New-York tribune., 1906-08-06
KILLED ON SWITCHBACK
WOMAN'S BODY DRAGGED.
Thousands at Fort George See Ac-
ident-PrOprietOr arrested.

several thousand pleasure seekers at Fort
George, and other spectators the Speedway,
aw a young woman jolted out of a swiftly
Speeding car on a switchback railway at 1880
street and Amsterdam avenue yesterday after
noon and her body dragged up and down the
inelines until she was killed The switchback is
on the side Of a steep hill running from the
Speedway Up 10 Amsterdam avenue. and the
accident was in plain sight of persons who were
only few feet away, but helpless to attempt a
resrne.
Laughing with excitement the young woman,
who was Miss Katherine Rosebroth, nineteen
years old, Of No. 302 East seth street. and a
eirl friend, seated themselves in a car and were
pushed of az the top OF a sixry-foof runway.
Then az the car travelled downward with in
creased momentum, the girls screamed with
pleasure. rnfii. with a Solt, the car struck the
bottom Of an upward incline.
Miss Rosebroth, who had been trying TO adjust
hsr rufTled dress. was half raised in her seat
when the car shot up the hill The upward jolt
threw her backward out of the car. Her dress
caught in the back Of the seat.
For the rest OF the way up and down the run
ways her body was dragged.
Employees OF the place rushed to the foot of the
last incline and tried 70 stop the car, but it was
moving too rapidly. and threw them heavily 70
The ground. The car then went on to raised
TLnEaE which mas a caDle running up IL, ~
which the cars automatically fasten themselves
when they reach It, The car began 10 ascend
the incline dragging the body after it. Then
Ii. dress gave way. and the lifeless form Of the
girl dropped between the ties and fell twenty
feet 10 the ground
MANY SAW ACCIDENT
II had no sooner done so than another car,
sith all seats filled. which had been started be-
81. rushed the
SPOT where the body had been The occupants OF
this car had been forced to witness the tragedy,
as they had followed the other vehicle on its
ciFcuitous way There were two women in the
second car, and both tainted reaching the
starting point
Surrounding the switchback are beer gardens.
N which were seated hundreds of persons. who
saw the accident The screams Of women drew
he attention Of hundreds in the Speedway be-
bw where they had been watching the usual
Ambition Of fast horses. while on the top of
ne hill. which is Amsterdam avenue were
oihers. who sazed at the sight.
When the car from which Miss Rosebroth fell
Esiurned TO the shed from which it started Miss
genne Ryan. Of No 647 St AIMS avenue. and
little girl about two years old. both Of whom
A4a accompanied the young woman, were helped
from the car Miss Ryan was hysterical and
ssnaed repeatedly
Policemen we're hur1fedly called and an am
oulanoe Has summoned from the Washington
Heights Hospital Dr. Bernstein went TO the foot
q The inclinp ard pulled out the body Of the
young woman. She was dead. and the surgeon
aia that her skull had been fractured several
lines and her legs and ribs broken Death ne
bought had been instantaneous, as her neck
'as also broken.
Tee police then began an investigation ana
.aaly arrested James Thoms, hfty-six years
st, Of 40. 80 washington Terrace, the owner
. re sWitchback He was locked up in the
l92d street station. charged ~ltn honllciuec
,@aer Harburger soon reached the seelle % "a
.ae accident He said afterwaTd that ne nao
ieilel Of four persons being injured IN d SIM
= way when The sWitchback was nrst oI'eiisu'
a-Sss he would make 2 thorough lnVesusa!,Iol ~.
- md out just who 20 blame he men men
= @se Permission for the girls body TO De take"
- ilef home.
SAYS GIRL DIED AT ONCE.
Employees Of the place argued that the acci-
ueht would not have been fatal had not the
SITS dress caught IN the seat Of the car. but
ssl.es La sarona Of No 1913 West 2sth street
g.. GO Daniel schagnon. OF No. 1876 West 2Sth
who were seated in the front seat OF the
81 eifered with them.
e,e me first knew Of the accident" La
ae lola said. was when heard the girls behind
psgseam, and turned just in time ~ see Miss
vsIsgIoh fall over the back of the car
fisHea 70 her to hold on but just then saw
49,, - teee and knew she was dead. Her head
Saock the tracks with terrific force and she
T.1eo T..o no signs of life as the car went around.
s.,e see 70 get into the back seat so as I'd pull her
bHrs.nto bn INTO The car. bit il was going 30 fast ana
~ tgnis up and down so that found could
- Keep my balance"
sb sHltchDack vas closed Immediately after
sr.s aent and II is said that II viii not be re-
s.slso this season. II IS one Of the fastest az
nr ne u the kind in FO-t George, and the incline
~ = which the cars start presents a deciigity
= n
~ .afs strike the upwgrd iurn at the foot %
.u,.ac ':ac taey dc Ira.eling more than forty