The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-09-03
Special Service Agent Craig Is Killed
and Mr.. Cortelyou Is
Bruised.
The Rest Of the Party Is Badly
Shaken Up and the Horses
Are Killed.
The President Suffers Some Bruises
and Scratches-Motorman
&, Is Arrested.

lenox, Mass, Sept. "a terrible acct
dent overlook the presidents coach a
short distance from Pittsfeld about 10
o'clock this morning. After short visit
to the home of ex-senator Dawes the
president started on a long drive to Lenox
He had not gone far when an electric car
on the Pittsfield Lenox line ran into them,
throwing everyone to the ground.
The president received a cut on the
head. Governor Crane bruised and
William Craig, the secret service man,
was instantly killed.
The president was able to resume his
journey to Lenox, but sent word that
there should be no cheering
After leaving Senator Dawes house the
four carriages containing the president
and his immediate party were driven
down South street, two carriages on either
side. When near the country club and at
q railroad crossing, an electric car was
noticed coming at a terrific rate of speed.
Mr.. Craig signalled to the motorman to
stop, but apparently he paid no attention
to the warning and the car came punging
The presidents carriage was literally
smashed to pieces. A witness Of the ac-
cident stated that the motorman was
speeding his car in order to reach the
club. The president. Governor Crane and
Secretary Cortelyou We're piled up in a
heap.
The westricken crowd which wit
messed the accident rushed to the presi-
dents carriage, but with no expectation
that he would be found alive.
The president was cut on the right side
OF his chin and face is much swollen
secret Service Agent William Craig was
Killed outright. and D. J. Pratt the driver
or the coach. sustained a fracture of the
skull, which 1t Is feared will result fatally
Inc coach which was a regulation tally
no vehicle was struck at about $3.50
O'Clock. The accident happened at a point
about mile and half from this city
near the Pittsf1eld country club house
While the president and his party were on
coaching trip from Dalton, Governor
Cranes home where the president spent
the night, to LenoX. distance of about
twenty miles over the Berkshire Hills The
car was In charge of Conductor James
Kelly, with Motorman Luke I. Madden on
the front platform. -"
The car struck the coach In the rear and
smashed in the back Of the vehicle, tip
ping 1t over and bringing it's occupants 20
the ground. The car was not badly dam
aged. Motorman Madden and Conductor
Kelly were at once arrested and taken to
Pittsfeld. Pratt, the driver of the coach
also was taken there and placed in the
Pittsdeld hospital
The president, who, in falling from the
coach. sustained only slight bruises and
a few scratches and Secretary George B.
Cortelyou who suffered in a manner sim
country club where their wounds were
dressed In a short time they proceeded
to the Curtis hotel at Lenox, arriving
there at II o'clock.
The president retained complete COM
posture, although he solicitous for the
rest Of those in the carriage. The ex-
element was intense and rumors flew
thick and fast that the president had been
killed. After remaining at the scene of
the accident for an hour the president de-
termined to continue his journey to
Stockbridge. After a brief stop at Lenox
he was driven to the train
In the next carriage to the president S
when the accident happened was DR.. C,
A. Lung Of the navy who accompanied the
president for just such emergencies as
this and who was promptly on hand tC
render assistance. But the president was
disinclined to receive medical attention
saying he was but slightly hurt.
The presidents program to-day included
journey from this state through Con-
neCtiCut and he was to stop at Lenox and
Stochbridge and Great Darlington in
Massachusetts and at New Milford and
Bridgeport in Connecticut. At Bridgeport
the yacht Sylph was to meet him and
take him back to Oyster Bay. The acct
dent, however, caused a change in the
intermediate steps from Lenox to Bridge
port, the president proceeding directly
there and at once embarking on the
Sylph for Oyster Bay.
The presidents physician, DR.. Lung
says that the president and Mr.. Cortelyou
received slight Commissions about the head
and face but that the injuries are not at
all serious.
William crag's Record.
The president asked Governor Crane tc
look after the remains of William Craig
and the governor will personally do so
Craig has been on duty as special guarc
TO fD,-, 7,
was 4S years old and was a giant II
physique. He weighed over 200 pound!
and was more than feet tall. He was
former member Of the Queens grenadiers
and was an expert broadswordsman
Years ago he gave exhibitions with Dun
can Ross and was credited with many vic
tories over him. Craig caught and ar
rested crank at Montpelier, who was at
tempting to reach the president on hi
trip,
Wrecked Carriage Fell on Roosevelt.
People who the accident report tina
the carriage was struck it was crossin
the tracks diagonally. Craig, who wa
looking around and half standing, tryin
to warn the trolley car back, was knocke
from the box to the track and the ca
passed over him, killing him Instant,
The carriage was knocked to one sid
and wrecked. The president was throw
out and the wreck Of the carriage fe
against him. He was picked up bleedin
from a cut the right cheek but h
was able to get on his feet at once.
Secretary Cortelyou was unconsciou
He was badly hurt the back of tn
head and cut the face, but soon re
covered enough to ask for the presiden
Governor Crane was badly bruised, bl
Representative Lawrence was the lea:
hurt Of any Of the party.
Driver Pratt Also Dead.
The driver of the carriage, D. J. Pratt
was badly hurt and has since died +
fell with Craig, but the reins swung hi
out Of the cars path.
The guard of four mounted men Of tt
Second Massachusetts, infantry were tt
first on the spot They were assisted
Secret Service Agent Taylor and Pos