The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-09-17
Roose7elt's Carriage Run Down
BY a Trolley Car and Ais
Body Guard Killed.
The Chiei Executive Escapes With
Slight Injuries---Accident Hap
pens While Driving From
Pitts6eId to Leaox, Mass.

Pittsheld. Mass. The carriage In
which President Roosevelt. accompan-
led by Governor Crane. Secretary Cor
telyou. and others. was being driven
from this place to Lenox on the thir-
teenth and last day OF the Presidents
New England trip. was struck by a
trolley car at the foot Of Howard's Hill
and instantly demolished.
The occupants Of the landau were
thrown into the air. and Secret Service
Agent William Craig, who fell on the
tracks directly In front OF the rapidly
moving car. was instantly killed. The
President, who fell by the roadside.
sustained no injuries other than a
bruise on the cheek and Il severe shak-
Ing. Governor Crane also escaped I'm
hurt and Secretary Cortelyou's hurts
were minor. u. J. Pratt. OF Dalton.
the owner Of the carriage. who was
driving the four horses attached to 1t
ut the time OF the accident. sustained
q disiocation of the left shoulder. a
sprained ankle. and was otherwise Sc
riously bruised and cut.
The scene Of the accident was about
a mile and half south Of the park
where the President had addressed an
audience Of several thousand people be-
fore entering the carriage. After his
address he drove to the home Of for.
mer Senator Dawes. who Is now
eighty-fve years old. and after making
q call Of few minutes started down
South street for Lenox. The party
were little late. and Mr.. Pratt put his
horses to their best speed in order to
make up time.
The Presidents carriage was on the
west side of the street railroad track.
but as the track crossed to the other
side Of the highway at the foot OF the
hill Il was necessary for the carriage to
cross over to the east side. This Mr..
Pratt attempted to do. not seeing the
car which was approaching from the
north. or rear. In this car were num-
ber nf passengers. including James W.
Hull. q director OF the Plttsfield Elec-
tric Street Railway Company: District
Attorney Noxon. A. w. Eaton and a
number Of members Of the Plttsfield
Country Club. who had chartered II.
The car struck the right side Of the
carriage. demolishing the wheels on
that side and precipitatIng Craig d.
rectly or the track. He was instantly
killed. his entire skull being crushed
and his body terribly mangled.
1t was feared at first that Mr.. Pratt's
injuries were fatal. He was taken nj
once to the House Of Mercy. In Pitts
field. where the nature Of his injuries
was ascertained. The physicians In
charge say that he may recover.
All four OF the occupants Of the car
rage were thrown out. Governor
Crane, seems to have escaped entirely.
and the injuries to the President and
his secretary are not regarded as being
serious. President Roosevelt and Gov
ernor Crane. who occupied the rear
seat Of the carriage. were both flung
violently forward into the highway.
but they saved themselves by clInging
to one another.
Fortunately, at this point there Is n
quantity OF soft earth. caused by the
wash from the hill. and into this tho
occupants Of the Presidents vehicle.
other than Craig. were precipitated.
The President was On his feet In a
fash. He assisted the others to arise.
and his first words were question as
to the condition Of the other members
OF the party. Learning that Craig was
under the car he said that he must be
dead, and he gave his attention to
stanching the blood that was flowing
from cuts In the neck Of Secretary Cor
telyou.
The Presidents injuries were pain.
full bur not at all serious. The left
side Of his lip was bleeding from con.
tact with woodwork In the carriage.
and the right side Of his face was
bruised. His glasses were thrown of.
but Were not broken. His frock coat
was ripped Mt the elbow. and his silk
hat was ruffled by the toss In the sand
When Mr.. Roosevelt looked upon the
body Of the detective who had been
with him throughout his New England
Journey. he was deeply overcome. He
went toward the car and In severe
tone said to the motorman:
why did you run into the carriase?"
You don't suppose did Il ON pur-
PoSSs W. yoe. tue IIOtOTHlIU.
IF you lost control of the car. that is
one thing. but II not. your act Is an out
rage" responded the President.
As he turned and walked away the
motorman called oat: Your driver had
right to get out of the way. anyhow" -"
The body Of Craig was removed mt
once to the house Of A. b. Stevens.
near by. President Roosevelt. Gov.
erDor Crane. Congressman Lawrence
and Secretary Cortelyou walked to the
Stevens house. where they remained
for about half an hour.
Members Of the party were desirous
that the President should abandon his
trip, but this he refused to do. He
REcoNSTRUcTINc THE FREE STATE.