Tenth and To-
peka avenues. The hose wagon from
station No 4 on Clay street between
Eighth and Ninth streets responded
with Driver Joseph Waidlich and Cap
tain Ezra Robinson on the box The
wagon made the run down Clay TO
Tenth and then turned east
Just after passing the street light at
Tenth and Fillmore Driver Waidlch
and Captain Ezra Robinson saw a
horse and buggy standing sQuarely
across the street, the horse facing south.
Driver WaIdIiCh turned his team toward
the north side Of the road and did his
best TO stop but going as fast as they
were il was Impossible to stop the heavy
wagon. Captain Robinson rang the gong
but the buggy remained right in the
path Of the fire wagon and the heavy
tongue Of the hose wagon crashed
through the rear wheels of the buggy
and the horses OF the hose wagon were
thrown in heap. The occupant Of
the buggy. Mrs. Walter Jones, was
stunned from the collision and was
carried into a house near by The fire
department horses were severely cut
and bruised about the breast and legs
In speaking of the accident this morn
ing Chief AVilmarth of the fire depart
meur said After hearing the story
from the driver of the hose wagon I
investigated the matter myself and
found the tracks left by thu wheels Of
the hose WsgOn. The driver had turned
as far north as was possible and two
inches more would have run the wagon
into the telephone posts. The driver
was in no way TO blame as the buggy
stood outside the rays of the street light
and it was impossible for the driver on
the hose wagon TO see until almost upon
il but the occupant of the buggy could
certainly have heard the ringing of the
gong and seen the hose wagon when il
passed under the electric light 10 say
nothing OF the two side lights the wagon
carried The woman Must have lost her
presence or mind for the buggy stood
squarely across the street and she seem
ed 10 make no attempt TO get out of the
road
I greatly deplore such accidents and
this Is the first one we have had in
years. Persons must remember that
the fire department has the right of
way over everything when responding
to an alarm Of fire It Is a wonder that
We 90 not have more accidents on &C
count Of reckless and careless driving
The heavy fire apparatus can not be
turned or stopped IN a very short space
In going TO fires instead of having the
right OF way the drivers repeatedly have
10 zig gag across the street to avoid
vehicles that pay no attention to the
ringing or the gong and do not get
out OF the way. The people who drive
should have 1T impressed upon their
minds that the law gives the fire de-
partnent the right OF way and as life
and property are in danger they have TO
make the best time possible Many ac-
cIdents are averted through the pres
ence Of mind Of the drivers and their
skillfulness''
This morning Mrs Jones was some
what recovered from the nervous shock
No bones were broken and besides be
ing severely bruised she sustained no
other injuries.