Evening star., 1902-02-24
ANEXCITING RUNAWAY
HORSES ATTACHED TO SECRE-
TARY PEIRCE's CARRIAGE.
Dashed Madly Up the Avenue - Two
Policemen Tried to Stop Them
Colored Men Successful.

In the midst of the hurry. hustle and ex-
citement attending the arrival Of Prince
Henry this morning at the 9th street sta
ton the horses attached to the closed car
riage in which Mr.. Herbert II. d. Peirce,
the third assistant secretary of state, had
lust entered bolted and ran away.
The prince and his escort were just turn
ing from 9th street into Pennsylvania ave-
nue. when the frightened horses dashed by
his eauipage. On past the royal party and
humping into the, cavalry horses forming
the leading troop, the runaway team wheel
ed into the avenue and swept away at top
speed in the direction Of the treasury. The
crowds on the avenue seeing the team COM
ing at breakneck pace were fairly startled.
and many believed that the vehicle was
the one in which Prince Henry might be
riding.
PENNSYLVANIA avenue to 18th street. north
on 18th street and again westerly on Penn
sylvania avenue to the White House. Wnere
they were finally stopped, was marked by
MANY exciting incidents and narrow eS-
canes Mr.. Peirce remained In the vehicle
to the end, and escaped with only bad
jolting.
The coachman was tugging at the reins
all the way up Pennsylvania avenue. but
the only effect his total strength had on
the animals was to influence their direc-
ton when a junction point was reached.
1t was owing to this partial control main
tanned by the driver that no casualties re-
suited. He kept the horses In the avenue
and 18th street, both thoroughfares being
clear of other vehicles and pedestrians.
Had the runaways dashed into the crowds
on either side Of the avenue the damage
wrought would have been fatally disas-
trous, 1t is believed.
Start Of the Runaway.
The start of the runaway was witnessed
by hundreds OF people, who at first did not
realize what was happening. Mr.. Peirce
had seen to the proper disposition Of all
the members Of the party. and had seen
the column begin its journey toward the
White House. He hurried to his own car
riage, which was standing just outside the
baggage room Of the depot on 9th street.
1t was intended that his driver should go
Quickly to the White House. In order that
Mr. Peirce might be there to make ar
rangements for the coming OF the party
into the White House grounds.
There was much noise ,o,n at the st station; or.
crowds were cheering loudly.
MIR. Peirce stepped into the carriage and
slammed the door with q jar. The door
made quite a loud report as 1t closed. and
1t is believed that this noise. in conjunction
with the confusion of the vicinity. fright
ened the already nervous horses. and away
they broke toward Pennsylvania avenue.
The carriage in which Prince Henry. Sec
retay OF State Hay and Admiral Evans was
passed just as it was turning west on
Pennsylvania avenue. The tongue q Mr..
Peirce's carriage swept perilously near Sec
retary Hays head. On the horses went.
How the driver ever managed to get them
clear of the escort without doing damage
is something Of miracle.
Once free OF the procession, the horses,
with increased speed. went flying UP the
avenue. It was soon apparent to the on