Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-08-01
A SAD AnDFaTAL ACCIDENT.
Mrs. Snyder, Wife Of the Editor Of
the Register. Meets Untimely
Death.

the Register, meets OnIififSiy
| Death.
One of the most distressing occur.
rences that has ever happened In
Shepherdstown was an accident last
Sunday afternoon, by which Mrs. Ida
L. Snyder, beloved wife of Mr.. Harry,
L. Snyder, editor of this paper, lost
her life. 1t was catastrophe 80 sud-
den and 80 appalling that it seems i'm
possible even now to realize its dread
full import.
Mrs. Snyder, with her daughters
Rose and Rachel and son Harry. had
started to drive to the Lutheran Sum
day School in a,'double. seated vehicle.
While descending the hill. from the
Episcopal Church part Of the har-
| ness broke, and the horse, unable to
hold back. the vehicle, quickened his
pace, but not to the extent of running
| away. By the time Firemens Hall
was reached Mrs. Snyder had become
alarmed, and despite the entreaties OF
her daughter Rachel. who occupied
the rear seat with her, she proposed
to leap to the ground. This she did
| in front of Mr.. B. s. Psndle!on's res.
| idence. Whether her foot caught in
her skirt or in the fender will never
be known, but she was thrown vio-
lently to the ground, striking on her
head. A number Of persons rushed
Immediately to her assistance and
| found her unconscious and bleeding.
| Drs. Banks and Reynolds were soon
| on the scene and she was carried into
the home of Mrs. Raleigh G. Criswell,
where she expired in few minutes,
never having regainsd consciousness.
The physicians were of the opinion
that her neck was broken and a large
blood vessel in the neck had been
ruptured.
The team was easily stopped In
front of the postofice, only a few
yards beyond the point where the
fatal attempt to leap to safety had
been made, and the children stepped
out unframed. Had it been possible
to restrain Mrs. Snyder for half
minute longer the deplorable accident
would not have happened. The fact
that the horse was stopped within
such short distance shows that he
was not running away, but simply
trying to keep out of the way of the
| vehicle which he was unable to hold
back.
Mr.. Snyder, who is superintendent
of the Sunday School, and his son
Will, who had gone on to the church
previously, were hastily summoned,
and with the stricken children were
taken to their home, to which, few
moments later, the body of the wife
and mother was tenderly carried.
The news of the calamity spread
over the town and through the sur.
rounding country in an incredibly
short time, and friends from far and
near fastened to the home or sent
loving messages of sympathy. The
friends of the family could scarcely
believe that the sad news could be
true, 80 sudden was the transition
from life to death.
Mrs. Snyder was the only daughter
of the late William Baldwin. some
twenty-five years ago well-known
public official of Philadelphia and
chief commissioner of highways Of
that city, and who died just previous
to her marriage. She was AZ years
of age. Besides her husband, she
is survived by five children-Louise
Anna, William Baldwin, Rose, Rach-
ell and Harry L., Jr.
Few persons have ever lived in
Shepherdstown who were more sim
cerely loved than Mrs Snyder. She
came here sweet and happy young
bride more than twenty-three years
ago, and though raised in city and
used only to city ways, she at once
adapted herself to our village life, and
by her sweet disposition, her gentle
manners, her unfailing charity and
her purity of character won place
in the affections Of the people that
she retained to the day of her death.
Her innate kindness and her influence
for good was extended to all classes
and conditions. The smile with which
she greeted at her front door the hon.
ored guest and extended her gracious
hospitality was from the same loving
heart that fed the needy stranger in
tatters at the gate. Her home was
ever open to her friends and the
friends of her family, who felt the
sweet influence Of the lovely charac.
ter that adorned it, and were the bet
ter for being where she was. Just as
unerringly kind and gracious Was she
to the humblest who approached her.
1t was her standing order that no one
asking aims or food should ever be
turned from her door unsatisGsd, and
we cannot but believe that her gen
tie kindness touched many heart
that gave no outward sligo. Toe poor
of this community will miss her gen.
erous gifts and her loving sympathy.
Mrs. Snyder loved her church,
and gave OF her time and means and
energy to its welfare. Sac was on
her way to teach her class in Sunday
School when the mysterious Provi.
dence called her to another world.
| She was faithful to every duty that