Owen Enterprise, December 15, 1938 Withee Man Killed by Car

A verdict of "unavoidable accident" was returned by a coroner's jury after hearing testimony at the inquest into the death of Nels Christian Jensen, 70, of Withee, who was accidently killed Sunday evening when struck by a car driven by Eugene Schafer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Al Schafer of this city.

Testimony of Schafer was to the effect that as he was driving south of County Trunk T, near the Danish church, Mr. Jensen emerged from the front of a parked car and started to cross the highway. Turning sharply to avoid striking him, Schafer was unable to entirely avoid hitting the aged pedestrian, who was struck by the right front fender and the right windshield upright of the car, and thrown to the side of the roadway.

Asked to explain his failure to stop his car until 360 feet from the accident, Schafer stated that after striking Mr. Jensen, the car headed for the road ditchway and traveled the entire distance with Schafer making every effort to get the car back onto the roadway.

He admitted that he made no effort to apply the brakes and bring the car to a more sudden stop, claiming to do so would have possible endangered the lives of his girl companion and himself.

Schafer's testimony was corroborated by that of Pearl Hansen of Withee, his companion and substantiated in part by the investigation made by member of the jury at the scene of the accident.

The inquest was held before Coroner P.C. Ludovic Monday afternoon in the Withee village hall, with District Attorney John M. Petersen conducting the inquiry. Members of the coroner's jury were Nels Stockholm, Vic Neilsen and Harry Thorson of Withee and K.M. Teideman, M.H. Williams and George Kron of Owen.

Nels Jensen Buried Wednesday at Withee

Funeral services were conducted yesterday afternoon, Dec. 14, from the Danish church at Withee, Rev. Jens A. Holst officiating. Interment was made in the Danish cemetery.

Friends and relatives of Mr. Jensen's were saddened when they learned of his sudden accidental death late Sunday evening.

Mr. Jensen was born in Denmark on Jan. 29, 1868 and after moving to this country settled north of Withee where he has made his home for the past number of years. He was 70 years of age at the time of his death. His passing is mourned by his widow and three daughters, Mrs. Herman Blunck, Mrs. Walter Blunck and Mrs. Peter Krarup, all of Withee, and a wide circle of friends.