The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1902-09-18
ROOSEVEkTSCLOSECALL
His Carriage Was Struck By Troll
ley Car and Wrecked.
DETECTIVE WIN. CRAIG KILLED
Mr.. Roosevelt Was Slightly Cut and
Bruised, Secretary cortelyou, the
Driver Of the Coach and Motorman

Bruised, Secretary cortelyou, the
Driver Of the Coach and Motorman
Were Injured.
Pittsfeld. Mass, Sept. 4.-The presi-
dent of the United States escaped
tragic death by only a few feet in
collision between his carriage and an
electric street car near this city yester-
day, while one Of his most trusted
guards, Secret Service Agent William
Craig, was instantly killed, and David
J. Pratt. Of Dalton, who was guiding
the horses attached to the vehicle, was
seriously injured. President Roosevelt
himself was badly shaken up. but re-
ceived only a slight facial bruise. Sec
retary Cortelyou, who occupied a seat
directly opposite the chief executive in
the landau, sustained minor wound
in the back of the head, and Governor
Crane, who sat beside the president,
extricated himself from the wreck
practically without scratch. The car
riage was demolished by the impact OF
the rapidly moving car and the wheel
horse on the side nearest the car was
killed outright. The crew and passen-
gers of the car escaped injury.
Thousands had poured into the city
in the early morning from the nearby
country to see and hear the president,
and his address at the city park had
been loudly cheered. At the conclusion
Of the exercises the journey toward
Lenox was begun. Three or Sur other
open carriages fell into line Immediate
ly behind the landau in which the pres
ident rode with Secretary Cortelyou
and Governor Crane. Secret Service
Agent Craig, who throughout the New
England tour has been almost con-
stantly at the presidents elbow, was
on the drivers box beside Coachman
Pratt.
Cars FrightfuI Speed.
Just at the foot Of Howard bill the
road bends little and teams are COM
PEELED to cross the street railway tracks
to the east side. Just at this point the
upgrade Of the hill begins and but
short distance beyond the crossing
there is a narrow bridge spanning a
small brook. The trolley car raced
down the hill from behind, being with
in sight Of the procession for half a
mile and going at a speed Of from 40
to so miles an hour. The carriages in
q q n n,tt Nf
but the presidents carriage was at the
part of the road where the space to the
right Of the trolley track was very mar
row.
The driver had Just turned the car
riage to the left across the track, SO
that the car advancing at high speed
struck 1t. hurting carriage, horses and
men 30 or 40 feet ahead. Alarmed by
the changing gong. Governor Crane,
who quickly perceived the danger, rose
to his feet and likewise motioned to
the motorman. The latter in great ex-
citement desperately tried to stop his
car. but 1t struck the team, and Craig
fell in front Of 1t and was
crushed to death. One of the
horses was killed outright. Craig was
instantly killed and terribly mutilated
and the driver was badly hurt. Gov
ernor Crane escaped practically unin-
jured and the president and Mr.. Cortel-
you we're injured as already described.
That they escaped instant death or at
least serious injury is miracle.
President Was Stunned.
The president was stuDn ID for but
a second, and, springing to his feet,
walked back about Is yard to where
the trolley had stopped, and told the
motorman that unless the car had got
ten beyond his control, which did not
seem possible, in view Of the way 1t
had stopped, he had committed an act
Of criminal recklessness, which had
resulted in the death OF at least one
man. The body OF Craig was taken
into a neighboring farm house, while
the driver was put into another car
riage and sent to the hospital at Pitts.
field.
The crowd that witnessed the acci-
dent became greatly excited. 1t pour
ed into the street, surrounding the
wrecked carriage and the car, shout
Ing at the motorman and conductor,
and creating great disturbance. AL
most Immediately persons began
snatching away the fragments of the
carriage in which the president had rid
den. Only by the utmost efforts did a
force of police, which had been quick
ly summoned prevent the entire demo-
lition of the vehicle by souvenir hun
ters.
AS soon as the accident happened one
Of the party ran up to see il the presi-
dent was injured.
Look after the others who are
hurt" cried the president There is
nothing the matter with me-"
A few minutes after that he said:
Il am used to shake-ups. 1t reminds
me Of polo or football or some other
equally deadly sport"
The president and Mr.. Cortelyou
went into a farm house and washed