The Hawaiian gazette., 1902-09-12
ROOSEVELT
NEAR DEATH
Trolley Car Struck
and Smashedhis
Carriage.

P1TTSFIELD tMassD. Sept. 3.-Pres-
ident Roosevelt had narrow escape
from death today while driving from
this city to Lennox.
The carriage in which the President
was driving was run into by an electric
car going a; full speed. The vehicle
was overturned and all the occupants
were thrown out The President es-
capped with few bruises. but Secret
Service Agent william Craig was in
stantly killed and David J. Pratt, driv-
er of the Presidents carriage, was
seriously injured.
Secretary Cortelyou. who was seated
opposite the President, was slightly in
him. escaped without scratch. The
carriage was smashed to pieces and the
wheel horse on the side nearest the car
was killed. The crew and passengers
of the car escaped injury.
When the collision occurred, Driver
Pratt and William Craig, the Secret
Service officer. were thrown violently
forward off the box. Craig went d.
rectly across the tracks of the railway
and before he made "a move the wheels
of the car had passed over him crush
ing his life out. Pratt struck the right
rail with such force that he was rem
dered unconscious and was brushed
aside by the horses which plunged for
ward, dragging behind them their dead
wheel-mate which had been killed by
the first blow of the car President
Roosevelt and Governor Crane, who oc-
cupied the rear seat of the carriage,
were both thrown violently forward and
into the highway.
The President was on his feet in
flash. He assisted the others to arise
and his first words We're, was anyone
hurt?" Learning that Craig was under
the car. he said: "Then he must be
dead" and then gave his attention to
staunching the blood that was flowing
from cuts on the neck of Secretary
Cortelyou
The Presidents lip was cut and blood
was flowing freely from the wound.
His clothing was much disarranged and
he was shaken up. Secretary Corte!you
had wound in the back of his head
from which blood was flowing. The
President quickly regained his COM
posture and the three soon after repaired
to the residence of Mr.. Charles Il.
Stevens, near the scene of the accident
Mrs. Ann Dunbar, one of the passen-
gers on the car, and one of the first
to reach the President after the acct
dent, Is certain that no one told the
motorman to hurry.
Il was on the car" said she. land
was as eager as any of the passengers
to catch a glimpse of the President.
Every one in the car was more or less
excited, and we were cheering and talk
ing and in a happy mood. Mr.. Dolan,
manager of the road, was on the car
when 1t left the park, where the Pres
ident had been speaking, but thinking
everything was all right. he got off at
Housatonic street.
1.-The car was going along at a good
speed when suddenly the driver swung
his horses across the track right in our
way. l felt crash and there was a
Jolt to the car before it was brought
to a stop. ] was the first to reach the
side of the President
Thank God, you are saved ] said.
Then while Governor Crane and some
others were turning their attention to
the President he said, Let me look aft
err myself / am all right Help those
who are hurt
Then the President noticed the
motorman near the car and advanced
towards him.
WHO has charge of this car asked
the President.
~ have, replied the motorman.
Then shaking his fist in the di-
rection of the man in blue. the Presi-
dent said, This is the most damnable
outrage l ever knew During all this,
/ stood within a few feet of the Presi-
dent, who soon after turned and went
into the Stevens House"