The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-06-08
WILLARD TELLS OF
KILLING PEASANT
Peasant Was Riding Donkey
Side Saddle Fashion-Man Fell
Against Hub of Slow-Mov-
ing Machine-Donkey
Not Touched.
\RICHMOND.

NRICHM OND, VA, Special
Every attention. courtesy and con-
sideration WAS shown me and to the
members of my party while i'm Spain
following the unfortunate accident
when peasant was killed 10y the
au17rl obile in which we were travel
l1E IN that country, said Colonel Jo-
r<Seph L. Willard, former Lieutenant
Governor, member of the State Cor
porauOn Commission and former leg
islator. Colonel Willard arrived here
today from New York, having landed
on Friday last Mrs. Willard and Miss
Willard were left in Paris, where they
will remain for sometime.
Colonel Willard had called at the
Capitol TO pay his respects TO the Gov
ernor and to thank him for the kind
~ interest which the Governor had
taken in the matter OF the accident to
the Spanish peasant. Colonel Willard
talked freely to a reporter for The
Richmond Evening Journal in con-
nAcion with the matter, and cleared
up many points over which there had
been more or less misunderstanding
He said:
Car Didn't Strike Him.
There could not possibly be the
least blame to attach to me. and the
authorities over there took the same
view. The members OF the dead mans
family did not censure us, for the oc-
currence was an accident and moth
ing more. The man who was killed by
the machine was not struck by the
machine. The man struck the ma
chine. The peasant was riding a
donkey, with both legs thrown over
TO one side. His back was to u.s.
The road was amply wide for me to
pass, and i was driving the car. The
donkey slipped on the snow-there
was about two or three inches on the
ground-and the man fell backwards
and his head struck the hub of the
wheel His skull was crushed and
deaUh was instantaneous.
went at once to the nearest
town. reported the matter to the po-
lice and surrendered myself to them.
L remained at the hotel. Mrs. Willard
and my daughter were there, as were
some others of my party. j asked
that an investigation be made of the
affair, and il was done. Everything
thar was told the authorities by me
was snbStantiated by an investigation.
The fact that il was shown that the
man was riding was proven, because
the bottom of his feet We're dry. The
TACT that the car did not strike him
was shown by the fact that the DON
key was not in the least hurt.
Car Was Going Ten Miles an Hour.
There was absolutely no feeling in
the matter except that of great sym
pathy for us. The car was not going
more than ten miles an hour at TIE
time of the accident; and as soon as
the matter was reported the officers
began to do everything. They com
mended us for caring for the dead
mans body after the accident and for
going to the officers and making a re-
port. 1t would have been easy for us
TO have just gone along. as there were
no witnesses. and the dead mans body
would have been found and the YER
dict of the jury in all probability
would have been that he was kicked to
death.
The laws requirements were com
piled with in every way, and the two
weeks notice of my Whereabouts
registering every two weeks-was OBJ
was cancelled. following the report of
the case in the first instance, and II
was told that l was free to go when
and where 1 pleased, 1 declined to
leave Spain until the ex-Spanish Prime
Minister, the prosecutor. the judge
and the other officials had full knowl-
edge of my intenticns anu gave their
consent. The American Ambassador
was also informed, and had his con-
ment now is that shall furnish to the
Spanish Ambassador my address in the
United States, and that has been done.
do not know when the case will be
called, but If my presence is ever de-
manded in that country / will lose no
time in presenting myself
I'm all my travels there has never
been more kindness shown me than
following this unfortunate occurrence. |
The people of Spain were very good |
to us, and / would not hesitate to |
travel there at any time If / felt so
inclined. / paid a man, another peas |
ant' to stand by the body OF the dead