Obituaries: Donald Allbritton, 1935, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
**********************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
**********************************************


 




From: June 20, 1935 Winn Parish Enterprise

Donald Allbritton Killed By Auto This Afternoon

Accident Occurred While Youths Were Skating On Pavement In Front Of Dr. Wren's
Home

Donald Allbritton, 12 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Allbritton of
Winnfield was instantly killed this afternoon at about 3:30 when he was hit
by a V-8 Ford car as he and a number of other young boys were skating on the
pavement in front of Dr. F. C. Wren's home.  According to reports, the boys
had been swimming and as soon as they reached the highway they put on their
skates and began skating toward their home which is in front of Machen's
service station.

The car was driven by Buddy Reese Graham, 19 year old negro employee of Amos
Wills, owner of a pressing shop in the L. & A. quarters.  The car is the
property of Amos Wills.

Although the inquest had not been held, as the Enterprise goes to press, it
was reported that the accident was unavoidable as the youth darted out in
front of the car.  Other reports were that the car was on the wrong side of
the road.

Miss Margaret Wren and Floyd Wren brought the boy to the clinic.  The negro
driver stopped his car and offered to bring the body to town.  The negro then
went to the sheriff's office and was waiting for the inquest as the Enterprise
went to press.

The youth was knocked about thirty feet from the scene of the accident.  His
body was badly crushed, his neck, both legs, and arms being broken.

The youth's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Allbritton, are employees of The Shreveport
Journal, and were out on their newspaper route when the accident occurred. 
Besides the parents, he is survived by one brother, G. B. Allbritton, Jr., 14
years of age.

Funeral arrangements have not been made.


From: June 27, 1935 Winn Parish Enterprise

Involuntary Manslaughter Charged Graham

Will Be Held In Jail Until Next Grand Jury Session

Berreece Graham, 19 year old negro, who was driving the Ford V-8 Tudor Sedan,
which caused the death of Donald Allbritton, 12 year old son of Mr. and Mrs.
G. B. Allbritton, Thursday afternoon of last week, was arrested by Sheriff
Bryant Sholars on a charge of involuntary manslaughter by the coroner's jury,
which made an investigation of the accident that afternoon.  He will be held
in jail for investigation by the next grand jury.

The coroner's jury report stated that according to evidence presented to them
that Bereece Graham was guilty of careless and reckless driving and should be
held for investigation.

The coroner's jury was composed of Dr. J. F. Faith, coroner, L. F. Morrison,
J. R. Watts, Jr., M. M. Allen, J. R. Hall, and H. T. Willis.

The accident occurred Thursday afternoon, June 20 as Donald and two
companions, Maynard Shetley and A. B. Connor, Jr., were returning home from
swimming.  Donald was skating.  The children were in front of the home of Dr.
F. C. Wren when the car driven by Graham struck Donald, killing him almost
instantly and throwing his body about thirty feet.

Graham stopped and assisted in getting the dead youth in a car.  He then went
to the sheriff's office and reported the accident and waited for an
investigation.  The car was the property of Mandy Wills, wife of Amos Wills,
negro proprietor of a pressing shop in the L. & A. quarters.  In the car with
Graham was Mandy Wills and Bessie Black.