A Streetcar, a Dark Curve, and Four Feet of Water

George Brandle, a heavy, thick-set man, evidently of German extraction, who had been drinking considerably, fell from Grant Street electric car No. 2 last night at 11 o'clock and was drowned on the tide flats. Every effort possible was made to save him, but he was too far gone when taken from the water to be resuscitated. The dead man, who was a stranger to the railway employees, went out to the Bay View Brewery about 7 o'clock in the evening and caught car No. 2, which was in charge of R. J. Allen alone, on its trip to the city. Brandle stood with one foot on the platform and one on the step at the front end of the car. He was talking with Harvey B. Risley and Dr. Gibson. When the car reached the Northern Pacific railroad crossing at Eighth and Charles streets, the car moved across the tracks and was going slowly, it is claimed, around the curve at this point when the man fell off and into the bay about thirteen feet below. The car was stopped within its own length and every one jumped off to see what could be done to save the unfortunate man. He tried to swim but did not seem able to handle himself. His head could be seen in the water below and a rope was thrown down to him, but he paid no attention to it or gave any cry. Finally a young man who lives in the neighborhood came out in his night clothes and, securing a boat, came to the rescue. It seemed to him that the man's feet were stuck in the mud. It was also discovered at that time that the water was not more than about four feet deep. About fifteen minutes were consumed in getting the body to the bridge, after which Dr. Gibson, with the assistance of bystanders, rolled him over a barrel. It was evident that he was dead and a message was sent to police headquarters for Coroner Askam. Police Officer Dexter was at the scene of the drowning in a short time after the body was taken out and took a list of the passengers on the car, as follows: Dr. William C. Gibson, H. B. Risley, Mrs. S. A. J. Russell, M. Campbell and A. Anderson. Coroner Askam took the remains to Butterworth's undertaking rooms.