The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1943-07-08
M~anslaughter Charged
Following Auto Death
WFarmer at Opheim
ELMER J. HJELTER, So, is STRUCK BY
CAR ON ROAD NEAR HOME
IN ACCIDENT

Complaint charging manslaughter
was filed in district court Tuesday
morning against Mike Darchuck,
IS. section worker on the Ophein
branch, by Thomas Dignan, county
attorney, as the result of an acct
dent near Opheim Sunday night
when a car driven by Darchuck
struck and killed Elmer j. Hjelter,
SO, as he was walking from a
neighbours to his farm home.
Darchuck's bond was fixed at
$4,000 by Judge John Hurry.
Bond was provided for Darchuck
in district court this morning and
he was ordered released. Earlier
this morning, on the advice of a
physician, he was taken to the
Deaconess hospital to receive treat
ment for an eye injury suffered in
the accident when he was struck
by flying windshield glass. His ar
raignment was set for next We'd
nesday.
Hjelter had driven to the home
of ReSner Blikken to visit Sunday
evening. Returning, his car had run
out of gasoline and he continued
home on foot. He was struck while
Oll IllC -0lCAAldlld 4OdQ dOOoO
a mile and a half east of Opheim
and a quarter of a mile from his
own home.
Cra-hes Windshield
The impact of the blow, accord
ing to an investigation by Sheriff
E. L. Mcpherson and Coroner j.
A. Holland, bent the bumper of the
five-passenger coupe into a ""
Hielter's body was thrown up on the
hood and his head crashed through
the windshield. His body was then
whipped to the side of the car and
dropped off $50 feet from where it
was struck.
The Darchuck car continued for
more than 1000 feet out of con-
troll, finally running into the water
filled borrow pit and striking the
opposite bank, the officers said.
The county attorney said that III
voluntary statements received from
Eldon Bondy, 20, Richland, and
Paul Taussand. 25, -Four Buttes,
passengers in the car, both stated
that Darchuck was intoxicated.
They said they had met Darchuck
at Richland Sunday. They drove
to Opheim that afternoon and set
out for a dance at Glentana be-
tween 10 and II Sunday night. Both
were released after making the
statements.
The car was not severely dam
aged. Both Darchuck and Bondy
suffered some face injuries from
flying glass.
No Inquest Planned
In view of the evidence, the
county attorney said, nc inquest will
be held. as he does not deem it
necessary.
Funeral services for Mr.. Hjelter
will be held in the Opheim Luther
an church at 2 Saturday afternoon.
The Rev. E. B. Hottie will officiate
and burial will be in Lawndale Gem
etery. The Holland chapel is in
charge.
P~ailbearers will be Olaf Eliason,
Emil Eliason, A. o. Hanson, Resner
Blikken, Lars Blikken and K. A.
Volden.
Mr.. Hjelter was born at Genoa,
Wis. Sept. %, 1889. He was married
to Ida Tranberg in Minneapolis,
Feb. II, 1920.
Came to State in 1910
He first came to Montana to
homestead in 1910 and had lived in
the Opheim community ever since
Besides the widow, he is sur
vived by eight children, Marie of
Minneapolis, Elaine of Chicago,
Harris of Camp Cooke, Calf, and
Glen, Odean, John, Ruth and Kar-
IN of Opheim. All the children will
be here for the funeral.
Also surviving are two brothers,
Die and Lyder of Viroqua, Wis, and
four sisters, Mrs. Eric Satire OF
and Mrs. Joe Deters, Mrs.
Jennie Johnson and Mrs. Carrie
Johnson of Viroqua. The three sis
.erS arrived from Viroqua Tuesday
Mrs. Hjelter's brothers, Pete and
Tranberg of Pennington,
also have come for the fun
raj.