Arizona republican., 1915-08-16
Crandall'S Rear w h e C l Crmples in Third Lap of Fifteen Mile Race at Fair Grounds - Three Riders Crash into Wreckage
WILSON'S CONDITION
 CONSIDERED SERIOUS
He SuStains Severe Scalp Wounds, But is Expected to Rec0vcr-Clandall and Boido Also Hurt in Ter rife Crash

Victim of the most sensational and spectacular motorcycle accident cvni' seen on the state fair grounds track. Nuliam Gerig died at St. Joseph's hos pital yesterday afternoon at 5.%o. Ellie Wilson lies at the hospital sufferins from severe scalp wounds and painful bruises He is an a critical condition Lorenzo Roido and Harry Crandall, the other parties to the accident. escaped with cuts and bruises of minor i'm rartance.
 Four out of five starters in the fiji teen mile free -for-all race piled up on the north turn. Human and mechani- cll wr.Ckase was stTeWn over the track
 lt happened in the third lap. Joe D-CouueII took the lead at the start and grandaH had just passed O'Connen af- ter sharp brush ou the back stretch. AS Crandau went into the north turn his resr tire blew out and the wheel crumpleG. The machine turned square l- across the track. O'Connell missed it bv l hair. Gerig's Excelsior hit Callaus Harley squarely and the two ruotoreycles locked. Both machines slammed up against the fence. breaking a pest off short. Gerig must have been
 
 cle1r and escaped with nothing more serious than a skinned elbow. Wilson's MerSel damned into the Harley and Excelsior next and then came Rozdo's Indian. II is contended by some that the. riders could have steered clear of th. Harley had it not been for the dust but this is doubtful. as all were traV- cling under 55 seconds to the mile and they were closely punched.
 The first person to reach the scene of the sma shup was Tom Ellison, ref cree. on that turn. He picked up Gerig and dragged him down the track Boido dragged himself out and first looked toward his machine, which was on fire He started to pick it mp. then saw Vii son lying bleeding on the ground He seized Wilson under the shoulders and dragged him perhaps fifty feet before he fen exhausted He probably was jarred silly for a little later he returned to his blazing machine and remarked: The only good motor I ever owned has gone and burned up."
 Blood was gushing from Gerig's nose and mouth His forehead was laid open from temple to temple. No doubt his head struck post or rail of the fence. though it is possible that it struck his handle bars.
 It was quickly perceived that Geris and Wilson were the most seriously in iured CrandaH and Boido were walk ing around and shouting for help for their friends
 Gerig and Wilson were loaded into an automobile and hurried to St Josephs hospital. Dr. George Nj. Broadway was called. Dr. L. Boido 1a Inc. had given attention to Crandall and his son. Gerig's father and mother, Mir. and Mrs Enoch Gerig. were soon at his bedside. Wilson's mother reached the hospital a few minutes after the in iured boys were carried into the op- eratinE room.
 The physicians after glance at Cierig. declared that his skull was frac- tured and that his chances for life were slim. His left shoulder was brok en and he was bleeding internally. He was breathing in labored gasps and his head was soon swollen to twice its normal size. Tine doctors decided that the brave boys one chance for life lay in an operation to relieve the pressure cn the brain. While Dr. Brockway was making an exploratory incision, Gerig nrcathed his last He never re- covered consciousness for an instant.
 Tt was necessary to take several stitchcs to sew Wilson's ears back into their proper positions. Late last night he came out from under the anesthetic and was said to be resting easily. It is believed he will recover.
 All the proceeds of the race meet, above expenses. are toi te turned over to Wilson and to Gerig's parents. This was agreed to by the promoters and by fhe riders who had won the events held previous to the tragedy.
 After the injured riders had been re "T n