Evening journal., 1913-12-09
VICTIM OF
AUTO CRASH
NEAR DEATH
Sylvester Downs in Critical
Condition With Injuries Re-
CeIved at ReybOId Crossing
FORTY STITCHES CLOSE
CAPTAIN .MENGES' WOUNDS

Tho death of ''illiam A. Jester OF
Delaware City as result OF collision
OF his cl-obile with Pennsylvania
Railroad D. a al Reybold crossing yes
terday was a great shock to his many
friends. Mr. Jester was 81 years old
and had been a druggist in Delaware
CITY y years lie was active in the
Masonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows.
Hi, funeral win be held tomorrow, with
services at g.l5 o'clock at his late home.
The BODY viii be tax TO Dover Tor in
tern.ent in the Jester family plot there.
Indications today ere that all four
OF the men injured in the collision VIII
recover. although two OF them are stu
in a dangerous condition and one IS near
death. Captain William a. Menges OF
Tort DUPONT and Sylvester Downs, a
larmer of near Delaware City, were the
most seriously injured, while William IS.
Jester Of Delaware City and Stewart
Beck OF near that town, escaped with
5 slight injuries
When inquiry was made at Fort
4 DUPONT today the condition OF CAP
4 tain Mcnges was reported 10 be some
& what improved. He WAS resting easy
in the post hospital at noon. Forty
4 stitches were taken by Captain Pur-
q nell. surgeon, To close Captain
4 Nenges' wounds. lie was very weak
. yesterday from the loss OF b.ood from
Il decorations in the back OF his head.
When the collision occurred ne was
81 hurled through tho windshield Of the
s. automobile. and the Jagged glass lad
s omen his scalp from the ear 10 the
81 spinal vertebrac. but no fracture OF
81 the skull was discovered. Captain
Nengcs IS OF fine physique, which IL
was explained today will be a great
aid 70 him IN combating The effects
OF his injuries.
While the condition Of Mr. Downs
was critical last night when II was
feared he Nouid die his recovery was
s. hoped for Atoday Mr.. Downs
81 is 50 sears old. and his age is fac
tor against him. II was thought al
S first he might have sustained a frac'
'5' ture OF the skull, but no fracture has
H been found He has four rips broken
It's nose is broken. and he has several
~ ,,,ts about his face and SCALP. and
H airo Is suffering from shock. His
& condition was reported at Fort Dt
81 Pont Hospital. TO be- slightly improv.
% al noon today. although he was 81
procarious condition during the
Y 2nlght.
Friends Of the survivors OF the ar
|ridcnt are congratulating them on the
+ acf fhat they were not killed along
Zvitb Mr.. Jester when the automobile
n rashed snto the side of the train The
,urtains of the automobile we're down,
hnd the wind was blowing strongly
81 AZ the automobile passed the Henry
Scott estate and approached the
q tailroad crossing the locomotive
whistle was not heard by the riders,
md the train was not seen until the
huto wasia a feS' yards from the tracks
There's the train" Captain Menges
shouted. William p. Jester, who was
8. hrivine. veered the car sidewise to the
Westward. but the auto hit the side
& bf the locomotive at the cylinder
cad. The auto was hurled several
rards clear across a platform, and
vas demolished The fact that oc.
Z tupants OF the car were hurled away
rom the tracks by the side-swipins
81 borce OF the locomotive accounts fol
a ne FIVE men not being ground te
IS Heath uuder the engine wheels.
William p. Mcconnell, OF Delaware
N lily. is considered lucky man. FL
n WAS 10 have gone with the other nv
d n tho automobile to attend marsl
company meeting in Wilmington. bu
when he learned the auto would b
4illed to its capacity, lie took the train
3 Wilmington instead.