His machine was badly damaged

[mike6024]

I was searching through the newspaper archives looking for information on my father when instead I came across this story about my uncle.

 

Healdsburg Tribune

 

June 22, 1926

 

Robert Hilber of Windsor, driv’ng south on the highway in his Ford
car, struck the car of May O. Fountain at the intersection of the road
along side a garage in old Windsor Monday night at 7:30. Hilber was
traveling at such speed that his car, after having a wheel collapse
with the impact, ran across the highway, struck a telephone pole and
broke it off. His machine was badly damaged. Nobody was injured.
 

[Spinneyhill]

It is amazing "nobody was injured"! The speed can't have been much by today's standards.

[mike6024]

Might have been an example of an early dui. My dad had a few of those. And telephone poles and trees were always potential targets, but thankfully most common was just going into the ditch.

[Frantz]

We've found two family members killed by trains in rail yards (aka slow speeds) at different times in Johnstown Pa... Neither was on the clock,  so I sort presume they were pretty drunk. It's interesting what you find reading old newspapers, sorta makes you wish modern journalism had more local interest articles about people.

[Guest]

Yes more local interest and less interpretation.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

8 hours ago, Frantz said:

We've found two family members killed by trains in rail yards (aka slow speeds) at different times in Johnstown Pa... Neither was on the clock,  so I sort presume they were pretty drunk. It's interesting what you find reading old newspapers, sorta makes you wish modern journalism had more local interest articles about people.

Riding the rails, Maybe?

[Frantz]

Maybe but doubtful. Family had been in Johnstown for awhile and stayed through my mom's generation. The newspaper actually talked more about their condition after the accident than what lead to it or how the public should be more careful or anything like that.

[padgett]

Rare occurrence now, not many trains left and more protective devices. Still some manage.

Edited December 20, 2017 by padgett (see edit history)

[wayne sheldon]

First, Thank you  for sharing this tidbit. These touches of history help to make history more personal, and more real.

Next. 

As an antique automobile nut, and staunch advocate for driving on hundred year old wooden spoke wheels, I found this one comment very interesting. " after having a wheel collapse
with the impact, ".  I often get into discussions of wooden spoke wheels, and mention that they are much stronger, and more resilient, than most people think. They were not the predominant type of wheel on this continent for thirty years only because "they didn't know any better back then".

I also often make a comment that wooden wheels rarely break except in the event of an impact or collision. They often break as a result of an accident, but rarely break and cause an accident.

I think people understood that in 1926.

 

Of course, also, the condition of a hundred year old wheel IS important. But good wheels should be driven and enjoyed.

That is my opinion.

[C Carl]

I learned back in 1962 that hopping freights and alcohol don't mix. I was doing a corner (South Florida) , to corner (Western Washington) hitch hiking adventure. I had just turned 18 , and my ride took me to La Crosse , Wisconsin. Well , great opportunity to do some LEGAL (at the time) beer drinking. I had been toying with the idea of riding the rails. As the guys in the tav. advised me on technique , and yard bulls , I consumed beer. Yeah , I was having a good legal time. At the point I decided to move on , the men realized my condition. They made it very clear that my plans would be extremely dangerous for a first timer to try sober , prohibitive in my condition. They were emphatic , and made sure I made it to the Mississippi River Bridge. Got picked up by a drunk in a '51 or '52 Stude who had 500 miles yet to drive. I was in better shape than he was , so I drove all night while he passed out ! Wait a minute. Didn't I already write about this ? Anyway , I am glad the night worked out well , and that some caring Wisconsin beer drinkers set me straight ! 

         Sober , but tired ,     - Carl   (Think I'll go pass out. You drive.) 

[SC38dls]

I have a brother that worked for Commonwealth Edison in Illinois and then at San Diego power and light as a line man and Forman. He use to say when the guys were climbing the poles they use to worry about them breaking as most needed replacement due to rotting near the ground. That may have been a good thing for your uncle in this wreck. 

Dave S 

[Tim Wolfe]

I often hear people talking about my wood spoke wheels, kids are amazed by them, adults ask if they are real wood. People ask about driving 50 mph on wood spokes. Just think of the difference in the roads of today to the roads of 1920's and 30's.