Lewis, Nadine Alyce 1917-1931 Hartwick Girl Killed in Car Wreck

Lewis, Nadine Alyce 1917-1931 Hartwick Girl Killed in Car Wreck

Hartwick Girl Is Killed in Wreck

Nadine Alyce Lewis Killed When Car

Plunges in Otego Creek; 4 Others Injured

Hartwick, Oct. 29---A 14 year-old girl was instantly killed and four other persons were injured last night at 8 o'clock when their light roadster skidded from the Main street highway and plunged over a 20-foot embankment into the Otego creek.

The victim of the ill-fated automobile ride was Miss Nadine Alyce Lewis, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. and Leah (Cummings) Lewis of this village. She received a crushed chest, fractured skull and a broken right arm.

George Dickenson of Hartwick, also a passenger in the car, was rushed to the Mary Imogene Bassett hosptal in Cooperstown, where he was given treatment by a doctor for a broken right collarbone, lacerations of the face and body, and a possible fracture on the left side of the jaw. His condition last night was considered good.

The other members of the party escaped with but slight cuts and bruises. They were: Lyle Baluch of Schuyler Lake, driver of the machine; Miss Helen Ainslie, and Miss Rowena Babcock, both of Hartwick.

The party was traveling west on Main street. As the car approached the Main street bridge a machine coming from the opposite direction forced Baluch to use his brakes. The machine skidded on the wet, slippery pavement and after turning backwards shot across the highway and over the 20-foot embankment into the Otego creek.

The crash and cries of the injured attracted Mr. and Mrs. James Ainslie from their home nearby. They rushed to the scene and with the help of others raised the car from the injured. Miss Lewis was found crushed beneath the car, and death was apparently instantaneous.

Dr. George E. Schoolcraft was summoned and he administered first aid to the other members of the party. Dr. Norman W. Getman, coroner of Otsego county, investigated the case, and stated that Miss Lewis died from the result of a fractured skull. He rendered a verdict of accidental death.

State Police Sergeant John L. Cunningham, stationed at the Cooperstown outpost of Sidney barracks, was detailed to the case. Investigation revealed that the girls were on their way to a social party when the accident occurred. They had previously been walking, but met the boys on the highway and were given a ride. Miss Lewis was sitting on the lap of one of her girl companions, and the others were crowded in the front seat of the car.

Word of the accident spread rapidly around the village, and many automobiles lined the highway near the scene of the fatality. The car was a complete wreck.

Nadine Alyce Lewis was born in Hartwick, June 19, 1917. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Sunday school class, and was a very faithful attendant. She attended the Hartwick High school, being president of the Freshman class.

Prayer services will be held from the home of her parents Saturday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock and funeral services will be held from the Methodist Episcopal church at 2 o'clock. Rev. George E. Youngs, of Chenango Bridge, assisted by Rev. George A. Roberts, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, will officiate. Burial will be in the family plot of the Fly Creek cemetery.

Surviving besides the parents are one sister, Miss Thelma Lewis, and her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. H. P. Cummings of Garrattsville. Several aunts, uncles and cousins also survive.