115 Years Ago - Several injured in streetcar accident in Taylor

Brian Fulton, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·2 min read

Oct. 9—Oct. 9, 1907

Several injured in Downvalley train accident

Seven people were injured Oct. 8 in a street car accident involving a coal train at Taylor Crossing.

A Duryea streetcar was stalled near tracks owned and used by the Lackawanna Railroad. The car's motorman, George Ingleberg, spotted the oncoming train and quickly tried to get the streetcar out of the way. There wasn't enough power in the lines feeding the streetcar to get it moving and the car was struck by the train's engine. The streetcar then toppled onto its side.

Seven of the 20 passengers of the streetcar were injured. Most serious was Mrs. Evan Williams of 13th Street in Scranton. She suffered cuts and was badly bruised. The other passengers suffered minor injuries.

Afraid that an accident could occur at the crossing, the Lackawanna Railroad several years prior proposed to construct a viaduct through that area to carry their tracks. The Taylor Borough Council refused to give permission for the building project, so the railroad dropped the idea.

At the theaters

The Lyceum Theater presented the comedy "The Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary" starring actress May Robson and later that week the dramatization of Owen Wister's novel "The Virginian." The next week, the theater would host the English Grand Opera Company for its production of Giacomo Puccini's "Madame Butterfly." This touring production had a cast and crew of 150 people.

The Academy presented the musical "The Mazuma Man," starring George Sidney.

The Columbia Theater said goodbye to Scribner Big Show and welcomed Al Reeve's "Beauty Show." The show, then in its 14th year, featured comedians, vaudeville acts and beautiful women along with elaborate scenery and costumes.

Brian Fulton, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune's expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.

Brian Fulton, library manager, oversees The Times-Tribune's expansive digital and paper archives and is an authority on local history. Contact Brian at bfulton@timesshamrock.com or 570-348-9140.