The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-30
Mrs. Wharton Victim of
Fatal Accident at
Barton Heights.
ZELDA FAIRLAMB
HANDLING WHEEL
Stenographer, Who Was Learn.
ing to Operate Automobile, and
Her Escort Arrested and
Bailed-Driver Lost Con-
troll and Machine Passed
Over Body in Street.

Knocked down and run over by a
big Rambler touring car. driven by
Miss Zelda Falkland, nineteen years
old. Mrs. Thomas w. Wharton. sixty
nve years Did. of Gil North Avenue,
Barton Heights. sustained INJURIES yes
torday afternoon shortly before 5
o'clock. which resulted in her death last
night at 9 O'clock at the Memorial Hos
pital. The accident. for such it was
pronounced by witnesses. occurred at
North Avenue and Roberts Street
Miss Fairlamb. with Wallace King.
p well-known young Richmonder, was
being taught how 10 drive an automo-
bile ut the time Of the accident. The
young woman lost control OF faculties
when the machine struck Mrs. Whar-
ton
Ram Over Its Victim.
Releasing her hands from the brakes
and other controlling levers caused
the car TO dart across the street. pass
ing owe the body of the victim. 1t
was brought TO a standstill on the OPP
posite side OF the street by Air. King.
1t was said that the machine was
not proceeding rapidly. and its rate
was %variously estimated at from ten
TO twenty miles an hour.
Mrs. Wharton was returning 10 her
home after T. visit in Richmond, where
she did some shopping. Allghting in
North Avenue. at Roberts Street, not
more than loo yards from her home,
she was carefully picking her way
over the rough roadway. and did not soc
the approach OF the automobile.
.aa 80 al
Fairlamb at the steering wheel. Mr..
King was instructing her in the art OF
driving. and both were SO
engrossed. II was said, that neither
saw the aged woman making her way
across the street until they were upon
her. The victim was struck by one of
the head lamps and mud guard.
Quick Call for Help.
Miss Fairanb shriehed and almost
collapsed In the meantime the car
raced ahead without q pilot. II passed
over the body. and was not stepped
until Mr.. King. as quickly as possible,
grabbed the brakes.
Many persons saw the car strike and
pass over the form OF Mrs. Wharton.
She was picked up and carried to her
home. Medical and surgical aid was at
once summoned.
Dra. Charles r Robins. f. II. Terrell.
Manfred Call. Cullen S. Pitt and Mer-
win Branch responded. Examination
disclosed q fracture at the base OF the
skull. which caused a constant hemor-
rhage. Attempts were made to operate
upon her at home. Il was finally de-
cided to remove her to the Memorial
Hospital to trcphine the skull.
The City Hospital was notified and
gupplied an ambulance. When it ar
rived at the Memorial the injured wo-
man was placed upon a stretcher ana
carried at once to the operating room.
She died before being placed upon the
operating table.
Arrested by Magistrate.
Among those who saw the accident
was Magistrate Andrew j.. Foley. He
at once placed Miss Fairlamb and MIR.
Etng under arrest. They were released
from custody upon furnishing bail in
the sum OF $1,000 each. They will be
given a hearing Monday morning at 10
o'clock at the Henrico county court
house.
case was turned over to Coroner Tay-
lor. He viewed the body last night,
and Will summon a jury to DO the
same this morning. An inquest will
take place this afternoon at $3.50
o'clock at the City Hall.
The car, No. 1910. which caused the
death of Mrs. Wharton. was owned by
Golsan & Nash, and mad been procured
by Mr.. King TO take a spin yesterday
afternoon.
Miss Fairlamb is the daughter of
Mrs. Ada Fairlamo, whose home is in
the Brook Road, Henrico. She is a!
niece Of captain George Epps, in
charge of the Second Police District.
She Is employed as a stenographer by
Amos & Poindexter, with Offices III the
Travellers Insurance Building.
The accident created intense ex-
element in Barton Heights. y large
crowd of interested persons, many of
whom knew the dead woman, quickly
gathered upon the scene and remained
until she had been carried away from
her home In the ambulance.
Clearly mn Accident.
Though it was PEACEFULLY admitted
unanimously that the tragedy was an
accident, nevertheless there was much
criticism of permitting women to
drive cars.
Mrs. wharton was we'll known iz
the suburb Her death was a terrible
shock to a wide circle OF friends and
relatives.
Besides her husband, she leaves the
following children: r. w. Wharton,
Jr., H. L. Wharton, Mrs. NJ. c. Rod
denberry and Mrs. 8. j. Marsh.
Until 1t is viewed by the coroRe r's
Jury the body will remain In Richmond.
The funeral will probably take place
tomorrow afternoon.
old German Paper Sold.
Detroit, Mich. September 29.-The
Volk shlatt. DetroiI'S oldest Cermou