Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-30
WRECK VICTIMS
NEAR TO DEATH
INJURIES IN SEVERAL CASES
ARE SERIOUS
others Whose Hurts Appear TrlflIng
May Die From Shoc<-Coro-
ner Promises to Make
Rigid Investigation


onta park Saturday afternoon, closely
followed in the evening by the Plco
street collision, made a deep impression
upon the people of Los Angeles.
Yesterday reference was made to the
disasters in the fervent pulpit prayers
of leading ministers and the newspaper
offices were besieged for news Of the
wreck victims
Up to late last night no additional ia
talities were reported, but several per-
sons are lowering between life and
death and the shock may cause death
even where the injuries appear trifiing.
1t is believed that the Forthcoming
inquest may fix the responsibility
where it should rest for the hazardng
of scores of lives in an alleged crimin-
ally careless manner, but others assert
that the common verdict of Accidental
DEATH will absolve the train crew
from all responsibility
Investigation Is Promised
The railway offices were closed yes
terday and no official communication
that the cause of the Oneonta park
accident would be thoroughly investi-
gated.
Coroner Trout said last night that an
inquest probably would be held Tues
day morning at Pierce Bros morgue,
where the body of Mrs. Flora Zobel is
lying.
Today he plans to take a coroner's
jury to the scene of the accident and
go over the ground thoroughly.
II realize this was a terrible affair.""
said DIR. Trout. Il believe it should
be carefully looked into and the re-
sponsibility fixed if possible. At the
inquest evidence will be introduced by
number of Witnesses
The coroner said his knowledge, SO
far, was derived mainly from the
newspaper accounts of the disaster.
He believed if it was caused by the
gross negligence of any employe of the
railway company that fact should be
brought out at the inquest.
Conductor Blames Motorman
Conductor Albert Smith of the ILL
fated car fixes the blame for the wreck
upon Motorman Si Perkins.
He informed officials OF the road that
he alighted to see if the track were
clear and to his surprise the motor
man started the car before he could
run ahead to see if the tracks were
clear
On the other hand friends of the
motorman assert that the conductor
waved his hand to signal the track
was dear and the motorman started
his car in obedience to that signal.
Trainmen yesterday said the loss of
life would have been appalling but for
the heroism of l.. A. Potter engineer
of the Southern Pacific train which
crashed into the electric car.
He remained at his post, reversed his
engine and applied the emergency
brakes, thus materially lessening the
impetus of the colidinG engine.
Fireman Sherman also proved his
presence of mind in shutting off the
supply of oil which otherwise would
have ignited when the engine careened
and possibly caused a serious fire in
the wreckage.
Damage Suits Probable
That the Pacific Electric company
will be called upon to pay heavy dam
ages for injuries to passengers is GER
tain.
Yesterday several of the passengers
consulted lawyers and this week will
see numerous suits for damages filed
in the superior court, say Interested
persons.
a IllStl WHO was lOI lllClly COlueClSd
with an eastern railroad as claim
agent said 100000 would not cover the
claims for damages on the part of the
fifty or sixty injured persons.
The officials lost no time in seeking
to compromise claims, and even while
the victims were writhing in agony in
the temporary hospital at the Hunting
ton building, the claim agent is said
TO have secured from the injured state
q " ha eyni 1cf
them in the event of suits being
brought.
Every effort was made to keep news
paper men from the scene and no in
formation was afforded the reporters.
who were hustled away by special
officer, while curiosity seekers and
railway men came and went as they
pleased.
Condition of the Injured
All of the patients who were re-
moved to the California hospital are
resting easily.
Miss Edith s. Adams of 1744 West
Adams street is in critical condition,
but she will probably recover.
The other patients are suffering from
bruises and lacerations, but their con-
dition is not dangerous.
Miss Blanche st. George, 96 Nor
mandie avenue, is at the Pacific hos
Dlldl III a. IIlllCdl COllhlllOl. OI0 Is
suffering from concuSsion of the brain
and probable internal injuries. Late
asst night she was still alive, but un-
conscious.
Edward st, George, her brother, is
lying at the same hospital with a
sprained back and other injuries. His
condition is not dangerous.
At the Sisters hospital Frank d.
Carroll, a Southern Pacific brakeman,
is recovering from injuries at first
thought to be dangerous. His right arm
is broken and he is suffering from
numerous bruises and decorations.
Mrs. j. w. Harpster, wife Of DIR.
Harpster Of the Sierra Madre sani-
tarium was reported yesterday to be
recovering. 1t was stated her injuries
proved less serious than at first re-
ported
Many persons whose injuries were
thought slight may develop serious
symptoms within a few days, physi-
clans say from the shock and terrible
mental strain.
Coroner Trout was pot notified OF the
death of any new victims Of the wreck
Yesterday, but the number may be in
creased today because of the critical
condition OF several women who are
Continued ON page two.