The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1902-09-06
PRESIDENTS NARROW ESCAPE
CARRIAGE RUN INTO BY CAR.
President Roosevelt and Secretary
cOrteiyOu Slightly injurie. william
Craig Secret Service Operator killed.
Motorman Injured. Car was Going
at Great Speed.

LenOx, Mass. Sept. 4. A terrible
accident overlook the presidents coach
short distance from Pittsfeld about
10 O'Clock Wednesday morning. After
a short visit at the home of ex-senator
Dawes. the president started on a long
drive TO Lenox. He had not gone far
when an electric car ran into his We
hicle, throwing everyone TO the
ground and badly damaging the coach.
The president received cut on the
head Secretary Cortelyou was bruised
and his head cut. Governor Crane was
bruised. William Craig, secret ser
vice agent, was instantly killed.
ID. j. Pratt, the driver of the coach.
sustained fracture Of the skull.
The president was able to resume
his journey TO Lenox. but sent word a.
head that there should be no cheering.
The accident happened at a point
about mile and a half from this city.
near the Pittsfield Country club house.
The president was enjoying the
coaching trip from Dalton, Governor
Cranes home. where the president
spent the night. to Lenox, a distance
OF 20 miles over the Berkshire hills.
The car was in the charge of Con-
ductor James Kelley, with motorman
Lake j. Madden on the front platform.
The car truck the coach in the rear
and smashed in the back of the vehi-
Gle, tipping il over and throwing its
occupants to the ground.
The car was not badly damaged.
Motorman Alden and the conduc-
tor, Kelly, were AT once arrested and
brought TO Pittsfield.
After leaving Senator Dawes houss
the carriage containing the president
and party was driven down South
street, two carriages on either side.
When near the Pittsfield Country club
and at the railroad crossing, the cleo
tcic car was noticed coming at a ter
rife rate Of speed. Craig signalled
TO tine motorman TO stop, but he appar-
emily paid no attention 10 the warning.
A witness 10 the accident stated
that the motorman was speeding his
car in order to reach the club. The
president, Governor Crane and secre-
taIy Cortelyou were piled up in a
heap. The awe stricken crowd which
witnessed the accident rushed to the
presidents carriage with no expecta-
ton that he would be found alive.
The president was cut on the right
side of his chin and his face is much
swollen. Pratt the driver Of the coach.
was taken to the hospital
The president and Secretary Cortel-
you, with the other members of the
parity went TO the Country club, where
their wounds were dressed. In short
time they proceeded to the Curtis hotel
at Lenox, arriving there at II O'Clock.
The president retained his usual
composure, although he was solictous
for the rest Of those in the carriage.
Extreme excitment prevailed and
rumors fiewthat the president had been
killed. After remaining at the scene
Of the accident for an hour the presi-
dent decided to continue his journey to
Stock bridge.
After brief stop at Lenox he was
driven to the train. In the next car
riage to the presidents when the &C.
cident happened was DIR. Lnug of the
navy, who accompanied the president
for just such emergencies as tbs, and
who was promptly ON hand to render
assistance But the president was
disinclined to receive medical atten-
ton, saying that he was but slightly
hurt