Thursday, November 4, 2010

1916 Automobile Accident

In the early 1900s, automobiles were not part of the normal day lives of the people of Fowlerville -- or for that matter, anywhere in the United States. The sights and sounds of a car were foreign to most residents. I have a feeling, for that very reason, sometimes a pedestrian would step off the sidewalk into an on-coming car, fully unaware of what was happening. If it had been a horse and carriage, the snort of the horse and the clippity-clop of the hooves on the cobblestone would have forewarned of an approaching vehicle.

So to that extent, numerous articles were found in The Fowlerville Review newspaper, such as following . . .


Struck By Auto and Leg Broken~~While crossing the street at the corner of Grand River and Grand Avenue on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. Bert Armstrong and daughter were struck by an auto owned by Dr. A.C. Spencer and driven by Otto Daniels. Mrs. Armstrong was knocked down and the auto passing over her bruised her head quite badly and broke her leg just above the ankle. The daughter was also knocked down, but very fortunately escaped very little injury. Mr. Armstrong was also with the ladies as they were crossing the street.

The ladies were taken in the auto to the office of Dr. J.A. McGarvah where the bruises were dressed and the fracture reduced and were then taken home by F.G. Rounsville in his auto.

Mr. Daniels often assists Dr. Spencer in some of his work and had been driving the auto most of the day. They were just leaving the store and were yet in low speed when the accident occurred and consequently were driving slowly.

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