Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-06-22
ACCIDENT PROVES
FATAL TO CHESSER
JlTNEY BUS AND STREET CAR
COLLIDE ON EAST MAIN
STREET.
AUTO SKIDDED IN MUD
Swerves on Track Causing Passenger
to Be Crushed; Woman Thrown
From Rear Seat Onto
Paving.

Charles Chesser, aged SO years, re
siding at SIT South Fellows avenue
was fatally injured about 1880 O'CLOCK
Saturday evening when "jitney' bus
on which he was passenger collidet
with an eastbound street car on MAR
street and Fellows avenue. Death
followed at 9:20 o'clock in ST. Joseph's
hospital where he was rushed imme
diately after the accident. Mrs. B
H. Meier, 141 South Van Buren, ave
nue., also a passenger on the 'jitney'
was thrown out of the bus and slight
ly injured. The auto was driven by
]. r. Layman The skidding Of the
rear wheels into the catch we'll near
the curbing is believed to have swerv.
ed the auto onto the street car tracks
and caused the collision.
Skidded Into Catch Basin.
Various versions of just how the
accident occurred are given and the
several passengers have slightly diff
ferent theories. There were six per-
sons riding in the ''jitney" besides the
driver. Three of these were women,
Mrs. B. H. Meier and daughter. Ethel.
and Miss Viola Moffitt, all OF whom
occupied the rear seat. Sitting with
driver Layman was Frank Chesser
and on the running board on the left
Of the car Charles Chesser sat in a
crouching position on the tool box
with one arm about the support Of the
car top or cover. On the opposite
side John Bogus, 211 Adams street,
was riding. the running board. The
Ear thus laden had just left Iowa ave-
lue for town. In the meantime
street car had left the switch at the
DOT Of Elm street two blocks west
md the two met at the corner Of
Main and Fellows In front of the
Meier hardware store. Neither was
,oing fast according to eye witnesses,
he motorman Of the car and Mr.. Lay
nan on the auto. The latter states
hat he had not changed first speed
II his car, running in intermediate
ust after picking up his passengers
md was clear Of the car an instant
,efore the collision. In passing IN
ront Of the Meier store where the
oadway is somewhat narrow the
light rear wheel skidded in the mud
md slid downward toward the catch
,asin located there and this swerved
he forward wheels into the car
racks just as the street car was about
o pass. Mr.. Layman states that II
II happened in an instant and IN TINS
he testimony of passengers, motor
nan and eye witnesses agree.
Charles Chesser, who rode the run
ing board nearest the car tracks
houted a warning to the driver as
hey swerved onto the tracks, but was
aught between the two cars IN an
lstant and crushed.
His head was cut and bruised. the
kull fractured and his right hip brok-
n. A deep cut in the left leg and
everal bruises and scratches on varl'
us parts OF his person were 1nfllct'
d on Mr.. Chesser. who fell or was
Itched to the pavement, from which
numerous volunteers carefully H1teo
i'm in short time. The ambulance
nd a physician were soon on the
Gene and he was taken Immediately
D st. Joseph's hospital, where he
ngered but little more than an hour
fter reaching there.
John Bogus, who was on the r1gnt
INNING board, was pitched on unnurt
nd Mrs. B. H. Meier was thrown bod.
" from the rear seat into the street
nd suffered but few minor injuries.
he two girls and Frank Chesser, VINO
we're passengers, were unhurt save
or EARRING and fright.
The step on the street car was
roken off and the front fender on
he left side Of the "jitney" was oent
omewhat, the tire cut and 1ront
Wheel damaged Mr.. Layman states
hat the damage to his auto Woulo
ot exceed fifteen dollars.
The funeral was held from the resi-.
ence, SIT South Fellows avenue, at
80 this afternoon. Burial was MADE
n the Ottumwa cemetery, with Rev.
,arl A. Montanus in charge.