Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1917 — MISS NILE BRITT IS INJURED [ARTICLE]

MISS NILE BRITT IS INJURED

When Two Fords Came Together Tuesday Evening. Two Ford autos, driven by Nehemiah Hopkins and James Britt, crashed together at the corner of McKinley avenue and Angelica street shortly before 7 o’clock Tuesday evening, and Miss Nile Britt, daughter of the latter, who was riding with her father, was thrown into the windshield and severely cut about the face and neck. But for timely assistance she might have bled to death. The accident happened just at dusk, and was no doubt due to the fact that both drivers became temporarily confused. Mr. Hopkins was driving east on Angelica street and Mr. Britt and daughter were driving north on McKinley avenue, and upon reaching the intersection at Angelica street turned west. They -had hardly more than made the turn until the two. machines came together with terrific force. Mr. Britt states that he had left the court house square at about 6:30 p. m. and drove to the home of T. M. Callahan, where he talked w : ith the latter for a fevf moments. He then started home and as he turned north on McKinley avenue at the Forsythe corner he remembered having left their cream can behind and thought he would turn west on Angelica street and come back and get it. It was reported that neither machine' had their lights turned on, but this is erroneous, as both cars were lighted. As Mr. Britt turned the corner he saw the other car but states that he thought it was going to turn north toward the depot consequently he was perhaps further to the left than he should otherwise have been. The Hopkins car then turned slightly to the right and Mr. Br;itt endeavored to do likewise but was unable to get out far enough to avoid the collision. Miss Britt was thrown into the windshield which broke from the impact, and her throat and face was horribly cut and mangled. Mr. Britt and Mr. Hopkins were both injured slightly. The noise of the collision brought many people to the scene of the accident from the nearby residences. Among the first of these were Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Cornwell, who assisted Miss Britt but of the wrecked car and to a rocking chair in their front

yard. A plhyisician was hurriedly called by Mrs. Cornwell, who then sought to stop the rapid (low of blood, which covered the young lady’s clothing as w’fell as over a portion of the auto and a large pool on the lawn. Dr. Washburn arrived about this time and Miss Britt was placed on a cot and taken to the hospital. She was yet conscious but was vividly affected by the great loss of blood. The bleeding was quickly stopped after reaching the hospital. The Carotid artery had been severed and it was necessary to clamp this in order to stop the flow of blood. Miss Britt’s condition is as well .as could be expected, considering the seriousness of her injuries, and her ultimate recovery is hopeful. She had a very bad night. Thursday night, being restless and in considerable pain, but yesterday noon was reported to be resting much easier. Mr. Hopkins suffered sprains in his back s and limbs but is able to be about. Mr. Britt was also bruised and sprained about the chest and one knee, and the latter is causing considerable trouble and pain. Both autos were damaged to a considerable extent and both quite similarly. The left front wheel, the left fender, left lights, radiator, wind shield and steering gear on both cars were ruined, and both cars must have been traveling quite rapidly if the damage done is any criterion.