Marshall County Newspaper Article
Kingston Man Killed When Struck By Car

Submitted by: Merlene Dawson leonamay@cowtown.net
==================================================================
USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
free information on the Internet, data may be used by
non-commercial entities, as long as this message 
remains on all copied material. These electronic 
pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
or for presentation by other persons or organizations.
The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb
Archives to store the file permanently for free access. 
Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
for purposes other than stated above must obtain the 
written consent of the file contributor.
===================================================================
Kingston Man Killed When Struck By Car
Youth To Be Tried For Manslaughter
November 1949
A 50 year old veteran of World War I became the state's 445th
traffic fatality late Friday evening while most Armistice Day
celebrations were drawing to a close over the nation.
Monroe P. Gorrell met instantaneous death when he stepped from
the curb of a Kingston intersection. He apparently didn't see
the oncoming car, and the driver of the car apparently didn't 
see him--until it was too late.

Body Mangled
The body was dragged 166 feet leaving it in a mangled condition.
The impact inflicted a fractured skull, compound fracture of the
left leg, internal injuries, six broken ribs and a right arm almost
torn from the socket.
Highway patrol investigator reported that McPherson was traveling 
west on U.S. Highway 70. Gorrell attempted to cross the highway
at the intersection of State Highway 70B when he was struck.
Time of the accident was placed at 7:45 p.m.

Lights Blinded Him
Young McPherson, the son of George W. McPherson, under sheriff of 
Bryan county told the patrolman that he didn't see Gorrell. He said
that lights from an approaching car blinded him.
Second degree manslaughter charges were filed against the Durant
youth by the county attorney's office, specifically charging him
with driving "at an excessive and hight rate of speed" when he
struck Gorrell.
A preliminary hearing was held before County Judge Geo. L Sneed
Wednesday morning. Witnesses called by the county testified that
McPherson was driving at an excessive speed at the time of the
mishap while a witness for the defendant denied that he was driving
at an excessive speed.
He was bound over for trial in the next session of district court 
and released after posting a $5,000 bond.

Rites Held Sunday
Funeral services for Gorrell were held Sunday afternoon in the
Kingston Methodist church. Dee Hinkly officiated.
Pallbearers were Jake Jones, J.B. Moore, Robin Moore, Bob Hawkins,
Orval Hobbs, Homer Wilkins, Robert Hawkins and Montie Blakley.
Burial was in the Kingston cemetery under the direction of the
Watts Funeral Home of Madill.
Gorrell was a lifelong resident of Kingston. He was a member of the
Methodist Church and the American Legion at the time of his death.
Survivors include 2 sisters, Mrs. A.E. Findley, Kingston, Mrs. L.L.
Brannan, Dallas, Texas, and one brother Thurston Gorrell, Oklahoma 
City.