Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-03-27
KILLED IN RUNAWAY ACCIDENT.
Tragic Death of Young Briggs Flana-
gan Near Shepherdstown.

Tragic Death of Young Griggs Flana-
gan Near Shepherdstown.
"The only son of his mother, and she
was a widow"
A splendid young life was crushed out
and loving mothers heart was we'll
nigh broken Tuesday afternoon when
Griggs Flanagan, only child OF Mrs. Ber-
tina D. Flanagan, met with aterrible death
while they were on their way home from
Shepherdstown. Mrs. Flanagan lives
near Bakerton, and every day Griggs
came to town to the Graded School, where
he was one of the brightest members OF
the class that will graduate this spring.
Some one drove in with him each morn
ing and came back for him again in the
afternoon, and although it meant a drive
of eight miles each Way-a round trip OF
sixteen miles-so interested was he in
his work that he rarely missed day.
Tuesday afternoon his mother drove
in for him, and shortly before five O'Clock
they started for home, behind their hand
some driving horse. AS they descended
the Staley hill mile or two east OF town
they overlook the four-horse team OF
Geo. M. Knott, of Moler's Cross Roads.
The team was driven by John Cox, and
in the wagon were Wilbert Moppin and
John Waters. Mr.. Cox pulled the team
slightly 10 one side 10 let the buggy pass,
and as it did so the horses drawing the
heavy farm wagon took fright and broke
into run. Before they could be check
ed or the occupants of the buggy could
get out Of the way the horses plunged
into the light vehicle ahead OF them and
smashed it. AS the wheels were torn
from the buggy Mrs. Flanagan and Griggs
were entangled in the wreckage, and the
plunging, stamping horses and the big
wagon ran over them as bosom OF de-
struction and continued in mad flight
down the road. Mr.. Moppin had jumped
from the wagon in vain endeavor to
draw the rubber, and in a moment or two
he and William ByerS, who was at work
in field along the road, and John Stew
enSon, colored, who lived in a house a
few yards away, were at the scene.
Poor little GriggS lay in pool OF his
own blood, while Mrs. Flanagan was al
most unconscious from shock and the
fearful ordeal through which she had
passed. The form OF the child was ten
derby eXtricated from the Wreckage OF
the vehicle and carried into the Stevenson
house, TO which Mrs. Flanagan was also
taken. The death OF Griggs had been
almost instantaneous. Ii was evident
that the wheels of the heavy wagon had
passed over his head, crushing the skull
and the upper part Of his body. He
ceased to breathe as they carried him
into the house.
Word was Immediately sent to town,
and in short time DrS. Banks, Meyers
and Burwell were on the scene, and
friends of Mrs. Flanagan FASTENED TO her.
She seemed to be but little hurt, aside
from bruises and Commissions, though her
escape was almost miraculous. After
she had been cared for she was taken to
her home near Bakerton, and the body
of her son was prepared for burial by
Undertaken Hoffman, who later had ii
removed to the now saddened place
whence he had departed in high spirits
few hours before.
When the news of the tragedy reached
ShepherdStown gloom was cast over
the whole community. Almost every
body knew Griggs and liked him 10 an
unusual degree, and the people could
scarcely believe that the bright, manly
young fellow who few moments before
had been seen upon the streets in full
health and high spirits was now broken
piece OF lifeleSS clay. 1t caused feeling
of inexpresSble sadness 10 all who
knew him-hiS young schoolmateS as
well as the Older persons in the commu-
nifty who were so fond of him. GriggS
was fourteen years Of age, but there was
a refinement about him that made him
seem younger. Bright intelligent, clean
cut and handsome, he was an unusually
attractive boy, and the future seemed to
hold for him exceptional promise. That
his young life should be so suddenly cut
off when there was apparently so much
for him to live for, and when such high
hopes were centered in him, is indeed a
mysterious dispensation OF Providence.
We do not know how TO express the
sympathy OF cur people for the sorrow
ing mother, except to assure her that she
has in the fullest measure the sincerest
coincidence OF all the community. GriggS
was son of the late John q. Flanagan,
weIl-known business man of this county.
The funeral service will be held at the
home Saturday morning at II O'Clock,
and will be conducted by Rev. J. c.
Siler, OF the Presbyterian Church. The
body will be inferred in Elmwood Gem
etery, Shepherdstown.