Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1911-07-26

! AlA1 | IL
ACC DENT
Mrs. C. U. Carlson .of South %
kota Victim Of First Fatal Auto
Accident II Coulty. I,
Mrs. Anna Mathilda Carlson, wife
g. W. Carlson, Of Carpenter, s. D.,
was killed in an automobile accident
last Wednesday evening near George
and Henderson lakes, about two and
q half miles west Of Spicer.
Mr.. c. w. Carlson, accompanied
by q neighbor and Mr.. W. C. Doug
las, a land man Of Willow Lakes,
s. D., came to Willmar couple Of
weeks ago to look for desirable farm
property. Mr.. Carlson was particu-
larly locking for a desirable spot to
live, on the bank of one Of our beau
tiful lakes. He found what he tho't
was such place on the shores Of
George Lake in the town Of Green
I Lake. Before deciding to buy be
wished his wife to see the property.
For this. purpose they came to Will
mar on the afternoon Of July 10, and
were taken out by John A. johnson,
for the Anderson Land Co., in one Of
the company's automobiles Mr..
Douglas, the South Dakota land man,
accompanied them. After inspecting
the property and starting back to-
wards Willmar, it was decided to run
by way Of Spicer so the strangers
might see Green Lake. On the first
heavy grade on the new road after
it turns east from the old New Lon
dom Willmar road at Lake Hender-
son, the fatal accident occurred.
When going up the hill, Mr.. johnson
found it necessary to shift to lower
gear in order to get sufficient power
to climb the hill. While shifting the
clutch the car started to back up
and before Mr.. Johnson regained
control the car had run. off Of the
narrow embankment and was over
turned The embankment was very
steep and about Is feet high. AS
the car overturned it struck tree
across the hind seat and pinioned
Mrs. Carlson and also Mr.. Carlson.
Thet men in the front seat escap-3
ed uninjured. They at once made
desperateseHoarts to L, move carsso.
as to release the victims, but were
unable to do so. Mr.. Douglas ran
for an axe with which to cut the
limbs cf the tree which held Mrs.
Carlson He met Mr.. Gilger Of
Willma1 on the road and he had a
sharp hand-axe in his buggy. Doug
las took the axe and Mr.. Gilger hur-
ried to summon medical aid. But be-.
fore the tree could be cut, Mrs. Carl
son had breathed her last. Mr.. Carl
son had been helplessly pinioned by
one arm under Mrs, Carlson. He
sustained very much bruised arm
and was so overcome by his physical
bruises and mental anguish as to be
quite helpless. DR.. Healy, Of Spicer,
and DR.. H. E. Frost Of Willmar came
to the scene. Mr.. Carlson was tax
en- to Willmar and his injuries were
attended to. By order Of Coroner
Branton who was on a trip to Mime
apols and who was communicated
with b. phone, Undertaken Peterson
went out to the scene Of the acci-.
dent and brought in the body Of Mrs.
Carlson.
F In the morning an inquest was held
with Coroner B. J. Branton, presid-
ing. The following citizens were
sworn il as jurors: H. S. Peterson,
B. H. Chesley, J. A. Hedin, ]. P.
Larson; A. O. Forsberg and A. F.
Hanscom. The inquest was held at
the Peterson undertaking rooms and
then BY means Of four automobiles
the jury. coroner and witnesses were
taken to the scene Of the accident,
where the taking Of evidence was
concluded. There has been so many
conflicting stories abroad regarding
this sad event that The Tribune here
with reproduces the main part Of the
testimony taken at the inquest; SO
the public may know the exact facts
in the case. #.
w. G.. Douglas. being duly sworn ac-
cording to law. says: +
Q. Mr. Douglas. where do you re-
side3 @ A. a. y Willow Lakes. Clark County
@. What is your age? A. SO.
Real estate.
Carlson? A. Yes, Sir.
O.. Where is he 9 resident Of? A..
He Is q resident Of Carpenter. Beedle
County. South Dakota
Il a. Are you acquainted with his wife?
a. Yes, sir. sss .5s. .=#
q. Her name was Anna Mathilda
Carlson? A. Yes. sir. Ss5s
Q. How long have you known these
parties "A. I have known MT. Carlson
for s or years.
on the M 18th ia day 1 81 i July. -: iaii! s. Yes. Yes
sir. s: #s n si s
G4 @. Where did you see them at that
time A. Well, they were With me
from the time we left Willow Lakes at
1880 in the morning until the accident
occurred yesterday. 5ss 81 sssa3.s