The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-18


seat, dashed him to earth with incalcu-
liable velocity.
Stricken Horribly Manged.
Every bone in the drivers body was
crushed.
His entire head was bloody mass OF
pulp that quivered.
His left arm was fractured in three
places, and his left leg practically torn
from the body.
The goggles he wore were crushed into
the most minute particles, but, support
ed by CONCEALED blood and pulverized
flesh, each atom of glass remained in its
fixed position.
Over the whole, a blue-black spread
itself, which concealed from the most
intimate eye, the mans identity.
There is no doubt but that death was
instantaneous. Stricken never knew OF
his fatal injury.
The dead driver was embalmed yester-
day at GREEN'S undertaking establish
ment. During the day hundreds of the
morbidly curious viewed the mangled
remains.
Leon Barrows, who acted as Stricker's
mechanic, was not fatally injured. He
suffered no broken bones, but was rem
| dered senseless. lie remained in such
condition throughout yesterday, neither
| being able to make statement, nor even
| to speak coherently concerning anything,
| In his de1irium, he talked OF automo-
| biles and penjpfed up Nightmares wish.
| horrible expression.
, Widespread Grief Expressed.
The body of the dead driver was re-
/ moved to the Terminal station from
| where this morning the Seaboard will
| bear 1t to New York.
The remains will go to the Profess
sonal Chauffeurs' Club of America, an
organization which the deceased and
Lewis Strang founded five years ago, and
of which the former was the first pres
ident.
William Walz, cousin OF Stricken, will
receive the remains on their arrival in
New York and will attend to their inter-
ment.
Yesterday Lewis Strang, Stricler's part
ner and William Fl. Pickens, the Bir
mingham boy who promoted the race
which terminated so disastrously, received
a countless number of kilograms from
every portion of the east. The Renault
company, for which the men drove, ex-
pressed itense grief. Samuel Bloch, aud
itor of the city of New York, who, with
Strang, was the sole friend on whom
the dead driver had claims, offered to
come to Birmingham if such procedure
were necessary. The Professional Chauf-
feurs' club expressed by wire its heart
| felt grief and desired to know if its men,
bers could assist in any possibly man.
ner
Birmingham citizens, too. expressed
their sympathy to Strang and Pickens.
Lieutenant-Governer Henry b. Gray,
Mayor George b. Ward, Culpepper Exum,
DIR. j. E. Dedman and many others called
at the Florence hotel yesterday and Of
fered their services and their sympathy.
The entire city was affected and gloom
was reflected throughout the day.
History of Stricken.
Emile Striker was a native OF Alsace
Lorraine, a province of France, which.
after the Franco Prussian war, was
ceded to Germany.
He was born 80 years ago being the
only child of parents who died in his
early youth. Five years ago he came to
New York, where his skill as a chauffeur
instantly procured him very remunera-
tive employment For two years he was
chauffeur of the Vanderbilts.
Three years ago he became known as
/ most daring driver, and soon thereafter
he appeared on the track. Until Strang,
Christie, Oldheld and other Americans
became known to fame and prior to the
arrival in this country of Nazzaro, Szisz
DePdlnlO, CdgnO ana OJneTS, SlrlCker was
leader of the perlous sport.
About five years ago Stricken and Lewis
Strang became intimate friends, and this
friendship continued to the hour of tho
formers death. Strang admits that much
of his own ability to drive an automobile
Is due to the early instructions of Emile
Stricken.
The dead driver had appeared in sew
eral of the greatest races of the world
He started in the recent Grand Prix
event of Paris but, like Strang, on ac-
count of broken engine, was unable o
conclude. He drove Harry Payne Whis-
ney's Mercedes in the recent Vanderbilt
cup race and sustained injuries from
which 1t required two weeks to recover.
He came south with Strang to enter the
Grand Prize race In Savannah, in which
he was to drive the great National car.
From Savannah he and Strang jumped
over to New Orleans, made an appear.
ance, and then came to Birmingham
their object being to take from Robertson
and Lescault the 24-hour record
Why they failed is now too well known
strane Is Notified.
Stricken. during his short visit to Biz
mingham, made many warm friends.
He was reserved, but not cold. He took
the world seriously, but not unpeasantly
He possessed a most winning style of
manner and address, and had the ease,
grace and suavity of the true French
man.
He was most careful of his personal
appearance, but was wholly without con-
ceit or sef-consciousness
His one best friend was Lewis Strang
The great and young driver is crushed
Immediately after his relief yesterday
morning he fell into a deep slumber.
Les than three hours later PiclSens