The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-12-10
tragedy SHOCKED COLUMBIA.
Death Of Prominent Citizens Widely
DeplOred-TriO Injured VIII Re-
cover.

Columbia, Dec. 6.-ColumDla is Stlll
talking of the deplorable tragedy that
happened last night, when I. Hugh
Meighan and w. S. Stewart were killed,
and William Watson, w c. Swafdeld,
and Theodore A. Bell, injured, when
the automobile in which they were re-
turning from Ridgewood club skidded,
turned clean around and toppled over
into ditch, just this side OF Smith
branch, on Hyatt Park. road. The
whole city was Mortified at the terrible
occurrence and little else has been
talked about today.
The three injured men are reported
as doing very well today and nope sof
them were, seriously ii fjured, Medical
examination discovered that''Williaam
Watson suffered several bFokesSEEb
and is considerably bruised; ERsgss
Bell had his collar-bbne hrokeR aad'
several ribs fracturea VIC. swa@
field was found to j hve sustaiI sa.;a
broken Eaast, sprRined ank}ls -: q d
several broken ribs. all were given; in
slant medical attention last night and
they are expected to ;Re out and about
their regular business after few days
confinement in their rooms. -.
How the Accident Happened.
Accounts of how the accident hap
pened vary in detail, but all coincide in
the main. The five gentlemen had been
out to Ridgewood club and had a bird
supper. The constant rain and fog OF
the past few days had made the streets
slippery and the macadam was cover
ed with soft, velvety, muddy sub
stance. Leaving Ridgewood club
little before o'clock, with Mr.. Neigh
an. driving. and Mr.. Swafield on the
front seat with him, and the other
three on the rear seat, the party cross
ed Smiths branch and had started the
climb of the hill when the accident oc-
Cured. Some say that the car skidded,
turning completely around, and that
when the brakes were applied it went
over the ditch, bottom up. Others hold
to the theory that the car did not skid,
but that Mr.. Meighan must have turned
to speak to friend in the rear when
the car swerved around and toppled
over, pinning all of the occupants un-
derneath.
Psssers-by Gave Aid.
A street car with a solitary passen-
ger aboard was outward bound, and
Just opposite the scene of the accident,
and it is said that the car, when it
sWerved around, was observed by the
carmen and passenger and they at
once alighted and hurried to the res
cue. By the time they reached the
scene the can was overturned in the
ditch and the passengers beneath.
They attempted to lift the car and ex-
tricate the ones pinned under it, but it
was impossible. However, Waltes
Thomas and Hugh Hammond, who
happened to be passing in machine,
came to their assistance and others
arrived The gas lights were still
burning on the wrecked machine and
gasoline was pouring out in every dl
rection. Someone had presence ST
mind enough to turn off the gas lights,
thus averting danger of confagra-
ton. And then the car was lifted and
the passengers pulled out. two being
dead and the others injured.
Mr.. T. Hugh Meighan, who was driv-
ing the car, had been caught between
the streeing wheel and the seat and his
neck was broken in the fail. His face
was badly mashed. He died instantly.
Mr.. w. S. Stewart, who lpied the
rear seat, wE dying when pulled out.
1t is said that his neck was broken by
the fall.
Mr.. Meighan
The quickness with which the news
spread over the city was marvellous.
The people at the theatre were inform
ed and a pail of gloom was cast over
everything. Both Of the dead men were
among the most prominent Of the city's
business men. Mr.. Meighan, who was