The Detroit times., 1915-02-02

bruised.
Felix Potapa, IS. No. st7 Gran.
dy-avs.; left eye cut, face bruised.
George Kline, ~, No. ffe5 SEM
Inols-ave.; leg bruised.
The sleet storm and the ensuing
coating OF ice that holds the country
in its grip. was partly Responsible for
. grade crossing accident which cost
one life and injuries to three men, at
Forest-ave. and DeQuindre-st. shortly
after o'clock Tuesday mcrning
when Grand Trunk switch engine
hauling six cars, southbounds crashed
into Crosstown car No. 963, which had
run past q frozen derailfng device.
The railroad crossing signals were
also frozen, according to Detectives
Martin and Smith. who investigated
with Coroner Rothacher William
Ross, Of No. 1857 Jos. Campau-ave.,
the crossing watchman, stated that
he had signaled to the approaching
train to come ahead, using hand
lantern for the signal.
John Lane, OF No. 357 Hillger-ave.,
the conductor OF the Crosstown car.
which fortunately carried only eight
passengers, had run across the rail-
road track. from the west side, TO
close the derailing device for his east
bound car. 0ateman Ross warned
him OF the approaching train, and told
him not to close the derailer.
Lane declares that he stood six feet
from the lever. but was surprised to
see Motorlnan John Affelt start his
car toward the railroad tracks. Lane
said that he held up his hand. In Q
warning to stop, but the motorman
apparently did not see the signal. or
thought II an order to come ahead.
for the car rolled toward the open de-
railer and failed to swing into the
street, as q hump OF ice had formed
at the derailer break. forming en- ar.
Ftifcial track that held the nanges OF
the car wheels to the track. and the
heavy car continued toward the dead
ly grade crossing. Motorman Afelt
saw the approaching train too late
1ust as his car started across the rail
road tracks, only few feet In front
Of the train.
Affelt jumped, but fell directly In
front Of the train and was crushed te
death. ~
John Bamborr. Of No. Asa McDou
gall-ave.. who was standing In ths
front vestibule- with the motorman
according to- the detectives, escapet
uninjured In the crash that followed
The street car was struck near thu
front steps, and was turned arount
until II stood parallel with the rail
way tracks. II was not badly dam
aged, and had the motorman stuck Il
his post he would probably have saved
his life, according to the story told
by Conductor Lane TO the police. b,
whom ne was questioned In the cen
trail station during the morning.
The detectives reached the scene oi
the accident less than 20 minutes af
ter Il occurred. but some quick work
OF removing all traces OF the tragedy
had been done. The car was gone
the gate tender was absent, but the
body OF Affeit remained at the scene
| OF the accident. pending the arrival
of Coroner Rothacher
The injured men had been removed
Ito Grace hospital I'm the Chene sta
ton auto. None is seriously hurt. II
| is reported.
Under ordinary circumstances. the
derailing device would have prevented
the collision. even though the motor
man had tried to go ahead when the
conductor signaled Danger"
The derailer consists OF a spring
section OF the track. leaving the main
line at a sharp angle, and In intended
IN throw the car toward the curb. un-
less the conductor. at q lever on the
far aide OF the crossins. holds the open
section Of track in alignment by pull
ins the lever and holding II until the
put IN this case the conductor de-
c,sres that he did not touch the con-
troll lever, 20 close the zap I'm the
| track. hut, the car stuck to the track
IN account OF . ridge Of ice and rolled
straight down to the railroad TRACKS
v>vs~ssns o. paaka neaa n1nA--ehn1 -