New-York tribune., 1905-12-25


and Whitestone Road, Flushing. Mr.. Martin
was crushed TO death under the machine and the
six other occupants of the car We're scattered
along the road. Almost as if by miracle the
others escaped death. but all We're badly bruised
The body of Mr. Martin reached the family
home shortly after midnight. Mrs. Martin IS
prostrated with grief and is said TO be in
critical condition. No arrangements would De
made for the funeral until she recovered 1t was
said
In the car. in addition to Mr.. Martin and the
chauffeur were Mrs. Edward A. Manice Mr-
and Mrs Daniel Bacon and j. Allen Townsend
Mrs. Bacon thrown into ditch which
nearly full of water, and was almost
drowned before she could be dragged out. She
badly cut about the face. Mr. Bacon also
fell into the ditch and was seriously injured
about the spine.
Mrs Manice and Mr.. Townsend fell clear OF
the and the ditch and neither was hurt ex-
cept for Slight bruises and scratches Mrs.
Manice picked herself up, but such was the
force with which she hurled from the car.
that every seam in her waist had burst open In
half an hour she all right. but later she be-
came hysterical. The chauffeur was badly
bruised
The party had taken luncheon at the Oakland
Golf Club and was returning to New-York. To
carry the guests two of the Martin automobiles
pressed into service. Preceding the Pan
hard James E. Martin. jr-. driving 40
horsepower Mercedes in which were Mrs. James
F.. Martin. Mrs. James E. Martin, jr: Mrs J.
Allen Townsend and Stacey Clarke.
Mr. Martin, jr, showing the way with
the Mercedes car, and just before the accident
occurred had gained considerable lead. The
other car anxious to catch up, and Mr.
Martin, sr, ordered the chauffeur to let the
pOjp nj he W.
a funeral procession the road at this point.
but both the automobiles, travelling at a gait
faster than mile minute passed the funeral
cortege safely
SIDE OF DITCH CAVES IN.
To do this, however it was necessary for the
big Panhard TO close to the side of the
road. The city is laying mains for new sewer
pipes there, and there is deep ditch, with dirt
piled high on each side Of It. The recent rain
had filed this ditch with water. The chauffeur
of the Panhard. IN his eagerness to pass the
Mercedes ran too close to this ditch; the soft
ground gave way, and the heavy machine, with
its human freight was thrown into the ditch
The reports of those who in the car
differ. Some say the turned over com
pletey one and a half times while others
think 1t simply sagged into the ditch, where it
was firmly wedged after the accident. 1t Is
certain that Mr. Martins body was found under
the wreck of the car. His skull was smashed
in and the body terribly bruised and man
gled Mrs. Martin, who was in the Mercedes
ahead. turned her head in time to see the acci-
dent. Soon after the wreck a policeman ap-
peared the scene, and as If they had not
trouble enough already, wanted to arrest the
whole party for speeding.
WAS Mr. MARTINS BIRTHDAY.
Yesterday was Mr. Martins birthday and he
was fifty eight years old. He was in the habit
of going out for a spin every Sunday. as well
as frequently on other days. Oddly enough. he
did not intend to be q member of the party on
the trip which resulted in his death. Edward
A. Manice, whose wife was in the wrecked car
and escaped death mtraculously. was to be
one of the party, but was sick. Mr.. Martin
took his place. Mr. Manfce, when seen at his
home last night after the accident, said he felt
that fate had indeed been kind to him in spar
ing Mrs. Manice and in keeping him at home
when MI Martin who took his place had been
killed Mrs Manice is noted golf player and
has several times held the championship of the
Metropolitan Golf Association.
News Of the accident created CONSERVATION IN
the Martin and Brokaw families. as Mrs. Martin,
who was Miss Florence G. Brokaw before she
was married, is a sister of Clifford V. Brokaw,
w Gould Brokaw and William v Brokaw. She
is also cousin Of Mrs. Carl F1scher-Hansen.
James E. Martin the dead man. has a town
house at No SO3 5th-ave., and large summer
place on the shore of Little Neck Bay at Great
Neck Long Island He has lived there most
of the time except In the New York season
There are few estates on Long Island
indeed in the United States which
magnificent as Mr.. Martins. He recently ac-
quired a large additional tract OF land, which
he had not finished beautfying when he died.
H Bramhall Gilbert. of No. II East 63d-st., mar
ried Miss Lila Brokaw, sister OF Mrs. Martin
Mr.. Gilbert also has magnificent summer home
at Great Neck Mr. Martin had only one son,
James E. Martin, jr. who married Miss GLADYS
Robinson.
Mrs J. Allen Townsend who said she spoke
for her husband well for herself. gave a
most graphic account of the accident
I'VE were returning from the Oakland Golf
Club a car driven by the younger Mr.. Martin
being ahead" she said. Both were speed
ing along at a lively pace. Our driver tried to
pass the car ahead and. in doing So ran close
10 a ditch at the left OF the road He made an
effort to avoid getting too near the edge but
the machine became unmanageable. and the
next moment we all thrown into the ditch.
Mr. Martin was in the first seat. with the driver
of the car He fell on his head and. believe,
must have fractured his skull, 1 escaped with
very slight injury and with the others. helped
to get Mr.. Martin out He was unconscious
and was pinioned between the overturned ma
chine and the side of the ditch.
Those in the other hurried 10 the scene
and were soon joined by people Of the neighbor-
hood.
MIR. Martin was carried to Mr. Peck's home
near by. where he died. He did not utter word
from the moment of the accident until his death,
Mr. and Mrs. Bacon. believe. were injured.