The sun., 1909-06-28

PROF. SHEPARDHURT BY AUTO
CAR IN WHICH HE WAS RIDING
WRECKED BY A RACER.

CAR IN WHICH HE WAS RIDING
WRECKED BY A RACER.
Wheels Catch In Passing and Prof shep
ards Machine 10 Smashed Against .
Stone wsIi-YAe Mans Skull Frac'
tured and Scalp Badly Tom-May Die
PROVIDENCE, June 27.-Prof. William
Kent Shepard Of Yale was dangerously
II not fatally hurt this morning in ar
auto crash in Charlestown.
A machine containing two men struck
tho car in which Prof. Shepard and two
companions were riding and turned 1t
completely over. Prof. Shepard sustained
a fracture at the base Of the skull, the
scalp on the left side Of his head was
badly torn and his left arm was cut and
lacerated. He is ct the Grace Hospital
In New Haven with o doubtful cbance|oi
recovery.
His two companions were r. G. Curtis
of Stamford and F. w. Smith. Jr.. a
patent attorney Of Bridgeport. They 90.
capped without injury. as did the driver
OF the car.
Prof. Shepard and his friends vere on
their way from Quincy. Nos. back to
New Haven and at the time OF the aooi-
dent were about half way between Green
Hill and Cross Mills when a racing ma
chine swept up from behind.
The racing machine kept on with un.
abated speed and attempted to pass the
big touring car on the left side Of the
narrow road.
The driver evidently underestimate
the speed at which the touring car was
travelling, for before the racing machine
had passed It's rear hub looked the hub
OF the touring car. The impact threw
the racer across the road but at the same
time whirled the car containing Prof.
Shepard and his companions about sl-
most at right angles.
The car shot across the road, struck a
stone wall and turned over In an instant
Prof. Shepard was caught between the
car and the stone wall. Tho other three
men were thrown clear Of the wreck and
although bruised were otherwise un-
hurt.
The racing machine did not escape. FOR
1t was thrown over on its side In the road.
The hood was torn OF and other damage
was done. Both its occupants escaped
injury and righting the machine were
able to get away under their own power.
The touring car. bottom up. was COM
plete wreck.
The uninjured members OF the party
at once turned their attention to Prof.
Shepard. who was evidently badly hurt.
Two other passing cars took the injured
man and the other members Of the party
to Westerly. where the professor was
taken to the o(llce Of DR. 8. G. Webster.
who. assisted by DR.. r. I. Payne. dressed
The wounds temporarily.
The party. accompanied by Drs. Web
ster and Payne. took the 1915 express for
New Haven. where Prof. Shepard was
rushed TO Grace Hospital. Late TO-
night his condition was reported critical
Prof. Shepard Is a golf enthusiast and
for two years held the championship OF
Connecticut and at one time was president
Of the golf association Of that State. On
Saturday he played In the interstate match
at Quincy and was on his way home. He
is instructor in mechanics at the scientific
school.
The car which caused the trouble be-
longs to the American Locomotive Com
pany OF this city. II was stripped and
the mon were giving 1t test drive.
It was learned here late tonight that
@. C. McMullen and Eben Nield were In
the American Locomotive car with
McMullen driving McMullen said to-
night:
Il am not sure that the accident was
any ones fault. can't tell just how It
happened We came UP behind the
Shepard car and sounded our horn.
They finally looked around and then
drew toward the side Of the road. Neither
machine was going over rs miles an hour.
Before we got by our rear hub hooked
on to the other machines front wheel.
Whether they slowed little or whether
we did cannot tell. After the other car
had turned over. our own machine being
undamaged. we took Prof. Shepard and
carried him to q doctors Office in West
eriy. Another automobile carried his
companions. We then ran back to
Drovidanca