The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-06-21
Mrs. WOOdfOrd Freed From Blame
 For Auto Killing
ccontinued from Page 1.o


 I, the undersigned, John J. Phelan, Coroner, having notice of the death o1 William Stinhaeuser, a. white male, 4e years old, late of the town of Bridge port, who on the 3rd day of June A. D., 1918, died a sudden, violent, un- timely death at St Vincent's Hospital in the town of Bridgeport, having made immediate inquiry concerning his death, do hereby certify that said Stetnhaeuser died in Bridgeport on the
 3rd day of June A. D., 1913, from shock and internal injuries sustained by being run over by an automobile in the, town of Fairfield, owned and driven by Mrs. Isabel H. Woodford of Greens Farms, Ct.
 The weight of evidence taken show ed that about 4:30 p. m. on June 3rd, the deceased, who was apparently waiting to board a trolley car then starting or about to start for Bridge port from Pickett's switch on Spring street, Fairfield, crossed over Broad street, Fairfield, from the west to the east side thereby (assuming that Broad street runs north to south.) Af- ter he had reached a point on such street a few feet west of the west rail of the trolley track and about 10 to IS feet south of the white trolley pole located east of said trolley track a little south Of the south line of the Fairfield Public Library Building, he became aware of the presence of and looked towards an autom mobi1e then swinging around the southwest cor ner of Spring and Broad streets as it crossed the trolley track in south erly direction in front of the then moving trolley car.
 The automobile which was travel ling about 12 miles per hour was be- ing driven by Mrs. Woodfords she was accompanied by one William J. Brown, a chauffeur Of experience, who was riding beside her in the front seat of the machine.
 The weight of evidence showed that whilst the driver of the automobile was obliged, in crossing the trolley track where the latter crosses Broad street, to keep a. safe distance from the moving trolley in order to avoid collision the automobile passed the corner of Spring and Broad streets adjoining Dr. Donaldson's property at a distance of about 10 feet from the sidewalk corner and that 1t there after headed it's way entirely clear of the street, and travelled towards the right or west-side of such street.
 The deceased. 1t appears, becoming confused as he saw the automobile, about 75 feet distant from him, head ed towards him in rounding the. cor u6T attempted to f0LTaC0 ms steps 70 the west side of the street The ma chine at the moment was travelling 10 to 12 miles per hour, when the deceased had hurriedly walked sew era1 steps in the direction named. the driver of the automobile diverted the course of the machine to the left for the purpose of passing behind the de- ceased, who at that moment, no doubt, believing he could not gain the place from which he originally came hesi- tated and endeavored to step back to- wards the trolley track. at which time he was struck and run over by it and so severely injured that he died in 8 few hours. as is fully shown by the medical examiners certificate hereto annexed and made part hereof.
 It is much to be regretted that the deceased, when he believed h1Inself endangered did not cross the trolley track to the safety of the sidewalk adjoining it there being nothing what ever to prevent him in so doing. He no doubt, however, thought 1t more for him to walk away from and out of his presumed path for the auto and board the trolley car from the street after the machine had passed him. As to the matter of speed, the handling of the auto by Mrs Woodford as 1t turned Pickett's switch and the adjacent corner into
 
 traffic, and her and her chauffeur's s efforts to avoid colHding with the de- ceased. am unable to find such negligeuce as would warrant criminal action. I am reasonably convinced, 1 however, the death could have been prevented if the deceased, Instead be- Ing obliged to stand in the street im- in the path of travel in or Ser to board the trolley Car could | have been permitted to do so from sidewalk on the opposite side of the 1 sar
 am so impressed, in this behalf. ] that respectfully suggest to the Con | aecticut Company that hereafter the | sidebars on the left side of it's cars, l bound for Bridgeport from Fairfield. 1 be raised to admit the boarding of l from the sidewalks be- tween Pickett's switch and Benson's | switch, so called.
 am also impressed with grave | dourot that women, in a large degree, 1 sicaIIy equipped for the driving of 1 high powered machines in populous places. That whilst in the present | case. the driver acquitted herself with | the necessary skill, have, in comm on | with many. a conviction that situa- | .ions and emergencies frequently arise | when masculine rather than feminine | skill and judgment, in the manage nent of machines. more certainly in-l spires confidence in the people for the | better protection Of life and limb in | public places.
 find that William Steinhaeuser i came to his death at the time, place | and from the causes above set forth and that I am satisfied that said 1eath was not caused by the criminal act, omissions or carelessness of any other person or persons.
 In accordance with the statute the | body of said deceased was, delivered 0 Cullinan & Mullins for claimant or | burial at Town Plot, Lakeview Home, l Connecticut.