Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-19


If Lieut.. Semmes Read, executive officer
of the naval yacht Mayflower and naval
aid to President Taft, who was seriously
injured late yesterday by being crushed
under horse while riding in Rock Creek
Park survives he will be paralyzed for
the rest of his life.
This, in effect, was the statement made
today by the physicians at the Navy Cen
eral Hospital following a careful examina-
ton of the injuries sustained by Lieut..
Read. 1t was found that in addition to
other injuries about the face and hands
the neutenant's back was broken in two
places and that he was paralyzed from
the sixth rib down. There were also In
dications Of conclusion of the brain. An
operation was performed last night and
there have been no subsequent untoward
developments. The physicians believe he
has a chance of living.
Riding Alone at Time.
How the accident occurred is not def
nitely known. as Lieut.. Read was riding
alone at the time. and although he has
been able to talk a little today he has
not said anything of the accident.
Lieut.. Read, accompanied by Dr. Gray
son and Ensign ]. S. Dowell. jr., both of
the Mayflower. left the yacht yesterday
afternoon about O'Clock for riding
trip. They reached Rock Creek Park
about an hour later and galloped their
horses through the many bride paths.
They rode single file and were several
yards distant from each other when the
widest part of the park was reached En-
sign Dowelps attention was attracted to
something in the rear. and upon looking
around saw Lieut. Read lying on the
ground. pinned beneath his horse.
Both riders returned to the place but
before they reached the officer the horse
had scrambled to its feet and dashed
away.
Brought to Hospital In Auto.
The two officers dismounted and as
sisted the lieutenant to his feet, but he
was unable to stand and sank in a heap,
and soon became unconscious. Leaving
the injured officer in the care of Dr.
Grayson. Ensign Dowell hurried to the
main road nearby to summon assist
F. Schutt. proprietor of the National
Hotel. and party approached. and when
informed of the accident Mr.. Schutt
directed the chauffeur to drive near the
injured officer. He was placed in the
machine and was driven to the hos
pital by Mr.. Schutt. who left his party,
consisting of Mrs. Schutt and Mr.. and
Mrs. William II. White. at a nearby
house.
The party reached the hospital about
$40 o'clock, where the surgeons made
brief examination and discovered that
the officer was seriously injured
Native of Maryland.
Lieut.. Read was born in Maryland He
entered the United States Naval Academy
October 3, 1898. and received his commits
sion June 2. 1902. When he was made
naval aid about three years ago by Presi-
dent Roosevelt he was on board the May
flower. He is twenty-eight years old and
unmarried.
His parents, who reside in West Vir-
ginia, from which state he was appointed
to the Naval Academy. have been mott
fed Of the accident and are expected to
reach this city today.
Lieut.. Read has always been recognized
as one Of the foremost athletes in the
navy. While at the Naval Academy he
was member of the base ball nine and
was crack tackle on the foot ball team
of 1900 and 1901. He was a large and
powerful man and always kept himself
in good physical condition. He is a
nephew Of exSecretary Wright.