The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-05-26
JURY RELIEVES
YOUTH OF BLAME
James Scarlet, Jr., Exonerated
Following Inquiry Into
Fatal Auto Accident
CHARGE is DISMISSED
BY JUSTICE PURYEAR
Youths Pleads Guilty, How
ever, to Exceeding Speed
Limit and is Fined
SIS and Costs

That w. Austin Miller came to his
death as a result of fractured skun
received In the wreck of an automo-
bile was the verdict Of the eoroner's
jury which inquired Friday morning
into the killing OF the foreman OF the
Richmond Iron Works near Yellow
Tavern Thursday morning
This verdict exonerates James Scar
let, Jr., son OF H prominent lawyer
or Danvilie, Pa, who was charged
with mansaughter as result Of hav-
ing been in the machine with Mr.
Miller at the time Of the accident
However. Il fine of $50 and costs was
imposed on the youth for exceeding
the speed limit. witnesses testifying
that tine auto was going nifty miles an
hour when one OF its rear tires ex-
ploded, causing II to crash into tree
after swerving suddenly from the
roadway.
The speed limit in Henrfco county
ia twenty miles an hour.
The inquest was held in Bennett's
undertaking establishment on West
BFoad street under direction OF pr. j
FuImer Bright, acting coroner OF Hem
rico county, but 1t was necessary FOR
the jury To 60 to the jefferson Hotel
to get Scarlets testimony, his doctor
having ordered him to remain in bed
II develops that the lads liver is bad
~ bruised. but he does not appear to
be otherwise injured.
lie insisted that he WAS not driv-
ing the machine at the time OF the
accident, despite the testimony Of sew
erai other witnesses to the contrary
Ills recollection of the accident was
very May and he could not tell how
ne managed Ia escape death.
Said Lad Was Driving.
Mrs, Annie II Cnrran who lives
along the Ashland road directly or
poslte the scene of the aecident. was
positive that Scarlet was driving the
aut" when the crash occurred SO
was Henry Mostly, a coolred youth
who eiammered good deal. htlt roft
very straight story Of hts impress
sion as an ave Witness j. l.. Anrrr-
son and X. NJ. Epps, two OF the Jurors
TESTIFIED that they both Witnessed the
accident However. they Were NOR
sure as 10 who was driving
Howard q. Wagner. sales manager
Ter N" automobile company for which
MT Miiler worked. testified that he
was driving machine along the roa,
when Miller and Scarlet passed him
several miles south of Yellow Tav
en- going In the same direction. Mt
wagner was sure the machine. vas
making forty FIVE ar f}fty miles an
hour. He SAW nothing more Of tha
other party untf after the accident
~ they were going much faster than
he was
Following the inquest Mr.. Wagner
appeared before Justice purvear an ba.
tnH Of Scarlet and entered a plea Of
RnlItN 70 Is olaasge'ef excessive Tyevtiin d
sra paid the tue imposed Al The same
}tFne, Justice Puryear dismissed The
Inanslaughter charge
Planning Auto Trip.
thursday night. the Pennsylvania
Youth was planning Ia start back home
FrldaX afternoon IN his newly pur-
chased Nireinian ear with MIR Y 4
Haidacher az his home town who Ac-
as7ftaTssfFs7ed hfff ~ RiShuforfd HIS 1t
tending physician. however. said Fri
nay that such plans would have 10 be
held UP for few days IL not longer.
Scarlets father was expected here
early Friday morning having aeft Dan.
vile for Richmond as soon as ross,-
BILE after the news Of the accident
reached him. 1t develops, though. that
MS son stopped him by telegraph on
the road. saying that 1t was not neces-
sary for him to make the trip.
Late Thursday night. the lad talked
over the long distance phone with his
mother In Danvlle and assured her
that all was we'll He appeared more
concerned about his parents than his
own condition, expressing indignation
that some one had notified them by
wire.
He is fraii delicate looking youth
but apparently has good deal OF the
man In him Several months ago he
had tn give up his studies at the Penn
syvania Military Academy at Chester,
Pa. on account OF his health
Begs to See Husband
Friday morning. Mrs. Miller wife of
the accident victim, begged her doctor
at Virginia hospital to let her look
once more upon the courteuance of
her husband Ii was deemed best. how
ever, 10 deny her request, owing to
her highly nervous and weakened con-
dition, and also to the fact that his
face is bruised and mangled beyond
recognition.
The remains are being held at Ben
netts. pending the arrival of sister
of Mrs. Miller from Detroit ner ror-
mer home Another sister. Miss Char
lette Meyer. from the same city, ar
rived here two or three weeks ago.
hoping to spend the summer pleasant
~ and happily with Mrs. Miller.
Mrs. Miller underwent serious
operation week ago and In now re-
garded as being In a critical condition.
though her doctor says she Is holding
up wonderfully well under the cir
cumstances. News of her husbands
death was broken to her Thursday ar
ternoon.
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