The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1891-10-01
A FATAL RUNAWAY.
AFFRIGHTED RORSES BECOME IN
COMFORTABLE.
Two Ladies Killed and One Injured.

There are sudden aud unexpected TRACE
dies that at times come upon individuals
and communities that overwhelm and
crush the mind and heart with unuttera>
BILE sadness, and pen almost falls from
paralyzed fingers in an effort to record
the facts. @M
The appalling and deplorable tragedy
of Sunday lastl about half past twelve
o'clock, in this place, in which two ladies
were dashed to death and another serious
ly injured, is one of them.
The mind can be prepared for the de.
parture of friends and loved ones, when
they linger on beds of sickness, but to part
with them at time when their cheeks
are blooming with health, and APP
rarently many years of life lie out before
them, then to be suddenly informed that
they have been hurled into eternity, is so
shocking to the faculties of the mind as to
create mental chaos. 1t is like reversing
mighty engine, going at great speed.
This is what produced such shock to
our community and cast gloom over the
entire town when the news came that Miss
Katie Reynolds had been instantly Killed
by horses running away aud that Mrs.
Merritt and Miss Alma Kohlheim were so
seriously injured that they could not sur
vive.
When the family carriage left Mr.. fetch
er P. Reynolds home last Sunday morning,
it contained Mrs. F. P. Reynolds, her
daughter, Miss Katie, Mrs. F. E. Merritt,
sister to the Messrs. John and F. P. Rey>
holds, and Miss Alma Kohlheim, niece of
the Messrs. Reynolds The horses are
spirited and fine specimens of equine flesh,
and had been sent up from Atlanta by Mr..
John Reynolds, for the use OF the family.
he had seen them working in carriage
for six months and considered them safe
The colored driver, Seaborn Addison, was
instructed to drive to town, so the occu>
pants of the carriage could attend Divine
worship Mrs. Merritt stopped at the
Methodist church. of which she had long
been member; Miss Kohlheim got out
at the Presbyterian church, where hel
membership is recorded; and Mrs. Rey-
nolds and Miss Katiew went on to the Bap~
fist church, being members of that church.
They all took part in the services of song
and praise and before leaving town to re,
turn home, Miss Katie had three invita>
tions from young giil friends to remain in
the city and dine with them. Unfortunately
she declined them all.
The services were prolonged atsome one
of the churches, and Mrs. Merritt stood
talking TO Rev. Mr.. Dawes at the Methodist
Church, after the congregation had dis
persed, waiting for the expectant carriage.
She chatted pleasantly and seemed deeply
impressed with the sermon of the morning,
spoke OF the religious work to be done and
the pleasure it would afford her to help do
it. AS the carriage. approached, she men
toned the fear she entertained of the horses
running away and doing serious damage
But she found those in the carriage so
cheerful and bright that the shadow of fear
on her face was soon dispelled, and all bid
Mr.. Dawes happy goodbye, and the driv-
er started the horses at lively pace home
ward.
Mr.. Reynolds lives at the old Mcleod
mansion, that sits back at the rear of a
large field, surrounded by oaks, fronting
the W. 4 A. Railroad and the wagon road
leading from Marietta to Atlanta. The
place adjoins Glover's Grove and is about
three quarters OF mile from the public
square. About half way there is high
hill, rugged and rocky. The horses as
cepded this hill in hrisk trot, and as
they reached the top and started to de-
scend, the momentum of the vehicle ran
the carriage upon the horses. This scared
them to some extent and one of the horses
jumped forward while the other pulled
back. The driver tried to control them
when both bounded forward at an accelerS
ated speed. Mrs. Reynolds at once jump
ed out escaping injury. By this time the
horses became uncomfortable and went
down the hill at a flying gait. Miss Katie
grabbed the lines and with the aid of the
driver, began to pull with all their might
to stop the horses, but the fiery steeds De-
fed human strength and continued runs
ming
Just before reaching the little bridge, in
front OF the residence occupied by Mr.. j.
D. Woodwork, formerly owned by Mrs
V. E. George, Miss Kohlheim leaped out
Of the carriage, and was Immediately fol-
lowed by Mrs. Merritt, both falling heavily
on the ground.
Miss Katie Reynolds occupied seat by
the driver and was still cinging to the
lines, as was also the. driver. Just before
reaching the railroad crossing, she must
have dreaded the abrupt turn which led
across the track, for she relinquished the
lines, leaving them with the driver, and got
- - :,,roD ont IF tho carriaoe Whether