The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-09
BESSEMER'S DEATH
LIST TOTALS -FOUR
Miss Mamie Crenshaw IN Des-
perate Condition
NEW THEORY OF WRECK
Machine and showed Heroism BY
Remaining At Whecl-Strange
Feature of Accident

Bessemer, August s.-(Special)-
| Death has claimed four of the victims
OF the tragic automobile accident
which occurred between Bessemer and
West Lake Sunday afternoon, when the
fast Southern passenger train crashed
into an automobile van en- route to the
lake.
The death list now includes:
j. II. Roden, driver of the automo-
bile.
Miss Augusta Keiser who died i'm
mediatcly after reaching the hospital
Sunday afternoon.
Miss Margaret Fitzpatrick. who sue
cumbed to a fractured skull during
Sunday night.
Robert Black of Cumberland, Tenn,
who died shortly before midnight Sun
day.
Miss Mamie Crenshaw, whose skull
was fractured, lies in a critical condi-
ton in the hospital. While 1t is stated
that she may linger for "a hours and
perhaps longer. physicians have given
up hope for her ultimate recovery.
The list of dead is therefore certain
to include five of the occupants of the
Inflated automobile, but it Is not be-
lieved that any of the other passengers
have sustained fatal injuries, although
1t is stated that the Injuries of G. c.
Dobbs OF Reeders are more serious
than they were at first believed to be.
Mr.. Dobbs left hand was badly
crushed, while several of his ribs were
broken and his left hip was badly lace
cd vii 70 hnS
pital in Birmingham.
1t developed today that Mr.. Roden,
the driver of the automobile, may have
lost control of his machine, in which
case his remaining at the steering
wheel was an heroic actA The road,
in approaching the railroad crossing
extends through a cut 1t is stated
which makes it impossible to see ap-
preaching trains until within about 80
feet of the tracks. Added to this, the
approach TO the railroad is a rather
steep hill, and it Is believed by many
that the driver was probably unable to
stop the auto after he came in sight of
the train. Indications are that the
driver attempted to swerve his machine
from before the locomotive, but that he
was unable to do SO.
cident is that all of the girls in the au-
tomobile were either killed or else Sc
riously injured, while majority of
the boys and men escaped with minor
bruises. Three little boys we're sitting
on the front seat with the driver and
the whole trio was thrown clear of
any obstacle which might cause them
serious injury. while Mr.. Roden. sit
ting on the same seat, was instantly
killed.
With the exception of Miss Mamie
Crenshaw, all of the injured are re-
ported to be resting as we'll as could
be expected.
A majority of the people injured in
the accident were of we'll known fam
lilies. and for this reason great sorrow
Is prevalent in Bessemer.
The funeral of Miss Keiser was held
this afternoon at o'clock. the inter
ment being made in Bessemer.
The funeral of Miss Margaret Fitz-
patrick, the daughter of T. j. Fitzpat-
rick, the photogra ef, will be held to-
morrow morning from ST. Aloysius
Catholic church at 1890 o'clock, the
Rev. Father Kittrick officiating.
The remains of Robert Black were
tonight sent to Allen Creek, Tenn the
former home of the deceased, where
the interment will take place.
The body of ]. H. Roden, VIII Is sur
vived by his wife and 2-year-old
baby, was sent to McClemy, Fla. Mrs.
Roden and her child accompanied the
body to Mr.. Roden's former home,
where the interment will take place.