The Unfortunate Life of the St Clair Incline in Pittsburghs South Side. Was it cursed?

 Funicular Inclines have operated for over 100 years in the united states 3 of the most outstanding right here in Western Pa. with one of the safest records for operation of a public transit conveyance  in the world but this was not the case for the St Clair Incline  which operated on Pittsburgh's South Side which had several notable incidents  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Clair_Incline

incline running behind water pumping station

  Built in 1886-88 and operating till 1933  it traveled from  22nd and Joseph St up to Salisbury St. across from the old Fort  Laughlin Playground  which once served as a redoubt during the civil war. 

with 2 tracks  which where laid on the ground and where more of a cable way ,which got higher and in  a parabolic arc as you got towards the top it carries both passengers and freight.

 It was among one of 17 inclines built around same era as a way for Steel Mill and Glass Workers to get to their homes up on the slopes  instead of having to walk up and down the steep hill .

But one day one of the cars went plunging into the 22nd street station after the Engineer operating the 

controls passed out due to a medical condition and fell on the controls.

at 3:30 am on the morning of April 6, 1909  and 3 young men where aboard a 17 year old survived having jumped off early but a 16 and 17 yr old died  horrifically. after trying to jump.

The cars apparently did not have a emergency safety centrifugal brake  like other inclines  and elevators which senses the car exceeding seed and send out a set of spikes to slow the car. 

https://www.otis.com/en/us/tools-resources/high-rise-safety-systems/

But this would not be the only time this incline saw tragedy

On July 22, 1915 a young 19 moth old  child was crushed when trying to follow  his 2 sisters after they crossed over the tracks instead of walking around correctly 

Then on March 10,1919  A young girl lost her life while leaning on a gate of one of the cars and it gave way and she fell to her death.

 3 fatality on 1 incline and none as far as i can find with all the other inclines in the area.

Which makes one wonder was it cursed . That area where it ran was inhabited by native Americans  so who knows if angry spirits could be involved.