The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-23
FELL A VICTIM TO THE WHEELS
LITTLE GERTRUDE YONGE CRUSH
ED BY A WHITAKER CAR.

Answering the Cali of Playmate,
the Little One Bounded Across the
Track Near Her Fathers store,
But Was Caught on the Way-Her
Injuries Relieved to he FataI-Mo-
tOrman Edwards Claimed to Have
Reduced the speed of His Car for
the Duffy street CrOssing-He Says
the Child Ran Unexpectedly in
Front of Him.
As a south bound Whitaker street car
neared Duffy street yesterday afternoon
about dusk. the passengers witnessed a
spectacle which they will never forget.
Little Gertrude Yonge, the 5-year-old
daughter of Mr. St. J. R. Yonge, a drug
glst at Duffy and Whitaker streets, was
struck by the car and the front wheel
passed over a part of her body, fright
fully managing her.
SO sudden did the accident occur. that
few of the passengers were able to ac-
count for the abrupt stop. Those on the
front seats saw the little one fall though,
and when a faint cry came up from be-
meath, the story was told. The men were
composed. but there was CONSERVATION
among the women, some OF whom went
into Mysteries when they fully realized
what had happened.
NEotorman Larry Edwards knew what
had taken place, and sprang 30 the rescue
of the child as soon as his was
brought TO a stop. He found her lying
PROSTATE on the west rail, her head rest
ing ON it and within a few inches of the
second wheel, which had stopped in time
TO prevent her instantaneous death. Before
he took hold of the body Edwards was
Joined by Conductor w. A. Gooding. As
Edwards reached down 20 aft the child into
his arms she looked up pleadingly and
gasped in a distinct voice;
please, sir, don't cut my leg OFF,
Folding the child in his arms. u issgssgsys rds
carried her into the drug store. The IA
Their was not prepared for the terrible
shock, and was almost Frustrated as ne
realized the accident which had befallen
the little one Though suffering intense
pain and anguish, the child seemed re-
Tnarkably composed and talked affection
ately TO her father. The sympathizing
friends who crowded the store felt almost
as keenly as the father the crushing blow
that had come so Unexpectedly.
Messengers did not wait TO be told to
hasten for physicians aTsg within a few
moments several were at little Gertrudes
side, doing everything possible to alleviate
her suffering. DR.. J. A. Crowther, the first
to reach the store, was quickly followed by
DIR. Charlton DR.. Van Marter and Dr.
Daniels 1t was at once decided not 10 oper-
ate at the store. but to carry the child TO
the home Of its parents, No. lis Waldburg
street. east where the better attention
could be given.
Meantime the car was standing in Whita-
ker street, having been overtaken by a
second car AFTER Witnessing the accident
the passengers were not In a frame of mind
TO go further. and strong hearted men
shed tears. as they offered their services TO
the bereaved father.
Motorman Edwards said the accident oc-
Cured at SAB o clock, just as he was slow
ing down his car TO cross Duffy street Be
tween the west rail of the car track and
the eurbing Is a space the distance of four
steps, and it was about half way across
this space that little Gertrude stood, di-
recty facing the barber shop just In the
rear OF the drug store, when she was first
seen by the motorman. He said he thought
the child was waiting for the car to pass,
but the instant before the fatal moment,
she was called by another child just across
the street. Without a thought of the i'm
pending danger the little one innocently
bounded for the opposite side of the street.
She was struck by the dashboard of the
car about where the brake rod works, and
being thrown to the ground, she was soon
under the wheels.
When asked the rate of speed he was
running the motorman said he was slowing
down his car, and also sounding the gong
before crossing the Duffy street track.
Different stories win doubtless come up
about the speed the car was going, and
while both the conductor and the motor
man claim the car was stopped as quickly
as human power could do it, IL is neverthe-
less fact that cars at times move at a
lively rate In the vicinity of this corner,
which Is known as one of the most dan
gerous In the city.
Motorman Edwards was grieved by the
accident and when seen by a Morning
News reporter he was sitting on a curb
at Drayton and Waldburg streets, his face
buried in his hands. Conductor Cooling
was also there. 1t was there the men were
found by Policeman Dan Cronin, who took
them to the barracks subject TO the orders
of the superintendent of police.
The result of the childs injuries can
not vet be told, but there seems TO be
little doubt that they are fatal. Even
when removed to the home. the physi-
clans considered the shock too great for
surgical attention 90 be given before
O'Clock. At that hour the left Deg, which
was mangled below the thigh, was ban
daged. There were other injuries in the
vicinity of the thigh which LED the physi-
clans to believe that there is scafcely any
hope of recovery. During the entire OPP
Grafton it is said the child was perfectly
conscious, and when the agony must have
been the severest. she looked up to her
father and said.
"a little more. papa, and 1t would have
run over my head"
There were many callers at the Yonge
home, all of whom expressed their tender
est sympathy for the grief-stricken par
cnt. Il is stated the physicians intend to-
day TO operate further. 1t was not de-
sired to do so last night. owing to the
nervous condition of the child. So careful
were they not TO disturb her that her
shoes and other apparel were not removed.
There are faint hopes that she may live
ANOTHER SOLDIER Welded.