Man Killed By Horse Team

Accidents like the one described below were not uncommon in Jamaica Plain. People were stomped by horses, and crushed by the wheels of horse wagons with a sad regularity in the days before automobiles banished horses from the roads. The only thing that makes this accident noteworthy is that it is the last case I have found of someone being killed in an accident involving horses. No doubt there were more later, but I'll let this one stand for now as representing the end of an era.




Boston Daily Globe July 18, 1917


Runaways Hit Milk Wagon, Man Killed

Team Hauling Granite in Crash at Jamaica Plain

William Whitney of Roxbury Dies in Hospital of Injuries


Two horses attached to a wagon, loaded with granite, became unmanageable when the wiffletree snapped as they were passing through Amory st, Jamaica Plain, yesterday afternoon and the team crashed into a milk wagon owned by Alder Bros of Tremont st, Roxbury, causing injuries to William Whitney, living at 72 Station st, Roxbury, which caused his death.

The wagon carrying the granite, which was owned by J.N. Lombard of 47 Chapman st, Roxbury, was driven by Edmund J. Roche, 29, of 38 Green st, Charlestown.

Whitney, who was riding on the seat of the milk wagon, was thrown to the ground and rendered unconscious. He was taken to the City Hospital in the police ambulance from the Jamaica Plain Station and died soon after his arrival. Medical Examiner Leary was notified and the body was removed to the City Hospital Morgue.

Frank A. Metz of 62 Jamaica st, Jamaica Plain, who was driving the milk wagon, was thrown to the street, but escaped injury. Roche was arrested, charged with manslaughter, and later bailed at the Jamaica Plain Police Station.