The Wild Carriage Ride Down Commercial Street

At 8:50 o'clock last evening a hack was being driven down Yesler Avenue toward Commercial Street, with two passengers inside and John Davies on the box. In front of the Yesler-Leary building, the off horse began to kick vigorously, which frightened the other animal. The horses became frantic and kicked and jumped fearfully. Despite the most strenuous efforts of the driver, they turned into Commercial Street and ran rapidly down that thoroughfare. Between Yesler Avenue and Washington Street, on the east side of Commercial, there stood a large pile of brick and mortar in front of a building under construction. The horses struck this pile and kicked more violently than ever. Finally, Davies was struck on the knee and hurled from his seat into the street. The horses then ran toward the sidewalk, where the hack struck and knocked down two 4x4 awning posts, smashing the side of the vehicle. By this time, hundreds were watching with breathless interest. The man and the woman inside sat expecting to be dashed to pieces. Then the horses turned toward the middle of the street and passed rapidly across Main and down to Jackson Street. At Jackson and Commercial, the horses attempted to turn the corner and ran plump into the electric light hole located in front of the Arlington Hotel. The hack was turned over, its plate glass windows smashed, and the two inmates were severely cut about the head. The man, who gave the name J.W. Johnson, was cut on the temple to the bone, a wound four inches long. The woman, Mamie Roberts, was wounded on the back of the head. They were taken to the Arlington Hotel to wash the blood from their faces, but their behavior became so obscene and intoxicated that they were ordered to leave the premises.