The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-06-06
MRS. WOODFORD
 LEAVES CASE
 TO HER LAWYER
Does Not Appear in Person at Hearing
 Before Coroner
Witnesses Testify That Chauf- feuT Snatched at Wheel As
 She Drove

Mrs Stewart L. Woodford. wife of the former American minister to Spain, did not appear in person before the authorities in this city today, where her responsibility for the death of a man killed by an automobile, which she was driving, was being inquired into
 "A car driven by a woman who did not know much about driving" occa- stoned the death of William Stein< haeuser, in Fairfield, Tuesday, accord ing to the testimony of Konrad Olsen, before Coroner John J. Phelan, to- day.
 Five witnesses testified in the coron- CTS office, this morning, and then the entire party, including witnesses and counsel, repaired to Fairfield, where on the scene of the tragedy the hear ing is continued this afternoon.
 AIrs stewart L. Woodford, wife of the former minister to Spain, with her chauffeur William J. Browne, who were in the car, were not present, but were represented by Attorney B. Hill, of this city
 John and George Schumann, boys, testified that the car was going so fast 1t couldn't take the corner close One of them said that the man in the dent was about to occur, and beiiev- ed that this action hastened, rather than prevented, the tragedy.
 William Daly, who has an office in . the Lyceum Building, Fairfield, saw the accident, but didn't know much about it Mrs Edward Thomas, who was wheeling a baby carriage at the time said that the victim was drag ged from twenty to forty feet, cling ine to the mud guards. and that when he let go. both hind and front wheels passed over him
 with all the material witnesses transported to the scene of the dis aster Coroner J. J- Phe1an conduct- ed a continued inquest in front or. fte Fairfield Library building. It was shown by the witnesses that the vic tim had been standing in the roadway when he observed the approaching car which first shot into view some 62 feet distant He was then feet south of the white post It was alleged that he stepped towards the middle of the roadway and then attempted to re trace his tracks, suddenly projecting himself again forward and. directly in to the path of the car.
 Olson, whose testimony is particular lv tucrirndnating from the point that he expressed himself of the belief MTls Woodford is an inexperienced driver, was closely followed by Coroner Phe- Ian. and was later contradicted in many essential points by Chauffeur William J. Br@wne who passing in a car with Mrs -Woodford was ordered to the scene by the coroner after per mission had been granted by Attorney Hin.
 with State Policeman Rowe Wheeler and the coroner, Browne was compell- ed to retrace his course on the fatal day at the same speed and direction as he testified he was then going. His epeed and direction was closely ques- 4ioned by the official who seemed in clined to the belief that at the dis tance William Steinhauser stood from the car when first swinging about the turn such an accident was impossible.
 Browne in his testimony cleared himself from all blame by the state ment this his reason for having his left hand upon the steering wheel was for the purpose of holding 1t rigid and fJracInE himself that he might aid Mrs. Woodford in applying the emer- xency brake with greater force and disDa tch He denied that his hand a1pon the wheel had swerved the car directly to the right and in the path of the victim.
 Adjournment of the inquiry was made until Wednesday next, during which time witnesses secured by MIs. Tvoodford will be summoned and ap- pear probably in the morning of that hay. No definite hour has as yet been get and 1t is understood the justice hearing will be postponed until a fnd- ing Is made by the coroner. Accident insurance was carried in a New York company whose representa- five Charles Sheldon was officially present at the investigations.