I See by the Papers...

Like the earlier item about orange peels on the sidewalks, the Press Democrat chides about the dangers presented by buggies, bikes, and horseback riders (note that the perils of automobiles aren't yet worth mention). This item was also an excuse to fill space on an exceptionally slow news day; the headline below was set in about 24-point type.

HORSE AND RIDER TOOK BAD TUMBLE

ACCIDENT AT THE CORNER OF THIRD AND MAIN STREETS ON WEDNESDAY MORNING
Frequent Complaints About Fast Riding and Driving Around Street Corners In This City

Ernest Luce, a young man who resides at Bellevue, had a bad tumble at the corner of Third and Main streets on Wednesday morning. While riding around the corner his horse fell and animal and rider came down with little grace and a pretty hard knock. Luce was somewhat stunned by the fall and was badly bruised. The horse's legs were skinned.

While it may not possibly occur in this case drivers and riders make the corners too fast and too short frequently and several accidents have occurred in Santa Rosa on account of this fact. A tumble on the cobbles or curb is nearly always disastrous to horse and rider, cyclist or pedestrian. Numerous complaints have been made of fast riding and driving around street corners in this city.

-- Press Democrat, July 28, 1904