Virgil Roby

southernsoulspodca

Jul 2

2 min read

In 1910, Virgil Roby was headed to the state fair in Shreveport with his family. As an additional treat, Virgil would get to rid there in an automobile. However, the day would end in tragedy rather than in fun at the fair.

The Grave

Virgil Roby's grave in Cotton Valley Cemetery hints at a life that ended in tragedy. Photo by Tarah Thomas. — Virgil Roby's grave in Cotton Valley Cemetery hints at a life that ended in tragedy. *Photo by Tarah Thomas.*

The Accident

Virgil was killed and several members of his family injured when William Lowe ignored a flagman's warning and drove his car onto the railroad tracks on Texas Street. Photo Courtesy of the Shreveport Times and Newspapers.com. — Virgil was killed and several members of his family injured when William Lowe ignored a flagman's warning and drove his car onto the railroad tracks on Texas Street. *Photo Courtesy of the Shreveport Times and* *Newspapers.com*.

The Contraption

Prior to the accident, William Lowe experienced multiple instances of legal trouble, including when the railroad sued him over his using and selling an attachment for bicycles to make them ride on the railroad rails. This is a photo of a similar attachment in use.

The Automobile

While it is not specified what exact vehicle William Lowe was driving at the time of the accident, it was noted during the previous year that he drove a Franklin Touring Car. This is a picture depicting a Franklin Touring Car from around the time of the accident. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. — While it is not specified what exact vehicle William Lowe was driving at the time of the accident, it was noted during the previous year that he drove a Franklin Touring Car. This is a picture depicting a Franklin Touring Car from around the time of the accident. *Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.*

The Aftermath

In the years after the accident, Grier Roby, who lost his leg and three fingers, built a hotel in Cotton Valley. In 1931, he committed suicide by swallowing carbolic acid. His wife continued to run the hotel after his death. Photo courtesy of the Shreveport Standard and Newspapers.com. — In the years after the accident, Grier Roby, who lost his leg and three fingers, built a hotel in Cotton Valley. In 1931, he committed suicide by swallowing carbolic acid. His wife continued to run the hotel after his death. *Photo courtesy of the Shreveport Standard and* *Newspapers.com*.

In the end, all of the members of the Roby family who were involved in the accident in 1910 would be reunited in burial in Cotton Valley Cemetery, next to ten-year-old Virgil.