Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1902-09-11
HAD A CLOSE CALL
THE PRESIDENT NARROWLY ESCAPES
BEING CRUSHED TO DEATH.
EIsctrlc Car c0IIldes with the Carriage In
WhIch ne was Riding Member Of the
Secret Service Killed : Mr.. Roosevelt
slightly injured Secretary cortelyou
and Driver Also Hurt.

Pitts6eId, Mass, Sept. 4.-The pres.
ident Of the United States escaped
tragic death by only few feet In
collision between his carriage and an
electric street car in this city yester-
day. whiIe one Of his most trusted
guards, Secret Service Agent wifIsAm
Craig, was instantly killed and David
J. Pratt, Of Dalton, who was guiding
the horses attached H. the vehicle, was
most seriously injured. President
Roosevelt himself was badly shaken
up, but received only slight facial
bruise. Secretary Cortelyou, who oc-
cupied seat directly opposite the pres.
ident in the carriage, sustained a
minor wound in the back Of the head,
and Governor Crane. who sat beside
the president. escaped without a
scratch. The carriage was demolished
by the impact Of the rapidly moving
car, and the wheel horse on the siie
nearest tho car was killed. The crew
and passengers of the car escaped in-
jury.
The president and party were driving
from this city TO Lenox, through South
street, one Of the principal thorough
fares of Pittsdeld, which was lined
with cheering people, and the catastro-
PIE happened in plain view Of hun
dreds, whose happiness at the advent of
the nations chief was suddenly turned
to grief. Thousands had poured into
the city in the early morning from
the country to see and hear the presi-
dent, and his address at the city park
had been loudly cheered.
Out through South street is broad
highway The tracks OF the PittsEeld
Electric street railway are laid in the
center Of the road, with ample room
for teams on each side, and scores Of
vehicles of every description followed
along the road behind the presidents
party.
Shortly after he left the park an
electric car, which had been filled with
passengers at that point, started for
Lenox well behind the procession. It
was about mile and half out from
the city at the beginning Of Howard
Hill, and was nearly up to the presi-
dents carriage. which was travelling on
the west side of the highway Just at
the foot Of Howard Hill the road bends
little, and teams are compelled to
cross the street railway tracks to the
east side. The railroad then continues
alongside of the street, in tead of in
the center. Just at this point the up
grade of the hill begins, and but short
distance beyond the crossing there is
narrow bridge spanning small brook.
The trolley car approached the road
crossing under good speed, with gong
changing, just as the driver of the pres
ident's carriage turned his leaders to
cross the tracks.
The motormt n, in great excitement,
tried to stop his car, but it was too late,
It crashed into the carriage, and q
loud moan went up from the frenzied
onlookers who thronged the roadside,
and who but moment before were
cheering the president. The driver
managed to get the frightened animals
out OF the way just in time, and the
car struck the rear wheel Of the car
riage ON the left side and plowed
through to the front wheel of the vehi-
Gle, which received the full force Of
the blow. The carriSge was upset, and
one horse fell dead on the tracks.
Mr.. Craig fell from his seat imme-
diately in front OF the'car, and it passed
completely over his body. Driver
Pratt, in falling, struck the dead horse
Immediately in front of him, and rolled
off clear Of the car, thus escaping a
similar fate. President Roosevelt,
Governor Crane, and Secretary Cor
telyou were thrown together in the
bottom Of the carriage.
Almoet instantly score of men
Jumped to the heads of the frightened
horses and stopped their further prog
ress. Governor Crane was the first to
get on his feet, escaping entirely un-
hurt. He turned Immediately to the
president, helped the latter to arise,
and together they assisted Secretary
| Cortelyou.
The 'motorman and conductor wer,
Immediately placed under arrest anC
taken to pelice headquarters in thiI
city. Later they were furnished bal