The Coolidge examiner., 1936-12-03
MRS. EMMA PARKER
KILLED BY TRUCK ON
HIGHWAY NEAR HERE

HOllUnI lVLnn llIuk
Not more than 20 minutes prior
to the time Mrs. Emma J. Parker
met tragic death on the Coolidge
Tucson highway three miles south
of Coolidge at about 1880 last
Friday evening, she requested c. C
Livingston of Coolidge to pray fol
u.s."
And several hours prior to the
tragedy the late Mrs. Parker waited
in the W. H. Berry home in North
Coolidge for Holloway Berry, high
school boy, to return from his after
noon classes to play a French harp
for her.
When Holloway asked what
piece shall 1 play for you?" Mrs
Parker promptly suggested Home
Sweet Home" and it was the last
music she heard.
At the time of the tragedy Mrs.
Parker was riding with her son
Oscar Buchanan, of Tucson, and
MRS. H. L. Hughes of Abilene,
Texas, in coupe, and were en- route
to Tucson, home of Mrs. Parker
and the son Oscar. Mrs. Hughes,
sister of Mr. Livingston here, was
on the way back to Abilene and was
going to board a train at Tucson,
Saturday morning.
Oscar Buchanan was at the wheel
and his mother was riding between
him and Mrs. Hughes.
The car became ignited by a live
exposed wire in the ignition system
contracting oil, and at one time it
was ablaze. Mr.. Buchanan stopped
the car and got out, followed by his
mother, who, on leaving the car,
stepped out into the road and was
hit by a heavily-laden truck travel
ing at about As or SO miles an hour.
Mrs. Parker's neck was broken and
her body was catapulted into the
ditch on the west side of the high
way at least 40 feet from the place
il. the road where she was hit by
the truck. .
When Oscar Buchanan reached
the body of his mother life was ex-
tinct.
Coolidge officers, Justice of the
Peace w. A. Thompson, Deputy
Sheriff Gardner and night Police
man Kye Mcmillan, responded to
the tragedy call and directed traf-
fiC until the body of Mrs. Parker
was removed by a Florence ambu-
lance. Justice Thompson stated to
The Eximiner before the body was
removed that no inquest would be
held. Driver of the big truck that
hit and killed Mrs. Parker never
stopped, and, according to a theory
advanced by Constable E e. String
er, it is possible that he sped on
not knowing of the tragedy. Cons
table Stringer and Deputy Gardner
say this would be possible in the
event Mrs. Parker was struck by
a corner of the frame back of the
drivers cab.
Mrs. Parker was SIS at the time
of her tragic death. She resided in
North Durango near the E. +.
Fennell home for three years prior
to locating in Tucson more than a
year ago to be near her youngest
son, Oscar, who holda a good
position there with one of the major
oil companies. Fred Ford, eldest
son of the dead woman, resides in
Coolidge. He is connected with
the Indian Service here, is married
and the father of three children.
Mrs. Parker was well-known, TO
many citizens in this community
She was deeply spiritual and a
consecrated member of the Baptist
Church. Despite the fact that for
several years prior to her tragic
death she was more or less victim
Of poor health, she was always
cheerful and hopeful, and wore d
smile that will cause her to be re
nembered when those not blessed
with her fortitude are forgotten.
The late Mrs. Parker had a poetic
mind, and during her life she haC
written more than $50 poems, one
Of which is printed below, this one
having a local setting, since it was
Continued on page eight} ~-'