The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-12-08

Two men were drowned and
two were seriously injured
last night when the automo-
bile in which they were rid
ing plunged over a Is foot
embankment into the Mis-
souri, River, about 18 miles
northwest of the city. The
automobile was driven
straight off a prairie road
over the embankment, the
driver evidently not knowing
that he was so close to the
river.
Jack Reed, half breed In
dian, about IS years old, and
Bud Widger, 14-year-oh step-
son of Ed Widger of near Me
noken were carried through
the ice and drowned. Ed.
Widger, the father, and Ar
mold Peterson, 81, of Brad
dock, were thrown to the ice.
Both were badly injured.
Peterson, though badly injured.
managed by herculean efforts to pull
himself up the almost perpendicular
bank and made his way across the
bottoms to the house OF Martin Bur-
CESS. who called q physician. Au-
thorities also were notified and Shcr-
if Hedstrom. Coroner Gobel and
Deputy Sheriff Phelps went to the
scene of the accident. At o'clock
this morning It appeared hopeless to
search for the bodies during the
night, and the search was abandoned
until about 10 o'clock this morning.
Were Hunting.
The party. in Ford touring car.
had been trapping skunks and hunt
ing rabbits. For time, it is under
stood, they were at Reeds shack.
owned by Mary Brown. At night
they hunted rabbits, and probably
after 9 o'clock they drove toward the
river. The road on which they drove
toward the river mas been abandoned,
because the current of the Missouri
had cut into the bank. Since the
members of the party were shooting
rabbits from the car, it is believed
that car was driven off the bank
without the slightest warning of i'm
pending danger.
The automobile struck the ice radi-
ator first. The impact drove the ma
chine through four inches of ice, car
rying Reed and the Widgcr boy un-
der the ice with it. Peterson and
the elder Widger, in the rear seat,
were thrown clear of the car. The
elder widger was thrown about 35
feet out on the ice but did not 60
through it. Peterson was throtn
about II feet.
Though Peterson was suffering
from compound fracture Of the
arm and Widger from more serious
injuries. they tried to break the ice
and failing climbed up the bank by
herculean efforts.
Many Join In Search
Farmers and authorities joined in
search at the scene of the accident,
but no trace was found Of the men
and the conclusion appeared inevita-
bic that the men were drowned. 1t
was planned to dynamite the ice to-
day. and it was thought that the
bodies would be found. There was
believed to be no current in the river
at this point. The water is about
five feet deep. The car was owned
by Peterson.
This <aDternoon Ed Widger was re-
ported'as in very bad condition in
st. Alexius hospital. He suffered u
fracture of the upper and lower jaw,
his nose was broken, his head bruised
and it is feared he has suffered in
ternal. injuries of serious nature.
His clothes were wet and he suffer-
ed from cold. In spite of his condi-
tioT, after notifying Martin Bur
CESS, Widger went back to the scene
of the accident and did not reach a
hospital until hours after it happen
ed. He grieved deeply over the loss
Of his step-son. commonly known as
bud" Widger. but whose correct
name was George Hickman.
Reed, according to local friends,
So M