The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-17
SPLIT VERDICT
. PUTS BLAME ON
CHAUFFEUR BELL
Corone er's Jury Also
Holds Walker Respon-
sible for Wreck.
DECLARES CAR
WAS SPEEDING
Henrico Officials Unwilling to
Take Action While Owner of
Automobile That Killed Will
linghan Is lowering
Between Life and
Death.

Thomas ]. Walker. "a director of tho
American Tobacco Company. who is at
St Luke's Hospital in a serious condi-
tion. and his chauffeur Lee Bell also
under the care of surgeons. were yes
tcrday held responsible b: coroner's
jury for the death Of Andrew B. Will
lingham, who was killed Tuesday night
when the Walker automobile turned
turtle while leaving the Country Club
OF Virginia. The verdict stated that
reckless speeding was the cause of the
accident. and placed the blame for II
on the owner and driver OF the car. It
is probable that in view Of the verdict
the two will be prosecuted BY the Hen
rico authorities on the ground OF vio-
lating tho speed laws.
Mr. Walkers Condition.
There was little change last night In
the condition of Mr.. Walker, while
Bell. II was reported. showed a marked
improvement Although he WAS still
sore as a result of numerous cuts and
bruises. II was thought he would be
able TO leave the hospital In a short
time.
Mr.. Walker was still practically un-
conscious. 'fie seemed TO rally some
what during the day" n resident ply
Eician said. Several times ne opened
his eyes and gazed about. though he
apparently did not recognize his sur
roundings"
No Court Action Just Now.
u am not now prepared TO say what
steps VIII he taken by the county au-
thorities.' said Commemorative AT
torpey Frank T Sutton. of Henrico
County. when seen last night by re-
porter for The Times Dispatch with
reference 10 the jurys verdict. II am
satisfied" said Mr.. sutton, that MIR
Walkers car was travelling at an ex-
cessivc rate OF speed Both Mr.. Walker
ana his chauffeur could he prosecuted
for violating the speed laws or on
the ground OF criminal negligence
which resulted In the death of Mr..
Willingham.
Mr.. Walker. understand. is how
hospital, and his chauffeur is also badly
hurt Even IL / do decide to take
any action IN the case. II certainly wil!
not be started while they are con.
fined as patients in q hospital"
Mr.. sutton was present for a while
at the inquest ana there got the opin-
ion that Mr.. Walkers car was moving
at high rate of speed.
Testimony n the inquest was TO the
effect that the automobile was travel
ing at a great rate of speed. There was
frequent questioning OF witnesses by
jurors 1t was after more than an
hours delibcration that the verdict
was returned. IT was signed by I'VE Of
the six men, Hugh s. Lynch submitting
minority report" holding the view
ploding tire.
What Majority Held.
The others, i, c. Ridcnour, 6. ]. Ball
Zack Nolaski, Ernest Donahue and -
IL. Wisman. signed a verdict to the ef-
feet that Willingham came TO his death
on the night of May l3 through the
overturnng OF Walkers automobile
which was being driven by Bell. and
that IT was due 10 the unlawful and
reckless speed at which the automobile
was being driven by Bell, and which
was allowed by the owner. who was in
the car with him"
Juror Lynch would not sign this
verdict. He said he did not believe
the accident was due to speed. but was
caused by a defective tire. He added
that he did not believe from the evil
dence he heard that the car was trav-
cling faster than twenty miles an hour
and expressed the opinion that any big
car moving at twenty miles an hour
with bad tire was apt 20 be wrecked
(CpDfinie6 nm Ninth Ioa1aN