The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1922-07-06

The turning over of the Dodge road
ster of Oscar Bergstrom on the Willow
creek highway at a point opposite the
farm residence OF Ellis Minor at about
8 o'clock Saturday evening, resulted in
the instant death of Robert Sperry and
the serious injury of his cousin, Wayne
Sperry of lone, with slight injuries to
the owner and driver of the car.
The accident was the direct result Of
reckless speeding on the highway. The
party had just left lone, their destina-
tion being Arlington. Bergstrom and
Wayne Sperry had just driven down to
lone from Heppner, making the distance
in 25 minutes, so 1t is stated by those
who overheard their remarks to this ef-
feet, and they had put everybody else
off the road between the two points. On
arriving at lone they we're Joined by
Bob Sperry who wished to go to Airing
ton to take a train into Portland. The
other boys were to meet some young
ladies at Arlington and return with the
expressed intention of attending the eel
ebration at Parkers Mill. Starting out,
it is asserted the boys were going to
make record drive to Arlington, ex-
pecting to arrive there in 35 minutes.
On reaching point near the Minor res
idence the car swerved from the road
and in turning 1t back again the front
wheels were evidently turned too
abruptly, one wheel went down and the
car turned over from the momentum at
least three times for distance of more
than 100 feet before coming to a stop
Bob Sperry was caught by the weight
Of the car and was literally smashed to
pieces, his death being instantaneous
Wayne Sperry was picked up uneon-
scious, suffering cuts, scalp wounds,
broken arm and leg, while Bergstrom es-
capped with minor injuries, but has since
been confined in hospital at Heppner,
a nervous wreck from his experience.
The car was total wreck.
Bob Sperry was found to be dead when
reached by Ellis Minor. the first party
to reach the wreck. Physicians were
called and Drs. Walker of lone and
Chick of Heppner Immediately respond
ed. They took charge of Wayne Sperry
and II took them two hours TO sew up
his scalp and dress his other injuries,
He was taken to hospital at Portland
on Sunday and it is reported that he Is
doing quite we'll. The coroner thought
it unnecessary to hold an inquest over
the remains Of Robert Sperry and his
body was Immediately prepared for bur
ial by Undertaken Hyatt of the Case
Furniture Co., Of Heppner.
The funeral Of Robert Sperry was
held at lone on Tuesday morning at II
o'clock, under the auspices Of Heppner
Lodge No. 1858, B. P. o. Elks, of which
he was member, Rev. W. o. Living
stone, Of this city, delivering the funeral
address. The services were very largely
attended by the people of lone and vi
cinity, Bob being native SON of that
town and resident there all his life,
and greatly esteemed by all. He was the
eldest son Of Reuben and Luvisa Sperry
and was especially popular among the
younger people of the community, was
a fine athlete and classed as one of the
best ball players in Eastern Oregon.
His sudden death cast gloom over the
entire community.
1t may be that this sad and terrible
accident will prove warning to those
inclined to speeding and reckless driv-
ing on the highways; and 1t may not, for
people seem slow to learn and there is
a mania on the part of many to "burn
up the road" regardless of danger to
life and limb. Just what the authorities
will do in regard to this case, has not
been made public.