Smyrna times., 1912-10-09
BOY THROWN FROM HORSE
LOSES LIFE UNDER AUTO
GEORGE JEFFREYS CRUSHED BY
THORNLEYS AUTO TRUCK
Car Driven by VIM. Robinson Power
less to Save Boy When Thrown by
Horse-JurY Exhonarates Robinson

Gar Driven by VIM. Robinson Power
less to Save Boy When Thrown by
Horse-JurY Exhonarates Robinson
George B. Jeffreys, strong and physi-
cally developed lad of sixteen years,
living on the farm of Thomas Dicker-
son, near Bishops Corner, met death
in frightful accident which occurred
short distance below Bishops Corner,
six miles from Smyrna early Monday
morning. He was thrown from his
horse in front of Thornley's auto truck,
of Smyrna and instantly killed.
Thornley's truck, driven by William
Robinson, of Smyrna, was taking Mrs.
Eliza Smith, Mrs. Joseph Cummins,
Miss Leah Cummins, Mrs. Charles
FAIRIES and Frank Deakyne to Dover.
where they have been making daily
trips of late to instruct the new oper-
ators at Thornley's branch overall fac
tory. The killing of Jeffreys was
purely accidental. They had just pass
ed Bishops Corner" when George
Jefreys came out of Dickerson's lane
on horse back and starte3 down the
road. Robinson pulled to the right.
Horse Throws Boy in Front of Auto.
Approaching the auto the horse took
a sudden fright, squatted on its
launches and began to back, Jeffreys
pulled at the reins but before he
could bring the horse under control,
the girth of the saddle broke. throw
ing the boy head-irst in front of the
car. By this time Robinson, to save
an accident with his own party, pulled
the auto truck as far to the right as
he could, in ditch. The truck had
the boy. The wheels did not pass
over him, but he was caught under
the differential gear casing on the
back axle and it crushed him down to
the ground. The entire weight of
the heavy truck settled upon him and
crushed the life out of him. Robin
son stopped his car so suddenly that
fhe women were thrown against the
car, all escaping injury but Mrs.
FAIRIES who was somewhat bruised
about the shoulder. They were all
badly frightened.
Had to Dig Boy Out From Under Car
Effort was then made to lift the
heavy car off Jeffreys body but to no
avail. Jefferson Cooper and others
living near by were summoned and
finally had to dig the body out from
under the car. Robinson, nervous
and excited, started up the road for a
phone and fell in faint. 1t was some
minutes before he was Reconstructed.
In the meantime phone message was
sent to Undertaken FAIRIES Iof Smyrna,
who quickly appeared with assistance.
Robinson was taken home in Roy
fuckers car and the women were
taken back to Smyrna by R. E. Long.
Edward Heite, a Dover machinist took
charge of the auto truck which aside
from a bent axle, was but slightly
damaged. The horse freed from it's
driver, turned around and galloped
for its home, the Dickerson farm.
Much sympathy was expressed for
the boys family and for William
Robinson, the chauffeur. The latter
is one of the most careful drivers in
Smyrna and this, his first accident, has
quite unneryed him.
Inquest Held in Smyrna Monday Night
Harvey w. FAIRIES, of the undertake
ing firm of w. A. FAIRIES & Son, took
charge of the body and brought it to
their morgue in Smyrna where Mon
day evening at six o'clock a coroners
inquest in charge of deputy coroner
W. A. FAIRIES was held. Roland w.
Bell was foreman of the jury and Ed
mund c. Gootee was secretary. After
the witness had testified, the jury
rendered a verdict of accidental
death" and exhonorated William
Robinson of all blame" Jeffreys
was a son of Mr.. William Jeffreys,
a farmer residing near Downe's
Chapel. His sister Miss Belle jeff
reys, is an operator in Thornley's fac
tory and was deeply shocked when in
formed of the fatal accident to her
brother. The remains of the young
man were taken TO his fathers home
near Downs Chapel this morning and
funeral took place this afternoon. His
was the first death to take place in the
family of 13 children of Mr.. and Mrs.
Jeffreys.