The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1921-01-22
ONE DEAD; FOUR HURT
IN AUTOMOBILE CRASH
ABSEcoN RESIDENTS THE VIC.
TINS WHEN CAR Is HIT BY AN
OTHER DRIVEN BY ATLANTIC
CITY PARTIES.

One man was killed outright and
four seriously injured when an Over
land car driven by Harry Backer, 40
years old, a butcher of 2409 Pacific
avenue, Atlantic City, crashed into a
Ford car in which were five employees
of the Hill Dredging Co, all residents
OF Absecon, who were on their way
home from work. Two of the injured
men may die. The accident occurred
at SO o'clock Thursday afternoon on
the Absecon boulevard half a mile
from the Ohio avenue entrance in
Atlantic City.
Henry C%onover, who in the summer
months sails one of the Inlet yachts,
was killed.
His son-in-law, Peter Bird, sustained
a fracture of the skull and concussion
OF the brain.
Joseph Bird, who vas driving the
Inflated auto, has a conclusion Of the
head and fractured ribs.
Fred Sutton, 80, is badly cut about
the scalp and eyes.
Howard Bird, AZ, is severely hurt
about the chest and the ribs of his
right side are fractured.
At the City Hospital last night it
was stated that all the injured men
are in a serious condition, hat of
Peter and Joseph Bird being especially
grave.
Backer was arrested by Detective
Farley and Patrolmen Vertel and
Bruner. He was held on a charge of
~manslaughter and County Judge Inger-
soil set his bail at $500. Fred Campo,
also a butcher, in business at 1928 At
lantic avenue, Atlantic City, was ar
rested by Captain Doran and Detective
Farley and was released in $1,000 bail
as a material witness. There was a
report last night that two other per-
sons were in the Backer car. They
have not been located.
Following their arrest Backer and
Campo were taken to the Detective
Bureau and subjected to a lengthy in
terrogation by Capt. Malseed. Both
were in a highly V condition.
Backer declared that he was not re-
sponsible for the accident.
The men in the Ford were on their
way home to Absecon. They are en-
p7oyed by the Hill Dredging co. on a
dredging job for the city at the Inlet,
on the northern end of the city.
AS they took a nasty curve on the
SN LII lulO lh6 DOdlC L ~
avenue their car was caught square i n
front by the heavy Overland driven by
Backer. Campo was seated in the
rear with a hog he had purchased
while passing through the county.
The weight of the Overland over
turned and practically demolished the
Ford, pinning its occupants in the
debris. Backer and Campo escaped
os-,-- --,l@ fra., +haZ r1aa1v nd lnnn-
ed TO the rescue.
A passing f~otorist picked up and
rushed Conover to the Hospital and
an emergency call was sent to police
Headquarters and soon the patrol wag-
on was on the scene. Meanwhile the
men were e%xtricated from the wreck
age of their a 1. When the hospital
was reached Conover was dead. ap-
~parently killed instantly, his head hav-
ing been crushed in. The others were
hurried to the Hospital in the patrol
wagon and County Physician Souder
was notified of the tragedy.
According to the story of the TRACE
dy that Capt. Malseed secured last
night, the workmen's car was turning
from Venice Park to swing into the
Boulevard and proceed thence to Alb
secon. Backer's machine was coming
around the curve from an opposite di-
rection. Both cars crashed head on
and the Ford with its occupants was
completely overturned. One of the
workmen had a small engine on his
knees at the time of the collision. The
police were unable to learn which
member Of the party it was. but are
certain that the engine contributed to
his injuries.