Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-09-04
Iandau'S Collision with Electric Oar Mars
the Tours Ending,
MoToRMAN AND CONDUCTOR ARRESTED
Former Denies Early Warning, but Cannot
Explain.
THEY ARE CHARGED WITH MANsLAuGHTER
Now out on Bail, but VIII BE Held
for Grand Jury-ROOseveIt Has
Returned on His Yacht
10 Oyster bay.

OYSTER BAY, N. Y. Sept s.-The yacht
sylph with President Roosevelt aboard b
anchored on oyster Bay shortly before $50
this evening.
PITTSFIELD, Mass, Sept S.-The presl-
dent Of the United States escaped a tragic
death by only a few feet in a collision be-
tween his carriage and an electric street
car in this city today, while ono OF he
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 was most
seriously injured. President Roosevelt him
self was badly shaken up, but received only
slight facial bruise. Secretary Cortelyou,
who occupied a seat directly opposite the
president, In the landau. sustained a minor
wound in the back OF the head, and Gov
ernor Crane who sat beside the president,
extricated himself from the wreck prac-
tlcally without scratch. The carriage 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 passengers of the car escaped in
Jury.
The president and party were driving
street, one of the principal thoroughfares
Of Pittsheld, which was lined with cheering
people, and the catastrophe occurred In
the plain view OF hundreds whose happiness
at the advent OF the nations chief was
suddenly turned to grief.
Thousands had poured into the city in the
early morning from the nearby country TO
see and hear the president, and his addfess
at the city park had been loudly cheered
At the conclusion OF the exercises he wished
to make a brief call on former Senator
Dawes. whose house in Elm street is but
short distance from the park. The presi-
dents carriage, in which he had ridden
from Governor Cranes home at Dalton,
was accordingly driven to the Dawes resi-
dence and carriages containing a number Of
other gentlemen in the party followed.
President Roosevelt's call was short one
and then the carriage returned to the city
square. h
- i'1'A EoeAtion Of the Xeefdent. sa.s-'
After few minutes delay the journey to
Lenox was begun. Meanwhile the mounted
escort of police officers and the carriages
containing the newspaper correspondents
who have accompanied the pres dent on his
tour had started off ahead on the road to
Lenox and we're some distance in advance Of
bhS .pASolhehlb tQuipdbts lnTtc OF IOuT
other open carriages fell in line Immediately
behind the landau in which the pres dent
rode with Secretary Cortelyou and Gov
eronr Crane. Secret Service Agent Craig,
who throughout the New England tour has
been almost constantly at the presidents
elbow, was on the drivers box beside
Coachman Pratt.
Out through South street is broad.
smooth highway. The tracks OF the Pitts
field Electric street railway are laid In the
center Of the road, with ample room for
teams on each side, and scores OF vehicles
Of every description followed along this
road behind the presidents party. Shortly
after he left the park an electric car which
had been filled with passengers at that
point. started toward Lenox, we'll behind
the procession. II passed all of the teams
and was about a mile and a half out from
the city at the beginning of Howard hill and
was nearly up to the presidents carriage,
which was travelling on the west SIDE Of the
highway.
Just at the foot OF Howard hill the road
bends a little and teams are compelled
to cross the street railway tracks to the
east side. The railroad then continues at
one side OF the street, instead OF In the
center. Just at this point the upgrade Of
the hill begins, and but a short distance
beyond the crossing there is a narrow
bridge spanning a small brook The troll
| ley car approached the road crossing un-
der a good head Of speed, with gong
changing. just as the driver of the presi-
dents carrier turned his leaders to cross
the tracks On each side of the chief ex-
ecutiVes carriage rode two mounted
troopers OF the local cavalry company and
the horsemen on the left OF the landau
had turned onto the track with the trolley
car Immediately behind them. though some
yards distant Alarmed by the changing
gong they both turned In their saddles
and waived vigorously to the motorman to
! stop his car. Almost at the same instant
Governor Crane, who quickly preceived the
danger, rose to his feet and likewise mo-
| toned to the motOrman.
When the Crash Came.
The latter. in great excitement. des-
perately tried to stop his car, but Il was
too late. II crashed into the carriage as
loud moan went up from the frenzied
onlookers who thronged the roadside and
who but a moment before. were cheering
! the president The horsemen managed 10
get the frightened animals out OF the way
/ Just in time and the car struck the rear
wheel OF the carriage on the left side and
|
vehicle, which received the full force OF
the blow. The carriage was upset In the
twinkling Of an eye and one horse fell
dead on the tracks. The other three
| powerful grays attached to the vehicle
started to run and dragged by them and
/ pushed by the force OF the car. the wrecked
carriage was moved thirty OF forty feet
Agent Craig fell from his seat Immediately
In front OF the car and 1t passed COM
pletely over his body. Driver Pratt, In
falling, struck the dead horse Immediately
in front OF him and rolled on clear Of the
car. thus escaping a similar fate. Presl-
dent Roosevelt Governor Crane and Sec
retary Cortelyou were thrown together In
the bottom Of the carriage.
Almost instantly score Of men jumped
10 the heads Of the frightened horses and
stopped their further progress. Governor
Crane was the hrst TO get to his feet. es-
Gaping entirely unhurt He turned imme.
4 dfateIv IN the presideut helped the lattsf