INSTANT DEATH COMES TO ROBERT FRANKLIN
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Aged Lincoln Resident Victim of Auto Accident on M-10 Saturday
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Robert Franklin of Lincoln, 70 years old, was instantly killed Saturday afternoon about four o'clock, when he was struck by a Hudson coach driven by George Rose of Saginaw. The accident occurred immediately south of the junction of M-72 and M-10 six miles west of Harrisville.
Mr. Franklin was driving north on M-10 in a buggy drawn by a spirited team. Behind him his grandson, Victor Ward, was coming on a load of hay. Seeing two cars approaching from the south and fearing the behavior of his team Mr. Franklin got out of the rig on the left side and drove them while walking along. The head car, driven by Fred Helfrecht of Saginaw, slowed down and spoke to Mr. Franklin and the second car attempted to pass between the car and the buggy. The left rear wheel of the buggy was smashed and Mr. Franklin was struck in such a way that both ankles were broken, his neck was broken and numerous other wounds inflicted about the head and upper part of his body.
The body was brought to Harrisville by Mr. Helfrecht and taken to Dr. Miller's office in the vain hope that the victim might not be dead. Coroner Carle was called and impaneled a jury, which after viewing the body adjourned until Wednesday afternoon. Rose was released on his personal bond to appear at the inquest.
Mr. Rose and Mr. Helfrecht were on their way from Saginaw to take their families home from Hubbard Lake, where they were vacationing at the Aust Backus resort. When the head car slowed down after passing the load of hay, Mr. Rose said he had not at that time seen the man and team, they being hidden from his sight by the hay. He was unprepared for the sudden slowing down of the car ahead and at this time he saw the horses and rig. The accident occurred when he turned out to avoid hitting the first car. His front fender and hub hit the buggy wheel and the car was swerved back and bumped the rear fender of the Helfrecht car.
Robert Franklin was born in Leeds township, Ontario, April 6, 1856, and on Nov. 15, 1880 he married Florence Fitzpatrick. In 1892 they came to Lincoln and have resided there ever since, Mr. Franklin following his trade of stone mason. Besides the widow there are four surviving children, two sons and two daughters--Mrs. Kelly Smith of Mikado, Mrs. Chas. Ward of Lincoln, Leonard Franklin of Lincoln and Clarence of Ionia.
Funeral services were held Tuesday from the Methodist church, Lincoln, of which the deceased had long been a member, Rev. Geo. Davey being in charge. Interment was made in the Lincoln cemetery.
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The inquest was held at the court room Wednesday afternoon before Coroner Carle and a jury composed of the following: S. C. Yockey, Wm. Waters, O. W. Reames, M. McLean, A. L. Noyes and Wilbur Burt.
Mr. Rose and Mr. Helfrecht were present, accompanied by their attorneys and a stenographer. Mr. Rose was represented by Attorney Frank A. Picard of Purcel and Picard while Attorney R. Braun of Brucker and Braun, Saginaw, appeared for Mr. Helfrecht. A third gentleman, a Mr. Peltier was said to represent an insurance company. Herman Dehnke represented the people in his official capacity as prosecuting attorney.
Quite a number of witnesses were heard, for the most part bearing out the story as above written.
The jury found that the accident was unavoidable.