New-York tribune., 1899-07-11
AUTOMOBILES WILD TRIP.
RAN AGAINST TINE DOWN FIFTH-AvE
AFTER A FARE.
FROM THE GRAND CENTRAL STATION
TO UNION SQUARE AND RETURN.
AND TRIED TO MAKE IT.

TO UNION SQUARE AND RETURN.
AND TRIED TO MAKE IT.
In his anxiety TO get passenger the driver
OF an automobile made a wild chase down Fifth
ave last night, and several bicyclists and dr-
vers OF other vehicles had a narrow escape.
James Donahue. thirty-five years old Of No
2O6 West Fifty -third-st.. with his automobile,
was standing in front Of the Grand Central
Station IL sos D. m. He received word that
passenger In the Union Square Hotel wanted TO
catch the $50 p. m. express and had hve-dollar
tip for the man who could get him TO the
station in time.
Donohue said he would try IT, With
thoughts only OF the reward. he opened wide the
lever and the machine jumped forward almost
throwing him from his seat.
He turned into Forty -second-st with a swing
that sent the vehicle over on two wheels and
almost upset 1t. once in Fifth-ave. ne began
chase that will probably be remembered for
days by the people who narrowly escaped from
the path OF the flying automobile.
The avenue was thronged with all sorts Of
carriages and with hundreds OF wheelmen out
for an evening spin Donahue kept his foot on
the bell. ringing II constantly and. working MS
way in and out knocking one wheelman after
/
teams. he kept on his race. There is heavy
| drop for three blocks just above Thirty-fourth-
st.. and Donahue went down this grade at a
| speed close to thirty-fve miles an hour. When
/ he struck the Thirty -fourth-st car tracks the
machine bounced into the air, but the anxious
driver kept right on
II was a clear case OF get that 50 or bust
| The frightened wheelmen had by this time taken
another view OF the proceeding. and a score or
more Of them dashed furously after the man
yelling for some one 10 stop him. Bicycle Po-
| uceman Dobson was at Twenty-eighth-st.' and
he heard the rumble Of the approaching ma
chine It sounded like a small cyclone. Dob
son mounted his wheel. and as the automobile
shot by he gave chase.
At Twenty ty-second-st. there were 80 many
vehicles in the avenue that Donahue had &c
slacken his speed and DObson able 70 rur
alongside. He ordered the driver to stop, anc
! told him he was under arrest.
DOnahue protested that "a passenger was
| waiting for the $40 p. m train. and that NJ
would brook no delay. BY this time Dobson was
! fust a little angry and jumping from his vince
| he sprang up on the box and told Donahue e
steer to the West Thirtieth-st. station. and gave
| him to understand that he meant il. Donahu'
| did as ordered, all the while bewailing what NJ
| said was interference with his rights
Sergeant ConbOy was at the desk he tolC
Donahue that the law permits wheelmen t
! leave their wheels for security when arrested
! for violating the speed ordinances. and that NJ
would give the same privilege 70 him. Donahu'
was overjoyed and started 70 go. when Conboi
| called him back
"Rut YOU must leave your machine in the sta
| ton" he said Donahue unable TO do thls
| and was kept in a cell until baed out by th'
| Electric Cab Company his employer IL Is no
known whether the passenger got his train