The Narrow Streets of Early Seattle

An almost fatal accident happened at the corner of Front and Columbia streets yesterday afternoon about 5 o'clock, when Frank Burrell, the 3-year-old son of James R. Burrell, vice president of the Z. C. Miles Company, was knocked down by a cable car and dragged for a distance of six feet. The little fellow now lies at Providence hospital, cared for by his mother, the outcome of his injuries still a matter of doubt. Mrs. Burrell and her little son were about to cross Front street from the San Francisco shoe store on the southeast corner of Columbia, at the same time cable car No. 9 was approaching. The boy ran ahead of his mother and was between the rails directly in front of the car. Gripman Lipsky saw the danger and put the brakes hard down, and Leonard Diller, proprietor of the hotel which bears his name, attempted to snatch the boy from danger, but he was struck and dragged. Conductor H. F. Bailey pulled the child from beneath the car. Physicians found a concussion at the base of the brain, a fractured arm, and a dislocated shoulder. Mr. Burrell expressed his belief that the gripman did all he could to prevent the accident.