James Edward Turner
Jan. 2, 1927-Dec. 5, 1935
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, December 5, 1935, page 1, col. 8, cont. page 2, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
CHILD PLAYING TAG KILLED BY TRUCK
Lad of 9 Years Victim of Fall On Main Bridge
2 Playmates See Jimmie Turner Fatally Hurt
Stumbles Over Steel Guard Rail on Walk
Driver Carries Dying Boy to Hospital
Apparently stumbling over the steel guard rail on the Main street bridge as he played tag while homeward bound with two companions, Jimmie Edward Turner, eight years old , who lived with Mrs. Ray Taylor, 361 West Main street, was fatally injured at 5:44 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, when run over by a truck driven by Carol Fraser of Benton Harbor.
The child's death, which occurred at 1:44 o'clock this morning, was the 36th motor fatality in Berrien County since Jan. 1.
The boy, who physicians said sustained a ruptured kidney, retained consciousness until the end. Death was due to internal hemorrhages.
The youth's father, Clarence Turner, a Michigan Central railroad employe, of Oak and Main, was called immediately to the hospital
Driver Released
Fraser, after questioning by police, was permitted to resume his work. No charges were filed against him. Police chief L.O. Bates said he plans to confer with Coroner Louis Kerlikowske, but it was not considered likely an inquest will be ordered.
According to the story given to police, Fraser, employed by the Michigan Tri-state Motor Co., of Benton Harbor, was driving a partially loaded semi-trailer west over th bridge at the time.
He said he notice d the Turner boy and his companions—two sons of Mr. and Mrs. David Grice, 45 North State street, walking along the north side of the bridge near the center of the span.
The driver asserted he had no thought of tragedy until he felt a jot as the trailer wheels passed over the boy. He had apparently fallen against the side of th trailer, and been thrown under the rear wheels.
Finds Dying Victim
Fraser, without looking back, continued over the bridge, parking the truck on St. Joseph avenue, out of the path of other cars. He rushed back onto the bridge, and finding the Grice boys standing horror-stricken near the victim, Fraser picked the injured youth from the road, and carried him on foot to Pawating hospital.
The boy, a third-grade student at the Fourth ward school, was born in Niles, Jan. 2, 1927, and had lived here all his life. Survivors, beside the parents, include a sister, Elizabeth Ann Turner; a step-sister, Joan Taylor; his grandmother, Mrs. Ethel Alm, Bertrand, and his great-grandmother, Mrs. Jennie [illegible]. . Member of the Sunday school of the First Evangelical church.
The funeral will be held at the Rutherford-Phillips mortuary at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, with Rev. A.R. Kuehn, of the Evangelical church officiating. Bureail will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
The body may be viewed at the chapel.
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, December 7, 1935, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Niles News In Brief: TURNER RITES TODAY
James Edward Turner, eight-year-old child who died early Friday morning after an accident in which he was crushed under the wheels fo a truck, was buried in Silverbrook cemetery this afternoon. Services were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Rutherford-Phillips murtuary, the Rev. A. R. Kuehn, of the First Evangelical church officiating.