The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-27
'wner of the Machine and Host
Of Party Crushed to Death.
STEERING APPARATUS BROKE
Mrs. Cobb Was Almost Instantly Killed
While Mrs. Pizzin Has Only Slight
Chance of Recovery-Chaufeur
Alone Escaped Injury-The
Husbands and Parents
Receive Sad News.

In an automobile disaster yesterday
afternoon at Asbury Park, n D., MIS-.
w. A Cobb, formerly Miss Marie Pizzlni,
Of Richmond. was almost instantly killed,
while Mrs. w B. Pizzini, wife Of the
well-Inown real estate man. was SO PAD
,y injured that her death is hourly eX-
pectod. In addition Mr.. Frank Matthew's,
ot New York. president of the Realty
Trust Company, Of Jersey CITY, was
crushed to death, while his eldest daugh-
ter and Father Grant. OF the Paullst
Catholic Church, of New York city. were
so seriously injured that it is not eX-
pected they will live. In any event MISS
Matthews will be disfgured for life The
accident is regarded as the most serious
and appalling yet recorded IN the annals
OF the horseless carriage.
The accident occurred about o'clock
in the afternoon, while the party, all Of
whom had been stopping at the Colu1rpla
Hotel for the summer, were enjoying
breeze in the 1000 pound automobile of
Mr. Matthews on the speedway along
inc Dedulildi <ASpEIy L ain ocdSi. l. IN
crash came without warming, and the
host was hurled into eternity without
moments notice, while the others Of the
party We're rendered unconscious and
1nained for life before they even had an
intimation that an accident was immi-
nent. The only person in the automobile
at, the time Of the wreck who escaped
without serious Injuries was the chauf-
feur and he is said to have received such
ipht hai 1a jC
nervous prostration.
SUDDEN CRASH
Early in the afternoon the party left
the Columbia Hotel for a pleasure jaun.
along the beach. MI Matthews having
one Of the speediest and handsomest car
riages at the resort. The trip up the beac:,
was made without incident all being il
high glee when the crash came.
The chauffeur had just turned the
ye.lcle, Intending to return the party to
their hotel The long bridge over Park
Avenue had been reached and the ma
chine was moving at a, rapid rate when
suddenly and without any warning, the
steering crank went wrong and the au-
to.nobile was beyond control So quick
ly did it happen that not a note Of warn
ing was sounded by the man tthe wheel,
and the heavy machine plunged off the
nracipice amid the mingled cries Of the
occupants
MI Matthews and Mrs. Cobb, who
were seated together, fell directly under
the heavy automobile. and the former was
powdered almost to a pulp. nearly every
bone in his body being crushed. Death
with him was instantaneous. While much
Of the weight Of the heavy vehicle crushed
Mrs. Cobb to the earth, life fingered with
her a little longer. not becoming extinct
until after she had been removed to the
Memorial Hospital 1t is said, however,
that her body was mashed almost be-
yond recognition
OTHERS JUMPED.
The other members of the party jumped
the machine shot off the bridge and into
the excavation. Sut every one sustained
more or less serious injuries. Miss Mat
thews receiving wounds which will
result in her Disagreement for life. One
leg and one arm OF Mrs. w. B. PiZZini
was broken and she was seriously bruised
about the head and body. AT a late
hour last night her recovery was re-
garded rs improbable The nature and
extent Of Father Grants injuries are nn-
known but 1t has been learned that they
are quite serious.
Fortunately both Mrs. Cobb and Mrs.
Pizzini left their little boys at the hotel.
otherwise the list of fatalities might have
been even more serious.
The scene of the accident was witness
Cd by nuu,f'--rs Of the people, the speed.
way being crowded with pleasure seekers
at the time it happened. and in less time
than II takes to tell numbers of rescu-
e:s We're on the scene lending every pos
sible assistance. The crushed body of Mr.
Matthews and the mangied form of Mrs
Cobb were extra cted from beneath the
heavy automobile aftell much delay had
been experienced in lifting the heavy
weight. The necessary apparatus was not
at hand and the work was regarded as
Dangerous as il was feared that the gaso-
line tank might explode at any moment.
Immediately after they We're released from
the weight, which was bearing them to
the earth. they We're hurriedly carried
to the Memorial Hospital, where it was
observed that Mr.. Matthews was dead.
Every effort was made TO relieve the ap-
parent suffering OF the well known Rich
ncnd lady. but they were all in vain, she
diving three hours later in great agony
without ever having recovered conscious
ness ls
-4.ss Mathews, Mrs. W. B. Pizzini and
Father Grant had in the meantime been
carried TO the hospital, where mitch was
done for their benefit. But ii is still re-
garGed as Improbable that either OF the
.wo women will recover, IN which event
ono will be manned for ire While the
other will probably be crippled
trHE NEWS REACHES RICHMOND.
The first news OF the accident reached
Richmond about O'Clock yesterday after
rcn In the shape of a brief telegram 10
Mr. w. B. Pizzini. which stated that his
wife and Mrs W. A. Cobb his sister.
had been seriously injured in All auto
mobile wreck nt Asbury Park whta,e
they have been since early in June with
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