115 years ago, 1908

Transcribed as originally published in the Youngstown Vindicator

“Two men and horse escape death, miraculous accident last night.

“Albert Horton and Clifford Davis knocked from buggy by fast train at Holmes Street Crossing – Horse dragged fifty feet and buggy totally demolished yet men and beast escape alive and well – Horse slightly cut.

“Albert Horton of the Hubbard road and Clifford Davis of Mahoning avenue had a miraculous escape from being killed Thursday night about 7:30 o’clock at the Holmes street crossing when the fast east bound Erie passenger train No. 30 hit their rig. The buggy was smashed into kindling wood. The horse was knocked a distance of 50 feet. Strange as it may seem, the men escaped with but a shaking up and the horse with a few cuts and bruises.

“Horton had the reins. As he drove onto the tracks the gates were lowered. Train 30 was approaching at a fast rate and Horton did not have time to stop his horse. He whipped up the animal hoping to get across the tracks ahead of the train. Failing in this he reined the animal to one side when he saw the train was about to hit the rig. There was a crash and both men were thrown under the buggy, while the horse was carried down the track.

“Horton and Davis were stunned, but quickly recovered. Each man thought the other had surely been killed, but quickly discovered that each escaped alive and uninjured. The horse, which had a more wonderful escape even than the men, was thrown with frightful force to one side of the track. The buggy was a total wreck. The animal had a couple of slight cuts on the head and several bruises. It was taken to Craver’s barn in Holmes street.

“Spectators held their breath in horror when the crash came. They never expected horse or men to escape alive.”

Also 115 years ago, 1908

“Overhead Bridge.

“Is badly Needed at Holmes Street – Recent Accident Cited.

“Two accidents on the Holmes street crossing, one fatal, during the past week, has caused Belmont avenue residents to point to the need of an overhead crossing from Wood street.

“Owing to the hot weather the North Side Improvement club which was agitating this matter, has done little or nothing. More meetings are planned for the near future. Said one resident of Belmont avenue: ‘Holmes street travel is rapidly becoming congested because of the rapid growth of the North Side. It will only be a short time until the city will have to take action and relieve the Holmes street crossing, which is traveled now to a greater extent than ever.'”

Compiled from the Youngstown Vindicator archives by Chelsea Hess, Mahoning Valley Historical Society.