New-York tribune., 1919-05-19
SSEISs Richest Boy
In 4. s. % Killed
BY Automobile
: inson Walsh Mclean Runs
in Front of Motor Car
Near Home in Capital;
Had q Mobile Nursery

WASHINGTON. May 1S..Runninp
from the gate of Friendship, the subur-
ban mansion OF Mr. and Mrs. Edwa rd
Beale Mclean, in eager anticipation of
his first ride on a street car, nine-year-
old Vinson Walsh Mclean, the richest
boy in the United States" was knocked
down to-day by a passing automobile
receiving injuries to his head which
caused his death six hours later, in
spite Of all efforts of corps Of medical
specialists to save him.
Three women occupied the machine
that struck the lad, and they assisted
him to the house. They departed with
out revealing their identity, and are be-
ing sought by the police.
The tragic news was wired to Mr.
and Mrs. Mclean at Louisville, where
they were attending a racing meet
They at once chartered a special train
and are expected home tomorrow
morning. Only Mrs. Thomas F. Walsh
widow of the multi millionaire gold
miner and Vinson's grandmother, rep
resented the family at the deathbed.
Was "S1O0,OOOOOO Baby
Newspapers all over the United
States heralded young Mclean as the
gold-crad.ed and S10O,0OO,000 baby at
the time of his birth. he did have a
gold cradle, present from King Leo
poid of Belgium, who had been part
ner OF Walsh in The Camp Bird gold
mine in Colorado.
Baby Mclean, at that time, was the
sole heir to s15O,O00, ,0OO-s steadily in
creasing-from his two grandfathers,
Mr.. Walsh and John R. Mclean. owner
of the Washington Post and "Cincin-
natl Enquirer
He had five nurseries in Ave of the
finest mansions in America One of
them was on the Walsh estate. a few
miles out of Denver. at the gateway of
the "Garden of the Gods" and another
in the splendid Mclean residence in
Washington, where the fatal accident
occurred to-day. Here was the "Bride's s
Garden" made by the late Mrs John r.
Mclean for the young mother Of the
flowers bloom, and which had always
been Vinson's play garden Another
was in the Walsh mansion on Massa-
chusetts avenue here, and still another
in the wonderful Briar Cliffe. the Bar
Harbor estate which Walsh bought and
gave the young couple just before his
death.
Had Automobile Nursery
The boy had an elaborate private
car which carried him to Palm Beach
o. wherever he desired to 60 In his
habyhood he had an automobile
equipped as a nursery. Later he had a
dozen automobiles.
lie had doctors and nurses and pr-
vate detectives. His body guard was
the famous Mike Donovan, Roosevelt's s
sparring partner
During mis- infancy, and indeed even
after he became old enough to take
care Of himself 10 certain extent,
Vinson Walsh Mclean was probably
the most carefully guarded baby in
the United States. SO much was
printed in the newspapers and
magazines about him that letters
received almost constantly by his
father and mother.
The Washington home Of the Nc
Leans was gYarded by detail Of city
policemen to keep the kidnappers away
and the baby never travelled without
large encourage Of private detectives
and special policemen. When the child
Nag only few months old his parents
had constructed for him, as an addi-
tional safeguard against kidnapping, a
steel cage on wheels, or an arnored
baby carriage, which vas closed and
bolted by locks Of special design and
intricate pattern. II wag in this that
The baby's nurse, accompanied by half
dozen detectives. took the child for
his mornings ride And besides the
detectives she McLoans employed
thirty house servants and fifty out
side retainers, all Of them especially
instructed to prevent the baby from
beng stolen.