The US nearly lost two presidents in a single year! In 1902, less than a year after the assassination of President McKinley, the new president, Teddy Roosevelt, was on a two week public relations tour of New England.

He arrived by train in Pittsfield MA and was taken by carriage to where he was to deliver a speech. A trolley track was in the middle of the highway on which the carriage traveled. However, at one point, the highway swung to the left while the track continued straight. A trolley was coming along shortly behind the president’s carriage. Suddenly, about 275 feet before the road began to turn, the driver of the carriage unexpectedly swung to the left, directly in front of the approaching car.

Roosevelt was thrown out, receiving significant injury and the Secret Service officer accompanying him was killed. Also injured were the governor of Massachusetts and a cabinet officer. Roosevelt’s comment was “I think this is the most damnable thing I ever heard of.” The motorman of the car received six months in prison, but there were many who didn’t accept the president’s view that it was mostly the motorman’s fault.

Pictures, New England Historical Society: 1) President Roosevelt and 2) the president’s wrecked barouche.Trolley