A Runaway Buggy and a Near-Fatal Kick
Deputy Sheriff Dan Simmons faces a brush with death while assisting a stranded woman in the sagebrush near Old Town.
On Sunday evening last, Deputy Sheriff Dan Simmons met with an accident that came near terminating his life. Mrs. L. K. Arnold’s horse, while hitched near the court house, slipped its bridle and took its course at a good pace up the Ahtanum. Mr. Simmons, seeing Mrs. Arnold’s predicament, offered his services, and taking her in his buggy followed the runaway, coming up with it near old town. While maneuvering in the sage-brush, Mr. Simmons’ horse became fractious, overturned the buggy and threw both occupants out. Mr. Simmons fell under the horse's feet, receiving a kick in the abdomen that brought unconsciousness. Mrs. Arnold thought her companion dead, and called upon some passing teamsters for assistance, but although they replied, they failed to stop. Mr. Simmons was finally carried to a neighboring house, where his injuries were dressed by Dr. Heg. The wound is a severe one, but Mr. Simmons’ strong constitution has made recovery rapid and he is now able to leave his bed. Mrs. Arnold’s injuries are slight.
“Mrs. Arnold thought her companion dead, and called upon some passing teamsters for assistance and although they replied they failed to stop.”
While horses have been replaced by internal combustion engines, the spirit of the 'good Samaritan' assisting in a roadway emergency remains a staple of life in the Yakima Valley. The incident highlights the precariousness of travel in an era where emergency medical help was as far away as the nearest neighboring farmhouse.
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