The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1938-08-15
POLICE HERO DIES AS CAR
CRASHES AGAINST TREE
Loss of Control
Laid to Heart
Disease

Another fatal traffic accident
today boosted the District toll
when Robert T. Talbert, 5S-year.
old retired policeman, lost con-
troll Of his automobile and it
crashed into a nearby tree.
Talbert was driving west on
Quebec Place Northwest, near its
intersection with Georgia Avenue,
when he apparently suffered a
heart attack. He was retired from
the police department last Novem-
Der for heart disease.
An autopsy will be held tomor-
row to determine the effect of
these severe head cut he suf-
fered when his aut o mobile
crashed.
SHOT BY KILLER
The officer joined the Police
Department in 1905 and was many
times cited for meritoriuS service.
In September, 1885, he was shot
while arresting Charles Kelsey, a
printer, who had slain Miss Virgie
Lyttle. He maintained his arrest,
however, and for the feat was
awarded the Silver Medal for
bravery. Kelsey is serving a life
sentence for the murder.
Minor accidents in Washington
and the nearby area caused in
juries to II persons. None was
believed critically hurt.
The Traffic Safety Committee,
headed by Brig. Gen. Albert l..
Cox, commanding officer of the
District National Guard, planned
to meet at $3.50 p. m. in the Ma
tional Guard Armory. Sixth Street
and Pennsylvania Avenue North.
west, to organize and to draft a
program.
1--WE will stay in session."
General Cox said, until a pro-
gram is drawn up. You can't
do anything without a program
as a foundation.
The committee was formed to
find a means OF combating condi.
tons that have caused the deaths
of nine chiliren in traffic acct.
dents since June /. A number of
school Fairgrounds have been
opened with WPA supervisors in
charge, but about 80 remain
closed. Possible opening Of more
Fairgrounds. Commissioner Mel.
win c. HAGEN said, must await &C.
ton of the Traffic Safety Commit
tee.
Among the members of the COM
mittee who Say they plan to pro.
pose programs at today's meet
ing are DR.. Thomas w. Gosling
acting superintendent of schools;
Washington I Cleveland, of the
American Automobile Association,
and George Keneipp of the Key.
stone Automobile Club.
AUTO OVERTURNS
Luther Brown, %, Hazel Brown,
80, and Donald McCliff, 80, all of
Bowie, Md, received head and leg
injuries when their car crashed
into another. reported by police
to have been stcien, on the defense
Highway near Buena Vista, Md,
yesterday. Occupants of the stolen
car fled. Thase injured were
brought to Casualty Hospital.
Four were hurt when their car
overturned at 1ompkinsville, Md.
and were likewise treated at Cas-
ualty. They were James M. Nc
Michele, of 1855 Thirty-fifth st
N. W.; William Trent, 80, Alberta
Moore, 20, aid Elizabeth Nc
Michele. all OF 78 P St., N. w.
George Cover. 20, of Groveton
Va, suffered leg fracture, when
his motorcycle struck a car near
Groveton. Lemuel H. A. Mitchell
Of GLIB S st N E. driver of the
car, and w. A. Belchor of the same
address suffered minor injuries
At Sunderland. Md, two men were
injured when two cars collided.
They were Joseph E. Ellis, 81, OF
912 Seventh st S. W., and Henry
Taylor of OwlngS, Md.