Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1905-12-30
DEATH ENDS RACE.
Millionaire's Auto, at Racing
Speed, Turns Turtle.
JAMES /. MARTISSLIFEC OUT
wife Saw Him ISiIEed--six In Mig
Panhard Touring Car Injured.
Chauffeur Faure Held by
the Police.


NEW YORK. Dec. 2G. II was while
racing at mile minute past a fu-
neral procession to oyertake Tie auto
mobile OF his son that JAMES Il. Mar
tins great fifty horsepower Panhard
turned turtle at Broadway and White
stone road, Flushing. Sunday even
ing, instantly crushing the life out Of
its millionaire owner and injuring ev-
cry one Of the six persons who had
been lis companions in the wild race.
Alrs. Martin, in her sons car, who
saw her husband fnng headlong
through the air 10 fan under the wreck
age of the somersauIting car, is in a
critical condition from shock and pros
tration, ana the tragedy may have a
doubly tragic sequel.
The victims of the disaster are:
james T. Martin of SOB Fifth avenue.
retired banker ana brother of Bradley
Martin, skull crushed; dead. Daniel
Bacon, back badly hurt injured in-
ternally. Mrs. Daniel Bacon, legs cut
and bruised. Mrs Edward A. Ma
nice, the famous golhng expert. contn-
sions about body and head. stacy
Clark. back, shoulders, head and leg
bruised and cut. Mrs ]. Allen Town
send, decorations and Commissions. Alex
ander Faure, chauffeur, bruised and
cut about the head and shoulders.
Mr. and Mrs. Martin had just given
a luncheon at the Oakland Golf club
at Bayside. Mr.. Martin and his wife,
who was Florence Brokaw, sister to
w. Gould BrQkaw, were notable auto
mobile enthusiasts, spending much
time in tours on Long Island and fire.
quently going back and forth between
their town house and their country
residence.
The Martins We're joined at the club
house after luncheon by their son,
James g. Martin, Jr., and his wife,
who was Miss Gladys Robinson. The
younger Martins had been at luncheon
at the house of Cord Meyer, IL, at
Bayside.
The whole party left the clubhouse
bound to New York in three automo-
biles.
In his Mercedes car Mr.. Martin, Jr.,
with his mother beside him, was lead
ing the way. He had gained a consid-
cradle lead. Mr.. Martin, ST., ordered
his chauffeur, a man used to daring
the dangers of the road and race track.
to let the Panhard out and take the
lead. The son, detecting the move,
opened his lever to the last notch
There was IA funeral procession in the
road. but the laboring automobiles
swept past the carriages and the
hearse like wheeled whirlwinds. going
to the very edge of the macadSm to
avoid collisions. The Panhard, by all
accounts, was travelling sixty or sixty
five miles an hour
On Broadway the older Martin told
his driver to pass the Mercedes at
once.
AT this place an open ditch four feet
deep ends just beyond where the two
autos were drawing abreast.
Faure in Swerying to the left ran the
left front wheel of his car against the
soft earth where the trench had been
filed in.
That wheel thudded against the edge
of the trench and sank almost to the
hub in the soft earth. The effect of this
and of the high momentum was to send
the huge car up in the air poised on
that unlucky left front wheel. For one
dizzy instant it hung in that position
and then fell down to the left of the
road,
According TO some accounts, the au-
tomobile turned one complete somer-
sault and part of another. Anything
travelling mile minute or better is
likely to do unusual things if suddenly
and violently halted.
Mr.. Martin was flung high in the air
He dropped with tremendous force UNI
der the uptulned machine, and it set
tied on his head.
His wife looking back from the other
car, saw the whole thing She scream
ed and tainted
Faure was taken prisoner to the
Flushing hospital 1'h"re he was held,
the police charging him with homicide
in that, as t!el asserted. he had caused
Mr.. Martins dclth through negligence
Result of Family Row.