Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-08-31
Deputy Sheriff ]
Found Not Guilty
of Reckless Driving

deputy Sheriff Charles w. Jones
OF China was found not guilty yes
terday morning after having been
tried on a charge Of reckless driv-
Ing on the China road, little below
the Winslow town line on August IL.
Deputy Sheriff Jones, formerly
connected with the State highway
kpollce, 1t was alleged drove his car
at rate Of speed approximating 35
miles an hour on part Of the high
way which rendered such a rate of
speed extremely hazardous, and
which In this case resulted in an ac-
cldent which caused considerable
damage to his own car. and also to
Ford car driven by Mr.. Cunning
ham.
Mr.. Jones was driving from China
towards Winslow, while Mr.. Cum
bingham was going in an opposite
direction when the cars collided at
the summit Of sharp incline bor-
dered on one side by a growth of
bushes. on the other by an irregular
rocky ledge.
Clarence E. Timer, Frank Dolman,
and L. B. Ross, all Of China, who
. . had been working on the road in that
vicinity. testified that Mr.. Jones was
travelling at quite a high rate of
speed, and was going between 80 and
IS miles an hour when he made the
rise where the accident occurred.
They testified also that he was on
the wrong side of the road when they
saw him, which was within a very
short distance from the place Of COL
lision. Measurements were taken of
the road at the scene Of the accident
by Mr.. Ulmer, who was in charge If
the road crew, which was presented
as evidence.
Roy E. Coombs, a garage man who
was called, testified that he was not
an eyewitness, simply stating the po-
sition Of the cars as he found them.
and his idea as to the probable
cause OF the collision. #
A letter was produced IN court
which to all intents was the ccause
of bringing action against Mr.. Jones:
| a letter intimating that the latter
should be brought to trial for reck-
! ness driving. The name of the writ
| er Of this letter was not revealed. II
is probable that the case would new
| er have come into court, as action
was not brought about, nor was ii
| thought to have been instigated by,
Mr.. Cunningham. In fact the latter
| did not appear in court, it having
| been stated by Lieut.. Frost that he
| was working outside Of the State.
| Deputy Sheriff Jones, who was
\ represented by Thomas Weeks, testi.
| fed that he was travelling at very
moderate speed at this point. He
said he was very familiar with the
/ roads in this section and knew in.
I hnf LS
would be dangerous on this road
| Below the incline, he said, on either
side it was impossible for the driv-
ers to see one another, and that he
did not see Mr.. Cunningham's cal
until they were both pretty nearly
atop the rise. When he did see it
he veered sharply to one side. run.
ming his car toward the ledge, but
was hit by the Ford, which caught
him obliquely,; doing considerable
| damage as it scraped heavily alonl
the side. He said that he ran or
over the ledge after being struck
and back into the road, stopping a
a point about 20 feet from the spor
where the cars collided. Asked i
there had been any heated argument
between him and the other driver
he said there had been no angry tall
and no attempt on the part of either
one to attache the blame. He sale
further that they had agreed to al
low three men to serve as referee:
i'll adjusting the matter, they ap.
! pointing one each, and the two thu
appointed to name a third. Mr.
Jones said he appointed his man bu1
Mr.. Cunningham did not name his
so this attempt at settlement did moi
mature. A little later. he stated
after talking it over. they each
! agreed to pay their own damages
| The cars were hauled off, and Mr.
Jones said he thought the matter
was settled, until he was summoned
to appear in court.
| Mr.. and Mrs. Gardiner, who were
riding in Mr.. Jones car at the time
of the accident, testified that the lat
ter was not driving over 20 miles an
hour, and that he was on his side
| of the road. Another witness. Mr.
Bryant, testified to the same thing
| Recorder Letourneau, after due
and careful consideration of this
| case, concluded that the evidence OF
| reckless driving submitted was in
| sufficient to establish satisfactorily
|