Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-08-22
OTHERS INJURED IN SANE RACE
Three Hundred Mile Contest Called
on After Second Observation-Disclosures
Merz, Driver Figuring In Tragedy,
Escapes Almost Without Scratch
Another Car Crashes nto POST.
fpy Associated Press.)


Three more lives were sacrificed to-
day in the mad speed carnival, when
has inaugurated the great Indianapolis
motor speed way. One mcchanician
and two spectators pad the penalty
OIL their lives to satisfy the extreme
desire for speed. The fatal accident,
came when a National car, driven by
Charles Merz. in the three hundred
mile race, lest tire and crashed
through a fence into group of spec
tators. spreading death and destruc-
tion in the wake of its wild plunge.
The dead:
CLAUDE KEII.UM, of Indianapo-
lis mechanician In the National car.
ORA JOLLEFFEE, Trafalgar, Ind.
JAMES WEST, indianapolis. Ind.
Two seriously injured.
Besides the three deaths, two Sc
rious injuries resulted during the day
Henry Tapking. of indianapolis, was
seriously injured in the fatal wreck
sustaining a compound fracture CT his
right arm. a broken nose and several
scalps wounds. Bruce keene. the
driver of Marmon car in the same
race, crashed into a pest shortly at
ter the National wreck and was bad
ly cut about the neck and head.
After the second accident. the OFF,
cials decided TO call off the three hun
dred mile race. when the leading car
"a Jackson. with Lee Lynch at the
wheel had covered 235 miles. Ralph
Depalma. in a Fiat, was second, and
StilIman. in r Marmon. was third. The
race will be declared no contest and
the great indianapolis motor speed
way trophy will be raced for again.
Car Tears Through Fence.
The smash came after Merz mad
finished more than 200 miles and was
running fifth in the race. A front
tire came of and the car tore away,
went crashing through the fence and
plunged into a crowd gathered there.
II tore through this group and into
a gully, turning a complete sommer-
sault.
Kellum was bleeding from innumer-
able injuries when picked up. Great
gashes were torn in his abdomen and
head and the blood had begun to pour
into his lungs. Although practically
dead when picked up, he lived for
some time without regsining con-
cious1ess.
James West was instantly killed.
and Jcllene died as he was being M
eu into an ambulance. Tapking, 1t -
believed. has a fair chance 10 recover.
KelIum Started IN Another Car.
Kellum had not begun the race with
Merz. but with Aitken In another Ma
tional. Aitkea jumped into the lead
at the start. heading the 10 starters
and remained there until cue OF MS
cylinder heads cracked after he had
covered los miles and forced him TO
drop out. Atiken covere 100 miles In
i:31:41 $40, setting a new record Tor
the track.
Shortly after the Aitkcn car was with
drawn. Merz's first mechaniciaB. Roo
ert Lyme, collapsed and keiiGm was
substituted.
As keIlum passed the National re-
pair pit the fret time after gettins
the car back into the race. be waved
bis hand in a joyful salute 10 HIS TEL
Low workers.
The car was then working In ex-
ceiicnt shape and a. other machines
we're dropping cut regularly Merz ana
Kcilum hoped they might iE some
way win the race Then came the
crash.
Tragedy Didn't Stop Them
Dcs-ife the tragedy. the six cars
left In the race continued the trying
ordeal ur y .lc accident to Bruce
Kccnc In the harmon occurred. me
officials thcreupon decided hat
enough had been sacrificed.
Kccnc's car sk'ddcd and crashed
into . r,o>t near the aide Of the tr1cE-
schiller. the mcchsnician. sustained
. eight fracture OF the skull Keene
Is not seriously hurt