Edwardsville, IL Auto Accident, Feb 1929

GIRL DIES FOLLOWING LEAP FROM MACHINE

An inquest will be held tonight at Alton into the death of Miss BESSIE MAY HENDERSON, 30 years old, of Alton, who died early yesterday at St. Joseph’s Hospital there of injuries suffered late Wednesday night when she leaped from an automobile in which she and Miss FLORA PIERCY, also of Alton, were being taken home from work by two men.

The two girls accepted the offer of FREEMAN GOODRICH and CLIFTON BROWN residents of Alton, to drive them home from the Illinois Glass Company, where they were employed, at 11 o’clock Wednesday night.

Miss HENDERSON died without regaining consciousness and according to the other occupants of the automobile, she leaped from the car just east of Alton on the Alton-St. Louis highway.

Miss PIERCY, GOODRICH and BROWN told authorities nothing was said or done after they got into the automobile to justify her jumping out. After Miss HENDERSON leaped out GOODRICH who was driving, stopped the automobile, picked up Miss HENDERSON and took her to St. Joseph’s hospital. She suffered a fractured skull.

Although GOODRICH and BROWN both of whom are 25 years old, insist there was no reason for her action, they are being held pending the inquest.

Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, IL 9 Feb 1929
__________________

Transcribed by June. Thanks June!