The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-05-11
LAD
STAR WITNESS IN
SUIT FOR $4,000
Archie Fleming Relates Simple But Con-
else Story of Accident on Pike
urEhakrn by Severe Cross
Examination,

Five witnesses for the plaintiff were
questioned before Judge J. b. Somcrvill9
In circuit court Yesterday in the suit OF
Harrys Samuel McGown VS.. Charles l.
Sonncporn and wife, for $4,000 personal
damages. They were George Hackney,
SuhrrI Miller. John l.. McAdam, Emil
Mcidcr and Archie Fleming The latter
was the last witness TO take the stand.
Archie Fleming. who Is but Is years
OF age. proved himself star witness.
After few preliminary questions con-
corning himself. which showed that hs
had been present at the scene or me
accident, Judge Frank Ncsbitt, counsel
for the plaintiff asked that he tell the
story in his own words.
He told. Of riding to school on the
morning OF the accident with Mrs.
Sonneborn and her son Bobby. and es:
the corner OF Bethany and NATIONAL
Pixies at IS miles per hour. He told VI
seeing Mrs. Somehow swcrve the
Overland roadster which she was driv-
ing. from the path Of an approaching
truck. going toward the left side Of tho
bethany, pike as she did so He then
stated that she did not straighten Oh.
the wheel but crashed into the pole near
the Pike Pharmacy. Just before the
crash. he said. hc saw young Sam Nc
Gown. the plaintiff In the case. rush 10
tho curb and reach Tor little Bihy VIII
son, who was playing along the curb In
the pathway Of the Somehow car. The
car he said. crashed into the pair. pin
ming them between Its bumper and the
pole. The witness was thcn turned over
70 7. Bernard HandIan. attorney for the
defense. for cross examination.
In the cross questioning ihe young
wltnoss stood up under n severe Erillin2
from the attorney for the defense with
out breaking his simple story or thr
accident. Attorney Handlan attemptei
to show by tho statement OF the f Len,nSS
boys that NcGown needlcsslv crossed
the path Of tho car. when he could nave
saved the Wilson child without exposing
himself to injury. Tho boy was ek-
cnptionalIy specific on this point: now
over. stating that McGown could nor
have reached the child without stepnin"
into the path OF the Sonneborn machine
He mnde iris statement with pro.
nounced grin on his face. The counsel
for the defense questioned the FlemlnB
bov'a attitude on tn" matter and elicit
ed the information that hc WA smiling
NJ Attorney Russell Goodwin who also
represents the plaintiff. Mr. Hnndlah
then charged that the witness had been
IN conference With TN" attorneys Tor tnc
pIaintiff. The witness quite Willingly
stated that he had boon interviewed py
Mr. Goodwin. but emphatically denied
having received Instructions. The wit
moss was excused with the advantac.
seemingly resting with the plantitt
after the short legal duel.
The plaintiff will not finish its cas-"
today. according to Judge Nrehitt 1t ~
understood that tho plaintiff. Samuel
McGown. will DO placed on the stano
either today or tomorrow. and that ek-
merit testimony will be produced TO show
that tho injuries received by him arc
permanent.
The defense has not yet unmasked It's
noqition. but II ia stated that Mrs.
sonncborn will hc tho chief witness Tor
tho dercrsr. while some Of the witnesses
for the plaintiff will be recalled for IN"
defense.
Tho case. which Is one of tho mos
sensational damage suit ever tri"d IN
the city, arises out of an automobile &C
cident on October :. 1918. in which tn"
defendant. Mrs. Charles l. Sonnehorn =
alleged to have run down and killed four.
vear-old Robert Wilson. In thiI accident
IL is alleged that the plaintiff. Harry
Samuel McCown. received permanent In
juries.
Tho suit is being tried before Judge
7 z, Somrrvlllo or circuit court. TIL"
rlaintiff is represented BY Attorney RUS