The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-08-19
cHAs. FAIR AND WIFE DASHED
TO DEATH.
INTO BIC TREE
Machine Completely Wrecked and DC.
cupants Horribly Crushed and
Mangled in Ruins.

Devereaux, France, Aug. l4.-Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Fair, Americans,
who were related to Mrs. w. X. Van
derbilt, Jr., Miss Virginia Fair, we're
returning to Paris from Trouville to-
day when their automobile swerved
and crashed into a tree, Is miles from
here. Both were killed. The Chauffeur
became insane as al consequence of
the shock.
The accident occurred at 2:3O
o'clock this afternoon, and almost in
front Of Chateau Buisson du Mai
The Fairs intended to dine and spend
the night in Paris and return to Trou-
vile for lunch tomorrow. The wife
of the gate-keeper of the chateau was
the only witness of the disaster. She
says she noticed a big red automo-
bile coming along the road at a ire
mendous pace. Suddenly something
happened and the heavy machine
slid sideways from the right to the
left side of the road for about 60
yards. 1t then dashed up an en-
bankment, turning a complete somer-
sault and crashed into a big elm tree
in front of the gate of the chateau.
The automobile was completely
wrecked. The front axle was broken
and other parts of the machine ere
smashed, includingathe steering gear.
| When the automobile turned over,
the wife Of the ~gatekeeper a she
saw Mr.. and Mrs. Fair thrown high
in the air and fall with a heavy thud
to the ground. The c~hauffneur, who
was sitting behind the Fairs, was
precipitated into a ditch. He stag
gered to his feet, calling for help.
The g~atekeeper's wife rushed to his
assistance and aided hin. in eXtricat-
ing Mr.. and Mrs. Fair, who We're bur-
Ter beneath the wrecked machine and
in the last throes of death. Both had
sustained CHASTITY injuries and were
almost unrecognizable. Mr.. Fairs
skull had been crushed in, while his
wife's skull al split, The chauffner
was terribly affected at the calamity
and seemed bereft of his senses. He
threw himself into a ditch on the OPP
posite side of the road and rolled
about crying: MY poor masters"
NJ. Bcrson, owner of the Chateau
Buisson du Mai, was summoned, and,
after apprising the local authorities
of the accident, he ordered the bodies
of Mr.. and Mrs. Fair to be carried to
the ~gatekeeper's lodge.
Here they now lie on mattresses
and flowers have been strewn over
them. In the dome are a tapers
burning dimly. VII,
The accident was evidently due to
the bursting Of a tire. At the time it
occurred, the automobile, which was
capable OF running "A miles an hour,
was going at the rate of 62 miles an
hour. The local police authorities
hold in their possession and have seal
ed up a valise belonging to the Fairs,
which contains jewelry, two letters
of credit, a French bank note worth
5000, and some old coins. 5sl
Mr.. and Mrs. Fair had been staying
at Trouville during the week. They
had a very fast 45-horsepower auto
mobile, which attracted considerable
attention and with which they were
highly pleased. Mr.. Fair had been
from ,Trouville to Paris and back
again in one day with the machine.
Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Fair left San
Francisco in the latter part of May
last for a trip to Europe. Charles
Fair was the son of the late Senator
Fair, and was one Of the heirs to the
immense estate of the late senator.
It is peculiar that the son of the
late John w. Mackay, one of Senator
Fairs partners, was also killed near
Paris a few years ago, being thrown
from his horse.
Charles Fair and his wife left San
| Francisco for Europe on May 80 last.