Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1925-09-04
HIT AND RUN
ROAD MURDERERS
Two Men and Possibly a Woman,
Victims of Auto Assassination
Girl From Shenandoah

!. 49, INV Va thC WOiSI tIdEcQitS To Ot
eur in this section in years two youn
men were instantly killed and a gil
: probably fatally injured Wednesda
night on the Martinsburg pike nea
Clearbrook, Frederick County, whel
they were struck by large auton o
bile tearing along the pike at a ter
rife rate of speed.
The death car and it's occupant
escaped without leaving a trace be
hind them.
The dead are:
Calvin Ficham, aged % years, O
Rappahannock County. Va.
Oscar Dodson, 20 years old, of Mad
ison County, Va.
The injured are:
Miss Emma Pingley, aged 35 years
of Winchester; in Memorial Hospital
with fractured leg, injured internal.
ly. cut and bruised about the body
unconscious; will probably die
Miss Nellie j. Brill, aged % years
at home, No. 119 East James Street
suffering from slight cuts on left
hand and knee; shocked.
Had Attended Fair Carnival
The accident occurred about 10 D.
m. Wednesday, following the meeting
of the two young girls by the two
youths now dead. while all of them
were at the fair grounds attending
the carnival
A ride was proposed by one of the
youths, and they left in Dodson S
Ford touring car on short trip.
They selected the Martinsburg pike.
and on the return trip had reached a
point 800 yards north of the Clear
brook railroad station, in front of the
residence of George L. Pitzer, when
they had blowout The car was
headed toward Winchester, and was
parked on the right, or west, side of
the pike
The four occupants had gotten out
of the car, and were standing along
the west side of the pike. watching
Dodson make repairs on the rear
tire. Dodson was nearest to the rear
wheel, Fineham stood to his left and
next to him; then Miss Pingiey, while
Miss Brill was at the extreme left,
or southern. end of the line.
Death Car Hits Party. Does Not Stop
Suddenly the lights of the death
tcar doomed up from the north. com
ing at terrific rate of speed toward
Winchester. Miss Brill says she no
ticed the lights were bearing down
on them in direct line, and she
screamed. Look out! that car is go
ing to hit u.s.
She started to run around to the
front of their Ford, but an instant
later she recalled hearing the impact
of the speed car as it struck first
Dodson. then Ficham, then Miss
Pignley. hurting them in all direc-
tions like tenpins.
After that, Miss Brill says she re-
members nothing distinctly until she
was being picked up and placed in
an automobile. to be brought to the
hospital. 1t is believed that Miss
Pingley's body struck Miss Brill and
knocked her to the roadway. She
was taken to the hospital by Miller
O'Rear.
Dodson's body was thrown upon
the radiator and front fender of the
escaping ear, and was carried 1875
feet up the pike toward Winchester,
where it fell to the pike. and where
he was found dead a few minutes
later The body of Ficham was also
dragged IS feet from the spot where
they were struck.
Both men were probably instantly
killed, as both of their necks were
broken and both sustained fractured
skulls.
1t is believed that the first person
to pass the spot after the accident
was travelling man from Hagers-
town. who left in short while, with.
out giving his name
Both of the girls had their slippers
torn from their feet when they were
struck by the ear, and Miss Pingley's
hat was found later lying in the road
way. Also her pocketbook and Other
personal belongings of the party were
picked up in the vicinity
Native of Shenandoah County
Miss Pingley, who is unconsciou.
in the hospital and may die, is
daughter of the late David NJ. Ping
ley. and was born and reared at Leb
annon Church, Shenandoah County
Both of her parents are dead. Sh,
had been living in Winchester 70
some time past.
CAR sIDEsWPED