The San Francisco call., 1910-09-13
MISS PARDEES
REMARK CAUSED
AUTO ACCIDENT
Girl Victim Drew Attention of
Sadler From Wheel and
Car Swerved
"She Was Practically Engaged
to My Son." Says Mother
of Driver
Tiff Between Couple Deferred
Her From Occupying Safe
Seat in Front
Especial Dispatch 10 The Call

Especial Dispatch TO The Call
O AN RAFAEL. Sept I2.-That the
fatal automobile accident in which
Miss Florence Pardee lost her life
near Corte MADEIRA Sunday was caused
by the innocent distraction of Hermann
j. Sadler, the driver of the car. by Miss
Pardee was the theory advanced today
by Mrs. H ]. SadIer mother of the au-
tomobilist. The circumstances OF the
accident had puzzled every one who
examined the spot where the car went
over the grade and crushed to death
the daughter of the former governor OF
the state, DR.. George c. Pardee of Oak
land. Mrs. Sadler cleared up the prob
lem today when she stated that as the
machine was going down hfIl Miss Par
leaned over and spoke to Hermann Sad
Ter. Sadler himself accepted this ex-
planation of the accident, as he remem-
bered today that when Miss Pardee
spoke to him he turned toward her,
taking his eyes of the road for an in
stant.
Son Denies Engagement
According to Mrs. Sadler. her son and
Miss Pardee were practically engaged
to be married. although neither would
agree to an announcement Sadler de-
MED today that he was engaged to
Miss Pardee. Mrs. Sadler said further
that when they started on Sundays trip
Miss Pardee was piqued with her son
because he was late in meeting her in
San Francisco and she had re6ased to
sit with him on the front seat of the
car. Sadler admits that Miss Pardee
was piqued at him because of his tardi-
ness.
Mrs. Sadler. who was injured when
the machine turned over. remained last
night at the home of E. ]. Malmgren
near the scene of the accident. This
afternoon she was taken to her home
in Oakland by her son. She suffered
keenIy during the night from an injury
to her right leg. 1t is thought the mem
Der is paralyzed. She was forced to
use crutches getting of and on the
trains and boats.
Mrs. Sadler Tells Story
Although Frustrated over the death
| of Miss Pardee and her sons part in
! the tragedy. she was able to give a
clear account of the accident while ar
the Malmgren home this morning. as
well as the peculiar chain OF events
that led up to it.
\
and L left Oakland in the morning TO
meet my son and Mr.. Bryan at the
! ferry building In San Francisco. We
planned to look at some property in
Ross valley and to enjoy pleasant
ride and picnic lunch. Mry sons auto
mobile had been in San Francisco since
Friday.
When we reached San Francisco the
men were not there to meet us. Miss
Pardee was slightly incensed at the
delay that followed.
| Hermann is always late she said.
Z am going to punish him by not sit
ting with him.
When my son and Mr.. Bryan ap-
peared in the machine they did not as
/ first see use
Refuses Front Seat
There they are looking all around
| for u.s. while we are standing right
here Miss Pardee said.
| When they saw us Mr.. Bryan jumped
out of the car to allow Miss Pardee to
take the seat beside my son. But shs
i
tonneau with Miss Thomson and me.
Won't you sit with me. Flo? my
son asked her
She said she would not. and he an
swerej. Very WELL and drove us aboard
the boat for Tiburon. 1 feel that I
am 10 blame for not urging her to sit
with him. If it had not been for that
little tiff she, would have been in the
front seat and he would not have need
ed TO turn around to speak to her IL
was little thing in itself. but it meant
so much afterward.
I'VE all sat in the car going over on
the boat. enjoying the air and view
and talking and laughing. but 1 could
see my son was worried. He always
wanted to please Miss Pardee and felt
hurt because she was qiqHed- When
| we left the boat at Tiburon he asked
her again TO sit beside him. but she
again declined. He did not repeat the
request
Cautions Son at Wheel
"The ride along the bay toward the
Corte MADEIRA hill was beautiful We
all remarked on the loveliness of the
scenery. and the good time we were
having. When we started TO descend
the Corte MADEIRA hill 1 cautioned my
| son to go slowly.
This is dificult road anil you
must be careful, Hermann 1 said. Hs