Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1917-10-31
Fatal Accident 7
Near Dagsboro
Governors Wife Killed When
Machine Skid, During Storm

Mrs. John G. Townsend, Jr, wife of
Governor Townsend, died on Saturday
night following a motor car accident
near Dagsboro, in which she and the
Governor were hurt. While Mrs.
Townsend sustained fractured collar
bone, her death is believed to have re-
suited from shock, as she is thought
to have had a weak heart and had been
complaining. Governor Townsend was
bruised but his injury was only slight.
The accident happened shortly after
10 o'clock.
Governor and Mrs. Townsend had
been at Newark on Saturday, attend
ing the Founders Day exercises, at
which the governor made an address.
They started home late in the after
noon in their motor car, being accom-
panied by their son and daughter-in-
law, Mr.. and Mrs. Julian E. Townsend,
who, however, left the car at George
town, Governor and Mrs. Townsend
starting for their home in Selbyville
alone. They were proceeding along
the dupont Boulevard, and, handicap
ped by storm, they came upon a car
riage proceeding in the same direction,
just after leaving Dagsboro, but did
not see the carriage until very close
to it. Governor Townsend, who was
driving the car, applied the emergency
brake, which caused the car to skid
and go over to the side of the road
where it rolled over on its side. Gov
ernor Townsend was not thrown from
the machine, but Mrs. Townsend was
jolted from her seat, and despite his
injuries, the governor lifted the ma
chine from her. The car was not rest
ing on her body in such a manner as
to crush it, and apparently her only
injury was a fractured collar bone.
About this time motorist named
Truitt from Millsboro drew up, and
learning of the accident, left his party
along the road and started for Selby-
vile with the Governor and Mrs.
Townsend in his car. Mrs. Townsend
spoke one or two words after the acci-
dent, and it is believed that she did not
live over ten minutes.
Arriving at the Townsend home in
Selbyville, Drs. H. E. Evans and Geo.
E. James were summoned, and fol-
lowing an examination they expressed
the opinion that Mrs. Townsend died
from shock.
The Governors injuries consisted
mainly of bruises and he was not SER
iously hurt, although it is said, suffer-
ing from shock
The sad news cast gloom over che
entire State, especially in Selbyville,
and there were no services at the M.
E. Church there Sunday. Governor
Townsend and members of his family
are members of this church.
Secretary of State Everett c. John
son, of Newark, left for Selbyville
Sunday afternoon, arriving there that
night.
Mrs. Townsend was a charming wo-
man, having a pleasing personality.
She was "A years of age and she and
the Governor were married about 27
years ago. Before her marriage she
was Miss Jennie L. Collins, daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. Edward Collins, of
Worcester county, Md. Both her par
ents are dead. In addition to her
husband, she is survived by six child
ren-Julian E. Townsend, Mrs. Edith
Tubbs, John G. Townsend, Sd, Pres
ton L. and Master Paul Townsend and
Miss Lyla Townsend. All live at home
with the exception of Julian E. Town
send and Mrs. Edith Tubbs.
The funeral took place this Afternoon,
with services at the house in Selbyville,
at ] o. 'clock p. M, and interment in Red
Men s cemetery in that town.