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- [S292] newspaper: Potter Leader Enterprise-.
Reuben L Perkins (1) fact
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6th area fatal auto accident
The Potter Enterprise
Coudersport, Pennsylvania •
Wed, Oct 14, 1959 p1
CLIPPED BY
wetzupdoc • 13 May 2025
85TH YEAR-NO. 25
COUDERSPORT, PENNA.,
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14, 1959
• Two Oswayo Men Die In Area's Sixth Recent Fatal Auto Accident
Car in Which Two Oswayo Men Were Fatally Injured
Reuben Perkins and John Stearns died of injuries received in the crash of the car pictured above. Driver Byron Stedman is facing a manslaughier charge as a result of the double fatality.
-Enterprise Photo
Reuben Perkins Dies At Scene of Crash In Shinglehouse - John Stearns Expires En Route to Olean Hospital Operator of Death Car Faces Reckless Driving, Involuntary Manslaughter Charges.
Two Oswayo men became the seventh and eighth traffic fatalities in the area since Labor Day in an accident in Shinglehouse Borough about 8:00 o'clock last Saturday night. Dead Are:
Reuben L. Perkins, 36, who died at the scene of the tragedy.
John D. Stearns, 71, who expired en route to the Olean General Hospital.
Driver of the car was 26-year-old Byron W. Stedman, also of Oswayo. He reportedly was thrown from the 1953 model two-door sedan when it slammed into a utility pole on a curve in front of the Archie Bennett home in the outskirts of the borough. All three were riding in the front seat. The trio was leaving Shinglehouse, presumably en route to Oswayo.
Deputy coroner John Dec, of Coudersport, who investigated for the county coroner's office, said Mr. Perkins died about 8:15 of broken neck and fractured skull. "He also suffered a compound fracture of one knee, a dislocated hip and multiple lacerations.
Mr. Stearns died of shock and a broken neck, according Dr. William MacDuffie, of Olean, Cattaraugus County coroner. Other injuries included compound fractures of both legs and fractures of the right hand and shoulder.
[Obituaries for the two accident victims will be found elsewhere in this issue of the Enterprise.]
Steadman was treated in the Olean General Hospital for cuts and bruises and a few hours after the was discharged, admitted to the Potter County Memorial Hospital here Monday, however, with a possible skull fracture and broken ribs. He was brought here by' his father-in-law, Kenneth Hallock, Oswayo, after complaining Johnnot, feeling well, according to Chamberlin, Shinglehouse police officer.
Mr. Champerun, former county sheriff, who investigated the fatal crash, said the car was going at a high rate speed when it went into the curve. Its driver got it around the sharp part of the curve, but when the vehicle went off the highway onto the berm, it struck the pole, which was snapped off several feet above the ground. According to reports, the sedan was still in second gear when the accident occurred.
A wrecker was brought to the crash scene to pull the car away from the pole. Mr. Chamberlain said that a chain was hooked onto the right side of the car and that side of the body was literally torn away.
Part of Shinglehouse was without electric current for several hours until West Penn Power Co. trouble-shooters had made repairs. Firemen and Civil Defense personnel were at the accident scene to direct traffic and keep the road clear, it was reported.
At a hearing Sunday morning before Justice of the Peace Eric Allen, Stedman said he did not. .remember what had happened but added that he must have gone to sleep.
An information filed by officer Chainberun with Justice of the Peace Eric Allen, of Shinglehouse, Monday night, charged Stedman with reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter.
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Six other persons have died in area traffic accidents since the first of last month.
Lattin Jr., Coudersport, William and Walter Taubert,, were killed in a crash near Port Allegany Sept. 4. Miss Bonnie Elliott, 19-year-old Beaver Falls girl, died of injuries Sept 7, two days after a collision at Roulette. Richard Bacon, of Westfield, was fatally injured in a crash near Galeton on Sept. 28, and Alfred J. "Joe" Bunnell Jr., Coudersport youth, died Oct.
1 of injuries sustained in a one-car accident here Sept. 29. Saturday, Oct. 3, Leonard W. Bothell, of Penn Hills, Pa., died instantly in a motorcycle crack-up near Austin.
Commissioner Swift Patient In Veterans' Hospital
Maurice Swift, Potter County commissioner, entered Vet's Hospital last Wednesday, for observation." His address is: Ward eight, co Veterans Admin. Hospital, Bath, N. Y.
Antlerless Deer Licenses On Sale Here
Applications for 1959 antlerless deer licenses are now available at the office of Albert A. Schaub, county treasurer. The "doe" season will be for three days- Dec. 14-16.
Region II Camp Fire Director to Be Here
Miss Elma Stuckman, Region II director, will visit the Three Rivers Council, Camp Fire Girls, at Coudersport, next Tuesday.
For the past several years, Miss Stuckman has been associated with the field department on the national staff. Before becoming a member of the national staff, she was executive director of the Detroit, Mich. Council.
