On January 17, 1905, a 35-year-old correctional officer spent the day working at the Pensacola city jail and at knock off time George Maechal Stoeckinger Sr. (1867-1905) went down the street for a little socializing. When it was time to head for home he walked down to the corner of Government and Baylen Street and hopped on streetcar #39 and paid his toll. As was his custom he stood on the front platform, so he could converse with the motorman James C. Harrington and the conductor William Henry Fisher (1880-1905*). About the time the streetcar reached East Gregory at Tarragona, Harrington slowed down as they approached the railroad tracks. This gave the conductor time to jump off and flag down any oncoming train per the company’s policy. But as the car suddenly slowed its momentum, George lost his balance and lurched forward as he fell underneath the rail car! Before anyone could do anything about it the car ran over his head killing him instantly and mangling his remains.
Police Chief Charles Frederick Schad was one of the first officials on the scene and the city coroner shortly thereafter. Once the evidence and testimonies had been collected his remains were gathered and pulled to the side of the road. Chief Schad informed George's mother-in-law and together they went to the victim’s house on North Cevallos Street to break the sad news to his wife Hattie Ella "Hattie" Swift (1871-1916). She told them that he had been home for lunch and had wished her the best of health as he went back to the station to finish out the day, his last day as it turned out.
George's remains were taken to a local undertaker’s office for preparation while his mother Elizabeth Miller/Meuller (1841-1923) in New Orleans was notified by telegraph. His funeral services were held at the family home and were attended by hundreds of citizens and city officials including Mayor Thomas E. Welles and Marshal Schad. His remains were then carried by horse drawn hearse to St. John’s Cemetery carried to his grave by his fellow officers.
Hattie would marry again and this time to a streetcar conductor William Henry McCurdy (1876-1912). McCurdy had been a former employee of the Pensacola Electric Company (streetcars) as well as a Pensacola police officer but had left to pursue other opportunities. Having returned by September 17, 1912, McCurdy was aboard East Hill streetcar #12 on the rear platform collecting fares. As old #12 began gaining speed it headed south on Palafox halfway between Romana & Intendencia Street. Getting ready for the next stop, McCurdy grabbed a metal handle normally used to board the car and used it to swing from the rear platform down to the running board. Suddenly, the handle broke pitching him backwards off the car, landing square on his head. He was taken into nearby D'Alemberte's Drug Store until an ambulance arrived to transport him to the Pensacola Sanitorium. He died the next day having never regained consciousness. He was buried in St. John's where Hattie joined him four years later.
*Conductor William Henry Fisher became a policeman eight months after this incident but was only on the force a few days when he died on September 8, 1905 from the dreaded Yellow Fever Epidemic in Pensacola.
Kommentare