The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-10-07
HAWES IN BED
QUESTIONED
BY CORONER
Surviving Sister Of Miss
Best Nurses Injured Man
at Newtown Inn
Many Tributes Paid to Fine
Character of Girl Killed
In Fateful Ride

LII z duel Ill .kN4N1O
Inquest was today begun into the
death of Miss Alma Best, by the
Fairfield county authorities, aided by
the Medical Examiner of Newtown
and the authorities at SteDney. There
is the most intense feeling at the lat
ter town, where Coroner Phelan was
taken to the spot and carefully ex-
anined the traces left by the wrecked
car. He first questioned and took
considerable testimony from w. B.
Craft, an eye witness to the disaster.
Later in three large autom obiles they
journeyed to Newtown. He was ac-
companied from Bridgeport by At
torney Arthur Hull of this city, who is
understood to represent the interests
of Isaac Hawes.
Coroner John J. Phelan and his
stem ographer, Medical Examiner
Wales, Arthur Hull, attorney for
Hawes, Sheriff A. B. Brakeman and
DR.. Gale of Newtown, met in room SO
of the Newtown Inn shortly before
noon where Isaac Hawes Is confined
in his bed to take testimony into the
killing of Miss Alma Best, near Step
ney yesterday when the large touring
car of Halves threw the occupants in
to a. meadow.
Hawes owing to his injuries was
com mpelled to give his testimony while
lying in bed, which covered the trip
from Newtown to the scene of the
accident He admitted that he had
been going at a very fast rate of
speed, but had slowed down to about
25 miles per hour when he came in
sight of the turn in the road He
said that he believed he could make
the turn in the road successfully, were
is not for the puncture of tire or
blowout. Questioned by the coroner
as to which wheel or wheels were in
votved he could not say. Further
Questioned as to which wheel, right
or left, if punctured would have
tendency to send him straight ahead
where the accident occurred, he said
he was uncertain, but thought the
right wheel would have done 1t. ).
Charles Merwin, in room 9e, when
questions as to his knowledge of the
affair practically corroborated the
testimony already given by Hawes.
at pretty fast rate until they came
to the curve but at that point he had
noticed that the speed of the car had
been materially diminished.
Coroner Phelan announced that no
finding in the inquiry would be made
today and probably several days may
elapse before he can sufficiently con
slider the facts and render his report.
Under the care of DR.. r. J. Gale of
Newtown. the condition of Isaac
Halves, driver of the fatal car is said
to be about the same as yesterday.
Though nursed by Miss May Best, the
injured man passed a very restless
night and his physician to-day fears
that congestion of the lungs and pos
sibly pneumonia may later deve1ope.
He also suffered very severe strain
of the right shoulder.
Charles Merwin though suffering
much pain from his cuts and bruises
is rapidly recovering from. the shock
incident to the accident.
Hawes during the night was under
close surveillance of Sheriff A. B.
Brakeman, who left Proprietor Will,
liam Hale of the Newtown Inn, and
the night clerk in charge of him. No
other precautions were taken to guard
him, as It was known his injuries pre-
vented any attempt to avoid appear
ing at the coroners inquest today.
Though he was not prohibited from
talking by order of the sheriff, his ply
sician had denied all callers, fearing
that the strain OF discussing the affair
might have serious efrects upon his al
ready shaken constitution.
It is known that the prisoner when
asked for his drivers license presented
it to- Medical Examiner Wales, and
when asked at what speed he was
driving at the time denied that he had
travelled above 25 miles per hour. He
persists that blowout of a rear tire
caused the fatality.
Isaac Halves formerly lived at 76
Lenox avenue in Bridgeport The lat
ter part of July in 1911 he had struck
and killed Mrs. Douglas at the corner
of Sherwood and Fairfield avenues.
Arraigned in the city court upon a
charge of manslaughter, he was de-
Tended by Attorney John Gray, and a
nolle was entered on August 8, 1911.
Many high tributes as to the up
rightness of character, obHging dis
4 1Y--
Miss Best were heard on every side
today. Old teachers who recall her
| school days speak highly of her apt
ness at study, while in the E M. Jen-
nings Auto Co, where she was most
recently employed it was said that her
work was always performed in the
most acceptable manner and-that her
habits, companions and work were
above reproach of the slightest kind.
She was beloved by all who knew her.
Probably the highest tribute to her
fine character was paid by G. W.
Barker, Secretary of the Rowland
company where she was employed in
the office for several years: ''I think
Miss Best left our employment two
years ago last Christmas. She was
employed sas a bookkeeper. Everyone
liked her here both as to her work
and her sociable nature. She was
very popular, big hearted, willing to
do anything for anyone, and none
could express a desire that she did
try to realize. Her loss will naturally
cast a shadow among those who knew
her here
At the Bishop undertaking parlors
on Fairfield avenue where the body
has been prepared for burial it was
said that the funeral would be held
on Thursday from the home of her
aunt, Mrs. Anna M. Wolf, 107 Berk-
shire avenue, at $50 with funeral
services in St. Joseph's church at 9.