Person:James Park (8)

Obituary State Journal Lansing, Ingham CO, MI May 27, 1918

TRUCK RUNNING IN CIRCLE PASSES MANY TIMES OVER OWNER'S BODY Run down by his own automobile after he had cranked it, J.F. Park, 60, a Reo employee living at 1712 Herbert St., sustained injuries from which he died Sunday night a few hours after the accident. The automobile, of the heavier Studebaker type, is thought to have passed over Park's body three times before the owner was discovered lying on the ground unconscious. Park had only recently purchased the machine and was not thoroughly acquainted with its operation. He had let the batteries run down and as the result was compelled to crank it by hand Sunday. Sunday afternoon Park drove to East Mt. Hope where a friend in the employ of the Reo company was at work on a war garden in which Park had an interest. Park delivered some articles. After talking a few minutes with h is friend, Park cranked his automobile and started home. With the whee ls at right angles with the body of the car, Park made the turn into the road and stalled his engine. While nobody saw the accident it is surmised that he forgot to put the gears into neutral before again attempting to start it, cranked the engine and the automobile knocked him down and passed over him. Crushed by the heavy weight Park is thought to have been rendered immediately unconscious. The automobile ran into a circle and must have passed over Park's prostrate body several times. The wheel tracks would indicate t his. When the friend working in the garden discovered that Park was on t he ground, he hurried to his assistance. Park was taken to his home and but partially regained consciousness before his death. Neither Mrs. Park n or other members of the family were able to get the story of the accident from him. The funeral will be held Wednesday at 3:30 at the Church of God chapel on South St.