The Green Hornet Street Car Disaster: A Haunting Chronicle of Tragedy and Resilience

On a fateful day in Chicago, a calamitous streetcar accident forever etched its mark on the city's history. On July 23, 1918, a reckless motorman piloting the Green Hornet streetcar hurtled into an intersecting trolley, triggering an unimaginable catastrophe that shook the city to its core.

The Green Hornet, named after the popular comic strip character, was packed with passengers as it approached the intersection of 22nd and Halsted Streets. The intersecting trolley, operated by the Chicago Railways Company, was equally crowded with commuters. As the Green Hornet approached, the motorman, 25-year-old George Frazier, was reportedly distracted and speeding.

The Impact

The impact was deafening, shattering the tranquility of the busy intersection. The Green Hornet tore into the side of the trolley, mangling both vehicles and sending debris and bodies flying. The scene was one of utter chaos and carnage. The force of the collision ripped the Green Hornet in half, flinging passengers into the wreckage and nearby streets.

The aftermath was horrifying. Bodies lay strewn across the pavement, some dismembered beyond recognition. The injured, many of them critically, cried out for help amidst the wreckage. Witnesses described the scene as one of unimaginable devastation, with severed limbs, blood, and the mangled remains of both streetcars littering the intersection.

The Victims

The death toll from the Green Hornet Street Car Disaster reached a staggering 22 people, with dozens more injured. Among the victims were men, women, and children, from all walks of life. The youngest victim was just four years old.

One of the most heart-wrenching stories was that of 19-year-old Mae Mulqueen. Mae was a newlywed who had just left her job at a department store when she boarded the fateful Green Hornet. She was found mangled in the wreckage, her wedding ring still on her finger.

The Heroism

Amidst the tragedy, there were also stories of incredible heroism and compassion. Witnesses reported that several bystanders rushed to help the victims, pulling them from the wreckage and providing first aid.

One of the most remarkable acts of heroism was performed by a young man named Joseph Igoe. Igoe, a passerby, scaled the wreckage of the Green Hornet and climbed into the motorman's cab to free Frazier, who was pinned inside. Igoe's efforts saved Frazier's life.

The Legacy

The Green Hornet Street Car Disaster had a lasting impact on Chicago. The accident prompted an investigation by the Illinois Commerce Commission, which resulted in new safety regulations for streetcar operations.

The disaster also left an emotional scar on the city. For years after the accident, people avoided the intersection of 22nd and Halsted Streets, haunted by the memory of the tragedy.

Today, a small memorial at the intersection commemorates the victims of the Green Hornet Street Car Disaster. The memorial serves as a reminder of the tragic events of that day and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Further Reading

• The Green Hornet Street Car Disaster by Steve Goodman
• The Green Hornet Streetcar Disaster of 1918