The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-25
Quila Carnahan Killed When
on Her Way to School.
Red Hair Ribbon Soaked In
Pool of Crimson Blood.
HAD JUST LEFT MOTHER
She and Brother Raced on
Happily Together.
No One Seems To Know How
Accident Happened.

Two minutes after QuiIa Carnannus,
IL, released the hand of her S-year-
old brother Charles, and started
across Jefferson street at Fifth street
at $3.50 o'clock this morning, the head
OF the little girl was lying in a pool OF
Dlood more crimson than the new red
halr ribbon tied in her hair by her
mo ,nother a Few minutes before death. A
Dig II ton Paige truck driven nv w
II. Bliss, 19, SOC Lincoln street struck
the girl, resulting in a fractured skull.
Death was almost instantaneous The
girl is the daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
w. A. Carnahan, 424 Lafayette street,
VINO operate the Wet Wash laundry
at 602 East Fifth street.
The little girl and her brother,
CHARLES, who was dressed in a new
| boy scout suit with long trousers,
walked from lafayette street to the
laundry with their parents. At the
laundry they kissed their father and
mother goodbye, starting up Fifth
street on their way to the Lincoln
school. They were clasping hands and
running rapidly up the street, the last
the mother saw of them.
|. Driver Didn't See Girl.
Il saw the little girl and boy run
ming along Fifth street toward the
west" said Bliss truck driver. II was
driving west on Fifth street and turned
north on jefferson street. / never
ner and didn't know 1 had struck her
until quarter of the way down the
block when someone shouted to me.
Il didn't hear a Jolt and don't be-
heve l ran over her. She must have
run into the spring in the rear of the
truck between the front and rear
wheels. 1 wasn't driving fast"
; Efforts of Clyde Tresner, chief of
detectives; Sergt. w. p. Long and De-
tective Sam Jones to locate spot on
/ a xrrfn til =
proved futile. There wasn't mark
on wheel or on the spring.
. We were a-running along to
school, said the brother II told
Quila to look out for the truck, as we
: started across the street. 1t was too
awful, can't tell how it happened" :"
Frank Hess IL Franklin street, was
riding up jefferson street on a bicycle
Il saw the truck turn and saw the
girl run out in the street II seemed
that she ran into the truck. I shouted
! to the driver that he had killed girl. -
Mrs. Dora Felter, 500 East Fifth
street, was on the front steps of her
home.
Il saw the girl fall and saw the
/ blood squirting from her head" said
/ Mrs Felter. Il can't tell how the ac-
/ cident happened"
] The mother appeared to be in near
! mysteries when she reached the scene
I
dead girl lying with her head in a pooi
OF her own blood was left on the street
for many minutes awaiting the arrival
or the coroner. No one would touch
= the body until the coroner or a physi-
clan arrived. Hundreds gathered aft
er the accident. Coroner Narcotic
stated today that II was probable an
inquest would be held. The truck is
owned by Fred Bliss, father of the bov
driving the big machine.
Came Here for Girls Health.
= The Carnahan family moved to To-
peka recently for the benefit of the
dead girls health. In Colorado, their
former home, she suffered with rheu-
matism. The climate here was recom-
Il mended and in short time after their
arrival the little girl ceased to suffer
and became red checked and happy
She was such good girl" said this
mother. MY husband and myself
worked in the laundry and she was
: always looking after her younger
c brothers and sisters"
Il Upon hearing of the accident, Sher.
# iff Hugh Larimer and Tinkham Veale
C county attorney, began an investiga.
court house. His story didn't differ
from that told by him shortly afteI
l. the accident occurred.
II Larimer and Veale went to the cor.
i ner OF Fifth and jefferson streets
d Bliss. in his big truck drove up Fifth
3 street and turned north on jefferson
e demonstrating to the sheriff and as
y sistant county attorney the speed h,
e was making and the turn at the cor
y ner where the girl was killed.
s. After the investigation officeri
y stated that everything indicated tha
3 the girl was running ahead of her 1T
I, tie brother. heard his cry. half turned
u toward him in inquiry and while run
20 ming with her back turned was struci
l. either by the rear wheels or spring o.
l. the truck and was dashed headlonl
- to the pavement.
Neighbors told officials that
woman who they believed was al
d eye witness was seen hurryinR ava.
N from the accident. An effort Is beinl