Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1912-07-24
TWO KILLED
BY AUTO IN
PORTLAND
BERTRAND Il. FISKE RUNNING MA
CHINE 40 MILES AN HOUR KILLS
HIMSELF AND MURDERS YOUNG
LADY GUEST.

Bertrand E. Flske, an optlclan with
offices in the Macleay building and
residing at 56S Spring street, and Miss
Elizabeth Toohig, Of San Francisco
who is visiting the family Of John r.
d. Martin, Jr,, at S61 Francis avenue
were Instantly killed at 10 o'clock last
night at Portland when the touring
car owned and driven by Mr.. Fiske
left the Base Line road while round.
ing curve on the north side of Mount
Tabor at rate of probably 40 miles
an hour
Five other persons were ln the car
with them, but none OF them was Sc
riously hurt. Among them It is re-
ported were p. F. Munsell, brother OF
Mrs. Fiske, and John f. d. Martin, an
optician employed by A. G. Felden-
heimer.
A man who occupied the front seat
with DR.. Fiske and Miss Toohig, was
caught under the car but crawled out
unhurt. The four occupants of the
rear jumped when the car left the
road and saved themselves.
Speed High ut Curve.
That the machine was travelling at q
terrific rate Of speed is evidenced by
the fact that 1t plowed deep into the
side of the bank below the road for 0
distance Of 40 feet before 1t collided
heavily with giant tree that stood in
its path. The car was smashed almost
to an unacceptable mass by It's i'm.
pact with the tree.
The two victims were squeezed be.
tween the frame of the car and thu
tree. Death Of Mr.. Fiske probably was
instantaneous. The woman lived Q
short while, but was unconscious
when those who occupied the real
scat reached her. She died soon after
they picked her up.
The party was taking a late ruI
into the country for pleasure before
going home for the night.
They had been travelling over some
of the city streets and evidently in.
tended taking short spin out the
Base Line road. The machine was un.
der perfect control and, although go.
ing at an excessive rate of speed, tool
the sharp turns on the road, as Il
circles around Mount Tabor, grace.
fully.
Last Effort Futile.
What caused 1t to leave its patl
probably will never be known. AS Il
reached sharp curve 1t failed to re.
spond to the steering apparatus Il
went straight ahead. AS the from
wheels went over the side of the roat
Mr.. Fiske gave a final but futile twis
to the steering wheel. 1t refused tC
work. In another instant the car was
tearing down the hillside. The wo.
men screamed. The men called fol
them to leap.
Those in the rear seat had time tc
jump. AS they stood up in the ton.
neau the car lurched They landed OF
the soft earth iu safety, thrown from
the, uncomfortable machine rather
than having jumped.
The other called for Mr.. Fiske tc
jump and to save himself. He stuck
heroically to his seat thinking per-
haps that he could stop the car and
save the lives of those In the seat with
him He died at his post, his hands
clutching the steering wheel.
AS soon as they had recovered from
their fright those who had been in the
tonneau went for aid. The body OF
Miss Toohey was taken to Holman's
p. f. Munsill, a brother-in-law, took
charge Of that of MIR. Fiske which
was taken to the establishment of the
Sleeves Undertaking company.