The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-13
STREET CARS IN COLLISION.
NARROW ESCAPE ON THE JACK
son STREET ELECTRIC LINE.
Incoming Car Attempts to Descend
Hill at Fourth Avenue Minus
Counterweights and Gets Beyond
Controi-Passengera shaken Up.

Passengers aboard the jackson street
branch of the Seattle City railways
lake Washington line experienced thrill
Ing ride on runaway car shortly after
! O'Clock yesterday morning, and wit
nesses 10 the accident affirm that their
escape from serious injury was little
more than miraculous. The car ran
at tremendous speed down the incline
from the brow of the first hill on Jack
son street to Fourth avenue south.
where 1t collided with an outgoing car
which had just left the switch, prepara-
tory to climbing the hill.
Though twelve persons were on the
runaway car when II began the descent,
all but one Of whom jumped while it
was going at full speed no one is
thought to have sustained more than
slight bruises and a severe shaking up.
A. j. Triggs. a passenger, fell to the
ground when he jumped, and in the con-
fusion which ensued lost valuable gold
watch set with diamonds. Mrs. j. J.
Johnson. a seamstress, was the only
passenger who remained upon the car
until 1t stopped. She was In the act of
jumping. having reached the car plat
form, when 1t coilided. She was thrown
to the ground and sustained a bruise
over the left temple.
The Jackson street electric line Is OPP
Grated on the sleeper grades by means
of a system of weights and pulleys
which counterbalance the weight of the
ascending or descending car as 1t tray
erses the hill. Yesterday morning car
No. 1. In descending the hill to the level
opposite the gas tanks in some manner
injured the hook known as a pick up.
which engages the car mechanism and IS
attached to the counterweight. The car
made the descent safely and proceeded
to its destination. Upon the return trip
the motorman and conductor attempted
to repair the mechanism OF the counter
weight at the foot of the hill
Meantime car No. from Lake Wash
ington arrived at the brow of the hill
at the corner of Tenth avenue south,
but it's operatives discovered that the
hook attached to the counterweight had
not vet assembled the hill A wait of
several minutes ensued when II was de-
termined to make the descent without
the use of the mechanism ordinarily
brought into service.
The car started down the Incline. and
had proceeded over block before any
perceptible increase In Its momentum
was noticed. The wheels, however. which
were coated with the moisture on the rails
caused by a heavy fog, began to slide.
The car gained speed rapidly. and it's
occupants, becoming alarmed. Jumped
In all directions
The motormau and conductor OF the
outbound car observed the speed at which
No. 3 was approaching. and. reversing
the current on No. 1. attempted to run
on switch one block below where the
car was standing Here the trolley on
the fleeing car jumped from the over
head wire. and It was brought to an
abruut standstiil. The descending coach,
which by this time had gained a tre-
mendous momentum. collided with the
obstructing car, wrecking the tenders,
front platforms and several of the side
steps OF each.
The motormen of both cars remained
at their posts until It was apparent that
collision was unavoidable. when they