Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1922-01-27
Averill Corner Danger Spot
Now Safe for Most Reckless
STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT CUTS OFF SO FEET OF
POMFRET CORNER, CREATING EASY CURVE
PLACE SCENE OF MANY MOTOR ACCIDENTS
Warning Signals Didn't Help Suaon.-Spot Dubbed
Dead Mems Corner"

iAHA sntb AAANAs NhAtAA :
corner. just south of the railroad de-
pot in pomfret. is known to many PEG
pie, has had its backbone broken, the
State Highway Department having
Topped off so feet at this four-corners
an easy, graceful rounding corner that
should absolutely remove the dangers
of further motor accidents at this
spot.
The corner is on the state highway
from Putnam to Willimantic and Hart
ford and has. for years, been danger
point where many an accident has
happened, some more serious than 9th.
.ers, and none, very fortunately, fatal.
IL has been the thorn in the side of
many racing motorist, who coming
upon the sharp curve all too quickly
and ignoring danger signs, has come
TO grief with his machine being wreck
ed in greater or less degree, against
one or the other of the numerous trees
that are in the vicinity.
Few Accidents at First
When the highway was built some
eight or nine years ago, high stone
wall was removed and huge tree TAX
en- out. In those days of moderately
operated motor cars there appeared TO
be little danger aecruing from the
sharp corner opposite the home Of the
late Albert Averill. However, as the
motor vehicles grew in number, and
their maximum speed capacity in
creased, drivers seemed TO relish the
dea of rounding the corner at reckless
speed. The net result was automo-
bile accident after accident, with
wrecked cars and injured drivers and
occupants multiplying week after
week.
The late Albert Averill, whose home
stood by and who was well acquaint-
ed with the dangers lurking at the cor
ner and of the numerous accidents
happening there. dubbed the spot
Dead Mems Corner" and by that
name it is known today by many.
Many of the motor cars smashed into
trees on the lawn at Mr.. Averilps
place. forcing him to protect them by
claiming about them great stones.
Erect Warning Signals
Warning signals were erected at the
corner by the State Highway Depart
ment, globes on the tops of the two
signals showing red when headlights
of cars shone on them. 1t was beiiev-
ed that these would serve as sufficient
warning TO fast drivers and doubtless
many operators have been saved from
bodily hurts and their cars from dam
age. by them. But they failed 20 rem
edy the situation. for despite them,
there followed numerous accidents,
for the greater part at night.
Included among the many accidents
at this corner will be recalled that in
volving the two machines that started
out for Putnam from Willimantic. TO
race the distance for stake Of 800.
One of the cars failed to make the
curve in due form and never finished
the race, bringing up against tree.
1t is also known that two automobiles
heavily laden with contraband booze,
hitting pace much too fast TO turn
the corner. came TO grief against trees
at the corner, and judging from the
odor that permeated the ozone follow
ing the mishap. must have lost some
of their precious freight.
Approaching the corner from the
north, motorist drives down quite a
long and fairly sharp grade, and it
seems that many of them have allowed
their cars TO bowl along and coming
abruptly upon the curve, couldn't
make it, and as result plunged across
the highway onto the lawn at Mr.. Az
erill's place, many of them hitting
trees with consequent damage TO ma
chimes.
So. in view of the commendablc pol
icy Of the State Highway Department
TO eliminate all such danger spots so
far ms possible, big slice Of the cor
ner has been cut of, changing the spo,
from a sharp curve into a gradual
curve that the most needless and reck-
less Of motor vehicle drivers should be
bic to make without the slightest dan.
ger 10 himself. anyone else or automo.
biles involved at the critical moment.
Work Practically Done
The work is practically done, and
has been accomplished under the eff
cient eye and direction Of II. II. Dav-
export. supervisor of state highway
repairs in Windham county. Two
large ash trees and seven naples have
been uprooted TO make this improve
ment--a vast one over former condi-
tions-and motorists have Mr.. Daven-
port to thank for his vigilance and en-