The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1914-11-26
SPEEDING AUTO TAKES
TERRIBLE FALL.
THREE MEN DEAD, ONE BADLY
BRUISED WHEN CAR RAN
OFF BRIDGE.

OA DANAo>@-s
Florence, November 22::- As the
result of an automobile ride last
night three young men of this city
are dead and one bruised and hurt.
A party, consisting of ] w Wilson,
manager of the Florence Gas COM
pany; A D Taylor. the superinten-
dent of construction; John E Richter,
Jr, foreman of construction in the
same company, and Robert S Har-
rison, a young general merchant in
the city, were enjoying an automo-
bile ride, the host being Mr. Taylor.
The fatal ride was on what is known
as the Muses. bridge road, rather
dangerous road under most favor
able circumstances. Mr. Taylor was
speeding the car to get back home,
and as he crossed the pair of bridges
that span High Hill creek and Black
creek in close proximity, the car
struck the railing of the bridge,
tearing some of it away and dashing
into the ten feet of swift water
below.
Whether the car fell on it's side or
not is not known. Mr. Wilson, the
only survivor, says the he remem-
bers no more after calling warn
ing to Taylor that he must shut off.
Mr. Wilson says that he kicked him.
self free in some way and swan to
the shore. He was nearly frozen,
but had strength enough to Chamber
out and shout an alarm, which was
heard by some men 'possum hunting,
who ran to the rescue. Mr. Wilson
had gotten back into the road, but
was weak, wounded and stiff, with
cold and the rescuing party worked
over him until nearly morning to
restore circulation. Immediate search
was made for the other men in the
car, but it was morning before any
bodies were found, and then Mr.
Harrison was recovered with part
of his head above water against a
tree, holding to a stick. Later in
the day the body of Mr. Taylor was
recovered, and late in the afternoon
the body of young Richter. They
had all evidently been drowned.
Taylor was probably pinned in the
car by the steering gear and his
body floated out in the efforts to
get the car out. His position indi-
Gated that rigor had set in while he
still held his hands on the steering
wheel. 4
In the eager search for the bodies
Supervisor J B Mcbride stripped
and got into the water, feeling about
in the car until he was seized with a
congestive chill. Doctors worked
for hours on him by the creek side
to restore him to condition to be
brought home.
There were hundreds of automo-
biles dashing back and forth on the
road in great excitement, and a
horse driven by Miss Candy, who
lives in that community, was fright
ened and dashed off, throwing her
from her buggy and severely injur-
ing her. She was brought uncon-
scious into the city in an automobile
for treatment at the infrmary. The
extent of her injuries cannot be told
yet.
RS Harrison was prosperous
young business man, who has grown
up in Florence, where everybody,
knew and.liked him. He was mar:
ried a few years ago and leaves a
wife and several children.
AD Taylor came to Flsrence three
years ago when the Florence Gas
company was organized. He was
we'll known and popular. He mar
ried Miss. Georgia Buchheit of this
city few months ago.
John f Richter, Jr, was not much
more than,a boy. He came here sew
eral years, ago with his father to
take charge of the gas plant. He
WaSIa steady bow very mich ikad