New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-10-10
KILLED IN CENTRAL PARK.
UNABLE TO STOP HIS RUNAWAY HORSE.


a STUDENT FATALLY INJURED WHILE RIDING WITH
J. B. HoUsrOy's DAUGHTER.
Willard Saer SlmDkins. wealthy young
man. while riding in Central Park yesterday morning
wss thrown from his horse received injuries from
which he died shortly afterward lie the next to
tho youngest OF family OF three sons and two
daughters, who lived at No. 26 West Fifty-thirdst.
Their father, who wellknown 10 Wall Street,
died 10 1871 leaving his wife and the five children. The
mother died about fye years leaving each OF tho
children worth about 81. 100000 One OF the dau9hsrs
married Dr. Bacon aud tho eldest married Miss
jerks, wealthy young Brooklyn lady. The entire
family has been away from homo during tho summer.
Dr. AID Mrs. Bacon Newport aud the others ct their
summer home At Ysrmouthport, on Cape Cod Willard
came home September to prepare himself to enter
tho scientific course in Columbia College. He would
have been twenty next February. lie
studied hard all last month aud passed
the examination and admitted to college. lie took
prominent part In the college cane-rush Friday
At No. "a West Fftythrd-st Is the home OF President
James h. Houston, OF the Pacific Mall Steamship Conn
pauy. ard between tho two families strong friendship
existed. Miss Marie Houston, the ffteen-year-oId
daughter, Is exceedingly foud Of riding aud has fine
saddle horse. Young simpkins, who was ALEC good
rider, took frequent gillops through tue park with
her. They started out yesterday morning, sinp'
kins hiring horse from Merklins Ridint
Academy, In scventn-aye, near Fifty-eighth-sI
They bride path the central drives a'ous
something the matter with his bridle, aud asking
policeman to hold his horse, he dsmountcd and rene.
died difficulty. When mounted o2ain one OF tho
had become ged aud he leaned over to
The horse had become restless and Miss Houston
suggested that had better be careful. the horss
appeared to be vicious. Oh no; no s gentle enough,
he said. II have ridden him before"
Mr.. sinpkins had hardly flushed speaking when his
spur touched the horse side animal gave jump
which almost uuseated him Before the horse had gone
hundred yards lie had resaned his seat and using
all his strength check it Al Sxty-hrst ST. on the
bride there sharp curve aud ~ he disappeared
around that simpkins was apparently all right. though
he dd not have horse under control. Miss Houston
rode along slowly expecting to come up with him when
he the speed Of the runaway. Just as she
approached tho curvo she was met by Park Policeman
Reilly who told her that her companion hal been
thro wn from his horse and seriously injured. Sno dii
not lose her presence OF mind FOR a moment,
put sent REILLY back attend TO the injured whc
to the policeman who had held simpknss horse
aud sent him 10 Summon an ambulance
The Presby toran Hospital ambulance was soon sum-
moned The young man was inseEsble, and brief cx.
the skull AZ the request OF hiss Houston he taken
home ambulance Instead OF beng taken To tue hos
pal. She accompanied hr an summoned het mOthtrs
who gave the sufferer all the assistance that she cou
called All 4 r. Hslsey. of West flftyh,ri'
aud DIS Thomas Peters aud McCosh werc summoned
but despite all their ehorts lie died aoyu ocock Win
out having eGan.d conseonsnes lIese wers % bruises
eitner by blow roLI the limb OIL tree or ,k rom
tue horse and there fracture 90 me eIt 10 OF Tue
base of the skull which could plainly pe fo ron tne
0utsilc -.
Telegrams to the relatives OF the dead man.
and they replied that hcy would oe III tue city to-day
The arrangements for the funeral Will not lie made untl
their arrival Just how smpkiDs was thrown irom lis
horse and killed is not Known Officer Reilly the
horse gong great speed d0wh toward the entrance az
FL htlave. and Fifty nnth-st where II was captured
He followed for short distance, when he came ~ To
rhs bndy smpkns lying in the shruolory between
the bride path aud central drive. There we're no
people uear him al TIE time, hut Two men were on
cher path aud say tuat after the hoise turned the
aax rN.f nattr
eoue ouly few teNt the limb OF tree struck he
Young man aud tore hm from Tie saddle rhoy calle!
on Mr. Houston last night and said that thoy woud
colDo back day aud give their testimony before 'ho
-. a., ,.....
In speaking of Mr. simpkns last mis- ht. Mr. Houston
sad: He n estimable young man, sHaIt ann
bright with fortune and great natural advantages u"
hal avery prospect brilliant career. The un-
occurrence was severe shock u NY aaagm.e
but II remarkably well. None OF the peu OK
tha family are in business"