Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-03-24
Into Trolley Car in Sub
urbs Of Washington.
Mrs. Herbert J. SIocum In
sianiIy Killed BY Collision
Major Gen. J. franklin Bell Suf'
fers Severe INJURIES

/ washington. March :s.-Major Gen.
: Franklin Pcu CHEF Of staff Of the
army. was badly bu. probably not dam
gcrously injured. and Mrs. Herbert j.
Slocurl. wife of Major Slocum OF the
9Th Cavalry. was almost instantly XIII
ed carlv today in Il collision OF their
automobile with j trolley car on the
TcnnallytoNn road in the northwest
outskirts OF this. city. General Bell
had one rib broken. bad scalp wound
and severe bruises. The chauffeur was
uninjurtd
General Bell was removed, first to
the post hospital 1T Fort Myer. after
ward TO his residence at the fort.
Mrs Slocun lived only a few mo-
ments Her husband is attached TO
the headuua rters of the Department OF
the East at Governors Island. n. \.
She was visiting relatives in this city
and had passed the night with General
and Mrs. Bell
General Bell absolved the trolley car
motorman from blame for the accl-
dent
Mrs SOcum, whose husband is
nephew of Mrs. Russell Sage, was Wis
iting her sister, Mrs. II. l.. Green at
the Wyoming apartment house in this
city; but they went to Fort Myer TO-
visit General and Mrs. Bell, with
whom she and her husband We're on
terms of intimate friendship. 1t was
on the way back to the Wyoming that
the fatal collision occurred.
According to the first police report
Of the accident, Mrs. Green was in
Va inpnrrapf
The only occupants of the car were
General Bell, Mrs. Slocum and the
chauffeur
Tho Tenalytown road. officially known
as Wisconsin avenue. runs north from
Georgetown through the westerly en-
vir"nS of the city and is a favorite
roui" FOR automobiles Crossing the
Gtor. clown bridge from Fort Myer the
ca" l.,ined north into Wisconsin ave-
nue., and was about to turn easterly
along the northerly boundary of the
city when at Garfield street the col
lision occurred.
The fast moving trolley car complete
ly demolished the automobile. The
occupants were thrown through the
air. Mrs. Slocum struck on her head.
1t was seen that her condition was
serious and she was placed aboard a
trolley car to he hurried to Il hospital.
After being driven some distance in
the car she was transferred to an au-
tomohle and the driver hurried with
all speed to the Georgetown Navy hos
pital. When this was reached the sur
geons pronounced Mrs Slocum dead.
Gen Bell was also found in a serious
hailed and the general was placed
aboard and hurried to the post hos
pital at Fort Myers. At the hospital
the surgeons. found the general was
suffering from contusions of the chest
and scalp wound. The post surgeon,
Major John II. Allen said that no bones
We're broken and that, as far as had
been ascertained in a hurried examina-
ton there were no internal injuries.
A later examination, however, dis
closed that one of the generals ribs
were broken. After his wounds were
dressed. the general was removed in an
automobile to his home near the hos
pital. At last reports he was reason
ably comfortable.
Chauffeur Ward was unhurt. He
was arrested, together with the motor
man and conductor of the trolley car.
The motorman was ]. w. Speimbaugh
and the conductor, G.. H. Norris.
According to Ward, the objective
point was the Naval observatory.
While proceeding along Wisconsin av-
enue Gen. Bell ordered him to turn in
to Garfield street. Little time was
available for making the turn and the
the tracks without CHANGING back to
see If any cars were approaching.
When the machine was about two
thirds across the first track, SOUTH
bound suburban car struck it.
The automobile was hurled about
five feet against a trolley pole 1t fl
naily turned over. Gen. Bell was
thrown out. Ward was pinned under