Los Angeles herald., 1909-05-31
AUTO POISES AT
BRINK OF DEATH
CAR SLIPS OVER EMBANKMENT T
FORTY FEET DEEP
Col. Fenner's Heroism Saves Three
L.ives-Machine Kept Under Con-
troll and Guided Into Tree.
One Person Hurt

But for the nerve and skill of Col.
Fred C. Fenner, president of the White
garage, he and two companions would
have been dashed to death yesterday
afternoon near the end of Mount Baldy
grade, when the Black Bess White
steamer racer, slipped over the edge of
the embankment and started down the
steep forty-foot embankment.
Never for an instant losing his head,
Colonel Fenner held the machine up,
and although 1t circled about in its
maddening flight down the embank-
ment, he succeeded in keeping the ma
chine righted until it brought up against
tree and it's flight was checked.
AS 1t was, Edward p. Jorgensen, who
was seated on the running board of the
racer when the automobile started over
the embankment, sustained a disloca-
tion of the right arm, and his right leg
was painfully bruised. Just how Jor-
gensen received his injuries he or his
companions do not know, the machine
was going at such a furious pace.
1t is believed the auto in circling
about threw Jorgensen against the tree,
and that this caused his injuries, or else
he was struck by some passing object
while seated on the running board of
the car.
In the automobile at the time was E.
M. Fillmore, salesman for the White
steamer, and he and Colonel Fenner
escaped without a scratch, although it
was some time before they recovered
from the shock and the realization they
had been on the brink of death.
Accident Peculiar One
The accident happened in peculiar
manner Yesterday morning Colonel
Fenner decided he would try the Badly
hi ,fNtN CHI hos
been this season. Another double tour
ing car from the White garage driven
by Stafford Bixby, treasurer at the
White garage, and containing Thomas
Evans, William Evans both nephews
of Rear Admiral "Bob'' Evans, Gre
tired George w. Wood and H. c.
Freeman started ahead to go along
the course before the racer. =.
This car was within four miles of
the finish of the course and at it's most
dangerous point, at an altitude of 1000
feet when suddenly the outer en-
bankment began to give away. For a
time it was feared that the big touring
car would go over the embankment,
but by careful manipulation the big
car was slowly propelled to safety.
though for a few minutes it looked as
if it was doomed to go over.
While the driver of the touring car
was steering his machine out of dan
ger, the Black BesS came up behind.
The already loosened earth gave way
rapidly and the rear wheel of the
racer slipped over the embankment.
For a few seconds it hung, almost in
the air, then suddenly with a grinding
noise, more of the earth gave away
and the machine shot backwards. 1t
was at this time that the driving abili-
ties which have made Colonel Fenner
famous in the auto world came into
play. Not in the least excited, but
calmly and deliberately as though
starting for pleasure trip, he tried
to control his madly flying auto But
as is always the case in an emergency
the brakes failed to work, and the car,
gaining momentum, and being carried
along by the shifting earth. began to
cut circles as it sped down the steep
incline
Unable to Give Aid
Those in the other auto sat speech
less, powerless to give the least bit of
aid, expecting every moment to hear
the dull thud as the machine struck
the rocks at the foot of the forty-foot
embankment.
When the machine in its circling be-
came parallel with the road below the
fender c1utched among the smaller
trees just as it was about to topple
over. The forward part was swung
against large tree, winch was all that
saved the auto from turning turtle and
crushing to death the occupants. How
Jorgensen sustained his injuries is not
exactly known. as the whole affair was
over i'm few seconds.
The auto hung where il struck.
twelve feet from the bottom of the ra-
vine. 5artly on its side, resting against
the tree, and it is not thought it is
seriously damaged
Tb0cp who Witnessed the accident
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