Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1920-04-28
CAR PLUNGES into
CANAL, KILLING ONE
AND INJURINC TWO
John P. BixIer Meets Death
In Auto Accident.

John P. Bixler, aged % years, re-
siding at IS East Avenue, Hagers-
town, a representative of the Inter
national Correspondence School,
with headquarters IN that city. is
dead and John d. Trimmer, East
Antietam street, employed by the
same concern and Lester Snyder,
residing at the same address with
Bixler, sustained slight injuries,
when Snyder drove a Chevrolet
touring car into the c. and o. canal
just after crossing the Potomac
river at Shepherdstown. The fatal
accident occurred about o'clock
last night and Bixler's body was
not recovered until an hour later.
Bixler's neck was broken when
the machine left the road and drop
ped fifteen feet into the canai. Trim
mer and Snyder, who escaped with
slight decorations about the body,
were able to extricate themselves
from the machine, which was sub
merged, and swan to shore. Hurry
ing to the residence of w. II. Knode
nearby, they secured assistance
and search was made for Bixler,
who did not make any attempt to
escape when the other released
themselves. When Bixler's body
was finally recovered, the attend.
ing physicians, DR.. G.. w. Banks and
DR.. Harris Banks, Jr., upon examin-
alton, declared Bixler's death was
the result of a broken neck.
The three men were returning to
Hagerstown from a business trip
through West Virginia, going by
way of Harper's Ferry and Shep-
herdstown. Trimmer and Bixier
were occupying the rear seat. Ac-
cording to Snyder who was driving,
and who was not familiar with the
road, a heavy fog was hanging over
when he crossed the large steel
bridge over the larger stream. At a
point a few feet after crossing the
steel bridge, the pike takes a sharp
turn onto the small bridge which
spans the canal. Instead OF follow
ing the road, Snyder drove in a di.
rect line. The car toppled into the
canal.
News of the accident spread rap.
idly, and several hundred persons
gathered at the scene and aided in
recovering Bixler's body. The re-
mains were taken into the Knode
home, where physicians worked
over him for an hour. The machine,
badly damaged. was also removed
from the canal
A coroner's jury, headed by C.
Walter Stouffer. of SharTi5burg,
was called Immediately and upon re-
viewing the remains and hearing
the statements of the physicians,
determined that death was due to
accident. The coroner's jury was
composed Of the Following: S. A.
Roth, s. D. Reed, Chas Walper,
George Binger. w. II. Knode. Char
les Swope, William Swope, George
VanMetre, ]. c. Fultz, +. f. Har
wood, DIR. G. w. Banks.
Blxler, who is native OF West
minister, Md, where his parents
and one brother reside, has been
in Hagerstown about year, follow
ing his discharge after service in
the navy. Before entering the ser.
vice, he was located in Hagers.
town, having enlisted from there at
the opening Of the war. His parents
were notified of the fatal accident
and will go to Hagerst6wn to take
his remains back to their home to-
day. The remains were taken in
charge by Kraiss Bros, and were
taken to their undertaking parlors
Snyder and Trimmer were taken
to their homes there early this
morning. Their injuries are of a
slight nature and will not necessi-
tate their remaining in tho house.