The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-15
Accident Due to Bursting OF a Tire
While the Machine Was Running
Over Sixty Miles an Hour.
CHARLES FAIR VERY WEALTHY
WAS ONE OF THE THREE HEIRS OF
THE LATE NEVADA SENATOR
His Fad Was Fast Automobiles, and
speeded to So Miles an Hour.

EvREUx, France Aug. 14-Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Fair, Americans. who were related
TO Mrs. W K Vanderbilt. jr. Miss Vir
ginia Fair), were returning to Paris from
Trouville, when their automobile swerved
and crashed into tree fifteen miles from
tere. Both were killed The chauffeur be-
ame insane as a consequences of the shock.
The bodies of Mr.. and Mrs. Fair were TAX
en- TO the Chateau Buisson du Mai.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fair have been staying at
Trouvills during racing week. They had
a very fast forty-fve horsepower automo-
bile 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 on the machine.
The accident occurred at half-past 2
O'Clock this afternoon and almost in front
of the Chateau Buisson du Mai The Fairs
intended to dine and spend the night in
Paris and return to Trouville for lunch to-
morrow. The wife of the gatekeeper of the
chateau was the only witness of the dis
aster. She says she noticed big red auto
mobile coming along the road at a tremen-
dous pace. Suddenly something happened
and the heavy machine slid sideways from
the right to the left side of the road for
embankment. turned somplete somersault
and crashed into a big elm tree in front
OF the gate Of the chateau. The automo-
bile was completely wrecked the front
axle was broken and other parts of the
machine were smashed. including the steer
ing gear. When the automobile turned
over. the wife of the gatekeeper says she
saw Mr.. and Mrs. Fair thrown high 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. The gate keepers wife
rushed to his assistance and aided him in
extricating Mr. and Mrs. Fair who were
buried beneath the wrecked machine, and
in the last throes of death. Both had re-
ceived CHASTITY injuries, and were almost
unrecogniazble. Mr. Fairs head had been
crushed in. while his wife's 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 masters"
NJ. Borson, owner of the Chateau Buisson
du Mai, was summoned. and. after advising
the local authorities of the accident he or
dered 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 tire At the time it occurred
the automobile, which was capable of run
ming seventy-four miles an hour, was going
at the rate of sixty-two miles an hour.
The local police authorities hold in their
possession and have sealed up a valise be-
longing to the Fairs. which contains Jew
elry. two letters OF credit, a French bank
note worth 500 and some gold coin.