New-York tribune., 1906-09-20
CARS CRUNCH AUTO.
THEATRE MANAGER HURT
Family of -Four in Spectacular
BroGd5cay Wreck.

A 4O-horsepower touring car. occupied by
John II. Springer. manager Of the Grand Opera
House and his family. was caught between two
Broadway cars going in opposite directions last
night in front OF the Imperial Hotel and crushed
10 splinters. Mr.. Springer was buried in the
debris and had TO be dug out by the fremen
His chauffeur. John D. Marston. Of No. IS West
9Sth street, was thrown twenty feet and landed
on his head. Mrs Springer Miss Gladys
Springer and John H. Springer. jr, grabbed the
guard rails of the car nearest them and were
pulled I'm by the passengers
Their presence Of mind and the prompt aid
Of the passengers on the cars saved them from
being run down. II is not believed they could
have escaped had they went down with the ma
chine Springer himself was fortunate, in
sense, though the seriousness Of his injuries is
vet 20 be determined. He was buried in the de-
bris and dug out by the hremen. bleeding and
torn and injured internally. it is thought. He
was hurried TO the New York Hospital
His first thought, on regaining consciousness.
was for his wife and children. He was assured
that they were not seriously injured. His head
and face were badly battered and he complained
OF internal injuries. The physicians could not
tell the extent OF them last night
In the midst of the excitement some careless
person threw cigarette in the gasolene tank
ana IL exploded, and for a time it was feared
the street cars would catch fire: but the fremen
who answered the alarm quickly put il out
The chauffeur escaped with damaged fore
head and several scratches. He, too was taken
20 the hospital Mrs. Springer and her daughter
and her son were taken into drugstore, where
they we're cared for. Miss Springer tainted.
Later she and her mother were taken to the
Springer home. 10th street and Fort Washing
ton avenue
Mr.. Springer and his family left the Grand
Opera House shortly after IL o'clock The car
turned into Broadway at Both street and imme-
diately swung behind a northbound street car.
There was a block far ahead. caused by the con-
gestion OF cabs and coupes in the theatrical dis
trict The chauffeur, soon as the northbound
car stopped, swung TO the west side and got
ahead Of IT, but he was wedged I'm again between
IL and long line OF cabs and carriages of all
sorts He saw the southbound car ahead, but
thought he could still swing forward without
accident. He turned the machine TO the west
side again and let IL out
At that very moment the traffic began 10 move
lively The cars coming in both directions
ouickened their speed. and before he could real
ize IL both the north and south bound cars had
hernrned him in There was no escape
The cars were running at a high rate OF speed
and the machine was squeezed like an apple
Mrs. Springer. with the aid Of the passengers
on both cars. escaped going under the wreck.
Springer fell with the heap. and the wonder was
thar he was not squeezed 10 pulp. The chauf-
feur, thrown twenty feet ahead. landed on his
head.
While the wreckage was being cleared
Roundsman Edward Howe picked up a diamond
min. valued at $500. with fifteen diamonds in
the form Of a butterfly. II belonged 10 Miss
Gladys Springer. lie gave Il 10 Mrs. Springer.
on the northbound car Catharine Cameron. an
actress. OF No. Ii West 92d street was hurled
out by the crash. She was treated az drug
store