Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-11-28
Albert Sawyer, Aged Six Years,
Seriously If Not Fatally In
jured Friday Afternoon-May
Have Fractured Skull
BOY THROWN ABOUT 20 FIT.
STRIKES TROLLEY POLE
Extra Car Leaving Augusta at
4.30 for Hallowell Demolishes
Glenwood Springs Cos. Motor
Truck

An automobile accident which was
accompanied by serious and possibly
fatal results occurred at about 4.4o
Friday afternoon on lower State street
when an auto truck owned by the
Glenwood Spring Co. and on which
were the driver, E. A. Sawyer and his
little son Albert, aged six years. was
struck by car No. 316 of the Lewis
ton, Augusta & Waterville Street
Railway in charge of Conductor F.
L. Douglass and Motornan Harry G.
Topper at a point where the lower
driveway leading from the spring
house crosses the railroad company's
track to State street. Mr.. Sawyer was
not injured but the little boy was
thrown about 20 feet, and in his fall
struck one of the trolley poles about
two feet from the base, receiving
bad wound in the middle of the fore
head Surgical aid was speedily Sc
cured and the little fellow was hur-
ried to the Augusta General hospital,
where 1t was found that he was suf-
fering from severe conclusion but
whether or not there was fracture Of
the skull could not at the time be
determined. His condition was such
last evening that it was not consid-
cred wise to administer ether.
From what was learned regarding
the accident Mr.. Sawyer was bring
ing the truck from his yard. which is
on the west side of the track, and
stopped the machine in order that
his son might climb up on the seat
beside him, after which he started Il
again and as the front wheels reach
ed the track he saw the car approach
ing He Immediately reversed the gear
to back the truck off the track but
before he could do so the car struck
it. Seeing that a collision was inev-
liable be started to jump but before
he could get clear Of the truck the
impact of the car pulled it from under
him. He escaped, however, without in
juries.
The car which struck the truck is
an extra which leaves Augusta AZ
400 P. NJ. and makes a quick run to
Hallowell, leaving that city on the
return trip in season to reach Au-
gusta at o'clock. and at the time Of
the accident must have been moving
rapidly. It is understood that the CO.
was not brought to standstill until
it had reached the bottom OF the hill.
At the point where the accident &C.
CURED a platform had been erected
for the purpose Of loading freight.
this platform being 20 feet square and
set on eight -inch posts and the force
of the collision turned 1t around.
The truck was struck at its forward
end a little behind the dashboard. 1t was
thrown against the freight platform with
sufficient force to smash it over. The
automobile did not stop until It had
reached place in the field about 50 feet
away from the crossing where it had been
struck. It's position was upright on It's
wheels but nearly completely turned
around so that 1t headed in the opposite
direction from which 1t had been going.
From the drivers seat forward the truck
was severely damaged as to left front
wheel mud guard. lights, hood and radia-
tor The condition of the engine could
not be seen but the transmission shaft
was broken off close to the engine. The
chassis was bent inward at point little
in front of the drivers seat and the steer
ing gear and woodwork about the seat
and body of the car at this point was
damaged.
The roadway from which the truck was
coming Is so situated on the south side of
Mr.. Sawyer's house as to make the cross
ing a very blind one for both the driver
of the machine and the motorman OF the
trolley car.
The damage to the car was not heavy,
being confined to the breaking in of a
portion of the front of the vestfbule and
also of the pilot.
H. ]. Cross of the Glenwood Spring Co.
said Friday evening in speaking Of the
accident that he placed no blame what
ever on Mr.. Sawyer.