Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1920 — HAD REAL FISHERMAN’S LUCK [ARTICLE]

HAD REAL FISHERMAN’S LUCK

Sheriff Woodworth and Party Came Near Disaster at Start. SherifT Woodworth, George E. Collins, Charles Morlan, W. A. McCurtain, Willis Lutz and Ed Ranton returned Thursday evening from their fishing trip to northern Michigan. They had a very good time, even though they got a bad start, for while they left here about 10 days ago at 3 o’clock in the morning in order to make a good, long drive the first day, Charles Morlan’s car going into the ditch and turning over a few miles this side of Crown Point delayed them a whole day' at the latter place while repairs were being made. Though meager reports of this accident had reached Rensselaer the same day it occurred, to avoid worry of their families it had been kept very quiet. ~ It seems that, Willis Lutz, who was taking the lead in his Ford car, accompanied by Woodworth, McCurtain and Ranton, was quite a little distance ahead of the Morlan Overland car, which Mr. Morlan was driving, accompanied by George Collins and carrying the commissariat and camping outfit. It was scarcely daylight yet, and Mr. Morlan had not had a great deal of experience in driving a car. In going down a hill, near the foot of which was some loose |)bone or gravel, he lost control of the car and it went down an embankment of 10 feet, turning over and landing against a telephone pole, which probably saved the occupants from more serious if not fatal injuries. The front axle of the car was broken and one side mashed, with other minor damage. 1 *\ ’ The first car drove, on into Crown Point and, after waiting some time for Morlan amj Collins, the party became alarmed and drove back to look for them. They found the car in the ditch with Mr. Morlan standing near by but there was no sign of Collins, and they feared the worst. However, It seems George was the least hurt of the two —Mr. Morlan having received some slight cuts and bruises—and had gone to - a farmhouse to telephone to Crown Point and halt the advance party there. Assistance was secured from a garage at Crown Point and the car was taken there for repairs. Next .morning they proceeded on their way again, McCurtain at the wheel of the car, but the accident had thrown a sort of dampness over the entire party and the trip was not enjoyed as much as it otherwise would havfe been.