Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 97, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 August 1909 — Two Killed In Indianapolis Automobile Races. [ARTICLE]

Two Killed In Indianapolis Automobile Races.

Indianapolis, Aug. 19. —Two lives were lost and two records broken during the inauguration of the Indianapolis motor speedway today. William A. Bourque, driver of" the Knox car in the 250-mile race, and Harry Holcomb, his mechanician, were killed in the frenzied carnival of speed. The death of the two men caused the American Automobile association to issue an ultimatum to the owners oi the big track that certain changes must be made by tomorrow or the sanction for the race will be withdrawn. The American Automobile association demands that the track be freed from the many and dangerous ruts which are said to be unavoidable in a. new track and that every inch of it be thoroughly oiled and tarred. Today only a short portion in front of the grandstand was oiled and the dust on the other parts is blamed for the collapse of the two drivers in the long race—Louis Cheverolet and Fred Ellis—who were blinded by the dense white mist that covered the major portion of the track.

Two records were broken and the first day of the immense track proved to be an unqualified success when a pall was cast over the crowd of 12,000 speed enthusiasts by the sudden death of Bourque and Holcomb. The KnOx car was in second place with Burman in his Buick, leading and had covered nearly 150 miles when the crash came. While coming down the home stretch the car suddenly swerved and tore into the fence at the left of the track,, turning Completely over and pinning its two occupants beneath it. Both men were alive when taken from under the ill-fated machine but Bourque died in the ambulance on the way to the Emergency hospital. Holcomb lived a few minutes longer but was dead soon after he arrived at the - hospital. Stories as to the cause of the accident vary and no one will ever know what really caused the car of death to swerve from the track. According to the story told by private Frank Brander, Company H, Second regiment, Indiana national guard, who was nearest to the scene of the accident and had a narrow escape from injury, .something caused both men to suddenly turn and look behind. As they did the steering wheel slipped from Bouroque’s hands and he threw his arms helplessly in the air. Then came the crash. One of the rear wheels was found a few hundred feet from the scene of the accident and this has led to the advancement of 1 the theory that the axle nuts on it had not been properly tightened when the machine had taken on a new tire shortly before. The men probably felt that wheel slipping off and when they looked behind they realized their helplessness to avoid an accident. Bourque was twenty-six years old and lived at Springfield, Mass. He had been in the employ of the Knox company for seven years and had been a racing driver since 1907. He finished second in the recent Cobe trophy race at Crown Point, and shortly before he had been seriously injured when his car overturned In a hill climbing contest near Worcester, Mich., in May. Holcomb was twenty-two years old and lived at Grandville, Mass. He had been with the Knox company for two years and was considered one of the best mechanicians in the racing business. Both men w ? ere married. Judge Gould G. Rheuby, who presided over the Forty-seventh Judicial Circuit, which includes Parke and Vermillion counties, sent his resignation to Governor Marshall’s office Wednesday. The resignation was accepted, and on instructions from the governor, who is spending his vacation at Petoskey, Mich., Mark Thlstlethwaite, secretary, made out a commission for Chanes W. Ward, of Newport, who will be Judge Rbeuby*s successor. Judge Rheuby was elected in 1904. Judge Ward’s commission will expire January 1, 1911.