Autoist nearly Beheaded.

New York Times 100 years ago today, October 22, 1912:
Rope Across Road in Washington Navy Yard Catches Him Under Chin.
    WASHINGTON, Oct. 21.— Nearly decapitated as the result of an automobile accident, Alexander O'Shea, a civil engineer, lies to-day at a local hospital between life and death.
    Mr. O'Shea, who is connected with the Government gun-proving grounds at Indian Head, was driving his car through the Navy Yard last night when he dashed into a rope stretched across the road.
    The rope caught him beneath the chin.
    That his head was not torn from his shoulders was due to the slackness of the rope and to the quick action of a friend in the tonneau, who sprang forward and reversed the engine.
    O'Shea was hurried to the hospital, where seventeen stitches were taken in his throat. Later he recovered consciousness, but his vocal chords appeared paralyzed.

AID AFTER EIGHT YEARS.
City Puts Disabled Inspector Back on Its Payroll.
    William Bennett, for many years an Inspector in the Brooklyn office of the Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity, bedridden in his home, 251 Berry Street, Williamsburg, is expecting death and worrying over the welfare of his wife and three children. Yesterday, after formalities made by a special act of the Legislature, his name was placed again on the pay roll of his old department, but his relatives fear to tell him lest the shock might cause his death.
    Eight years ago Mr. Bennett through accidents while at work lost the use of both his eyes. He started no suit against the city, and his superiors made efforts to secure him a pension, but the Corporation Counsel decided that it would be impossible without a special act of the Legislature. This was introduced at the last session of the Legislature and was passed.
    Bennett has a daughter, who is employed as a stenographer. His savings are nearly gone and the family has depended for support on the daughter. Should Mr. Bennett be able to survive the shock of the good news, his family believe the replacing of his name on the pay roll would prolong his life, but his wife is afraid to tell him lest the heart trouble with which he is troubled might cause his death.