The Accident to President McKinley.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11746, 24 September 1902, Page 7

The Accident to President McKinley.

INTERESTIN.G DETAILS

Per Presa Association. (Per Mail 'Steamer a* Auckland.)

SAN FANCISCO, September 4

A telegram from Lenox, Mass., dated September 3rd, says: .A terrible accident overtook tiie President's coach a short distance from Pittsfield at about ten o'clock this morning. After a short visit to ithe home of ex-Senator Dawes, the President started on a long drive to Lenox. He toad not gone far -when an electric car ran into his vehicle, throwing everyone to the ground, and badly damaging tlie coach. The President received a cut on Ms head, and his secretary, Mr. Cortellyow, was bruised and his head cut. Governor Crane -was bruised, and William Craig, secret service agent, "was instantly killed. Pratt, the dßver of the coach, a fracture of the skull, -which resulted fatally. The President was able to resume his journey to Lenox, but sent •word ahead' that there should be no dheering. The accident happened at a point about a mile and a half from the city, near the Pitftsfieid Country Club Houise. The President was enjoying a coaching trip from Daiton, Governor Crane's home, where the President spent the night, to Lenox, a distance of 20 miles over the Berkshire Hills. The car was in charge of Conductor James Kelly, with Motorman Luke J. Madden on the front platform. The car struck the coadh in the rear, and smashed! in the back of tfoe vehicle, tipping it over and throwing its occupants to the ground. The car was not badly damaged. Motorinan Madden and Corductor Kelly were at once arrested amd brought to Pittsfield.

After leaving Senator Dawe's house foftir carriages, containing the President and Ms immediate party, were driven down South street, two carriages on either sidle. When near the Pittsfield Country Club and at a railroad crossing, an electric car was noticed coming at a terrific rate of speed. Mr. Craig signalled to the motorman to stop, but 'he apparently paid no attention to the warning. A witness of the accident yt*:e i that the motorman was speeding his car in order to—reacih the club. The President, Governor Crane and Secretary Cortelyou were piled up in a heap. An awestricken crowd which witnessed the iacoident rushed to the President's carriage with no expectation, that lie would have been found alive. The President was cut on the right side of his chin, and his face was much swollen. Pratt, the driver of the coach, was taken to the Pittsfield Hospital. The President and Secretary Cortelyou, with the other members of the party, wient to the Country Club, where their wounds were dressed. In a short tme they proceeded to the Curtis Hotel, at Lenox arriving there at 11 o'clock. The President retained his usual corniipotsure although he was solicitous for the rest of tihose in the carriage.

The excitement' was intense andi rumours flew thick and fast that the President had been killed.

After remaining at the scene of the accident for am hour the President determined to continue has journey to Atackbridge. After a brief stop at Lenox lie ■was driven to the train. In tbf next carriage to the President's wie'n the accident happened was Dr. Q, A, Lung, of the Navy, who accompanied the- President for just such emergencies as this, and who was promptly otec hand to render assistance, but the Piiesident was disinclined to receive jaedlcal attention, saying lie was but sligMly hurt.

Another account of the accident says the trolly car was coming up behind the President/a carriage at a terrific speed. The carriage was struck as it was crossing the tracks diagonally. Craig, who was looking around and half standing, trying to warn the trolly car back, was knocked from tihe box to the track, and the car passed over him, killing him instantly. The carriage was knocked to one side and wrecked. The President was thrown out, and the wreck of the carriage fell against him. He was picked up bleeding from a cut on the right cheek, but Tie was able to get on his feet at once. Secretary Cortelyou was unconscious when picked up. H© was badly hurt on the back 63T the head and cut on the face, but soon recovered enough to ask for the President. Governor Crane was badly bruised, and Representative Lawrence was the least hurt of any of the party in the President's carriage. The driver of the carriage, D. J. Pratt, was veiy badly hurt, and has since died. He fell with Craig, but the reins? swung him out of the path of the car.

A military guard of four mounted men of the Second Massachusetts Infantry ■were the first to get at the ■wreck. They were at once assisted by Secret' Service Agent Taylor and Post Office Inspector Meyers, detailed on secret service duty, ,who was in the second carriage. The President was helped to the 6econd carriage with Secretary Cortelyou, and they were at once attended by Dr. Lung, who was in the third carriage. The President at once directed that Oraigfs body be cared for, and sent couriers ahead to prevent cheering, and to announce that he wouiikl go at once to his trainl, which had been sent ahead to Stockbridge. The President stopped for a few moments at the Hotel Aspinwall, -where the party was to lunch, and made a brief announcement of the accident to the people, who were silently gathered on the steps. He alighted from the carriage, and -walked a few steps and was clearly tmd«r stress of great feel-

ing. Then he retraced his steps to the carriage, and, turning, said to the people, "We have met with an accident. One of the party, a faithful friend has been killed and our driver i.v- undoubtedly fatalily injured. Under the circumstances it is { oi' course impi/Siibie for me to say more j tj ywu tiban-I deeply appreciate your kindj:y greeting." Then he went en to Stock-

bridge