The Churchill county standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1908-1920, 1915-02-03
A TERRIBLE AUTO ACCIDENT
Occurred Last Friday on Auto
Grade, Resulting In Death
of G.. w. Wightman.

Churchill county's best known and
most substantial citizen, and in which
l.. l.. Downs was seriously injured
occurred Friday afternoon about
two miles beyond Derby as the two
were en- route to Reno from Fallon
in Mr.. Downs Hupmobile car. Leav.
ing Fallon at about 10 O'Clock Fri
day morning they proceeded leisure
ly to Wadsworth and from there to
Wightman, who contemplated the
purchase of car, assumed the
drivers task for the most of the way
along the old railroad grade and
was steering when the accident oc-
Cured. From the best accounts OBJ
taina5ie 1t seems that the car was
being driven at not to exceed IL
miles an hour when il left the grade
and careened over twice in its al
most perpendicular fall OF about 40
feet to the railroad track below
For a distance of so feet or more
leading up to the point of the cars
departure from the grade the auto IS
wheel tracks are plainable definable,
running along dangerously near the
side of the grade and proving that
inegperience in steering car and
not reckless driving was responsible
for the deplorable accident. With
all curtains up 1t is a task for
the experienced driver to place his
car accurately and the easy approach
of the car at a slow rate along the
grades edge to the point where it
pitched over proved that neither of
the occupants realized that the prop
er course was not being followed.
When the car left the grade ac-
cording to Mr.. Downs. both looked
up at the other, eacn realizing that
tradegy was impending. Being a
matter of seconds no word was
spoken until following the impact
below when Mr. Downs addessed Mr.
Wightman asking him IL he could
move and assist him TO a better 90
sition as he believed he was smoth-
ering to death. Mr.. Wightman re-
piled that he too seemed fastened
In manner that prevented his get
ting out from the cars wreckage,
adding that ho was dying. Mr.
Wightman had been doubled up In
the front partition of the car and in
the fall his head had come in con-
tact with the steering wheel in such
manner that a dreadful blow had
been inflicted to his right temple
though he was conscious for several
minutes following the accident. He
replied several times 10 Mr.. Downs
questions and then lapsed into un-
consciousness. II. II. Cowles, the
Wadsworth cattleman came up with
In three or four minutes and assist
ed Mr. Wightman to an easier posi-
ton. Mr.. Wightman opened his
eyes and seemed to recognize Mr..
cowles. but lapsed into unconscious
ness almost Immediately and passed
away.
Mr.. Downs was taken to his home
In Keno at once and beyond severe
and painful bruises and a nervous
shock seemed to be all right. His
physician stated that barring the de-
seiopment OF pneumonia as a result
OF his chest injuries no serious re.
suits are expected.
Immediately upon receipt of the
news OF the tradegy +. M. Wight
man accompanied by w. w. Sanford
ana j. w. Vannoy left in his auto
Tor the scene, but arrived there too
iate' the coroner's jury having COM
pioted its deliberation, Immediately
Following which the body had been
removed to an undertaking parlor in
Reno. The remains were shipped 10
Fallon on Saturdays train being met
upon arrival here by the members of
fallon Aerie, +. O. e.
The funeral services occurred SIM.
day afternoon at 1880 and were con.
Quoted by Rev. Il. l.. Bellam ~
Sparks, life long friend of the de-
ceased whom he had seen grow from
childhood into manhood. Fallon
Aerie, Il. o. e. assisted In the con-
Duct of the funeral which was one
OF the largest ever held in Fallon.
me floral offerings were many and
beautiful. testifying to the high es-
TEEN In which he was held.
Mr.. Wightman was native of
Carson City, where he was born
nearly IS years ago, the first child
OF the late d. NJ. and Mrs. Wight
man, the later q resident of Reno
since the death of her illustrious
husband II years ago. Moving to
this section with his parents as a
mall ahf1d q