The death of Henry Hale Bliss (June 13, 1830 – September 14, 1899) was the first recorded instance of a person being killed in a motor vehicle collision in the United States.[1][2]
On September 13, 1899, at West 74th Street and Central Park West in New York City, Henry Hale Bliss, a 69-year-old local real estate dealer, was alighting from a south bound 8th Avenue trolley car when he was struck by the driver of an electric-powered taxicab (Automobile No. 43). Bliss hit the pavement, crushing his head and chest. He was taken by ambulance to Roosevelt Hospital, but upon arrival the house surgeon, Dr. Marny, said his injuries were too severe to survive, and Bliss died from his sustained injuries the next morning.[3]
Arthur Smith, the driver of the taxicab, claimed that a large truck occupied the right side of the avenue, making it necessary to drive his vehicle closer to the car. Smith was arrested and charged with manslaughter, but was subsequently acquitted on the grounds that he had no malice, nor was he negligent.
The passenger of the taxi-cab, Dr. David Orr Edson, was the son of former New York City mayor Franklin Edson.
Legacyedit
A plaque was dedicated at the site on September 13, 1999, to commemorate the centenary of this event. It reads:
Here at West 74th Street and Central Park West, Henry H. Bliss dismounted from a streetcar and was struck and knocked unconscious by an automobile on the evening of September 13, 1899. When Mr. Bliss, a New York real estate man, died the next morning from his injuries, he became the first recorded motor vehicle fatality in the Western Hemisphere.[note 1] This sign was erected to remember Mr. Bliss on the centennial of his untimely death and to promote safety on our streets and highways.
The ceremony was attended by his great-granddaughter, who placed roses on the place where Bliss was struck.
Familyedit
Bliss's stepdaughter, Mary Alice Altmont Livingston, who assumed the surname "Fleming", was later tried for the murder of her mother, Bliss's ex-wife, Evelina Bliss, by means of poisoned chowder. She was found innocent.[4]
See alsoedit
Mary Ward – (1827–1869) Anglo-Irish scientist, the first person known to have been killed by a car, Ireland, 1869. Also the first person killed by a car in the United Kingdom and in the entire Western Hemisphere.
Bridget Driscoll – (1851/1852–1896) the first pedestrian to be killed in a collision with a car in Great Britain.
Elaine Herzberg – the first pedestrian to be killed in an autonomous motor car crash
Notesedit
^In this context "Western Hemisphere" is taken to mean "The half of the earth comprising North and South America and surrounding waters" as opposed to the true geographical definition of "for the half of Earth which lies west of the prime meridian (which crosses Greenwich, London, United Kingdom) and east of the antimeridian".
Referencesedit
^Dimeo-Ediger, Winona (September 2009). Johns, Chris (ed.). "Saved By the Belt". National Geographic. National Geographic Society. 216 (3). ISSN 0027-9358.
^"One road death in 1899; Million now". The Mail (Adelaide). Vol. 41, no. 2, 063. South Australia. 15 December 1951. p. 25. Retrieved 16 September 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
^"Fatally Hurt by Automobile" (PDF), The New York Times, New York City, September 14, 1899
^Livingston, James D. (2012). Arsenic and Clam Chowder: Murder in Gilded Age New York. Albany, New York: SUNY Press. ISBN978-1-4384-3179-6.
death, henry, bliss, death, henry, hale, bliss, june, 1830, september, 1899, first, recorded, instance, person, being, killed, motor, vehicle, collision, united, states, henry, hale, blissbliss, 1873born, 1830, june, 1830diedseptember, 1899, 1899, aged, cause,. The death of Henry Hale Bliss June 13 1830 September 14 1899 was the first recorded instance of a person being killed in a motor vehicle collision in the United States 1 2 Henry Hale BlissBliss in 1873Born 1830 06 13 June 13 1830DiedSeptember 14 1899 1899 09 14 aged 69 Cause of deathCar CrashKnown forFirst recorded instance of a person being killed in a motor vehicle collision in the United States Contents 1 Death 2 Legacy 3 Family 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 External linksDeath editOn September 13 1899 at West 74th Street and Central Park West in New York City Henry Hale Bliss a 69 year old local real estate dealer was alighting from a south bound 8th Avenue trolley car when he was struck by the driver of an electric powered taxicab Automobile No 43 Bliss hit the pavement crushing his head and chest He was taken by ambulance to Roosevelt Hospital but upon arrival the house surgeon Dr Marny said his injuries were too severe to survive and Bliss died from his sustained injuries the next morning 3 Arthur Smith the driver of the taxicab claimed that a large truck occupied the right side of the avenue making it necessary to drive his vehicle closer to the car Smith was arrested and charged with manslaughter but was subsequently acquitted on the grounds that he had no malice nor was he negligent The passenger of the taxi cab Dr David Orr Edson was the son of former New York City mayor Franklin Edson Legacy editA plaque was dedicated at the site on September 13 1999 to commemorate the centenary of this event It reads Here at West 74th Street and Central Park West Henry H Bliss dismounted from a streetcar and was struck and knocked unconscious by an automobile on the evening of September 13 1899 When Mr Bliss a New York real estate man died the next morning from his injuries he became the first recorded motor vehicle fatality in the Western Hemisphere note 1 This sign was erected to remember Mr Bliss on the centennial of his untimely death and to promote safety on our streets and highways The ceremony was attended by his great granddaughter who placed roses on the place where Bliss was struck Family editBliss s stepdaughter Mary Alice Altmont Livingston who assumed the surname Fleming was later tried for the murder of her mother Bliss s ex wife Evelina Bliss by means of poisoned chowder She was found innocent 4 See also editMary Ward 1827 1869 Anglo Irish scientist the first person known to have been killed by a car Ireland 1869 Also the first person killed by a car in the United Kingdom and in the entire Western Hemisphere Bridget Driscoll 1851 1852 1896 the first pedestrian to be killed in a collision with a car in Great Britain Elaine Herzberg the first pedestrian to be killed in an autonomous motor car crashNotes edit In this context Western Hemisphere is taken to mean The half of the earth comprising North and South America and surrounding waters as opposed to the true geographical definition of for the half of Earth which lies west of the prime meridian which crosses Greenwich London United Kingdom and east of the antimeridian References edit Dimeo Ediger Winona September 2009 Johns Chris ed Saved By the Belt National Geographic National Geographic Society 216 3 ISSN 0027 9358 One road death in 1899 Million now The Mail Adelaide Vol 41 no 2 063 South Australia 15 December 1951 p 25 Retrieved 16 September 2021 via National Library of Australia Fatally Hurt by Automobile PDF The New York Times New York City September 14 1899 Livingston James D 2012 Arsenic and Clam Chowder Murder in Gilded Age New York Albany New York SUNY Press ISBN 978 1 4384 3179 6 External links editFirst car death at the Wayback Machine archived June 18 2002 Remember Bliss at the Wayback Machine archived April 13 2000 Citystreets org Henry Bliss Plaque Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Death of Henry H Bliss amp oldid 1149445262, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
