Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1902-08-21

Evreux, France, Aug. 14.,-Mr. and
Mrs. Charles Fair, Americans, who
we're related to Mrs. w. X. Vanderbilt,
Jr. miss Virginia Fair, were return
ing to Paris from Trouville today,
when their automobile swerved and
crashed into a tree 10 miles from this
place.
Both we're killed. The chauffeur be-
came insane as a consequence of the
shock.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fair had been staying
at Trouville during racing week. They
had very fast 45-horse power auto
mobile, which attracted considerable at
tention and with which they were
highly pleased. Mr.. Fair had been
from Touville to Paris and back again
in one day on the machine.
The accident occurred at 9. 30 O'Clock
this afternoon and almost in front of
tho Chateau Buisson du Mai. The
Fairs intended to dine and spend the
night in Paris and return to Trouville
for luncheon tomorrow.
The wife of the gatekeeper of the
Chateau was the only witness of the
disaster. She says she noticed big
red automobile coming along the road
at tremendous pace Suddenly some
thing 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 embankment, turned
a complete somersault and crashed into
a big elm tree in front of the gate of
the Chateau. The automobile was
wrecked, the front axle being broken
and other parts of the machine smashed,
n GLIDING the steering gear. When the
,,tN @l.tl Ia ftts l. ..,.f =
gatekeeper says, she saw Mr.. and Mrs.
with a heavy thud to the ground. The
chauffeur, who was sitting behind the
Fairs, was precipitated into a ditch.
He staggered to his feet, calling for
help. The gatekeeper's wife rushed to
his assistance and aided him in extri-
eating Mr.. and Mrs. Fair, who were
buried beneath the wrecked machine,
and in the last throes of death.
Both had sustained CHASTITY injuries,
| and were almost unrecognizable. Mr..
Fairs head had been crushed in, while
Mrs. Fairs skull was split. The chauf-
| feur 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 mas
| ters. -
M. Borson, owner of the Chateau
| Buisson du Mai, was summoned, and
after advising the local authorities Of
| the accident, he ordered the bodies of
Mr.. and Mrs. Fair to be carried to the
gatelseepers' lodge. Here they lay on
mattresses, and flowers have been strewn
over them. In the room are three wax
tapers burning dimly. Later the bodies
were taken to the Chateau Buisson du
Mai. @
| The accident was evidently due to
the bursting of a tire. AT the time it
occurred the automobile, which was
capable of running IA miles an hour,
was going at the rate OF 81 miles an
hour.
The local police authorities hold in
their possession and have scaled up a
valise belonging to the Fairs, which
contains jewelry, two letters of credit,
French bank note worth 5000 and
some gold coins, r..
| Mrs. William X. Vanderbilt, Jr. who
was Mr.. Fairs sister, returned from
Trouville Sunday and sailed for New
York yesterday on the North German
Lloyd steamship Kronprinz Wilhelm.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fair left San Fran
cisco in the latter part of May last for
a trip to Europe. Charles Fair was
the son and was one of tho heirs to the
immense estate of the late Senator
| Fair, estimated to be worth S125, 600, COO
I