Los Angeles herald., 1909-01-14
CAR JUMPS TRACK
ON GRADE, LIVES OF
MANY ENDANGERED
TROLLEY LEAVES THE RAILS,
CRASHES INTO HOTEL
Runaway, in Wild Career, Strikes
Milk Wagon, Throws Horses
Down and Terrorizes
Passengers

A dozen passengers and a motorman
and conductor had a narrow escape
from serious injury and probably death
late yesterday afternoon when inbound
car No. 124 on the Westlake park line
failed to respond to the brakes on the
slippery grade at First and Olive
streets, jumped the track at the curve
and crashed into the st. Mark hotel.
The occupants of the car were panic
stricken and severely bruised, but
other than minor injuries, it is
thought, they will suffer no serious
consequences
The car, in charge Of Motorman F..
G. Buchanon and Conductor B. A.
Seems, was approaching the curve at
First and Olive streets. The car is
equipped with magnetic brakes, which
are installed on all cars that are used
on lines having steep grades. When
about half block from the curve
Buchanan applied the brakes. The car
failed to slacken speed and he tried
the brakes again. The car continued
on its way at an accelerated speed and
instead of taking the turn the car left
the rails and continued down the
street. Owing to the deep mud in the
street at that point the speed of the
car was checked as soon as the wheels
left the track. A milk wagon of the
| Belle Vernon Farms company, to
which was attached a heavy pair of
white horses, was standing in front
Of the Hotel st. Mark and directly in
the path Of the runaway car. Before
the frightened animals could bolt the
car struck the wagon at almost right
angles, hurled the horses on the side
walk and the wagon against the steps
of the hotel and smashed the fender
against the building. The car came to
stop with the Vestibule portion just
touching the house.
Motorman Shows Bravery
Motorman Buchanan stuck to his
post and attempted to stop the car.
AS soon as the runaway left the track
Conductor Seems jumped, landed on
his side in the muddy streets and slid
short distance. The passengers,
though frightened, remained in the car.
| Several were cut by falling glass and
others sustained bruises and lacera-
lions.
That the two horses were not killed
outright is considered marvellous. Both
animals were hurled to the sidewalk
with considerable force and the one
nearest the car was pinned down. One
of the horses was released almost i'm
mediately, but the one held down by
part of the wrecked car remained in
that position for about ten minutes.
The animal seemed to realize its peril
Gus position, but lay perfectly quiet
and did not struggle until the harness
was removed and the timbers pried
away.
The driver Of the wagon, Max Gros-
amigen, was in the hotel delivering
milk when the car struck the wagon.
1t is believed he would have been
killed had he been on the wagon at
the time of the collision.
Among those who were on the car
at the time of the accident were Mr..
and Mrs. J. P. Shouse of 1149 West
First street, Mrs. E. I. Turner and
Mrs. d. B. Scofield of 6S4 North Ma
rengo avenue, Pasadena; Margaret
Wallace of 1045 West Washington
street and F. J. Bernard, who refused
to give his address.
Traffic was delayed for almost an
hour while the emergency car was
clearing the track.