The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-07-20
CORONER JURY
PROBES INTO DEATH
OF LATEJ.S. POWELL

Following an investigation by cor
oner's jury. verdict was returned TO
the effect that Capt. j. S. Powell. the
aged Confederate veteran, came to his
death from an unavoidable accident
This return exonerated the driver and
passengers in the car which figured IN
the injuries sustained by Capt. Powell,
and which later caused his death.
The funeral of the old soldier will
take place at o'clock Sunday after
noon. the interment to take place in
St. Johns cemetery. Major Jas. NJ
Tate who is chaplain of the First
Florida brigade, will conduct the SER
vices at 1115 West Belmont street.
The first report had it that the ac-
cident victim was Capt. Elijah Powell,
but this was based on imperfect in
formation furnished. The old gentle
man whose death took place six hours
after figuring in the accident was the
above named, and his age was yester-
day given by a relative as SO years
He had been a citizen of Pensacola
for many years and was widely known
here
The coroner yesterday developed the
fact that Mr.. Hartsf1eld was not driv-
ing the car at the time OF the acct
dent. He was sitting on the back
seat OF the car with a negro prisoner
he had arrested on a charge of aggra-
waited assault at Millview. Another
negro. a prisoner at the county Jail,
but who is trusty about the place,
was at the wheel. and Immediately
upon the fact becoming known that
Capt. Powell had passed away. the
negro was placed under arrest and
locked up Even after the jury had
returned a verdict the negro was sxlR
kept in a cell. as the officers at the
Jail expected that relatives might
want to take action over the jury's re-
turn.
Mr.. Hartsfield, speaking of the acct
dent yesterday, stated that he noticed
Mr.. Powell about to cross the street,
and the old gentleman seemed to hest
tate about going over. The car was
ordered to go at a very slow speed.
and the orders were being carried out,
as was attested by the fact that when
Mr.. Powell was Struck and fell, the
front axle OF the car hardly reached
him. It was not true, it later devel-
oped, that the car had passed over the
body of Mr.. Powell. On the contrary
it seems. as if he realized when too
late that there was a car approaching
and he acted as though he would shove
it away from him He placed his
hand on the hood and this caused him
to fall backward, his head striking
very hard on the brick paving. In the
fall, It was also ascertained, one of his
arms was broken, and when this Nas
the county physician was
summoned. Upon the 1atter,s arrival
1t was Seen that it was hospital case
and the sufferer was taken into Mr.
car and hurriedly conveyed
to the hospital. Six hours later he
died. Relatives outside the city were
notified by wire last evening of the
Did gentleman's death.
Confederate veterans will have |
charge of the funeral services today, |
Is the following will explain:
Attention, Confederate Veterans
All members Of Camp Ward, U. c. |
r.. and visiting veterans. are request
ID to attend the funeral of our late |
,omrade, j. S. Powell, on Sunday af-
ernoon, at o'clock, from his resi-
ience, 1115 West Belmont street, near /
st. Johns cemetery.
The following members of Camp 1
Ward will act as pallbearers: ]. N. |
zubanks. o. L. Mcvoy. F. C. Bombay,
". A. Rawls, T. j. Roberts and H. c. |
flowers.
Major Jas. NJ. Tate, chaplain First
Florida Brigade, will conduct the fun
,ral services.
Interment will be in ST. Johns GEM
stery.
Residence can be reached by West |
Hill car line.
By order
pnvLY~y