The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-09-18
Roscoe SarleS Is Burned To
Death in Auto Race.
Following Tire Burst Machine
Hurtles and Burns.
TOMMY MILTON IS WINNER
Made Average of 109 Miles in
Leach Special.
Ministers of Kansas City Con.
denim Sabbath Race.

Kansas City, Mo-, Sept. 1S.-'Fast
a track as I ever drove on" was the
declaration today of Tommy Milton,
winner of Kansas iCty's 800 mile au-
tomobile dash in which Roscoe Sarfes.
veteran driver, was killed and eight
other drivers and mechanicians in
jured.
Milton's time was hours, 46 min
utes and 52.96 seconds, a new record
for the distance.
The winners average speed was 100
miles an hour.
Sarles was burned to death when a
tire burst and his machine hurtled
over the saucer-shaped track and
crashed to the ground in flames v.
as a mechanician for Sarles. was dan
gerously injured.
Raced Despite Wife's Pleas.
The dead driver raced in spite of
the pleas of Mrs. Sarles, according to
friends. Sarles substituted at the last
moment for Cliff Durant, millionaire
automobile driver.
Jimmie Murphy, Eddie Hearne, Joe
Thomas and Peter de Paolo. nephew
of Ralph De Palma. figured in SEN
sational accidents which forced their
cars out of the race. Thomas was in
dangerously DuI Will TSCON6T.
Milton drove to victory in a Leach
Special. Harry Hartz, in Hartz Spec
iaI. finished second, Ralph Mulford in
a Duesenberg third. The winner s
prize was $4,000.
Ministers of Kansas City today con-
demned the Sabbath race. one of them
declaring Sarles was burned to make
an American holiday"
Injured Will Recover.
Reports from hospitals today indi-
Gated that the three motor car racers,
injured seriously yesterday in the ded-
ication race of Kansas City's new half
million dollar speedway would re-
cover.
Roscoe SarIes of Lafayette, Indiana,
a. famous racer, was killed when his
car plunged off the top of the speed
way, bursting into flames after 1t
had struck the ground twenty-five
feet below.
Eight men were injured in a series
of accidents which occurred at the
races, but OF the number Christopher
V. Pickup, Los Angeles, 1nechanician
for Sarles. Ed Hefferman, Chicago
mechanician for Eddie Hearne, and
Harry Henning of Independence, Mo,
mechanician for Pete De Paolo, suf-
fered the most serious injuries. They
sustained conclusion of the brain, in
addition to cuts. and bruises. They
also may be injured internally, physi-
clans said.
The less seriously injured include
Hearne, De Paolo. Joe Thomas and
Jimmy Murphy, all widely known
drivers. Thomas left leg was broken.
The others were cut and bruised.
Murphy did not go to a. hospital. Ray
mond Curley of Seattle, Thomas
mechanician, was slightly bruised.
Tommy Milton of st. Paul, the win
ner. covered the 800 miles in 2:46:
52:96. Harry Hartz was second, time
2:4f:10:28; Frank Elliot, Kansas City
third, 2;49:46:6O; Ralph Mulford
fourth. 2:5e:45:3S; Jerry Wonder1ich
fifth. 2:56:46:47.
To the strains of the "Star Spangled
Banner" punctuated by the sharp
crack Of sky bombs, Kansas City's new
speedway was dedicated prior to the
starting of the races
Gov. Allen Principal Speaker.
Gov. Henry j. Allen, of Kansas
was the principal speaker. The crowd
was estimated at approximately
$4,000. said by speedway officials to
have been one of the largest assem-
blages ever gathered to watch a motor
race. Many persons had been in the
line before the gate all night. The
dedication ceremony and race were
(Continued on PaRe FOUr.l