The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-03
PdINFILIi fNJI RED.
Narrow Escape Of -Four Young Ladiesfro"
Death in "a Runaway Accident.

-Four young ladies had miraculous es-
cape from serious injury while out driving
on the Boulevard yesterday afternoon
Miss Ottie Fleming. daughter OF Mr..
Warner l.. Fleming. of No. 500 west Grace
street. invited Misses Mary Waite, OF
Atlanta, and Virginia Tyler TO JON her
and her guest, Miss Hessie Shields, Oh
Ridgewood y. j., in drive.
They accepted the invitation, ana MI
F1eming's trap, drawn by two horses'
was used, Miss Shields driving. Inc party
was in fine spirits. and drove at jog
trot out in the direction OF the bouie-
ward.
When near the bridge over the Rich
mond. Fredericksburg and Potomac rail-
road. and while going down slight IN
cline one OF the traces either broke or
was detached. and the horses became UNI
manageable The ladies kept their seats
for few moments, thinking that the
horses would be gotten under control.
but finding that they were frightened all
of them Jumped out.
Miss Ottie Fleming sustained few
scratches on her face, and bruised her
knee slightly.
Miss Mary Waite was slightly bruised
by falling when she leaped from the
trap.
Miss Virginia Tyler escaped unframed.
Miss Hessie Shields sustained the most
serious injury. She was driving. and In
her effort 10 jump from the trap. II is
thought she caught her foot in some way.
andin falling struck her head. inncting
a scalp wound about two inches and A
half long on the back OF her head. and a
slight wound over the right eye.
II was found that Miss Shields had sus-
tanned much more serious injuries than
any OF her companions. and she was at
once placed in "A carriage. which had been
profered for the use Of the ladies by
Mr.. w. T. Hancock. and at once driven to
the residence of Mr.. Fleming
Drs. Winfr.e and Hugh NJ Taylor were
summoned ~ d quickly responded. After
making thorough examination the ply
sicians found the wounds as described
and they ut once set TO work to r,lieve
the unfortunate lady. For n short while
she was unconscious. but after the doc
tors had finished dressing the wounds
the patient regained consciousness.
The physicians state that IL will be
three or four days before the exact extent
OF the Injuries can be determined, and In
the meantime she will have the very
best medical attention possible and every
thing will be done TO make her comfort
able until she fully RECEIVERS.
The news Of the accident spread with
great rapidity and for some time the
phones In The Times office were kept
busy answering calls for Information "a
Ia the extent of the injuries. The re-
ports were considerably exaggerated. a
score at least saying that one lady was
killed and all the others badly injured.
After the young ladies jumped from the
vehicle the horses ran at full speed in the
direction OF Young's Pond and notwth-
standing that the road Is usually crowd
ed. no one was hurt by the animals in
their wild dash. Mr.. John Lauer. OF west
Main street. was out on his wheel and
the team was stopped by him aided by a
negro man.
The harness vas pretty badly broken
in the efforts or the horses 10 free them
selves nut the only damage done TO the
trap was the breaking OF the pole.
The horses were found TO be consider
ably cut and scratched when brought into
the city.
Immediately after the accident con-
slant stream or callers beseged the rest
dence where the unfortunate young la
dies were taken. who eagerly inquired az
ter them.