The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-07-03

Questioned by the district attorney
as to how he knew it was Hupmo-
bile which had crowded him as ne
went into the turn, he said that ne
was familiar with automobiles, having
been a car salesman for several years
before joining his present firm six
years ago, and that that particular
car had tail light which was dis
tinctly individual.
Bell testified that he had known
Miss Doody for the past six months
and that they were very well ac-
quainted, but that he had only met
Mrs. Newcomer once before. She, Bell
said, was a friend of Miss Doody.
Toelle Takes Stand.
Mr.. Toelle was the first witness
called. He told of hearing the crash
as the car went through the approach
to the bridge at about 2:15 a. m. Sat
urdaS. He waited several minutes ana
then when he heard someone crying
for help grabbed his lantern ana
rushed down to the bridge. Bell was
standing on the bridge. "Oh my God,
the girls are in the creek, two cars
went by and no one would stop to help
me- Toelle quoted him as saying.
He then told of the light, FIVE feet
across, which showed on the surface
of the water, where the car went
down. All the lights remained burn
ing on the submerged car. The spot
Of light, facing the bridge, he stated,
was red, indicating that the rear end
of the car pointed south.
He told of the fence which was rip
ped down near the bridge, and of the
two iron pests which had been bent
over by the force Of the collision.
Preacher Tells Story.
Francis N. Cunningham, a travelling
minister whose home is in Zion, and
whose Office is at Madison, then took
the stand. He told Of having stopped
on the bridge when he saw Bell. He
said he asked Bell what caused the
accident, and was told shat post gave
me bum steer" He stated that Bell
then indicated post set about so
feet from the bridge, and added that
he thought that it was on the right
side of the bridge.
Later, when questioned about this,
Bell could not remember of having
made such a statement. Rev. Cum
ningham said that Bell cried: "Oh
my God, they are in the river, help me
get them out" He stated that he
jammed on all the speed he could and
went to a nearby farmhouse for as
sistance. Then he returned to the
scene, and had Bell in his car ready
to start to Kenosha, when DR.. Bennett
arrived. Bell then got out and went
with the Doctor. He testified that he
could not detect the smell of liquor
on the injured man.
Peter Tanis, of Grand Rapids, Mich,
who accompanied the minister told the
same story. He saw, however, that
Bell was absolutely dry, his hair part
ed in the middle, and the creases still
in his clothes, he said.
Bell Badly Cut Up.
DR.. Bennett took the stand after
Bell finished testifying. He said that
he undressed him after he got him
back to Burlington and his clothes
were soaked. He said that after adj
ministering shot of morphine he
sewed up inch cash on the top
of the mans head, another on the left
side, and took six stitches in a bad
cut on his hand.
Bell, he said, was 1oath to leave
the scene of the tragedy to have his
own wounds treated, but that after
ten minutes of argument he was con-
WINGED that he could do no good by
staying. The man was in a highly
hysterical condition, but under fur
Their questioning he said that he could
detect no trace of an alcoholic odor
on his breath.
Sheriff Fred Pabst told of recover
ing the car, and failing to find the
women in it. He then described find
ing the body of Miss Doody below
the bridge. He said the top of the
machine was about three feet below
the surface OF the water. The wind
shield glass, he said looked as though
Bell had been catapaulted through it.
Dressed in Wool.
Eric Nystrom, member of the coast
guard who was present when the body
was recovered said that it was dressed
in bathing suit. The sheriff, later
explained this. He said that the ma
terial was knitted wool and that it
had shrunk in the water. He added
that it was regular outer dress.
Frank Sugrue, promotion manager
Of Alfred, Decker, and Cohn, for whom
Bell worked; testified that Bell bears
an excellent reputation with the firm
and his friends. DeLoss Richmond,
another employee of the concern testi-
fed that he had ridden with Bell many
times, and that he was considered
careful driver. He said that he had
never seen him in an intoxicated con-
dition.
The three men left for Chicago i'm
mediately after the verdict was re-
turned, it read in part: 1--WE the jury
find that Mae Doody came to her
death on June 90, 1924 by accidental
drowning when an automobile in which
she was riding plunged from the high
way into the Fox river, said car was
being driven by one r. II. Bell. We
further find no evidence of careless
ness or negligence on the part Of said
Bell" 1t was signed by the six
jurors, and Coroner Parker.