New-York tribune., 1909-10-02
BOY SLEUTH ON AUTO
CLUNG TO TAXI THAT HAD
KILLED WOMAN.
Rode Three Miles on Fleeing Ma-
chine and Brought 4bOut Ar-
rest of Chauffeur.

Il was solely owing to the brightness and
pluck of George Callahan fifteen years old. OF
No. 434 West 23d street. that the driver of a red
taxcab, which ran and killed Elizabeth
Bott, twenty y-one years old, last night, was
brought TO justice. The lad who is small for
his years. clung to the rear axle of the fleeing
taxicab for almost three miles, and. although the
chauffeur finally escaped it was not until the
youngster had secured the license number of the
machine
The fatal accident occurred at 23d street and
Ninth avenue, shortly after : o'clock in the
evening while the streets We're filled with the
celebration crowds. The dead girl, with her
younger sister. Katie, nine years old, both of
whom live at No. 454 West nth street was on
her way to visit friends and had just stepped
off the curb when struck by the speeding car.
The elder of the two sisters had seen the car
the instant that she stepped into the street
and could have saved her life by taking back
ward step Instead of this however, she sacri-
feed herself to save her little sister reaching
forward and throwing her almost clear of the
machine, at the same time offering herself as a
victim
Both girls were knocked down and dragged for
many feet by the automobile which halted for
a brief instant, then sped away under increased
power and disappeared up Ninth avenue pur-
sued by a crowd of several hundred persons
The sisters We're rushed to the New York Hos
ptal, where Elizabeth died a short time later
without recovering consciousness. Katie re-
ceived bruises and multiple contusions
and was also rendered unconscious.
After striking the girls the driver of the car
at first brought his machine a stop. but when
the crowd advanced in threatening manner he
put on fun power and cut a wide swath through
the indignant and women who had gathered
about the spot.
one among the crowd. however. was quicker
10 act than all the rest. nor did he stop to rea-
son why or consider consequences. 1t was
George Callahan. walking down Ninth avenue at
24th street. who proved himself a hero on the
spur Of the moment. While others in the crowd
We're voicing their Indignation and hunting for
a policeman George had already decided upon
his course
As the machine gathered momentum and be-
gan to distance its pursuers the little fellow
made a flying leap for the rear of the car. His
hands retained their grip the rear springs Of
the car. and. although the swiftly moving
chine joIted frightfuIy George cIung to it like
a cowboy 70 his mount and would not be
seated.
ON and on through the brilliantly lighted
streets raced the red car. aud ever it went
So also. did the plucky little fellow cling, sway
ing. to his seat the rear axle. II was not
until the driver Of the car had placed himself
safely beyond hope of pursuit as he thought,
that lie drew Up his machine at West End ave
nue. and T4th street. There he left his seat and
stood on the curb planning his future move
ments It was at that moment that Callahan
hopped off the rear axle and stood before the
driver He announced that he had seen the
fatal accident. and. despite the protests and
threats of the chauffeur. called TO citizen 10
hold him while he went for a policeman
Seeing him safely in the custody of a civilian
George ran To the West GSth street police sta
ton and brought poll eeman with him to 14th
street When the boy and the officer arrived
there they discovered that citizen, driver and
machine had disa ppesre
on the Information furnished by the boy a
general alarm was sent out FOR the chauf-
f-nr. and shortly before midnight III" police OF
the West GSth street station arrested John
o'Iianlon, Of No 90 Tenth avenue. The man
Was charged with homicide and locked up ia
default of bail
The police of both the 6Sth and 10Th street
stations compimented George Callahan on his
good work and declared that ne vas the bright
est and puckiest little fellow in New York.