The Red Cloud chief., 1902-09-12
LIFE IN DANGER
President Roosevelt Escapes
Death by a Scratch
CARRIAGE sTRUcK BY A CAR


~ IttbI'lh, hsoe ~ ~
says: The president Of the United
States escaped a tragic death by only
a few feet in a collision between his
| carriage and an electric car in this
| city today, 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. Presl-
dent Roosevelt himself was badly
shaken up, but received only a slight
facial bruise. Secretary Cortelyou,
who occupied a seat directly opposite
the president in the landau. got a
minor wound in the back of the head.
| Governor Crane, who sat beside the
president. escaped practically without
a scratch.
The carriage was demolished and the
horse on the side nearest the car was
killed. The crew and passengers Of
| the car escaped injury.
The president and party were driv-
ing from this city to LenoX through
South street, M OF the principal
t~horoughfares OF Pittseld. The street
was lined with hundreds OF people
when the catastrophe occurred.
When the journey to Lenox began
carriages fell in line Immediately be-
hind the landau in which the president
rode with Secretary Cortelyou and
Governor Crane. Secret Service Agent
Craig, who throughout the New Eng
land tour has been almost constantly
at the presidents elbow, was or the
drivers box beside CoaChman Pratt.
The tracks of the Pittsfield electric
street railway are laid in the center
of the road and 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 n side OF
the street, instead of in the center.
The trolley car approached this
crossing under a good head of speed.
with gong changing. just as the driver
of the presidents carriage turned his
horses to cross the tracks. Governor
Crane. who quickly perceived the dan
ger, rose to his feet and motiOned to
the motorman. The latter in great eX-
element desperately tried to stop his
car. but II was too late. 1t crashed
into the carriage as a loud a went
up from The frenzied onlookers who
thronged the roadside.
The car struck the wheel of the car
riage on the left side and ploughed
through to the front wheel of the
vehicle which received the full force
of the blow.
The carriage was upset and one
horse fell dead. The other horses at
tached to the vehicle started to run
and dragged by them and pushed by
the force OF the car, the wrecked car
riage was moved thirty or forty feet.
Agent Craig fell from his seat i'm
modiately in front of the car and 1t
passed completely over his body.
President Roosevelt. Governor Crane
and Secretary Cortelyou were thrown
together in the bottom OF their car
riage.
Governor Crane was the first to get
to his feet, escaping entirely unhurt.
He turned Immediately to the prcsi-
dent. helped the latter to arise and
together they assisted Secretary Cor
telyou.
The presidents lip was cut and blood
was flowing from the wound. His
clothing was much disarranged and he
was severely shaken up. Secretary
Cortelyou had a severe wound In the
back of his head, from which blood
was flowing freely.
The president at once directed that
Craig's body be cared for and sent
couriers ahead to prevent cheering and
TO that he would go at once
to his train, which had been sent
l..I a. CtAnlx hEilyn uu,n nrngtlnnt
stopped for a few moments at the
Hotel Aspinwall, where the party was
to have lunched, and made a brief an
nouncement of the accident to the
people who were silently gathered on
the steps. He then alighted from the
carriage and turned to the people and
said: I'VE have met with an accident,
One OF the party. a faithful friend. has
been killed. and our driver undoubt-
eddy fatally injured. Under the cir
cumstances II is. of course, impossible
for me to say more to You than that
deeply appreciate your kindly greet
ing"
An Oyster Bay, Sept. 3, dispatch
SAYS: President Roosevelt returned
home at $3.50 tonight, but little tn,
worse for his thrilling experience this
morning. His right cheek is swollen
there Is a black bruise under his right
eye and his mouth Is slightly swollen
Otherwise he shows 10 effects NJ the
accident. He will go south the latter
part of the week, according to TIT
original schedule and will be accom-
panied by Secretary Cortelyou. who
while considerably shaken up. expects
that his injuries will not i~nCapacitat'
him from duty. Mr.. Cortelyou's nos,
is badly bruised. there IL a lump or
the back of his head and bruises I've
hind his left ear and on his body.