The Washington times., 1919-09-16
ALLEN'SBODY
ON WAYHOME
TO WIFE HERE

PORTLAND, Greg, Sept. 16.-The
broken body of Ben F. Allen, Wash
fnrton correspondent Of the Cleve-
land Plain Dealer, killed when the
automobile in which he was accom-
panyinE the President, turned turtle
near Portland yesterday, is on its
way home today, accompanied by a
Secret Service man.
Robert T. Small, Washington cor
respondent Of the Philadelphia Public
Ledger, another occupant OF the
death car. had recovered sufficiently
from his injuries last night to con-
tinue the trip. Stanley J. Reynolds,
correspondent OF the New York sun,
a third washington newspaper man
10 be injured, was left behind in the
Good Samaritan Hospital here with
a fractured arm and shoulder.
Escaped by PremonItIon.
A fourth Washington newspaper
writer, David Lawrence, correspon-
dent OF the New York Evening Post,
owes his escape to 2 premonition. He
was TO have accompanied the party
IN the car in which Allen met his
death. He declared he "felt like there
was going to be a smash-up." and at
the last minute refused to go.
The tragedy, marking the cUlmina-
tion OF a series OF poor arrangements,
was the result OF an effort Of James
r. Patterson, seventy-th
driver OF the car. TO avoid a collision
with another, stalled in the center OF
the road. The effort cost him his
life, for his own machine a big seven |
passenger car, left the road, turned /
turtle, and crushed Patterson and /
Allen beneath il.
Barred From Regular Car.
The other occupants OF the car were
thrown clear.
The party were on their way to
Crown Point, thirty miles distant, at
the time. AS has been the custom in
al the places visited during the tour,
special cars were assigned, the news
paper men OF the party. But when Al
len and the others went to their car
yesterday they found T. filled with
townsDeople. who refused to get out. ,,
Allen. Small, and Reynolds finally
secured another car. driven by Patter-
son. Lawrence refused to 60.
The road leading to the Point is
narrow and twisting, over steep hills
and inclines. AutOists are Invariably
warned 70 proceed over il carefully.
Nevertheless, the pilot car which
guided the party, hit up a pace ap-
proximately forty miles an hour,
There was nothing for the rest to do
but follow. {
Put On Extra speed.
Shortly after the start Patterson's 7
Ear developed engine trouble. He !
rev on to one side OF the road, fixed I
{, and then attempted TO catch up BY c
JuttinE on extra Epeed.
He was travelling probably better
han sixty miles an hour when he @
anne upon another car stalled in the
enter Of the road. c
The car was encountered just
.round a sharp bend, too suddenly to \
iIlow a stop. Patterson, therefore, r
sharply, in an effort 10 pass I
round it. i
His speed was too great, and the c
highway, plunged over an embank-
nent. and turned turtle, crushing Pat I
erson and Allen, who occupied the 2
ront seat with him, beneath the {
IeaTy body. Both were dead when j
At first. it was feared that Small /
.lso had been fatally injured; but he
2ter recovered sufficiently to allow &
i'm to resume the trip, with the con :
ent OF Admiral Grayson, the Presi- 7
ent's physician. Reynolds suffered
fracture OF the left arm, left I
houlder blade. and scores OF bruises. {
.Fthur D. Sullivan, a reporter for the
cortland News, another occupant Of ,
he car, escaped with minor injuries. I
Pail on Entire Party.
The tragedy cast a pail on the en-
Ire Presidential party, and the Presi-
ent made only brief addresses here $
esterday afternoon and evening. y
,ast night he sent the following /
lessage Of coincidence to Mrs. Allen c
Z Washington:
"Our hearts go out TO you in deep !
5t sympathy in the tragical death OF
our husband, whom we all esteemed ]
nd trusted. He will be missed as a
ne friend and a man who always
sought to do his duty.
WOODROW WILSON"
wife Wanted Him to Stay Home.
According TO fellow newspapermen
the Presidential party. Allen start
on the present trip with grave
and against the advice of
is wife.
She had a premonition of impend-
lg tragedy, and he told friends, be-
IRE leaving. that he was mot en-
lusiastic- himself" because of the Q
anger OF being blown up by rad
ais"
Messages Of sympathy and condoI- y
zee, from high Government officials G
n
1