The Washington herald., 1908-02-14


A head-On collision Of electric cars on
the Washington and Rockville Electric
Railway. near Reeside Station, Md, at
about Z o'clock last night, resulted in the
demolition of both cars and the serious
injury of eight passengers, Of whom one
may die \ score or more escaped
Ecatheless OF with only slight mementos
OF what might have been a grave tragedy.
The two cars came together with such
force that they were practically teie-
scoped. The two men who were running
them escaped death only by jumping. The
windows were broken TO bits and the
vesubules smashed TO small pieces. Both
cars were reduced almost TO scrap.
Apprehension for Mrs. smith.
The. condition Of Mrs. George Smith, Of
Rockville. causes apprehension II is
feared she is internally injured Mrs.
Smith sustained confusion, bruises, and a
severe shock.
She is at the Georgetown University
Hospital, where she was taken after the
wreck. OF all the injured she alone was
unable TO finally proceed home.
Harry Noffett, of Rockville, had his jaw
broken. George Smith. Of Rockville. hus-
band of Mrs. Smith. sustained bruises
B. Lenovitz of Rockville. suffered d
sprained hand. Contusions and Iacera-
tions constituted the injuries Of Brooke
Edmonson. Of Rockville. Robert B. Pax
ton, conductor of the north-bound car
Samuel Butt, and Bruce Carr, of Rock
Vile
Hat Has No Claimant.
Other passengers were bruised and cut
by flying glass. a hat found nearby may
have been that Of a passenger. Up to a
late hour no trace could be found Of its
owner,
The wreck occurred during heavy fog.
The motormen Of the two ears, bound
north and south on the single track, did
not see what was coming until it was too
late to stop.
The scene Of the accident IS about four
miles southeast OF Rockville It is sup
posed to have been caused by the fog and
by the failure Of the block signals to
work properly.
George Smith. husband of the woman
seriously injured. laws blame for the ac-
cident on the me nin charge of the car
on which he was riding. Smith, who with
his wife. was brought to the Georgetown
University Hospital, said that just be-
fore the northbound car reached Bethesda
the motorman came into the car and
started to eat his lunch. the conductor
taking charge OF the motive operations
smith also said that when his car en-.
tered the block in which the accident oc-
CURED. the red light was burning. This
he said. showed that the car should have
entered the passing switch at that point,
instead Of proceeding.
Hurled aIany Feet.
Smith said he with his wife was sit
ting near the front Of the ear when the
accident occurred. When the crash came
he was hurled several feet from his seat.
and was so stunned that ne was unable
10 move for several minutes
When he came too, he said, he heard
his wife calling for help He endeavored
10 get to her. but was unsuccessful for
several minutes Finally. when he reach
ed her. he found her pinned down by an
iron beam, which he could not move.
Assistance at last came, and the injured
woman was removed. Smith himself re-
ceived several minor cuts and bruises.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Lenoveitz.
and Edmundson We're brought to Wash
ington in a ear sent out by the railway
company when the wrecking car was sent
out Edmundson and Lenoveitz. after
having their wounds dressed at George
town University Hospital, were able to
proceed 20 their homes
Wreck Finally Cleared Away.
In spite Of the fact that the railway
company sent out the wrecking crew and
the wreck car Immediately upon hearing
Of the accident, the line was not cleared
until an early hour this morning. and
traffic beyond Reestde Station was sus-
pended Traffic between Washington and
the District line was not stopped
No officials Of the company could be
reached By telephone last night.
American Woman Robbed.