"Pulaski, Oct. 13 -- William Wasson, 65, a farmer residing on the Salt road, about two miles
south of Pulaski, was instantly killed at 4 o'clock this afternoon when he was struck by an
automobile owned and driven by George C. Gildersleeve, a druggist of Syracuse.
"The accident accurred in the vicinity of the Advent Church at a point about three miles south
of this village. Mr. Wasson, who had been a resident of this town for many years, coming here
from Amboy, was driving his team. He was accompanied by his wife.
"They were on their way to the Wasson farm, a mile north of the scene of the accident. Mrs.
Wasson was seated in the rig, a milk wagon, her husband was standing at the side of the wagon.
"The Syracuse man was on his way from that city to Watertown, accompanied by Mrs. Gildersleeve
and the latter's mother, Mrs. Jennie Mellon of Watertown, who had been spending some time with
her daugther in Syracuse.
"As the Gildersleeve car neared the spot where the accident occurred another machine was
approaching from the north. In attempting to turn out the car of Mr. Gildersleeve skidded and
before he could control it the automobile crashed into the milk wagon, striking Mr. Wasson and
throwing Mrs. Wasson from the rig.
"One of the horses was so badly injured that it was found necessary to kill it a few minutes
after the collision. The car of Mr. Gildersleeve turned over in the ditch but the occupants
escaped with a severe shaking up. Mrs. Wasson was severely bruised but no bones were broken.
"The state highway was in poor condition, resulting from the heavy rain storm which prevailed
at intervals yesterday and today. It was stated this evening that an examination of the
Gildersleeve car showed that the brakes had failed to work when applied by the driver. His
machine was badly wrecked.
"Mr. and Mrs. Gildersleeve and Mrs. Mellon were taken to the Pulaski House and this evening
returned to Syracuse on the night train. Dr. Leroy F. Hollis of Lacona, coroner for the eastern
end of Oswego county was notified and directed the removal of the body of Mr. Wasson to the
undertaking rooms of Enos & Morton where an autopsy was performed by Dr. Fred L. Ritter of
Pulaski, coroner's physician.
"The autopsy showed a severe fracture of the skull extending from temple to temple, both legs
were fractured and other injuries suffered."
The Pulaski Democrat, in its report of the affair says:
Coroner Hollis commenced an inquest Monday morning. The people were represented by Assistant
District Attorney Don A. Colony; Mr. Gildersleeve was represented by Craig & Cummings, of
Syracuse and Mrs. Wasson was represented by A. T. Wilkinson, of Camden. The inquest will be
resumed next Monday.
The funeral was held from his late home Tuesday and the remains taken to Camden for burial.
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