Orvill Mathias Killed Wednesday

This story was published by The Ypsilanti Record on Thursday, July 31, 1919.

Orville G. Mathias, aged 51 years, well known farmer, was instantly killed near Burrell switch, three miles east of Ypsilanti, Wednesday afternoon by an interurban car running east at a fast rate of speed. His body was hurried 60 feet in the air across the cement pavement that runs near his home, and was picked up by neighbors who saw the accident. The deceased was getting ready to thresh and had hitched up his team of horses to the wagon to come to Ypsilanti to get coal and groceries. He saw the car just as it rounded the curve, which is obstructed by a grape vine. He stood up in the wagon and started up the horses, but the car struck the wagon and broke it to pieces. The team of horses escaped with a few scratches. His wife, who was near the barn, heard the car whistle and warned her husband by screaming as loud as she could, but he failed to hear her in time. She exonerated the motorman from all blame, stating that he had whistled before he came to the curve. The wagon was thrown 100 feet down the track and the car ran approximately 80 rods before it was stopped. Deputy Sheriff Dick Elliott happened to be on the car and took charge of the body and notified the coroner. The deceased is survived by his wife.

Homer Willetts, motorman, and Dan McHargey had charge of the car.