Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-09-11
THEPRESIDENT HURT
Theodore Roosevelt Had a Narrow
Escape from Death Yesterday.
HIS CARRIAGE HIT BY ELECTRIC CAR
Secret Service Agent Craig Was Killed.
the Driver Seriously Injured, the Presi-
dent Bruised and His Lip Cut and
Cortelyou Slightly Hurt

Pittsfeld, Mass. Sept. 4.-The
president of the United States es-
capped tragic death by only a few
feet in a collision between his car
riage and an electric street car in
this city yesterday, 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 most seriously
injured. President Roosevelt him
self was badly shaken up, but re-
ceived only slight facial bruise
Secretary Cortelyou, who occupied
u seat directly opposite the presi-
dent in the landau, sustained minor
wound in the back Of the head and
Gov. Crane, who sat beside the presi-
dent, extrlcated himself from the
wreck practically without a scratch.
The carriage was demolished by the
impact of the rapidly moving car
and the wheel horse on the side near
est the car was killed outright. The
crew and passengers of the car es-
capped injury.
The president and party were driv-
ing from this city to Lenox through
South street, one of the principal
thoroughfares of Pittsfeld, which
was lined with cheering people, and
the catastrophe was in plain view Of
hundreds whose happiness at the ad-
vent Of the nations chief was sud-
denly turned to grief.
Out through South street is =
broad, smooth highway, the tracks
Of the Pittsfeld electric street rail-
way are laid in the center Of the
road, with ample room for the teams
on each side, md 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 start
ed toward Lenox, well behind the
procession. 1t passed all of the
teams and was about a mile and a
half out from the city at the begin
ming 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 rail-
way tracks to the east side. The
railroad then continues at one side
of the street, instead of in the CEN
ter. just at this point the upgrade
of the hill begins, and but short
distance beyond the crossing there is
a narrow bridge spanning n small
brook. The trolley car approached
the road crossing under a good head
Of speed, with gong changing, just
as the driver of the presidents car
rage turned his leaders to cross the
tracks. On each side of the chief
executives carriage rode two mount
ed troopers of the local cavalry COM
pany and the horsemen on the left
of the landau had turned on to the
track with the trolley ear immedi-
ately behind them. though some
yards distant, Alarmed by the
gong, they both turned in
their saddles and waved vigorously
to the motorman to stop his car. Al
most at the same instant Gov. Crane,
who quickly perceived the danger,
rose to his feet and likewise mo-
toned to the motorman. The lat
ter, In great excitement, desperately
tried to stop his car, but it was too
late. It crashed into the carriage as
u loud moan went up from the fren-
zied onlookers who thronged the
roadside and who but a moment be-
fore were cheering the president.
The horsemen managed to 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 plowed through to the
front wheel of the 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 30 or 40 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 i'm
mediately In front Of him and rolled
of clear of the car, thus escaping
similar fate. President Roosevelt,
Gov. Crane and Secretary Cortelyou
were thrown together in the bottom
Of their carriage.
Almost instantly score of men
jumped to the beads Of the fright
encd horses and stopped their fur
Their progress. Gov. Crane was the
first TO get to his feet, escaping en-
tirely unhurt. He turned immediate
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