Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-22
This FATHER K[LEDbEG FOR THEIR ObSWOUD STOP FIGHT HOMO
Second
| bly, CHI
SERVICE MAY APPLY TO
| Consented
t
| Observance @ sched
Chauffeur Takes Parent on
Death Ride
IN HIS EMPLOYERS AUT(
DR.. Jesse Ramsburgh, Owner of Ma.
chine, Consented to Ride.
SYMPATHIZES WITH DRIVER
Young Man Is Dazed by Smash-Up.
Two Others in Car IN
injured.

| William Ferguson, sixty-four years OF
age and residing at 2012 Portner place
northwest. was instantly killed. shortly
| after II O'Clock last night, in an automo-
bile accident at the intersection of New
York and Florida avenues
| Osmun Ferguson, his son. who was
driving the car: Harry Kopp of 1917 9Th
| street northwest, and his son, Leroy
Kopp. fourteen years of age. who were
in the car, narrowly escaped a similar
/ fate.
taken to the morgue after the coroner
had viewed it. His son went to Cas-
ualty Hospital in the ninth precinct
patrol wagon. He was suffering from
| extreme nervousness, and needed medi-
cal attention
Mr. Kopp and his son suffered no
hurt. They proceeded to their home.
Permission Given by Owner.
Early in the evening DR.. Jesse Rams
burgh, who owned the car was told by
young Ferguson, who has acted as his
chauffeur for nearly a year, that he had
a prospective buyer for the auto. AS
the physician desired to dispose of the
machine, he authorized the young man
to take the prospective purchaser for a
drive.
Ferguson told the physician he would
also take his father. Ready consent was
given to the arrangement
Later Ferguson and his father called
at the Kopp home in 18th street. In a
few moments the quartet started out for
the trial spin.
They rode about the principal thorough
fares of the northeast section of the city
until shortly after IL o'clock. when they
drove the car down Florida avenue. They
were on the west side of the avenue.
Young Ferguson, who was at the wheel.
started to make a turn into New York
avenue
Here the dense foliage OF the trees
casts a shadow on the sidewalk 1t is
believed that the chauffeur misjudged
just where the curbing was located He
was sending the machine along at high
speed, according to those who witnessed
the accident. In a moment there was a
crash as the big auto jumped the curb
ing and damned into tree.
Top Is Smashed In.
Some who viewed the smash declared
that the car skidded about 100 feet AS
soon as it hit the tree the top was smash
ed in The elder Ferguson was killed
almost instantly
cinct stations were notified at once. Both
patrol wagons went to the scene. The
accident. however, had occurred in the
territory of No. precinct station.
Young Ferguson was in dazed condl-
tion He was taken to the hospital for
treatment in the precinct wagon.
| The body of his father was covered with
| a cloth. awaiting the arrival OF the coro-
ner before it was taken to the morgue
The skull Of the dead man was badly
4 chod hIyf of the automobile as
| it was torn from its place.
Minnie Lewis. colored. who resides at
| 11J Florida avenue northwest. was sit
ting in front of her home when the acct
the machine was going at a high rate OF
speed.
She said that it was going very fast"
while others said at least thirty-hVe
miles an hour
The other occupants of the car escaped
| injury. Mr. Kopp was riding In the
rear seat with the elder Ferguson when
they suddenly crashed into the tree. but
escaped practically without scratch
Account Given by Harry Kopp.
Harry Kopp gave very clear account
of the accident when seen last night
Il was sitting in the rear seat with old
Mr.. Ferguson, and my son lie Roy was on
the front seat with young Mr.. Ferguson,
| he said. I'VE mad DeeH lioins dFouho
| the city for some time. and turned into
| Florida avenue from 18th street north
| east.
| when we reached New York avenue
| the machine was turned around the cor
! ner. The next thing knew l was struck
| on the head.
| ..None OF us were thrown out of the
| machine. l was only stunned for a
| short time.
.'Of course. 1 do not know how fast
we were going, but l don't believe the
| speed was great.
DR.. Ramsburgh Gave Consent.
When DR.. Jesse Ramsburgh was seen
last night he said he felt deeply for
| young Ferguson, who has been in his
employ since last August.
Il have every confidence in him. ne
said ''He is one of the best men L have
ever had for chauffeur. He il conscien-
tious and never drinks.
| Il am especially sorry for him in the
sad accident to his father"
| DIR. Ramsburgh said he gave the young
man permission to show the car tC
Harry Kopp, a prospective purchaser las
night and that young Ferguson told HIN
he was going to take his father along fol
the ride The physician readily assented
and thought nothing further OF the mat
ter until he was informed that his cal
was badly smas shed in an accident.
Dr. Ramsburgh said the car was a
seven-seated touring twenty hundred
dollar Wayne car. and that, from the
information at hand. the rear wheel was
smashed, as was the side and the top.
Young Ferguson is about twenty-five
years of age, his employer said. anc
has demonstrated his especial fitness fol
the position since the date of his en-