Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-07-04
Death Rides
With BeatOn
On Troy Road
r,.
Third Death In Three Years
Results From Accident
At Mahoney Springs.
MISS EDNA BISSELL
SUFFERS INJURIES

w. d. beaton, manager of the
ono"storm NINE, near Troy, and SEQ
retary for the Greenough Investment
Company OF Spokane, was instantly
Killed Friday morning when his Buici
coach lett the road and plunged over
the grade between Mahoney Springs
and kootenai Falls on the Troy-Lib-
by road. Edna Bissell, of Troy. dauoh-
ter of w. J. Bissell, superintendent
OF the Greenough interests at Troy.
who was with him, was badly bruised
and lascerated, but was able. unon
regainIng consciousness, to climb mn
to the road and go for help. She
walked some three miles before she
met car, which took her to
Savage's, where Mrs. Savage tele-
pnoned for Coroner Gon1nf. Mr-
blssell, and others who came to
tne assistance of the injured girl.
MT. Beaton was driving Miss Bissel
60 Libby to her work, as she was en-
ployed in Assessor Weir's office II
the court house, and had been to Troy
the evening before to be initiated into
the Star lodge at that place. She
stated that the car being driven at \
moderate rate of speed skidded q bit
IN some water in the ditch, which
runs down from the springs, and that
IN getting the car back in the road
the steering gear broke, and before
the car could be stopped had plunged
off the road into the canyon some
loo feet below. The car hit two trees
IN It's mad descent, and turned over
four times before landing upright. It
was found that the 4-wheel brakes
were set.
Miss Bissell said she must have re-
covered consciousness very soon af-
ter the accident, and when she came
TO she was lying on her back some IL
or 10 feet from the car, beside which
MT. Beaton was sitting. As soon as
she ascertained he was dead. she
craWled up to the road for help.
Coroner Gompf states that Beaton,s
neck was broken and his skull frar-
tured, death being instantaneous. The
body was taken to Troy, and later
shipped to Spokane, where funeral
services were held Monday afternoon.
Mr.. Beaton was born in Scotland
: years ago and came to this coun-
try from Canada, where he was mar
ried, about Id years ago. He is sur
yived by his wife, a IL year old
daughter, Marjorie, and sister in
England. One of the saddest aspects
OF the tragedy is that Mr.. Beaton
was killed on the morning of his we'd
ding anniversary.
MlCG Riccn11 sss InI{xy
lascerated about the arms, legs and
back. Her face was unmarried by the
flying glass, and it is thought, that
she will soon be recovered from her
shocking experience.
Garagemen attempted to bring the
sar up to the road, but state that II
IS impossible to do so. The tires are
intact. the chassis in good condition,
but the top, down to the seats, Is
wracked. Sheriff Bancy,
Who went to the scene of the accident
lpon being notified, stated that he
picked up tools strewn for 200 feet
Down the mountain side. All that
'ould be salvaged of the car has been
out.
This is the third death in as many
ears upon the Troy road, the death
# Edith Wood having occurred ex-
4ctly one day less than year before
he date Of Mr.. Beaton's death. The
libby and Troy Commercial clubs
wired the State Highway
ommission. in session. af-tf cat2s-
rophe, and prayed item to consider
means for improving this dangerous
trip Of road, emphasizing the i'm
ortance of early construction work.
s, with the increasing traffic during
ach season the dangers, of course.
hat much greater. This 25 miles OF
Dad is expensive to Montana and to
.incoln county, it gives this vicinity
title good advertising and great
cal of bad advertising. Two tourists
oming to Libby in the past week
ave hired local men to drive their
ars back to Troy. while they them
elves went via train, as they said
hey could not risk the road. To resi-
ents Of the county who are used to
lountain roads, and accustomed to
ne Troy road, this is almost laugh
Bile. as there is a small percentage
accidents in proportion to the cars
riven over the road. However. it II
oor advertising. and every loyal Lib
Y and Troy citizen 3 is praying that
,me action may soon be taken where
Y will result the funds to make this
,ad safe and easily travelled high
ay.
pIoucart D,~p,~ ~ Tcuch,v. D.u~I