Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-09-11


ident of the United States escaped
tragic death by only few feet in a
collision between his carriage and an
electric street car in this city yester-
day while one of his most trusted
guards, Secret Service Agent William
Craig, was instantly killed and David
Pratt of Dalton, who was guiding
the horses attached to the vehicle
seriously injured. President Roose-
welt himself was badly shaken up, but
received only slight facial bruise.
Secretary Courtelyou sustained a
minor wound in the back of the head
and Governor Crane, who sat beside
the president, eXtricated himself from
the wreck partially without a scratch.
The carriage was demolished by the
impact of the rapidly moving car and
the wheelhorse on the side nearest
the car was killed outright. The crew
and passengers of the car escaped in
jury. The president and his party
were driving from this city to Lenoy
through South street, one of the prin-
which was lined with cheering people
and the catastrophe occurred in plain
view Of hundreds.
The trolley car approached the
road crossing under a good head of
speed, the gong changing, just as the
driver turned the leaders to cross the
tracks. On each side of the chief
executives carriage rode two mount
ed troopers of the local cavalry and
the horsemen on the left of landau
had turned on to the track with the
trolley car Immediately behind them.
though some yards distant Alarm
ed by the changing gong, both turn
ed in their saddles and waved yigor-
ously to the motorman to stop the
ar. Almost at the same instant
Governor Crane, who quickly per-
celVed the danger, rose to his feet,
and likewise motioned to the motor
man. The latter in great excitement
desperately tried to stop the car, but
it was too late. Agent Craig fell
from the seat Immediately in front
Of the car and it passed completely
over his body. The presidents lip
was cut, and blood was flowing from.
the wound. His clothing was much
disarranged and he was severely
shaken up. Secretary Cortelyou had
a severe wound in the back of his
head from which the blood was flow,
ing freely.
oh =.
coElposure and the three soon after
repaired to the residence of Charles
R Stevens, near the scene of the ac-
cident. Craig's body was found just
behind the car. The shoulders and
chest were crushed and body fright
fully mangled. Driver Pratt was found
unconscious in the road, his shoulder
dislocated and ankle sprained and his
face badly cut and bruised. He was
placed in carriage and
taken to the House of Mercy, where
the physicians last night said he would
recover. Craig's body was taken to
the residence of Mrs. A. B. Stevens.
the adjoining house to which the pres
ident repaired with Governor Crane
and Secretary Cortelyou, and the lat
ter was removed to the undertaking
rooms in this city. Doctors Colt,
Thomas and Woodruff arriv = and at
tended the president and his secretary
Half an hour later the party appeared
and resumed it's journey to Lenox. An
anxious crowd meanwhile surrounded
the house and the president stopped
long enough to ass ire the people that
ne was not injured in the least and to
ez press his great grief at the death of
Craig.
MotOrman Madden and Conductor
Kelly were released on bail last night. |
Ihe charges against them ere man
slaughter. The bail for the motorman
was $4,000, for Kelly $4,000.
President at Oyster Bay.
Oyster Bay, Sept. 4-President
Roosevelt returned last night but little !
he worse for the thrilling experience
yesterday morning. His right cheek |
Vas swollen, there were black bruises
lnder his right eye and his mouth was
slightly swollen. Otherwise he showed {
&c effects of the accident He will 60 |
south the latter part of the week ac-
,Crdlng to the original schedule.
kNAUF FOR SENATOR