The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-08
TWO DEATHS AND Z INJURIES MARK
 RALPH DE PALMA'S
 3OO-M|LE VICTORY
Joe Cooper Is Killed and Chandler and Keeler May Die as Result of Acci- dents at the Des MOines Races

Des Moines. August 1.-Two deaths and two injuries. two probably fatal, marked the initial 300-miIe automobi derby on the new mile speedway here today. Ralph De Palma won the race, Ralph Mulford was second and Eddie o'DonneII third. The time was 3.2s.52.
 Joe Cooper was killed on the thirty eighth lap when his car literally sailed over the outer edge of the bowl as he was nearing the grand stand and fell outside with Cooper and his mechanician, Louis Piel pinned underneath the wreckage.
 The second accident came when in the thirty-eighth lap Billy Chandler's car crashed against the Inside rail Morris keeler, Chandlers mechanician, was said to be the more seriously hurt of the two, and at the hospital tonight his death was predicted within a few hours. Chan dler has less than an even chance for re- eovery, physicians said. Piel a victim of the first accident, was reported also in a critical condition.
 Keeer, mechaneian to Billy Chandler, died at the hospital shortly before 9 o'clock tonight.
 cooper's skull was crushed Stfubbs' in- juries are broken right shoulder and hip and fractured collar bone and concus- sion of the brain. Chandler went into eonvulsions while being taken to the hos pital. where it was found he suffered a broken left hip and internal Injuries.
 In both accidents tire blowouts were ascrlbed as the cause, although in the case of Cooper broken steering knuckle was said to have been the immediate req son for his loss of control. After striking outside the track the car crashed into the end of the grandstand. Officials said Cooper was going 100 miles an hour. The race itself was full of thrills aside from it's tragic features For most of the 300 miles ft was q nip and tuck affair be- tween the De Palma, Muford and ODon- nell. De Palma keeping the lead the greater part of the time. in the last 15 miles, however. he developed a run of bad luck with his tires which threatened to lose him first place. but he forged ahead in the last three miles and crossed ahead of Muford.
 So close were the two leads that the judges for several minutes were divided as to who had won The first announce ment was that Mulford was the victor j t n was changed and the official an- nouncenent gave De Palma the prize
 summaries: SS0-yard run--Wo on by Leroy Campbell, University of Chicago; second D. s. Caldwell, Boston Athletic associa- ton; third. J. T Higgins, Boston Irish American associat tion Time, 2 minutes second.
 1O0-yard dash-Won by J. G. Loomis Chicago A. A.; second, A. T. Mayer, Irish American A. C., New York; third, k. Morse, Salem Crescent A. C., Brooklyn. Time, ;o9 i-5, equaling senior A. A. U. record but not allowed-wind.
 Putting 16-pound shot-Won by A. Muclxs. University of Wisconsin: second, l.. J. Talbott, Jr., Kansas City A. C.; third, Reg Caughey, Olympic club, San Francisco Distance, 4s feet 11s4 inches.
 One-mile run-Won by J. w. Ray, Hi nos A. C.; second, N. S. Tabor, Boston
 A; third, l. Myers. Illinois A. c. Time, 4:23 15.