New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-18
MAN AND WOMAN DIE
UNDER BURNING AUTO
Car Turns Turtle on PlalnfIeld
Promoter and Scotch Plains
Girl Near Dover.
BYSTANDERS ARE HELPLESS
r. n. Middlekauff. Noted for His
Reckless Driving, One Victim
Girl, Missing from Home,
Identified by Locket.


Dover. n J.. May 17.-Edward n
Niddlekaurf broker. Of Plainheld. ana
Miss Elsie wslpole. Of Scotch Plains
were slowly burned 10 death last night
while pinned beneath a large automobile
which had turned turtle As they were
rounding a curve ar Chester.
Middlekauff and Miss Walpole had
been on an automobile trip through
Eastern PENNSYLVANIA and New Jersey
At 2 o'clock they We're nearing the Ches-
fer crossroads. and Mddlekauff had
taken the right hand side Of the road in
order 10 avoid some loose stones. The
wheels ~ the car struck bowlder in the
driveway leading 10 the house of T. G.
Searles. causing Middlekauff 70 lose con
troll Of his car. which skidded completely
around and upset falling on its occu-
rants. Miss Walpole was evidently
knocked senseless but Middlekauff was
conscious when the gasolene tank eX-
ploded igniting his clothing. His cries
OF agony could he heard for blocks away.
Mr.. Searles. who witnessed the acct
dent. and several neighbors attempted 70
raise the car from the PROSTATE bodies 90
its victims. but in vain. II was not until
q team brought a block and tackle that
the car was raised. BY that time. how
ever Middlekauff and Miss Walpole were
dead
Coroner Edward F. Totten. Of Dover.
ordered the bodies moved 10 Theodore
J.. Young's morgue. in Dover. pending
an investigation. Through the state
motor vehicle department az Trenton
Niddlekauff was easily identified, but IL
was not until late this afternoon that
the identity Of his companion was de-
terrnined. Coroner Totten learned that
Miss Walpoe had been missing from her
home at Scotch Plains. \. j.. and com
municated with her father by telephone.
Mr. Walpole said his daughter wore
thin gold chain about her neck, from
which hung a locket ornamented with
diamonds Then he recalled that she
had a felon on the second finger Of the
left hand. Both We're found upon the
body.
While relatives were reticent as to the
affair it was learned that Middlekauff
and the girl started for Pennsylvania
several days ago. and that nothing had
been heard Of them until they reached
Washington. y. J.. on Tuesday after
noon, when he dined at a hotel in that
place. He was alone, but when they
reached Welsh's garage, in German Val
ley. Miss Walpole was with him.
For years Edward d. Middlekauff had
been a promoter in mining stock At the
time OF his death he was vice-president
and treasurer Of the National Mining
Leasing Company. which he helped ~
organize He had been a resident Of
North Plainfeld for twenty years. where
he lived with his wife and one daughter.
He was regarded by every one who
knew him as a reckless driver. and when
he was out with his machine people kept
at a safe distance on October - Mid
dlekauff caused much excitement in
Newark as a result Of his race with
Motorcycle Patrolman Lindeman i
lasted four hours before Middlekautf
was caught. When arraigned on d
charge Of speeding It was said that Mid
dlekauff was in no condition to run his
car
Later Middlekauff admitted the charge
Of speeding. He told the grand jury be-
fore whom he was held in $1,000 that his
act was due TO neurasthenia. The grand
fury dismissed the case.
John Snyder, chauffeur for Middle
kauff for the last five years, said last
night at his home in Plainf1eld that his
employer left there for a business trip on
Sunday afternoon On Monday. he
ADDED. he got a telegram asking him to
meet Middlekauff at Washington, y. J.
He said his employer was in no condi
ton to drive the car. but that, in obedi-
ence 10 orders. he left him there AM
went home Hesaid woman was with
him at the time.