Saves 4 From Runaway Trolley Car

1920

Rescuer Catches Up With an Auto

WORCESTER, Massachusetts— There are a lot of thrillers in real life that rival anything ever seen in the movies. And Mrs. Bertha Velle and her three children of Bramanville, Mass., will fervently subscribe to the statement. For Mrs. Velle and her youngsters had an experience with a trolley car followed by a heroic rescue that they'll never forget. In some unknown manner the brakes became loose just after they had climbed on the car and the car started on a wild run down the steep hill. Mrs. Velle fainted and her children clung frantically to her. But Arthur Heywood, the motorist, hailed a passing auto, gave chase, and pulled off the rescue in a manner that would have made Douglas Fairbanks green with envy.

It all happened a few days ago. Mrs. Velle and the three children went to Worcester to bring a charge of non-support against her husband. They waited for a trolley car in the outskirts of the city. Finally one came. The motorist and conductor went away to make their reports while Mrs. Velle and the children entered the car.

Car Speeds Down Hill.

They were chatting when the car suddenly began to move a little. In a few seconds it had gained more speed. Mrs. Velle gave a scream of horror as she saw that they were going over the brink of a steep hill. She rushed to the brakes. The car had already started down hill and was going at a terrific speed, swaying from one side to another as if it were to leap the rails at any moment.

The woman tugged frantically at the brakes, while her babies clung to her and screamed. Then she fainted.

Arthur Heywood, the motorist of the car, appeared on the scene. just as the car began to speed down the hill.

Catches Car in Flying Leap.

He hailed a passing automobile and a wild race began. But the auto, a high-powered machine, soon caught up and Heywood made a flying leap from the auto to the car platform. It was soon brought to a standstill.

Mrs. Velle, after being revived, went on to Worcester, where she appeared in court against her husband on a charge of non-support.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Aug. 7, 1920, p. 1.