The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1916-10-03
SAW HER CHILD
MEET AWFUL DEATH
DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT OF
LITTLE HARRIET CROMARTIE
AT LMlNGTON, N. C.

Tie Wilmington Messenger of a few
days ago printed the story of the hor
rible death of little Harriet Cromartie
which is as follows:
Knocked down accidentally and IA
tally injured by an automobile before
the eyes of its mother who was seat
ed on the porch of her home, little
Harriet, the -year-Old daughter of
Mr.. and MS. =. l.. Cromartie, died
just after reaching the James Walk
err Memorial Hospital shortly after 5
o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Capt. Lucien Clifton, for many years
a popular and trusted passenger con
ductOr on the Atlantic Coast Line,
was the driver Of the car and he lit
tie less than the members CT the be-
reaVed family was distressed beyond
measure over the sad accident. He
had been out with his wife and two of
was just returning home and expected
to go out on the G AS train, of which
he was tC have been the conductor as
far as Rocky Mount After he had
done all he could to afford every pos
siblG relief, he surrender himself to
the police, but was released, pending
the verdict of the coroners jury this
morning.
According to eye witnesses to the
tragedy, little Harriet. together with
hon opH child ha1 hnnn
out for stroll and they were return
ing home walking on the south side
of Chestnut street, opposite the resi-
dence. Harriet was some few feet in
advance of her nurse and companion.
and had turned to cross the street
when she was struck by the car.
AS the little girl reached the center
of the street. her mother noticed q
motor truck approaching, and called
to her to stop. Harriet paused to obey
and in her confusion stepped directly
in front of Captain CliftOn'S car,
which had approached from the rear
of the truck. The fender of the car
struck the little girl just back Of the
left ear, fracturing the skull at the
base, and causing her death a few
minutes later.
Witnessing the accident Mrs. Gro
martic, rushed from the house, and
taking the bleeding form of her child
in her arms. ran to the residence of
Dr. B. J. Willngham, just across the
street Here she was met by Mrs
Willingham who informed her that
the doctor was away A Dassi' & auto
mobile was stopDed, and Mrs. CrOmar-
tie, and the baby were placed in it.,
and rushed to the hospital The child,
however. died almost on the instance
that they reached the hospital.
Captain Clifton. accompanied by his
wife, had turned into Chestnut street
from Sunset Park on their way to
their home at No. 205 Grace street.
According to the witnesses, he made
every possible effort to stop his ma
chine before striking the child but to
no avail. He remained at the scene
Of the accident for a short time and
then went to his home Later he came
to nclice headnuarters, and surrender
ed himself to the authorities.
According to his statement. he was
"unning at a moderate rate OF speed.
not over ten miles an hour, and was
prevented from seeing the child. by
reason CT the fact that the truck was
J between them until he was almost up
on her. He said that he made all DOS
sible efforts to stop, but was too close
| 10 the child before seeing her. Captain
Clifton Is deeply depressed over the
tragedy and was almost on the verge
of nervous prostration last night
The statements of all Of the wit
nesses tended to show that the TRACE
dy was purely accidental and un-
avoidable. Acting Coroner II. Mack
| Goodwin viewed the remains and was
| Of the opinion that death was due to
an accident. Mr. y. II. Houston
grandfather Of the child, however,
swore out an affidavit that the kill
ing was the result Of criminal neglig
| ence, and demanded that a jury be
drawn and an inquest held.
The body Of the child, showed a