The first-ever Muni crash, documented
Do you like history? I like history.
Peter Hartlaub, Muni Diaries Live veteran and Chronicle writer, sends us the harrowing 1913 tale of a runaway streetcar, a “heavy motor truck,” and a bread wagon. No humans died, though two were injured. And the bread wagon’s horse became the first Muni fatality (that we know of). From SFGate:
“A runaway streetcar careening down three city blocks. A wagon full of bread that is obliterated into splinters and croutons. Terrified passengers, and a new driver in total control despite his massive head wound.”
Whoa! My favorite part might be that the “motorman” for Municipal Railway lived in a hotel.
Check out the post on SFGate for more exciting details. #cantmakethisup
Image courtesy SF Chronicle
Looks like the motorman lived at the Merritt Hotel, which I’m envisioning as more of a SRO than the Marriot that we have today. But I liked your interpretation better.