The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-12-16
James B. HoWes Witnessed
Accident in Which His ReIa-
tive, Will W. SpauIding, Met
His Death.
FATAL ACCIDENT A
MOST PECULIAR ONE
Coal Falls on Horses Hoofs,
Frightening and Causing
Them to SWerve, Throwing
Mr.. SpauIdiag to Ground.

In a runaway accident on North Six
teenth street yesterday afternoon, VIII
W. Spaulding a prominent gardner and
greenhouse man. was thrown headlong
killing him almost instantly James
b. Howcs, father-in-law of Mr.. Spauld-
ing was about a half block distant
when the accident occurred. He has
tened to the scene and gaZed upon the
unfortunate victim. At first he did
not recognize him as the face was
blackened by coal, with which the
wagon Mr.. Spaulding was driving, was
loaded, and he suggested that the
body be searched for the purpose of
Identification. Just as this sugges-
ton was about to be carried out, Mr..
Howes recognized the team of runaway
horses, which were being held by a
couple of men. as belonging to Mr..
Spaulding. Taking a mofe careful
scrutiny of the body Mr.. Hoves recog-
nized it as that of Mr.. Spaulding. my
God, it is my son-in-law," he moaned,
~
the body.
Accident Unusual.
The accident which resulted in the
death of Mr.. Spaulding was a most un-
usual one. He had just received a
carload of coal, which had been placed
on the Sixteenth street Panhandle
switch to be unloaded. He placed the
first load in his gravel wagon, hauled
by spirited team Of horses, and
started for his home on the National
road, one mile east of the city. At the
corner of North Sixteenth and
streets the front end board fell out and
the coal began to drop on the horses
hoofs. They gave a sudden lurch
and the avalanche of coal which fol
lowed, carried with it the seat on
which Mr.. Spaulding was seated. One
Of the lines dropped and became en-
tangled with the horses legs This
caused them to make a sudden turn to
the side and the momentum hurled
Mr.. Spaulding from the falling seat
against tree. A number Of people
witnessed the accident and when they
reached the side of the victim he was
found to be dead. The falling coal
had nearly covered his body. Before
the frightened animals could break
loose from the wagon and bolt, they
were captured by a couple of men.
The body was taken to the Doan &
Klute undertaking establishment and
last evening was removed to the home
of Mr.. Howes, % North Twenty first
street. Owing to the fact that the
Spaulding home is being remodeled
the body will be kept at the Howes
residence and the funeral will proba-
bly, be held Friday afternoon.
Was Well Known Man.
Will Spaulding was one of the best
known men in the county. For years
he has been engaged in the gardening
and green house business and he was
a familiar figure at the South Sixth
street market. Mr.. Spaulding was a
prominent Red Man and a member of
Osceola tribe. He had filled every
office in that tribe and at the time of
his death was its treasurer. He was
also a prominent member of the White
water lodge of Odd Fellows. Mr.
Spaulding was born at Hamilton. O..
Jan. IA. 1857, and when eight years
old removed to this county with his
parents. He resided with them on
their farm on the National road until
he married in July. 1898, when he pur-
chased adjoining Droperty
Mr.. Spaulding leaves wife and four
young children. Florence. Charles,
William and Louise, his parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Frank Spaulding. and his Sis
ter, Mrs. Beard. of Toledo. Ohio.
Friends may call at the Howes home
at any time.