She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and holds a master of science degree in social administration from Western Reserve University, Cleveland. She will interview leaders and board and committee members of the Council during the day.
Trucks in Crash Hit Utility Pole
A truck driven by Carl Van Etten, 24, of Harrison Valley, cut off a utility pole at Burtville at 3:45 Monday afternoon, and for a time telephone service was interrupted. Mr. Van Etten left the roadway attempting to pass another truck as it was driving to the right to enter 00 N0 DA to make a delivery of mechandise.
The second vehicle was operaved by Don Stout, of Crookston, Minn. Police estimated the damage to the Van Etten truck at $50.
Miss Janice Haskins Honored At Bridal Shower
On Thursday, a bridal shower was given at the home of Mrs. Donald Milchuck in honor of Miss Janice Haskins. Hostesses were Mrs. Milchuck and the Misses Marian Pressler and Sharon Blow. Fourteen guests were present.
Gifts were displayed on a table over which was suspended an umbrella decorated and pink. Games were played, followed by a lunch.
Sportsmen's Organization to Discuss Pro and Cons of Stricter Control of Firearms
The question of whether or not the public is ready to accept stricter control of firearms will be the topic for discussion at next Monday night's meeting of the Black Forest Conservation Association, local sportsmen's organization. Called for 8:00 o'clock, the session will be held in the Lutheran Church, Allegany Ave., here, it has been announced by the Rev. Patrick Maier, pastor of the church and club president. three-part series of articles has been prepared by the Gallup Public* Opinion News Service, and it is this series which the sportsmen will discuss.
Questions to be considered are: 1. Should a police permit be required for the purchase of any kind of a gun including shotguns? Should a permit be required for the purchase of ammunition? 2. Should the use of firearms by persons under 18 years of age be forbidden, or, at least, sharply restricted? Should it be illegal to have a loaded weapon in the home? 3. Should it be illegal all except authorized personnelsuch as policemen-to have a pistol or revolver? How large an arsenal of rifles, shotguns and pistols is currently in the hands of private citizens? According to Arthur E. Cook, president of the American Institute of Public Opinion, reports of teen-age gang killings, "quickdraw" clubs, accidental shootings and the possession of guns by the wrong person "testify to the importance of this subject." The Rev. Mr. Maier urges all sportsmen throughout the county, as well as other interested persons, to attend the meeting to discuss this "very important subject." (The Enterprise will welcome any opinions on the subject, for publication).
Instruction For CD Police Starts Friday
All persons interested in Civil Defense are urged to attend the CD police classes which are to begin this Friday night at 8:00 o'clock.
Classes will be held in the hose rooms of the Coudersport Fire Department, it has been announced by Eugene Way, county CD chairman.
Big Newspaper For Little Town
The Enterprise is publishing three sections-20 pages this week to take care of the large demand for advertising space for the news of interest to Potter County people. This is unusual for any country weekly, even one with a circulation of over 4,600 copies.
Exchange Club Hears Reports, Plans Events
At a regular meeting of the Coudersport Exchange Club Monday night at Hilda's Restaurant, further plans were made for the window painting contest during Halloween. A motion was passed to sell fruit cakes during the Christmas season again this year with proceeds to go to the Harrison Valley Children's homembers heard a report on the memorial placque to be placed on a fireplace in Mitchell Park in memory of deceased Exchange members, and another report on the seeding of the Little League Field to take place soon. In the offing is a joint meeting with the Bradford, Port Allegany and Olean Clubs, the date to be announced later.
Meetings of United Presbyterian Groups
The Loyal Daughters of the Presbyterian Church will meet Wednesday night at 8:00 o'clock at the home of Mrs. Harold H. Bradley. Assisting the hostess will be
Mrs Thomas Shear,
and Mrs. Gerald Towner is in charge of devotions.
On Thursday Presbyterian Women will attend a district meeting of Northumberland Presbyterial in Lawrenceville.
Mrs. Joseph Heimel is in charge of transportation. Friday night the planning committee of the Presbyterian Church will meet at the church.
SHG Holds Meeting At Methodist Church
The Society of the Hall in the Grove meeting and dinner was held at Park Methodist Church last evening at 6:00 o'clock. A delicious dinner was served to 31 members and guests. Tables were decorated in keeping with the fall season. Greetings were extended by the president, Mrs. Gertrude Clark. of the year's program was given by Mrs. Mildred Easton. The program includes the study of Alaska, Hawaii and the strategic countries of the Far East.
Blue Bird Group Meets At Methodist Church
The Sunflower Blue Birds met Tuesday at Park Methodist Church. After roll call, the Blue Bird Wish was said. Invitations for a birthday tea and waxed leaves were made for scrapbooks.
Benefit Affair Completed,
Chairman Scouts Receive Promotions, Awards At Meeting
At a meeting Monday night of the Boy Scout Troop 31 committee in the Presbyterian Church, Dick Neefe passed requirements for first class and Bob Mosher and Barney Neefe passed tenderfoot requirements. Receiving standard camping awards were Calvin and Spencer Kuratomi, Dick Neefe, Chris Heimel, Ernest Mosch Jr., and Jim Lewis. To qualify for this award, it is necessary to camp out for 10 nights. Boys who will receive the award after a few more nights of camping are Ralph Lewis, Ed Burkey, John Leete and Bob Mosher.
