Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-23
THE FALL WAS FATAL
MRS. SPENCE BEING THROWN FROM
HER CART DIES QUICKLY.
The BridIe-Bit Being Removed Her Horse
Takes Fright and Dashes on, Bear.
ing Her to Her Death.

Mrs. Oracle Spence. the wife Of Mr.. e.
Iiarvie Spence, well-known merchant OF
this city. met with very sad death at
Leonard Heights. suburb near tho Sol
diers' Home. yesterday afternoon about z
O'clock.
The unfortunate lady vas out driving in
her dog-cart with her father. Mr.. t. Q.
Woody. and when the two had gotten
some distance in the country they stopped,
a. was frequently their custom. and Mr.
Woody got out Of the vehicle TO give the
animal some clover. In order TO enable
the horse to cat he removed its bit and in
dong this the bridle fell off and the ami
nal IN some way became frightened and
dashed off at a terrific speed.
BORNE TO HER DEATH.
Mr.. Woody was Of course left behind
and could do nothing TO check the fearful
danger which menaced his daughter.
After the horse had run q short distance
and into thickIy wooded section, Mrs.
Spence was thrown Violently to the
ground. Ia her fall she struck her head
either against stone or tree and was
| Knocked senseless. As soon as assistance
could be brought her she was taken INTO
! the house of Mr. Fink. whose family rem
dered all the assistance IN their power,
and everything possible was done to
relieve her suferngs. The physician
al the Soldiers Home was summoned
| and colored man was sent to the
city in great haste to inform Alr. spence OF
| the catastrophe. The messenger arrived
at his destination in little moro than half
an hour after the accident occurred, and
/ Mr.. Spence forthwith sent for DR.. Isaiah
| White, and the two hastened to the bed
side of the injured lady. When they ar
rived they found Mrs. Spence IN coma
tose condition and sinking rapidly. Shee
died ten minutes after her husband
reached her. Mrs Spence in her fall was
struck over the left eye. but the external
wound appeared TO be very slight one.
! She is supposed to have died of hemor-
rhage OF the brain induced by the shock
| from the fall.
FATHERS GREAT GRIEF.
After the sad accident the runaway horse
dashed onwards, and before 1t was cap
tured tho cart was demolished. The grief
of Mr.. Woody was heartreudlng and he
was almost prostrated by the heavy sorrow
| which afflicted him.
As soon as possible the news of Mrs.
| Spence's pathetic end was sent TO her
friends and relatives. and the announce
meDt Of her sudden death created the most
profound sorrow. Mr.. L. L. Christian.
the undertaken, Drought the remains OF
the deceased to Mr.. Spcnce's residence,
No. 208 east Franklin street, last night
| about 1890 o'clock. and scores OF friends
called by the house to offer their assist
ance to the bereaved family.
LAST or Five CHILDREN.
Mrs. Spence's maiden name was Oracle
Deane Woody. and what renders her
death particularly -a1 IS the fact that she
was the last of five cbildrcn. She was
born July /. 1856. and was married to Mr;
Spence on April Il. 1877. Their married
| his was particularly happy. for the de-
| ceased possessed q peculiarly amiable dis
uosltion aud was a devoted wife. Mrs.
Spence was one OF those tImid. reserved
| httls.x omen whose lives are always lovely
= AEe, and whose every thought IL
to their bones and families.
SkHs*ss universally loved. and her very
reserve, instead OF repeliing, won her
friends and bound them to her by the
| closest ties. She leaves no children.
The arrangements for the funeral had
not been made last night, but Will be an-
nounced later.