The St. Louis Republic., 1900-08-03
Ira Marks, Seven Years Old. Is
Rescued From Death by
Fireman Brannigan.
A STRUGGLE AGAINST ODDS.
Lad Rolled Off the Fender and
Would Have Been Crushed
to Death, but for Bran
nigan's Great Effort.

ira Marks. years old. living at No S13s
Brantner place. took an involuntary rid
on the front fender Of car No 2O07 on the
Easton avenue line of the ST. Louis Transit
Company, about 6:45 o'clock yesterday even.
ing. which would have had a fatal ending
had 1t not been for the prompt action of
James Brannigan, an engine driver, sta
toned at No. II engine-house, who puIIeI
him in front of the car just In time To- keen
tne wheels from crushing the life out OF
him- Ihe boy will remember his narrow es-
cape, however, for the wheels. which mar
rowly missed his head, clipped off the top
Of his right ear.
The little boy was playing with a crowd
OF youngsters near Leonard avenue. on Eas-
ton avenue, about 150 feet west of the en-
slhe,nouse. He started to run from tn.
IN, nor.h Side OF the street to the engine house
on the south side, when westbound Eastoo
avenue car, In charge of Conductor William
hltnper and Motorman George Mathews
pore gown upon him. and before he coul,i
ssl OH the track the fender had scooped
him off his feet. eeA
The child made no outcry, according 10
witnesses. and 1t is probable that the motor
man did not know that he was carrvins n
passenger on the fender. At any rate he
made no attempt to stop his car, says eye
witnesses. save the usual precautionary
slowing down on approaching a crossing.
Fortunately for the child, James Branni
gan: gan. VINO was sitting In front Of the engine
twenty years work on the ST. Louis -Ffrs
department has taught Mr. Branniean the
value or prompt action and to keep cool in
an emergency: He leaped from his chair
and made dash after the car The car
mad moved about 100 feet after the fender
mad scooped up the child before MIR BRAN
nlgan got abreast of It.
SMUT OF the currentr he yelled to the
motorman: there's a boy on the fender
As he spoke Mr.. Brannigan erasped one
OF the iron uprtghts of the front DASHBOARD
and stopped over as he ran, to terk the
child to safety. He was Mortified to see
the little fellow roll of the fender directly
In front OF the car an instant before he
could have reached him.
hrannigan then swung himself on the
lender and tried to lift the child clear of
the track, but he only pushed him further
ahead OF the car. He then jumped for him.
grabbed him by the foot and pulled The
boys shoe came of. and Brannigan fell on
his hands and knees to the ground Turning
quickly. he grabbed the foot again and none
too soon, for the fender had entirely passe.
over the child, and another revolution of tha
wheels would have brought them over the
body. '''e
Brannigan threw himself backward. and
with a mighty jerk, swished the bow free
from the track. but not before the wheel
mad severed portion of his ear The car
continued on It's way, and Brannigan and
me other fireman say that they do not be-
iieVe that the motorman knew that a boy
mad been on the fender and that his oscar.
from death had been SO narrow that he LOST
part of his ear.
Brannigan then tied his handkerchief
around the boys head and sent him home.