The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-09-11
DETECTIVE CRAIG KILLED
Driver of Vehicle Has Fractured
Skull and May Die.
PRESIDENT IS SLIGHTLY HURT
Secretary Cortelyou Knocked Uncon'
Scious While Governor Crane
Escaped injury-Car Men
Promptly Arrested.

The president of the United States
escaped a tragic death by only few
feet in collision between his car
rage and an electric street car IN
Pittsfeld, Mass, Wednesday, while
one of his most trusted guards, Secret
Service Agent William Craig, was in
stantly killed and David ]. Pratt, of
Dalton, who was guiding the horses
attached to the vehicle, was seriously
injured. President Roosevelt himse!f
was badly shaken up, but received
only slight facial bruise. Secretary
Cortelyou, who occupied a seat direct
ly opposite the president in the Ian
deau, sustained a minor wound in the
back of the head, and Governor
Crane, who sat beside the president,
extricated himself from the wreck
practically without a scratch. The
carriage was demolished by the impact
of the rapidly-moving car and the
wheel horse on the side nearest the
car was killed outright. The crew
and passengers of the car escaped in
Jury.
The Story In Detail.
After a night passed at Governor
Cranes home in Dalton, Mass, the
president and his party took carriages
for the drive over the picturesque
Berkshire hills to LenoX.
The president made brief speech
at the opera house at Dalton on leav-
ing there shortly before s o'clock and
going to Pittsfeld, where he planned
to stop for short time On the way
to Lenox. He was constantly greeted
by groups of citizens who were most
enthusiastic in their greeting.
An immense crowd welcomed him in
Pittsfeld and he made a brief speech
from a stand which had been erected
in the public park.
The president then returned to his
carriage with Governor Crane and Sec
retary Ccrtelyou and requested that he
be driven to the home of former Sena-
tor N. l.. Dawes.
Mr.. Dawes lives not far from the
square and the president was quickly
taken there. He remained about five
minutes going into the house Of the
former senator for a friendly chat.
He was then driven back to the park
aud the start for Lenox was made.
Tragedy Stills Cheers.
One or two of the carriages, tnclud-
ing those in which the newspaper men
were riding, had gone on ahead. AS
the presidents carriage and those con-
tanning the others of his party made
their way along South street, the
crowds who lined the pavements
cheered repeatedly and the ovation
which had begun at Dalton and had
hardly been interrupted since the start
was made, was continued.
- Along the south street, which IS not
"a wide highway, runs the track Of the
Pittsfeld and Lenox Street Railway
company. Occasionally an electric
car hummer by the carriages. At
point about a quarter Of a mile from
the center Of the city the street bends
and the car tracks run in q straight
line across 1t from one side to the
other.
AS the presidents carriage appeared
at this crossing an electric car was
heard coming along at great speed,
apparently trying to pass ahead Of the
procession.
Secret Service Officer Craig ap-
preciated the danger and he arose be-
side the driver and turning arouno.
signalled the motorman to hold back.
The warning was disregarded and