The Washington times., 1905-01-22
CROKER'S SON IN
FATAL ACCIDENT
At AUTO CONTEST
Chauffeur Loses Life and
Cyclist IS Injured on
Beach at Daytona.
MACHINE ROLLS INTO SEA
Leg of New Yorker Broken.
Picked Up Unconscious
After Display of Bravery.

DAYTONA, Jan. 21-Frank H. Gro
Ter of New York eldest son of Rich
ard Croker former Tammany leader,
vas severely injured this afternoon in
~ auto accident on the beach here.
lis Chauffeur, Alexander Rauel, of
fSew York. was killed instantly An
ether man. who was propelling motor
cycle chair car. and who caused the
accident, had both legs broken
Croker's 75 horsepower car rolled
ever and over on the sand into the
ocean, and when ii stopped was half
submerged in water. HAD Croker not
been pulled out from under the car he
would probably have been drowned.
The upset occurred about TWO miles
this side of Ornond. Croker was speed
ing northward, driving himself. when
he aaw, far ahead, the man propelling
tie motor chair car.
Croker tried to turn out, but the
oyclist finally shot sideways to the
light, directly in front OF the machine
again Croker made a mighty effort to
turn, bat at that minute the damp sand
gripped his wheel, wrenching one of
the tires, and the car turned sharply
and then Topped sideways. turning
over until it reached the water a foot
oeep.
Eervy to the Last.
Croker was found with one leg broken
near the thigh, and the other leg in
iured. but probably not broken. He
had a deep cut and confusion on the
forehead, and blood was flowing from
his ears. He was unconscious for about
ten minutes. Finally, when bystander
rolled back his eyelids, he spoke and
radially revived There Is still a
nf into irair hair,
- It it seems likely that he will recover.
Rauel .he driver, had ceased breath
rng when his body was pulled out of
the Atlantic The cyclist, whose legs
were broken. was carried to a carriage
and speedily driven off.
Croker is one of the nerviest motor
lists in the country, and has his motor
boat here. intending to enter the Palm
Beach boat race week after next. He
made his first important appearance In
The Vanderbilt Cup races last October
Holes in Car.
In that contest his car, to be reduced
10 proper weight. was bored full Of
holes, and this caused ii TO sag so in
the race that the back OF the seat push
ed him tightly against the steering
wheel. At the Empire track last fail he
won the world s amateur record from
ten TO twelve miles, when he WIS forced
to slow down. He Is also interested In
golf, dogs. snd horses, living in summer
at Deal, y. ].
The accident is likely to cause the
Governmental exercise jurisdiction over
the beach. The city has assumed con-
troll but Legally has no control above
high water mark
President Peck of the Florida East
Coast AUTO Association. said this even
ing he was satisfied that soft spot of
Sand gripping at the tire was what caus-
ed the car TO flop over and run into the
water.
Stanley the Victim.
The name of the man on the motor
cycle. who had his leg broken. is F.. F.
Stanley. visitor, stopping at the Mil
dred villa
Advices from ormond arc to tie ef-
feet that friend who called to see
R1uel's body late tonight said The right
name of the deceased was Victor. al
though everyone called him Sandy
rs short for Alexander
Advicas from Orfnond also state that
Croker. at late hour tonight. is rest
ing easily and that the physicians who
are attending him feel sure that he will
recover.
! a later examination of the patient
shows that his body is a mass Of
bruises
: The coroner mas taken charge of the
!. zhauffeur's body At midnight the auto
was still on the beach with the waves
washing over it. and was being viewed
5y crowds. as the moon is shining
rightly.