Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-09-01

tiee Semmes In the sum of $1,000, with
DIR. ]. X. Corss as bondsmsn.
Accounts OF the rate OF speed at
which the car was going al the time
of the accident vary. Most OF the
people in the neighborhood state that
, /, was running rapidly. but one OF the
linen whose name was taken as an
eve witness by the police. states that
n did not seem TO be running al an
extraordinary rate OF speed, that MIR.
Phipps made every effort 10 avoid hit
ting the child and applied brakes
vigorously.
The car stopped within ten feet OF
the spot on which the little fellow
was struck. and tracks of its wheels,
which were plainly visible few
moments after the accident. showed
that Il had swerved considerably out
of the course. The car was not light
ed at the time, but according TO
statement made by Mr.. Phipps II was
stiil light, and he had intended driv-
ing for some few moments before
lighting the lamps.
The Misses .Phipps and Miss Blu
chard were greatly agitated and very
evidently were terribly distressed. II
was with difficulty that they were
ouieted. They alighted from the car
and were driven home in another that
had been sent for. after 1t was heard
that the boy was dead.
Pitiful Scene at Boys Home.
The scene at the huWble home OF
MIR. Softer last night was pathetic in
the extreme. Little Herbert's body
law i'm one room, while the mother
still almost frantic in her grief. though
a little ouieter. moaned In another.
The father, dry eyed and pale, walk
ed back and forth holding in his arms
n little girl Just younger than Her
bert in an attempt to hush ter cries.
Herbert was the oldest OF three chill
dren.
Many of the neighbors OF the az
f,icted family we're gathered to give
what cheer and comfort they could,
but the mother refused to be consoied.
MIR. Softer did not have much to say
on the subject stating that he only
knew what others who had seen the
accident could tell him. He preferred
not to talk OF II last night.
AT the time OF the accident Mrs.
Softer was In the kitchen preparing
supper for the children and her hus-
band who would soon come home
She was notified by some friends and
was soon by the side OF her boy.
Mr.. Phlpps Much Grieved.
Mr. phipps was visibly affected
when brought to the station house.
He was very nervous and showed MS
grief plainly. His voice broke time
and again when he talked to Daliy
Press reporter later.
The young man said that he ala
everything in his power to avoid the
accident, but that the boy ran INTO
the street in front of him In snch
way that II would have been impossi-
Bile for any driver to stop In lime 10
avoid the accident. He described how
ne swerved the machine to avoid
striking the child, and how the boy
stopped and turned back, directly IN
the machines path. Then, Mr.. Phipps,
said. he applied the brakes in a
desperate attempt TO stop. but 1t was
too late.
when asked how fast his car was
running. Mr.. Phipps said tnat he was
going at a moderate rate OF speed.
but that he did not care to estimate
how many miles an hour he was max
ing.
Inquest Today.
The inquest will be held In the po-
lice court this afternoon at l2:50I
O'Clock. II is probable that he pre-
limiuary hearing OF the charge or
manslaughter against Mr.. Phipps viii
not take place before tomorrow. al
though the witnesses are summoned
for today.