Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-25
THE DEADLY AUTO.
Gets in Its Work in Race from
Versailles to Bordeaux.
Several Fatal and Numerous Minor
Accidents Along the Route.
Completion of the Big Race Forbidden
by Authorities.

versailles to bordeaux, Premier Com
pcs has forbidden the continuance of
the contest on French territory The
second stage of the race which was to
have been continued, Tuesday, included
a run over French territory. Premier
Combs action will probably lead to the
race being abandoned.
1t is reported that the Spanish gov
eminent has also forbidden the con-
tinuancc of the race on Spanish terri
tory.
Dispatches from points along the
course add to the list of fatalities and
accidents.
The most terrible occurred near Bon
neval. 10 miles from Chartres, where
machine No. 243 driven by NJ Porter,
was overturned ut a railroad crossing
and took fire. The chauffeur was I'M
derneath the automobile and burned to
death. while two soldiers and a child
were killed.
chauffeur was badly injured by an
accident to his motor car near Augou-
lemc.
A woman crossing the road in the
neighborhood of Ablis was run Over by
one of the competing cars and killed.
We're first reported to have been killed
are still alive. 1t seems that their au
tomobile collided with another.car with
which Mr.. Stead had been racing for
several kilometres, wheel to wheel and
was completely overturned in a ditch
near Montguyon. Mr.. Stead was caught
under the machine while his chauffeur
was hurled to a distance of 80 feet and
had his head badly cut. Mr.. Stead was
conscious when he was picked up but
complained of suffering great pain. He
was conveyed to the nearest farm. 1t
is stated that Louis Ranaults automo-
bile attained at Beuordiniere, between
Charities and Bonneval, a maximum
speed of 1874 miles per hour.
The first stage in the Paris Madrid
automobile race from Versailles to
Bordeaux. 3l3 miles, finished at noon,
today. when Louis Renault dashed at a
furious pace into Bordeaux, having
made a record run of 8 hours and q
minutes. An hour later, NJ. Gabril ar
rived with Il still better record of s
hours. minutes. 1t is estimated from
the times made that these automobiles
covered G2 miles an hour on the road
outside the cities. These victories,
however. were clOuded by a series of
accidents. having in one case at least
fatal result. AT least two cars wer"
wrecked and Marcel Renault, the win
ner of the Paris-Nienna race, last year,
Lorraine Barrows, a very well-knoWn
automobilist and RenaultS chauffeur
were seriously. it is believed fatally in
jured while Barrows chauffeur was
killed. Moreover. an unconfirmed re-
port SAWS a serious accident occurred
near Angouleme in which the two oc-
cupants of an automobile, the owner
of which is not yet known, were Sc
riously injured and two spectators
were killed.
The name of w. X. Vanderbilt, Jr,
disappeared from the reports along the
route after Rambouillet, where he
passed 2Sth in order at 4.45 this morn
ing, going in fine form. 1t was learned
later that Henri Fourier and Baron
DcForrest withdrew from the race to-
gcther before reaching Charities. All OF
them suffered breakdowns and having
lost three hours they decided that it
was useless to continue. FoXhall
kcenc, Tod Sloan and w. }. Dannat,
the American artist. did not appear at
the sterling line, this morning, when
their turn was reached and consequent
" did not take part in the race. G
Gray-Dinsmorc is the only American
left in.
Versailles passed a night of wild eX-
element. 1t is estimated that 1o0,o00
persons crowded into the little town TO
witness the start of the race. Soldiers
with fixed bayoncts lined the track Tor
some distance from Versailles. "A bomb
WAS exploded at 335 A. M, as signal
to get ready and Immediately charles
Jarrott's car drew into place. Another
bomb was fired at 3.45 for the start ana
then the enormous machine shot for
ward amid the shouts of the thousands
Of epcctators. The other cars followed
in quick succession.
Nn,e belfast the sole female conn
petitor i'm last years Paris-Berlin race
was again the only woman to partici-
nate in the present contest. Her ma
chine was decked with overs and hcl
departure was the signal for great
ovation. She made a splendid run
nassinr five of her competitors before
reaching Charities.
The crowd around Mr.. Vanderbilt:
machine DrcNtllltu llliii lio''
the starting line in time ana ne was
further delayed by controversy VIII
the Judges, finally starting two minutes
late. The last departure was at o.
this morning.
During the afternoon, word OF the ac
cidents began to arrive and cast Il clou'
over the event. A dispatch from bor
deaux announced that Lorraine Aar
rows had met with a shocking accldeh
near Libourne Il miles from BorueauN
AT As. this afternoon. 1t appears ina
Mr.. Barrows had tried to avoid do'
who was crossing the track ana nj
monster car. No. 5 in the race, struck
tree with terrific orce. His Chauileu
was killed outright. Barrows, hilhsell
was picked up unconscious but stl
breathing and was taken to a hosplta
where his condition was declared TO
critical. His car was smasheo
pieces.
Shortly afterwards news came ina
Marcel Renault had been overturhe
in a deep ditch beside the ROAD hea
Pnirt0plS,