Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-09-05
G. P. CROAKER AND |. H. ROSS
KILLED WHEN CAR TURNED OVER
ON STATE ROAD AT BLACKBIRD
Prominent Citizens Of New Jersey Lose Their Lives in
Motor Accident While Returning From Weekend
Trip to Bowers Beach, Of the Six Men in the Car
Only One, James A. Mcclure, Escaped Injury,

A weekend fishing outing at Bow
ere Beach ended tragically. last eve
ming about o'clock. In the death of
TWO members OF the party. when a
large touring car in which they were
returning to their homes In New Jer-
sey ekidded on the slippery road near
Blackbird. turned over twice, and
crashed into the abutmeut OF a
bridge.
There were ak men in tho party
one escaped without injury. Three
were only slightly bruised or lacerated
The dead are:
George p. Croaker, so years old.
burgess Of the city of Camden. He was
badly crushed beneath the car and
died shortly after the accident, in the
office Of Dr. ]. ID. Niles. at Townsend
Of internal hemorrhagee. He is sur
vved by widow.
Leahman II. Ross. aged 40. of Col
lnsswood. n. j. He was crushed about
'he chest and died while being taken
TO the Delaware Hospital in this city.
He leaves a wife and seven children.
James A. Mcguire of Collingswood.
n. j., was the member OF the party
who escaped without injury. Martin
A. McNulty of Camden was slightly
bruised and lacera,ed, as were the 9TH
er two men. who did not give their
names. They returned TO their homes
In New Jersey last night.
An unusual feature OF the accident
was that the driver was the least in
tured Of the party. Although the steer
ing wheel OF the machine was totally
demolished. and two Of those sitting
near him were killed. he escaped al
most m.raculouely with but a few
slight bruises and scratches.
William G.. Bryan of Banks &
Bryan was among the first motorists
TO reach the scene Of the accident.
He had Croaker placed in his car and
hurried him 10 the office Of DIR. Niles.
In Townsend. The injured man, who
was suffering intensely. made no
statement before he died. He was
very well-known citizen of Camden.
being burgess and member OF the
Board OF Freeholdens. He resided at
Second street and Kaigns avenue.
Mr.. Ross. who was badly crushed.
was placed in an automobile truck and
taken TO the Delaware Hospital. He
expired. however. before reaching the
hospital.
The accident occurred on the State
Highway. not far from Blackbird. II
Is believed that the car ekidded on a
slight grade in the road, plunged off
the paved portion onto the dirt siding,
and then losing it's balance swerved
over into the abutment. Four OF the
occupants were thrown ont of the car
and the other two were pinned be-
meath IL.
The body OF Mr.. Ross was placed
in charge Of Deputy Coroner Harvey
F.. Nichols. This morning relatives o.
the dead man communicated with Mr.
Nichols, and asked that the body be
cent 10 Collingswood this afternoon.
The body Of Mr.. Croaker was taken
In charge by Undertaken s. A. Collins
OF Townsend. II Ia expected that Il
will be shipped TO Camden today.
Collins Condition Good.
The condition of George =. Collins Of
BIS East Seventh street, who wa:
seriously injured in the accident IL
which three persons We're killed a
Ciaymont on Sunday night, was re.
ported as good at the Delaware Hos.
pital today. He was driver of IN.
automobile, which was struck by z
locomotive.
Coroner Isaac s. Bullock will star
his investigation tomorrow Afternoon
Of the accident in which Daise,
Wright OF Philadelphia: Hazel Slaugh
ter OF 3l7 East Third street ant
Ernest Stebbings OF so4 West Secont
street met their deaths. Members o
the jury will visit the scene OF the &C
cident
Investigation of the accident a
Blackbird last night, will be made late
IN the week.
Coroner Bullock stated this morn
ing that fatal accidents had been s,
numerous over the past weekend tha
he and his deputy. Harvey E. Nichols
had gone almost without sleep durin,
thar period. The work of recordin,
the mishaps and procuring witnesse
had taxed his energy TO the utmost.