Wright - Harley
Source: Crawfordsville Review Aug 10, 1911 p 1
Colliding with a plumber's wagon after he had narrowly escaped being hit by a southbound Northwestern avenue car and had avoided an automovile, Harley Wright, 27 years old, son of James Wright, one mile east of New Market, a motorcyclist, was killed Wednesday afternoon on Thirtieth street near Clifton Avenue, Indianapolis. Wright was struck in the chest by one of the wagon shafts an dhis lungs were pierced. He died from the injury a few minutes afterward without regaining consciousness.
Ford Penn, Wright's companion, also of New Market said that Wright and he were ontheir way home from Indianapolis by way f Greencastle when the accident occurred. They were riding west of 30th street at a rapid speed, witnesses say, and did not slow down for the crossing. Approaching Clifton Avenue, it is said the riders noticed the approach of a southbound car, which was bearing down upon them and increased their speed in an effort to cross the tracks in front of it.
Penn arrived at the car tracks in the lead anc rossed in safety. Wright, following closely behind him, missed the car only a few feet and, dodging an automobile, which had been left standing at the curb on the south side of 30th street, dashed toward a plumber's wagon driven by JK Schobey 1315 West 30th Street. Unable to direct the motorcycle around the wagon, which was only a few feet in front of him, Wright seemed to lose control of his machine and ran into the wagon shaft. He was picked up in an unconscious condition by MH Harvey, 916 Eugene St, who was stanidng near by when the accidneet occurred.
Penn, looking over his shoulder, saw the accident and stopped his machine to return where Wright lay. When told that Wright was fatally injured, he collapsed and required medical attention.
Mr. Harvey carried Wright to the lawn in front of the office of Dr. LE Strong, 1102 W 30th St and summoned Dr. Strong and Dr. HC Gimmel, 3006 Clifton Ave. The police emergency machine in charge of Lt. Leet hastened to the place, and Mounted policeman Conn arrived shortly after the accident. THe Drs. tried to revive the young man but he lived only about 10 minutes.
Penn, whno was in a serious condition because of the nervous shock was taken into a nearby office where he was attended by the physicians. Stimulants were necessary to revive him sufficiently to be taken to police headquarters to be questioned.
He said that he could not explain the mishap, as he believed there was sufficient space between the automobile at the curb and the approaching wagon to have avoided the accident. He said that he believe din the excitement of the situation, Wright lost control of the machine.
Several times, while he talked to the police, Penn broke down and wept. He told the police that he had been accustomed to take long rideswith Wright, and that they had been friends for a number of years. He said they had left home Wednesday morning and expected to return to New Market late last night. Penn left police headquarters with an acquaintance about 6 o'clock with the expectation of departing from Indianapolis as soon as possible.
The body of the dead man was taken to the city morgue in the city dispensary ambulance, where it was turned over later to an undertaker. James Wright, the father of the young man, was notified by telephone and prepared to come to Indianapolis immediately. The body will be returned to New Market for burial. The young man is survived by his parents, two brothers and a sister. - kbz