The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-12-11
TWO KILLED N AUTO WRECK.
L. HUGH MEiGlJAN AND w. S.
STEWART. PROMINENT CITI.
ZENS OF COLUMBIA MEET
DEATH WHEN CAR
SkIDS.
w. 4. Swnffield, Theodore Bell and
william Watson Injurctl-Car Skids
ON Steep Hill and Turns over, Fall
Ing into Ditch.

Stewart were killed and William Wat
son, Theodore Bell and William c..
Swaffield were seriously injured as a
result of skidding automobile on the
Hyatt PARK road last night. The ac-
cident occurred about o'clock on the
hill about 200 yards south Of the
Smith branch bridge on the road 60
ing to Ridgewood club. The heavy
machine turned completely around
and then turned turtle" in a gully
ten ieet deep. The occupants were
caught under the automobile and
were pinned there. A few minutes
later assistance arrived and they were
removed. Mr. Meighan was dead
and Mr.. Stewart was dying when the
car had been raised sufficiently to
render assistance. Mr.. Swaffield was
carried to the city on a passing street
car and Mr.. Bell and Mr. Watson
were taken to the residence Of Geo.
w. Newman. few hundred yards
away. and given medical attention
Later they were removed to local
hospitals in the city.
News Of the accident reached the
city almost at once. Waites Thomas,
who was following in another auto
mobile, saw the light in the gully and
at once telephoned for aid
In the meantime w. A. Powell, who
is employed by the Columbia street
railway company. also hurriedly sum-
moned aid and tried to raise the over
turned car. With several other men
he managed to lift the car sufficiently
to extricate Mr.. Swaffield's left arm,
which had been caught beneath it.
Then he had negro put Mr.. Swaffield
on a street car. Mr.. Powell went
with him as far as the corner Of Main
and Hampton streets where an au-
tomobile was secured and Mr. Swat
field was rushed to an infirmary.
When Mr.. Powell reached the
wrecked automobile, the gas lights
were still burning. Gasoline was
pouring out of the tank.
When physicians, who rushed to the
scene Of the accident arrived they
took charge. The bodies Of Mr..
Meighan and Mr.. Stewart were taken
to an undertaking establishment and
the injured men in the party were
taken to Mr.. Newman's home tempo
rarily. There was very little inquiry
necessary.
1t was brought out that the party
had gone to the country club for
lunch. The road leading into the
city is very wet and therefore very
slippery. On the hill climb which
starts just about 100 yards from
| where the accident occurred the gear
| was changed and then the machine
| started to skid. Then, according to
| expert machinists the fatal mistake
| was made. Brakes were applied and
| the machine swerved around and
| went over in the ditch, turning over
and falling in the opposite direction.
1t was an accident that might have
| happened to any driver. according
to those who examined the road.
| The speed of the car had nothing to
do with the complete reversa, Of the
machine. The car, according to the
experts, was running at low ,ate
OF speed and when the skidding start
ed Mr. Meighan reversed his gear
just beside the gully.
Hundreds Of people on hearing Of
! the accident hurried to the scene and
| offered assistance. All Of the party
had numerous friends in the city and
as result those in charge had diff
Guilty In keeping back many who went
to Mr.. Nevmans house.
An examination showed that Mr..
1 Bell had suffered from broken COL
lar bone and several broken ribs:
| that Mr. Watson had broken an arm
ana several rlDS, and that Mr.. Swat
Held had broken an ankle and two
ribs. Unless internal complications
result they are in no danger. They
will be confined to their rooms for
several weeks.
The deaths of Hugh Meighan and
William Stewart cast a sadness over
the entire city. on the streets and
everywhere the announcement came
rs a shock 1t could not bc realized
coming as it did and call after call
came IN last night to the Office of
The state for confirmation of the
rumor.
The families received hundreds Of