Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-15

Miss Mabel Grant, aged 10 years,
and Luther Stevens; is years old,
both of Augusta, were killed, and
Hazen Waters and Mrs. Lena Brown
were severely injured in a coasting
accident which occurred about 8
o'clock Thursday evening on Capitol
street, Augusta, when the bob sled"
on which they were sliding collided
with a sedan automobile owned and
operated by Wyman Weber, also
of this city.
Two Fatally Hurt
Mr.. Stevens, who was steering the
coaster, sustained a fracture of the
skull and Miss Grant received inter-
nal injuries. and both died soon after
arriving at the Augusta General hos
pital where they were rushed by
ambulance shortly after the accident.
Mrs. Browns injury consisted of
fracture of an ankle and Mr.. Waters
received a fracture of the thigh and
are patients at the hospital, where
late last evening their chances for
recovery were reported as favorable.
Two other members of the coasting
party. Miss Jennie Stevens and For
rest Dow escaped with slight injuries.
Auto Drivers Story
The accident occurred nearly in
front of the home of Mrs. Linda Berry
at al Capitol street. The Nelie sedan
was going up Capitol street. The
driver of the auto, Mr.. Weber, stat
cd that the car was nearly in the
center of the road and was going
from Is to 20 miles an hour. He
saw the coaster coming fast down
the hill nearly in the center of the
road, a little to the left, but seeing
that he could not clear the coaster
on the right side, he drove sharply to
the left. The collision occurred as
he was making the turn. He thought
that the coaster Slowed. The coaster
hit the right forward mudguard and
wheel Of the auto, and the members
of the party were thrown TO the
ground. Mr.. Dow, who was on the
rear of the coaster, stated that just
as the automobile turned TO the left.
the coaster turned in that direction,
and the accident occurred.
Hearing Held
Mr.. Weber. II years Of aGe, the
driver of the automobile, was ac-
companied by Lawrence Carpenter
and Misses Rose Carpenter and
Fredna Fitzgerald Of Augusta. The
four occupants of the car and Mr..
Dow went to the police station fol-
lowing the accident. where they were
questioned by County Attorney Wal
ter NJ. Sanborn, Judge Robert A.
Cony, Sheriff E. D. HARDWOOD and City
Marshal James G. McKenney. From
the examination made of the ground
it appeared that the automobile was
on the right side of the road when
the accident occurred. There was
evidence that the accident was al
most unavoidable under the circum-
stances, and the driver Of the car
was not held following the question
ing. although further investigation
of the matter will be made.
Shortly after the collision, the in
jured ones were taken into the homes
of Mrs. Berry and Shirley Foster on
Capitol street. where they were at
tended by DR.. Harris and DR.. o.
Conner. Call was Immediately sent
for ambulances and they were re-
moved to the Augusta General hos
pital.
Miss Grant was the daughter of
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Grant of Page
street. Mr.. Stevens resided at 20 liz
Capitol street and was the son of
Mr.. and Mrs. Crosby Y. Stevens. The
remains were taken to the Knowl-
ton & Hewins undertaking parlors.
Funeral arrangements will be made
later.