Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-21
Passengers Terrified on Run
away Electric Train.
WOMEN HYSTERIC AL
ONE MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED;
OTHERS BADLY SHAKEN UP.
Fotorman Lost Control of Train at
Four-Mile Run and Excite
ment Prevailed.

The Washington Alexandria and Mt.
Vernon Railroad Company has, it was
stated this morning, set on foot an investi-
cation as to the cause of the runaway or
an electric train around the curves at
-Four Mile run Saturday evening. The train
was temporarily beyond the control OF
Motorman Mcfarland and Conductor kim
ball. An awful accident was narrowly cs-
capped in the dash around Four Mile Run
bend. Several of the passengers were bad
" shaken up. and o. P Angelo of Alex
andria was severely injured
The train left Washington on schedule
time with full load of passengers, among
whom were many ladies occupying seats in
the motor car. All went well until some
one noticed an unusual swaying and bound
ing of the coaches just south of siding No.
{. between Addison Heights and Four Mile
Run. Soon the agitation among the pas
sengers became general. as the unusual
speed of the train seemed to increase in
stead OF diminish.
Whizzed by Trolley Poles.
Trolley poles flashed by with amazing
rapidity and in a few seconds the train
was upon the sharp curve near the power
house To the CONSERVATION of the pas
sengers there was no let up in the terrific
pace. Instead of following the main track
at that point the trains are now temporar-
fly run around on a swith which passes in
close to the car sheds. After rounding the
bend in hair-splitting style the motor car
plunged upon the rails of the switch, while
1t kept the track as by the merest chance.
Women Became Hysterical.
The excitement of passengers had passed
ordinary bounds Women became hysteri-
cal while men paled and trembled, expect
ing every instant a terrible disaster. Men
called upon the conductor for reinsurance,
but none could be given 1t was realized
by every one on board that they were
passing a crisis. The suspense was fear
fuL
AS the upin dashed down the grade every
one realized that the most critical period
would come. when the curve leading back
to the main track was reached. This
passed, the chances for safety would be in
Comparably greater. There were some
tra-Cmen at the station, who viewed, with
Hmazement. the approaching train.
II is said that one of them turned aside
and went to the rear of the station house
t. escape witnessing. as he expected, an
appalling disaster.
Fortunately the curve was passed in
safety.
Angelo Confined to Bed
out OF the main track again the train
was ge,ten under control. When the train
reached Alexandria the passengers wore a
sJbduyd and awestricken appearance. 1t
was not without real damage, either, to
some Of their number that they escaped.
Mr.. O. Perry Angelo who is employed in
the chemical! division OF the Agricultural
department IN Washington, is now con-
fined To his home. in North Columbus
street. suffering from injuries he received.
He was thrown violently from his seat
against the back OF the seat in front Cf
him, and was severely injured in the chest.
Several other passengers were thrown
from th-r seats and painfully though not
seriously injured II is believed that the
trouble was caused by a failure of the
brakes to work when applied by the motor
man.