The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-12-21
Fata1 Automohile Accident.


Mount Holly was shocked on Sunday
afternoon by the news that Thomas b.
Denness had been instantly killed by be-
ing thrown from his automobile. The
shock was more severe because only two
hours before the sad news came Mr..
Denness was seen in apparent good health
and spirits going toward Burlington.
Reaching that city he took In Bert
Goldman, Lawrence Ashby and Howard
Miller, who with Mr.. Denness and Will
liam Barry, the chauffeur, started toward
Columbus. That they were going at
high rate of speed there is no doubt and
the supposition is that the chauffeur lost
his head and, at the same time, control
Of the machine. Whatever the cause
there was bad accident. The automo-
bile ran from one side of the road to the
other and finally struck tree. So quick
ly did the entire affair happen that the
occupants of the car were unable to tell
Just exactly how the accident did occur.
AS far as can be ascertained the car was
not running smoothly and was swerving
from side to side. Suddenly it took a
plunge to the right. leaving the stone
road and running over a small tree by the
roadside. The chauffeur evidently tried
to get back to the road aud the machine
struck another and larger tree. The
front wheel got past, but the left rear
wheel caught. The shock threw Denness
out through the glass protector on to the
hard ground. He struck on his head,
crushing his skull and death was I'M
doubleday instantaneous. How the other
occupants escaped is wonder. They
were all more or less bruised. Barry and
Miller were cut about the head and one
of Ashby's eyes was injured to such an
extent that is was feared it would be per-
manently lost, but 1t is reported there are
hopes of saving it.
As soon as those in the car realized
what had happened they took steps to
get aid. Word was sent to Burlington
for physicians and some were soon on the
spot, but their aid was of no avail so far
as Mr.. Denness was concerned, he was
beyond help. His body was taken to
Burlington and was afterwards brought
to his home here. Coroner Bisbing
viewed the remains and took statements
and granted burial permit.
The wrecked machine was brought to
Mount Holly yesterday and put in the
-o - Qh.avo g. 6oIdar II ah0wpd
plainly that it had been in terrible &C.
cident The engine is all right, but there
is not much else of any value. The
autombile was Buick. 1t will cost at
least $5OOlto put it in running shape.
The owner had not had 1t very long and
the young man who was running it had
very little experience, possibly not more
than two weeks. This was sufficient
for running at a very moderate speed, but
not for going at such rate as is reported
When the wreck was picked up, the
throttles were wide open, showing that
the engine was doing its best. The steer
ing gear Is all right. A man who visited the
scene says there was a scar on the tree
higher than he could reach, indicating
that the automobile had not only struck
the tree, but had climbed up the trunk.
Mr.. Denness was well known all over
the county and had host of friends. He
was a member of the Order of Elks,
Knights of the Golden Eagle and Knights
of Pythias. He took a great interest in
all sports and was a leading spirit at one
time In base ball circles, playing on the
team that won for Mount Holly the
championship in 1900 After giving up
active work on the diamond he always
took an interest in the game and was ever
ready to aid its advancement. He leaves
a widow.