Chilson Family Returns From Two-Year Duty in Turkey
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd O. Chilson left Monday night for New York City, where they will meet their son, S Sgt. Don Chilson, Mrs. Chilson and their two children, who for the past two years have been stationed in Turkey. Sergeant Chilson and his family will spend about four weeks here before going to their next base in New York State.
Crippled Children's Society Meeting Postponed The annual meeting of the Potter County Crippled Children's Society, scheduled for Oct. 22, has been postponed because of the annual hospital dinner. The meeting will be held Thursday, Oct. 29.
Reports- Grove City College Student Home For Weekend
Roy Heimel Jr., his home here, spent the week
The son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Heimel, Roy is a freshman in the electrical engineering department at Grove City College.
County Health Center Office Is Moved
The office of the Potter County Health Center has been moved from 309 N. Main St. to 34 E. Second Street, Coudersport, in the Stephens Block, across from the courthouse.
Arrangements For Annual Hospital Dinner Next Thursday
Arrangements for the annual | dinner next Thursday at 6:30, for the benefit of the Potter County Memorial Hospital, have been completed, according to Mrs. Eugene Erway, general chairman.
As usual, the dinner and the one entertainment program to follow. will take place at the Coudersport Consistory. Dinner tickets, including the entertainment program, are on sale throughout the county, with members of the Ladies' Auxiliary and the public relations committee handling the distribution. They will also be on sale at the door. The auxiliary urges all well-wishers of the hospital to attend the dinner and assure its success toward maintaining "one of our most important institutions."
The importance of the hospital to this community is vividly indicated by two letters recently received at the hospital.
Herbert Klug, of Aspinwall, Pa., hospitalized for some days by a serious accident, wrote on Sept. 5:
"It pleases me greatly to enclose check in the amount of $- in full settlement of the balance due you for my recent hospitalization. As an agent of the Hartford Accident and Indemnity Co., it has my pleasure to expedite this settlement, for the consideration shown me by all members of your organization. The contrast between Coudersport and Pittsburgh hospital treatment is remarkable, from the moment of ones admission as a patient, to the manner of presentation of the bill upon discharge. My stay in the Potter County Memorial Hospital, while not "pleasant" in the literal sense, was made much easier by the devoted care of your nurses. Although I was a stranger to your community, I found that the quality of my care was no less than that accorded your local people.
It would have been so easy and natural to direct nursing care to the friends and relatives who obviously constitute most of your patients. Although I didn't know any of my nurses well, I thank them sincerely, collectively and individually, for the dedicated care they administered to me."
The other characteristic letter, addressed to Dr. Herman Mosch, on Sept. 14, is from the Rev. Ward Elliott, of Beaver Falls, Pa., who writes: "We laid away our little Bonnie, Friday. It was a dark day and in spite of our faith we find it most difficult to reconcile ourselves to such a great loss. Death raises so many of the fundamental problems. people envolve themselves variety of speculation in which | time like this is no comfort. 'Death is a horizon and a horizon is but the limit of our sight.' We look at the horizon by faith and pray that God will enfold our loneliness in the comfort of his everlasting arms. "The continuance of personality is our Christian belief; we accept it.
There is a mystery, of course, beyond our comprehension and the earth seems to be flooded with mystery, but Mrs. Elliott and I and our two remaining girls shall entrust the mystery of death to that same supreme mind to which we are content to leave the fairer, but equal mysteries birth and life. "The purpose of this letter is not to pour out our grief, but to express our deep sense of gratitude for the service you have rendered. No one could have done more. She (our Bonnie) was in good hands--the best, we are satisfied.
True, the autopsy confirmed the extent of her injuries, nevertheless we are satisfied you did everything that could be done to save her life. "Express for us to the hospital staff our deep gratitude for all that was done to save our little Bonnie. and for the comfort and warm per-| sonal touch characteristic with the Potter County Memorial Hospitalthe like of it I have never seen before. May the Lord bless the Angels of Mercy as they go up and down the corridors smoothing the ruffled brow of pain."
Pittsburgh Columnist to Do Article On Sewage Situation
Bill White, columnist for the Pittsburgh Press, was in Coudersport Monday. He spent some time in the Enterprise office, where he was gathering information for an article of Coudersport's proposed sewage disposal system. The article will appear soon in the Press and will be reprinted in the Enterprise. Officers to Be Installed In Local 100F Lodge Officers will be installed in the Coudersport Odd Fellows Lodge next Tuesday night by District Deputy Richard Becker and his staff, of Shinglehouse, Odd Fellows from all over this area are expected to attend the meeting as the occasion will also be visitation night..
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At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.
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Abt 1892 - 1959 (67 years)
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