| Notes |
- The Malone Farmer, Malone, New York, Wednesday, November 27th, 1929
Oliver Bessette Killed Instantly By Motor Truck
Was Loading Hay That Had Slipped From Load
When Accident Happened – No Negligence Shown
Oliver Bessette, 58 years of age, of 33 Spruce street, was instantly killed when struck by a heavy truck driven by M. Hyman Cohen of 83 Catherine street while reloading hay onto a wagon in front of the George Taylor residence on the Whippleville highway, a half mile south of this village, shortly before 6 o’clock last Thursday evening.
Dr. P.E. Stamstiades of Brushton, who examined the body at the request of Fred Pratt, coroner, said that death resulted from a fracture at the base of the skull, and a fracture of a vertebrae in the neck. The victim’s body was catapulted about fifteen feet when hit by the truck.
Cohen was uninjured although his machine crashed through guard rails on the west side of the road and the rear end settled down in Branch brook. The right front wheel was torn away.
According to George M. Wilson of Malone, who was with the victim at the time of the fatality, the former was engaged as teamster for Mrs. Peter Nephew to draw a load of hay from the Herbert Wood’s farm at Whippleville, to Adam McCaffery’s livery stable in Jane street. Mr. Bessette accompanied him.
As they arrived near Branch brook in front of the Taylor farm a portion of their load slid off. They stopped and Mr. Bessette climbed down to pitch the fallen hay back onto the rack. There were guard rails on either side of the road but several cars passed without difficulty. The victim was standing at the front of the rack when the truck, proceeding toward Malone, approached. Mr. Wilson said he did not see the truck hit Bessette but heard a scream, and saw the car swerve and crash through the guard rail. After he got down from the load Mr. Wilson observed the body of his helper lying in the center of the macadam.
Cohen said he was bringing twenty bushels of potatoes to Malone in his truck and he observed something white in the road and swerved out as he saw the load of hay. He said he didn’t know that he had hit Mr. Bessette until he had crawled out of his wrecked truck and saw the body lying in the road. Both Cohen and Wilson notified Troop B., state police.
Corporal Basil Post and Trooper T.J. Bergin investigated the accident. H.W. Main, district attorney, also visited the scene. Alfred Brooks removed the body to his undertaking parlors.
Following an inquest in the district attorney’s office Fred Pratt, coroner, announced that neither Cohen nor any other person was guilty of any criminal or culpable negligence in connection with Mr. Bessette’s death.
Witnesses who testified at the inquest included George M. Wilson, who was with the victim at the time of the tragedy; George Taylor, in front of whose residence the accident occurred; William Fayette, who resides at the Taylor residence; Corporal Post, who investigated the tragedy; and Dr. P.E. Stamatiades, who examined the victim’s body at the request of the coroner.
Mr. Fayette said he was seated in a window at the time of the accident and saw several cars pass the load of hay. He said they slowed up as they approached the load. He said he saw the truck approach but that it did not appear to slacken speed. He said as the truck reached the load he heard a scream and ran out with Mr. Taylor. He said he saw the body lying in the road.
There was no tail light on the wagon, testimony showed.
The victim spent his entire life in Malone and was well and favorably known to a wide circle of friends. He was employed at various times as a teamster.
Besides his wife, the former Georgina Martin, the victim leaves two sons, Lester of Cohoes;; and Francis of Malone; three daughters Mrs. Harold Hanna, Mrs. Floyd Benware, and Miss Lucille Bessette; and three sisters, Mrs. Zea Robare, Mrs. Delia Larocque and Mrs. W. B. Lee, all of Malone. Today is the thirty-first anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Bessette’s marriage. The united sympathy of the entire community is extended to the bereaved family.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
Abt 1873 - 1929 (56 years)