The Hazards of Being a Pedestrian

Today's Register-Star reports about Second Ward Supervisor Ed Cross's appeal at Monday's Common Council meeting that something be done about motorists who ignore crosswalks and the pedestrians in them: "City talks car versus pedestrian problems." Not to belittle Cross's unfortunate encounter with a car driven by an inattentive driver or to minimize the problem, which is very real in Hudson, the situation called to mind this article from the Evening Register on September 10, 1898. Gossips publishes it as a reminder that sharing the way with wheeled vehicles has always been a dangerous proposition.

HUDSON LADY RUN DOWN BY A SCORCHER

Miss Marion Magoun Quite Badly Hurt by a Stranger in Green Street

Her Head Cut, Her Body Bruised and Her Clothing Torn in the Accident.

Another victim of the irrepressible scorcher in the person of Miss Marion Magoun lies in a bed of pain she having sustained injuries that are very painful if not permanent in effect.

The accident happened on Green street near the residence of George McKinstry at 11 o'clock last evening. There had been a card party at the home of Mrs. William I. Gray, and a group of nine of the guests among whom was Miss Magoun were walking homeward on the side of the street, there being no sidewalk at the point where the accident occurred, when suddenly out of the darkness came a warning rung by the cyclist, who though having the road clear to the right, bore down on the party from behind. So quickly did he come into view that the ladies were confused and in attempting to escape from danger Miss Magoun had the misfortune to get into the path of the swiftly moving wheel. She was knocked down with such force that she rolled over and over, and her head, coming in contact with the macadam, was badly cut. She was severely bruised about the body and her clothing was soiled and torn.

The scorcher, who was a stranger, stopped to see what injury had been done, and promised to send a doctor to the scene of the accident, but his mission was not accomplished, for he mounted and rode swiftly away and that was the last seen or heard of him.

During the excitement and confusion, in which one lady fainted, a gentleman drove up and kindly took Miss Magoun and her mother to their home on Union street in his carriage. He then went for Dr. H. Lyle Smith, who examined the young lady, cared for her wounds and allayed the fears of friends by informing them that he did not anticipate any lasting injurious results from the accident.

To-day Miss Magoun's condition was much improved although the results of the shock will probably keep her confined to her room for several days.