The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-03
A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT.
WILLIAM. WILCOX THROWY FROM
HORSE AND KILLED.
The Animal Collided with the High Fence
of the Capitol square-The Rider I'm
able to Hold the Furious Brute.

A horrible accident occurred yesterday
afternoon about o'clock, at the inter-
section OF Franklin and Ninth streets, in
which Mr.. William j. Wilcox, Of Phil
adeiphia, received injuries that resulted
fatally.
Mr.. Wilcox and his friend, Mr.. r. f.
Griffith, who is also a visitor TO this
city, started on a ride through the city
yesterday morning. They had been
through the west portion Of the town. and
were coming down Franklin street when
pedestrians noticed that the sorrel ridden
by Mr.. Wilcox was inclined 10 be OBJ
streperous Mr.. Griffith also saw that
MS TREND s mount was becoming more
and more unmanageable, and at Fifth
and Franklin streets they stopped for
short time, thus giving the animals
chance to become more quiet. After a
few moments, however they again started
and as soon as the sorrels nose was
turned eastward the horse made a terrific
dash down the street. The thoroughfare
at that point being a rather steep in
cline, an impetus was given the animal
10 a break-neck pace, and becoming
frightened as 1t dashed on, Mr. Wilcox
was totally unable TO hold him. The
horse had practically his own way in the
race, and when Ninth was reached Mr.
WilcoX's efforts to turn him into the
crcss-street were totally unavaiing.
The animal rushed furiousy on, and
a few seconds later collided with the
iron fence surrounding the Capitol Square.
just in front OF the bell tower. The
fence stoutly resisted the force OF the
horse, and the animal with it's rider was
thrown 10 the pavement
Pedestrians Immediately rushed TO Mr..
WilcoX's assistance and found him to
be I'm an unconscious condition. He was
carried into Dr. w. r. Oppenhimer's
office. president OF the Board Of Health.
which is just opposite the scene Of the
accident and Dr. Hunter Mcclure and
other physicians summoned. DR.. st.
Julien Oppenhimer was present I'm his
brothers office at the time, and his sud
den departure from the office and return
with splints, bandages and boxes Of cotton
gave to the large crowd that had
assembled the first intmation that
the young man had been seriously In
jured. An examination ascertained that
Mr.. Wilcox's skull had been fractured,
his left arm broken i'm two places. and
his left leg so badly crushed as TO neces-
state amputation. The physicians
present did all possible for the young
man, who did not regain consciousness.
and II was decided later I'm the afternoon
that it would be best 10 await the re-
action before the amputatlon was made.
Mr. Griffith reached Ninth street a few
seconds after the accident and was al
most crazed by the sight that met his
gaze. Mr. Wilcox was being carried to
the physicians office. by psssers by, and
the animal was lying near the gutter. in
its death throes. The pavement was be-
spattered with blood. and the crowd gath
ering about the dead horse but increas-
ed the excitement. and acted as a mag
net 10 draw other hundreds of excited
inquirers from Bank and Main streets.
The injured man was made cOmfOrta-
bic in one Of Or. Oppenhimer'5 offices,
81 being thought prudent 10 keep him
there for the present There he fingered
until o'clock when death relieved him
Of his suferings. He was promi-
nent and wealthy business man OF Phila-
delphia, and was here I'm connection with
the Gay and Lorraine mines. He had
only been IN the city a few days, and
with his wife and two children have
been at the Mount Vernon, Third and
Franklin streets.
The horse was the property Of Mr..
Lee Powers, Of the Banking, Building
and Loan Association. 1t was tho
roughbred animal, and participated in
the races at the recent Exposition. The
horse was known 10 be an exceptionally
wild one. and, used as It was TO the
race courses Of the North, IL was diff
fcult for riders TO compel IL to obey the
reins while riding about Richmond.
When Mr. Wilcox went with Mr.. Grif-
fifth to the stable to get the horse yes
terday morning, he was told that his
mount was quite a dangerous one, and
he was cautioned by his friends. The
stable boy told him that he would do
well TO secure another animal. Mr..
Wilcox was an expert rider and felt
no fears as regards the horse. He was
member of the crack cavalry company
OF Philadelphia, and was accounted an
excellent rider by his friends.
Mr.. Wilcox was about thlrty-five years
Of age and his remaiLJ were removed
soon after death to Mt Vernon, where
they will remain until probably this
afternoon. kilograms have been sent TO
Philadelphia, and last night answers were
received stating that several OF Mr.. VIII
cox's friends would be here to-day. The
funeral services will be conducted Ia
PHILADELPHIA. Mr. Wilcox died in the
faith OF the Roman Catholic Church ne
being attended in his last moments by
one Of the priests from the cathedral.
The death Of Mr.. Wilcox was directly
caused by the nervous shock. The ampu-
tation did not take place. he being FOUND
in a sinking condition after being carried
into Dr. Oppenhimers Office.