The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-27
MADE A FLYING LEAP
Machine Became Unmanagable az d
Went Over Embankment.
Special Dispatch to The Times.)


LONG BRANCH N. j.. August 26.-An
automobile, containing Frank ]. Mat
thews, a wealthy real estate dealer of
Jersey City; Father Grant, of the Church
of st. Paul the Apostle, New York;
Mrs. Cobb, of Richmond, Va, and Miss
Matthews, niece Of Frank J. Matthews,
took a flying leap over the enbankment
at Park Avenue Bridge of the New York
and Long Branch Railroad at Elberon at
3 o'clock this afternoon.
Mr.. Matthews was instantly killed, the
two women were fatally hurt and Fa-
Their Grant was slightly injured. The
chauffeur, whose name has not been
learned, jumep in time to save himself.
Mrs. Cobb and her companion were
brought to the Monmouth Memorial Hos
pital on a train, which also carried Mr..
Matthew's body. Father Grant was car
ried into the Hathaway Inn.
Mr.. Matthews was driving the machine
when the accident occurred. He lost con-
troll Of it while crossing the bridge. and it
plunged over the side Of the bridge,
crashing down on the tracks thirty feet
below.
The machine, weighing almost two tons,
turned completely over in the air and fell
or Mr. Matthews. He was crushed al
most beyond recognition, and was killed.
instantly. Nearly every bone in his body
was broken
Mrs w. B. Pizzini, one Of the women
occupants, fell partly beneath the ma
chine Miss Matthews, a niece of the
owner of the automobile. was also terri
bly, hurt
The party of five left Allenhurst, where
Mr. Matthews has a summer home, early
this afternoon for spin In the auto
They intended to visit some friends here.
LOST CONTROL
Mr. Matthews was driving the machine
at a moderate rate of speed. He pur-
chased it a short time ago for $4,000 1t
was a fast vehicle, but not of the racing
type and its speed to-day Was not eN-
cessive. Just as they reached the bridge.
Mr.. Matthews. in some manner lost con-
troll of the machine. It swerved midway
| over ne bridge and before anyone ex-
| cept the chauffeur could jump 1t crashed
| through the railing and fell Wh1rllns
through the air to the tracks thirty feet
uclow.
A number of persons in the vicinity
+ha. accident and help was soon at
hand Mr.. Matthews was beyond human
aid Int the two women and Father Grant
were brought to the hospital as quickly
| as possible.
f.reat difficulty was experienced In get
| .;ne Mr. bthe-re' body from under the
noao,7ina crowd OF volunteers lifted
the w.recl,asa finally. The body was sen1
to Flyers and F1ock's rlorgue and the tam-
ilv Of Mr.. Mathews was notified Mr
Mathews body Is now IN charge OF the
coroner.
URGED THEM TO JUMP
The chauffeur returned to Allenhurst
and could not be located tonight. The
! mac ine became unmanaseaoles ABOUT TWO
hundred yards before the bridge was
res ched, and the chauffeur seemed to be
the only one IN the party VINO was COOL
| He urged Mr.. Mathews and MS compan-
ions to jump. The women ana atner
Grant were 1notionless from fright, while
| Mr. Mathews tugged desperately at the
brakes in order to stop the machine. NO
matter which wa yhe turned them. the
ma chine continued in its wild fight, and
lust before the bridge was reached the
| cha tlffeur leaped out Of the machine He
| tried to- pul! Mr.. Mathews and Mrs Cobb
with him, but he only touched their
| clothes The chauffeur fell by the road
side unhurt, while Mr.. Mathews and his
companions went owe rtho enioaas- -e
together with the machine
Other viewers Of the feariul spectacle
rushed to the aid OF Mr.. Mathews, ta-
lther Grant and the two women. MT. Ala-.
thews had been killed instantly ana MRS.
| Cotl and Miss Mathews were picked up
unconscious and were hurried TO the hos-
pital. Father Grant was carried TO the
| i'm, and beyond nervous shock he was
| not injured.
The party started waay from Mr..
In