The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-15

y automobile swerved and crashed y
y into a tree fifteen miles from y
y mere. Both were killed. The chauf- y
y feur became insane as a conse- y
y quence of the shock. y
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Paris August 14.-The fatal accident to
Mr.. and Mrs. Fair occurred at the village
of st. Aguillin. Mr.. Fair himself was
driving his automobile at a high rate of
speed when one of the pneumatic tires
bursted The machine swerved, collided
with a tree with a terrific crash and was
overturned. Mr.. and Mrs. Fair were
killed outright and their chauffeur was
badly injured.
The Fairs have been living lately in
Paris at the Hotel Ritz and kept their
apartments there while they were staying
at Trouville. Today Mr.. Fair sent dis
patch from 1rouville to the management
of the Hotel Ritz saying he and his wife
would arrive there tonight.
Mrs. William K. Vanderbilt, Jr.. who
was Mr. Fairs sister, returned from
Trouville Sunday and sailed for Now
York yesterday on the North German
A<lbyO SlSaihCl AAlA w
Only One Witness to Accident.
Evreaux, France, August 1.-THE acci-
dent occurred at 2:3O o'clock this after
noon and almost in front of the Chateau
Ruisson du Mai. The Fairs intended to
dine and spend the night in Paris and
return to Trouville for lunch tomorrow.
The wife of the gatekeeper of the cha
- &I,a
ter. She says she noticed big red auto
mobiles coming along the road at tre-
mendous pace. Suddenly something
happened and the heavy machine slid
sideways from the right to the left Of
road for about sixty yards. 1t then
dashed up an embankment, turned a
complete somersault and crushed 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 were smash
ed, including the steering gear. When
the automobile turned over, the wife OF
the gatekeeper says she saw Mr.. and
Mrs. Fair thrown in the air and fall
with a heavy thud to the ground. The
chauffeur, who was sitting behind the
Fairs, was precipitated into ditch. He
staggered to his feet calling for help
Inc gatekeeper's wife rushed to his
assistance and aided him in extricating
Mr. and Mrs. Fair, who were hurled
beneath the wrecked machine and in the
last throes of death. Both had sustained
ghastly injuries ant were almost unre-
cognizable.
Mr.. Fairs Head Crushed.
Mr. Fairs head had been crushed in,
while his wifes skull was split The
chauffeur was terribly affected at the
calamity and seemed bereft of his
senses. He threw himself into ditch
on the opposite side of the road and
rolled about crying, my poor MASTER
NJ Borson, owner of the chateau Bis
son du NAL was summoned. and after
advising the local authorities Of the ac-
cident he ordered the bodies of Mr.. and
Mrs. Fair to be carried to the gate
keepers lodge Here they now lie on
mattresses, and flowers have been strewn
over them. In the room are three wax
tapers burning dimly.
The accident was evidently due to the
bursting of a tire. At the time it oc-
Cured the automobile, which was cap
able Of running IA miles an hour, was
going at the rate of 60 miles an hour.
The local police authorities hold in
their possession and have sealed a va
lise belonging to the Fairs, which con-
tains jewelry, two letters Of credit, a
French bank note worth 5000 and some
gold coins.
Was an Auto Enthusiast.
San Francisco, August 14.-Mr. and
Mrs Charles Fair left San Francisco
late in May for trip to Europe. Charles
Fair was the son of the late Senator Fair,
and was one of the heirs to the estate of
the senator.
1t is a remarkable fact that the son of
the late John Mackay, one of Senator
Fairs partners was also killed near
from his horse
Charles Fair has been enthusiastic
about automobiles ever since they were
first introduced In the United States.
He was one of the first to bring auto
mobiles to the coast, and he owned three
OF four of them. He had what was per-
haps the largest and swiftest auto car in
California. 1t was huge French racing
machine and capable, 1t is said, of going
at a speed of 70 miles an hour.
It had a forty horsepower engine. He
imported 1t from France and with It
came a chauffeur.
Fair was interested also in yachting
and owned the steam yacht Lucero.
Son of Senator Fair.
Charles Fair was the third of the four
G. Fair. Teresa, who is now the wife of
Hermann Oelrichs, is the eldest. Then
came James, who died about ten years
ago. Charles was the third, and the
Youngest was Virginia. VINO is now the
wife of w. X. Vanderbilt, Jr
In the spring of 1894, Charles married
Maude Nelson. The ceremony took place
in Oakland, and it was almost a secret
one
Charles Fair was one of the three heirs
to an immense estate, estimated in value
at between 100000 and $50, 100000. The
other two are his own sisters.
When informed Of the tragic end of his
brother-in-law and his wire this after
noon. Hermann Oelrichs said:
IT am terribly shocked put not sur
prised. said only a few days ago that
If Charles persisted in carrying on his
experiments along this line, the result
would be fatal sooner or later. have