Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-29

Riverside Drive just opposite the
place of the collision, and at whose
home Mr.. Chamberlain had called but
few minutes before he was struck
by the automobile. testified to being
called and seeing the aged victim ly-
ing on the roadway where he had
been thrown by the blow. He alse
gave evidence as to the location of
DR.. Thompson's automobile as placed
in the testimony of the previous wit
nesses.
James p. Appleton Of Riverside, a
chauffeur, next called to the stand.
told of driving toward Augusta on
the morning of the accident and as
he approached the place he saw the
body of Mr.. Chamberlain fall to the
roadway, and DR.. Thompsons auto
mobile stop in the ditch.
Saw Car Hit Chamberlain
Harry Jose, testified that he had
followed DR.. Thompson's automobile
practically all the way from Pettin-
gills corner and as he was trying out
an automobile which he had just
purchased. he watched his speedo-
meter often and that at the maximum
the two cars were not going over IS
miles per hour, and on the average
soto 80, while on the slight turn APP
preaching the point where the man
was struck. the speed was probably
about 80. Mr.. Jose had observed the
figure of man on the right Of the
road ahead of the Thompson machine
speed and then swerve to the right
as the man leaned forward and
started running across the road.
After Chamberlain was hit Jose
stopped his car on the right of the
road and reachedthe unfortunate man
at about the same time as did DR..
Thompson. 1t was Jose who helped
,, to carry the victim to his home and
who telephoned for the officials.
Death Indirectly Due to Accident
DR.. w. J. O'Connor testified to be-
ing called into consultation and to
treating Mr.. Chamberlain at the
hospital on September IA until the
date of his death. He testified that
he man was probably a chronic suf-
ferer from heart and other ills and
that there was a question as to the
mans mental normality. He testified
that Chamberlain suffered from bad
heart action and congestion of the
kidney LESSONS, and that death was
directly due to pneumonia, the lung
congestion being partly due to the
shock of the accident, which was the
exciting cause Fastening the pro-
gressive lesion DR.. O'Connor testified
that on one occasion he had narrow
| ly avoided striking Chamberlain him.
self, as the man had wandered onto
the highway paying no attention 10
the automobile horn.
Respondent Testfies
The State rested it's case and DR..
Thompson was placed on the stand
as the first witness for the defense.
He told of the accident itself. He
had driven from Sebago lake on the
morning of Sept. II, in his Hudson
coach, and as he approached the
scene on Riverside Drive. he observed
man standing on the right side of
the highway. DR.. Thompson said he
sounded his horn and the man took
a step or two out onto the macadam-
lied surface of the road, and as he
did so, he, the doctor, applied his
brakes, slowing the speed of his car.
The man then turned north on the
road, the same direction in which the
Thompson car was proceeding and
took a step and DR.. Thompson
swerved to the left to pass around
him. AS he did so. he said, the man
threw up his hands and seemed to
utNe 0lIGSbiS eASiooo SiC AOSsN SO 49,
path of the oncoming car. DR..
Thompson applied his brakes and
swung clear out into the ditch in an
effort to avoid the man, but he was
unsuccessful.
Wheeler Testified for Defense
NJ L. Wheeler. the acting chief OF
the Motor Vehicle Division of the
State Highway Department, testified
that on many occasions he had seen
Chamberlain walking on the highway.
often in the center and that he never
seemed to pay any attention to au-
tomobile horns. a neighbor testified
that Chamberlain was in the habit
of walking aimlessly up and down the
road and on the car tracks. and
never moved off the. path of APP
preaching vehicles until he was
ready.
DR.. Roland H. Mckay testified sub
stantially the same and Alton :.
Haskell, a motorman on the A. & X.
electric railroad, testified that on
several occasions he had found 1t
necessary to stop his electric car, as
Mr.. Chamberlain was walking be-
tween the car rails and would pay
no attention to the whistle.
BY agreement no arguments were
submitted by the attorneys and Judge
Cony found the respondent not guilty
of the charge and he was released.