Homer S. Pruden Sr.

PRUDEN

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 7/7/2014 at 13:59:11

JURY RETURNS VERDICT PRUDEN DEATH

After eight witnesses testified Monday night at an inquest into the death of Homer S. Pruden Sr., 71, Hotel Belmont, a coroner's jury returned an open verdict, substance of which was that he died at 7:25 a.m. June 14, in Mercy Hospital of injuries incurred at 3:45 a.m. June 13, at Third and Harrison Streets, where he was struck by an automobile driven by Thomas Fabricius, 23, 115 Division Street.

Fabricius is at liberty on bond of $1,000 pending his appearance in police court for reckless driving. Fabricius testified he drank three highballs about midnight. Policeman W. G. Schroeder, who took Fabricius to headquarters after the accident, said he showed effects of having been drinking, although, he added, he could not detect an odor of liquor on his breath. Fabricius said he ate lunch in the Colorado Cafe, accompanied three friends to Third and Scott streets where Fabricius roadster was parked, and was driving alone and east on Third street to pick up friends at the Colorado cafe when the accident occurred.

He said he did not see Pruden, a news dealer, until an instant before the right headlight struck him. Witnesses said Pruden's body was found about 25 feet east of the intersection. He had been walking south on the east side of Harrison street pushing a cart loaded with newspapers. Fabricius said he was driving about 25 miles an hour and that lights and brakes were good.

A. D. Brown, 307 West Sixth street; proprietor of the Boston Cafe, fixed the speed of Fabricius car at 40 to 45 miles an hour. He said he talked with Pruden only a few moments before he was run down. Brown was standing in front of his cafe and witnessed the accident.

Dr. D. H. Brown said acute peritonitis resulting from ruptured and severed intestines caused death. Other witnesses included Charles W. Yetts, 1009 Perry street, and Policemen John Morris, Harry Mass, and Roy Behr.

Source: The Davenport Democrat & Leader, 15 June 1937, pg. 9.

From the same newspaper quoted above, dated June 20, 1937 pg. 8:

DRIVER FINED IN AUTO DEATH WAS SPEEDING

Except that the defendant was speeding, the automobile accident in which Homer S. Pruden Sr., Hotel Belmont, was fatally injured a week ago today, was an accident, according to an announcement made late Friday afternoon by Magistrate John A. Hornby in police court after he heard evidence against Thomas Fabricius, 23, 115 Division street, driver of the death car, who was charged with reckless driving.

Fabricius was fined $50 and costs, but when he surrendered a portion of his operator's licence, he was released on payment of a fine of $25 and costs.

Testimony, which was similar to that offered at a coroner's inquest Tuesday night, indicated that Fabricius was driving 30 miles an hour as he went east on Third street, and at Harrison street his car hit Pruden who was crossing southward pushing a cart loaded with morning newspapers. Attorney Nathan Grant appeared for the defendant.

Note: These items were moved from the old obit board, which is why it's being included, even though it isn't an obit.