The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1936-09-17

James Blackboard, Jr., and Miss Inez
hatekin, escaped with minor bruises.
Word since phoned to Otto Nord-
strom of this city, a brother of Mrs.
Smithberger's, said that Mrs. Smith
berger was gravely injured and that
she underwent serious operation yes
terfay morning, from which she rallied
wen.
II AS soon as news of the tragedy
{ reached Libby, Mr. Smithberger and
MIR. Blackford left at once for Missoula.
J. e. Friend, the father of Mrs. WOLF.
lett Tuesday evening for that city. The
dead mans brother, Walter WOLF and
his wife, were in Spokane at the time.
II is understood word reached them and
that they also went to Missoula.
On Way to Billings
The party in the WOLF car were driv-
ing to Billings for the ladies to attend
a convention of the State Federation
of Women's clubs When a short dis
lance west Of Missoula. the WOLF car
was slightly side-sWiped by a passing
car. 1t was thrown from the highway
distance Of 200 feet by the impact and
turned over eight times. so reports say.
MIR, WOLF was instantly killed. 1t is
understood the others were all thrown
from the car. The car was so COM
pletely demolished it is said it would
be impossible to tell its make.
The Daily Muscular of Wednesday
had the following account of the trag
edy:
An inquest will be held Thursday
night to determine responsibility for
the collision between an automobile
and truck about 10 miles west of the
city shortly before IL o'clock Tuesday
morning in which Elmer WOLF, as Of
Libby was killed and four women pas
sengers in the WOLF car were injured.
one dangerously
The truck was driven BY Lou <.
Tucker Of the RattIesnake.
Mr. WOLF was the twentieth victim OF
automobile accident in the Missoula
area since the first of the year.
The injured were.
Mrs. r. w. Smithberger. wife OF
Libby banker, both legs badly frac-
tured, shock and other injuries. While
her condition is grave, her recovery is
expected unless infection sets in, ST.
Patrick's hospital doctors say.
Mrs. Elmer WOLF, fractured right leg
and numerous bruises.
Mrs. James Blackford, wife of Lib
by attorney, treated for bruises and re-
leased from the hospital
Miss Inez Ratekin Libby musician.
treated for bruises and released.
Tucker, driver of the truck, escaped
injury in the crash, taken to Thornton
hospital after the accident to be treated
for heart attack.
Struck by Truck
he said that he was travelling west.
about 10 miles west of Missoula. be-.
hind three of four other cars. A car
ahead of him slowed suddenly and he
applied his brakes to avoid hitting it,
the rain causing his truck to slip into
the path Of WOLF car
Miss Ratekin, in her explanation OF
the accident, said. I'VE were going to
the biennial convention OF the Montana
Federation of Women's clubs at Bill
lings. We were on our, own side of the
road, when about four cars approached
us from the opposite direction. They
all seemed on their correct side of the
road. Suddenly carl believe it was
4 pickup truck-darted out OF the line
70 pass another car Then we crashed"
She said they apparently struck on
one side of the truck as their car ca
romed off the machine and hurled into
he ditch
Both Miss Ratekin and Mrs. Black
ord accompanied police to the acct
lent scene when they left the hospital.
A purse containing more than 5000
which was lost during the confusion
vas found later.
Mr. WOLF had been a resident Of Lib
BY since 1928. He is survived by the
widow and two small children, a
laughter and son: also by brother,
Walter WOLF, Libby postmaster. The
,ntire community was shocked to, hear
# the tragedy and extend sympathy
o the sorrowing relatives.
This Is the second auto tragedy in
ess than four months to take the lives
II Libby people, Mrs W. r. KieniH
lavinR been killed In North Dakota on
Nay o.