The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1921-08-17
WOMAN KILLED ALMOST INSTANTLY
in AUTO CRASH EAST OF CITY AND
COMPANION is HELD HERE IN JAIL
Mrs. Alice Rafferty, Dies When
. Auto Plunges OFF Grade
Near MenOken
CORONER'S JURY CALLED
Hears Witnesses and Then Goes
to Scene of Accident Before
Giving Verdict

,, (IlVlng verdict
Mrs. Alice Rafferty,, 26, 915
Front street, was killed, probably
instantly, in an automobile acci-
dent east of Bismarck last night.
Her companion in the automo-
bile, J. M. Thomas, painter of
Bismarck, was bruised but not
otherwise hurt.
Thomas is held in the county
jail pending the completion of
a coroner's inquest. The coron-
er's jury, after hearing witnesses
this morning, was taken to the
scene of the accident before de-
termining what action, if any, it
would take regarding the holding
of Thomas in connection with the
case. The jury is composed of
H. B. Neighbor, Walter Knott,
Jr., and 0. E. Kafer.
Mrs. Rafferty,, the dead woman, has
q husband and one child. Her hus-
band is blind man. They had been
living on Front street and it is under
stood were preparing to move to
DR.. G. r. Lipp and DR.. J. O. Arnson
were first witnesses called at the in
lues, which was conducted by An
ton Beer in the absence of Coroner
II. J. Stroelke. Charles Wattam
questioned the witnesses. The ply
sicians said that there were scars on
the body Of the woman and express
ed the opinion that her death might
have been caused by blow on the
temple. .&. 70 ,..
Welch Reaches Car
A. T. Welch, owner of store at
was the first person to
reach the scene of the accident. He
had been in Bismarck at the swim
ming pool with his son.
When he reached place about II
miles east of Bismarck and about
l IL miles west Of Menoken he saw
. car overturned by the side of the
road. The car had gone off Z or
foot grade, he said, and had turned
over twice. Mrs. Rafferty,, he said.
was partly under the car, her head
being pinned down. The car was on
is side. Thomas, he said, was stand
ing nearby. :.
Thomas, Mr.. Welch and Mr.. Welch's
son lifted the car off Mrs. Rafferty's
body. She was dead-had probably
lied instantly and her body was warm,
ne said He thought she had not been
lead more than 10 minutes.
q Thomas Is Held
Bismarck authorities were notified.
Deputy Sheriff Kafer and Chief of
Police Martineson were first to reach
he scene of the accident Sheriff
Welch and Deputy Phelps came
title later. The body was brought to
Bismarck to an undertaking firm.
Authorities lodged Thomas in jail
Until the details Of the accident could
70 cleared up.
Chief Martineson said that police
lad received call yesterday from
leighbor of Mrs. Rafferty, who said
hey had quarreled and that Mrs. Raj
erty had pulled her hair. A warrant
vas sworn out for Mrs. Rafferty's ar
est and an attempt was made to serve
t, the chief said, but Mrs. Rafferty,
Gould not be found.
Thomas, police say, was arrested
about three weeks ago on charge
" being drunk and reckless driving
md was fined $40 and costs by Police
eastman.
Tells His Story.
Thomas was not taken before the
jury. Asked for a state
nent he told a Tribune representa-
i've that he and Mrs. Rafferty, were
Irving along returning from Men0k-
en-, at a speed of IL to Is miles an
lour. He said he did not know how
|he car happened to 60 of the grade.
out that it slipped over the side Of
The grade and turned over. He said
Mrs Rafferty, was pinned under the
car and he was thrown free of it,
but that he was unable to lift the
car from her. Help came soon after
ward, he said Thomas added that 1t
vas an unavoidable accident and that
le was sorry it happened.
Verdict Held Up.
Authorities said early this after
loon that the coroner's jury would not
ender a verdict in the case before
vening.
Acting on a report that the accident
after Thomas had turned
'ut on meeting a Ford coupe authori-
les were anxious to learn if any per-
sons had been seen in Ford coupe in
he vicinity of Menoken about $3.50
n 10 o'clock last night.
Authorities say that Mr.. and Mrs.
Rofferty had lived in Mandan until
recently when they rented a residence
IN Front street in Bismarck.