The Sullivan Review
Dushore, PA
October 26, 1972 (front page)

William R. Barth, of Dushore, R.D. 2 was found dead on Carpenter St., (Route 87), Dushore, and Saturday night, October 21, 1972, after he was struck by a car.
Because it is uncertain whether Mr. Barth was alive at the time of the accident, state and borough police are continuing an investigation. An autopsy was performed at Sayre.

Dushore Police reported Mr. Barth was lying on the highway in the southbound lane and was struck by a car operated by Mrs. Mary F. Cummiskey, of Binghamton, at 7:15 p.m. He was dragged 48 feet from the point of impact.

According to Sullivan Co. Coroner, Dr. T. J. Saul, death apparently came from a punctured heart caused by several fractured ribs. Mr. Barth was pronounced dead at the scene by Dr. Saul.

Earlier, Mr. Barth had been seen walking along the road, Route 220 and Route 87, but there were no witnesses who saw him lying on the road.

Mrs. Cummiskey, in a statement, told police she was driving south when she reached overt to adjust the car's heater. When she looked back on the road she saw what appeared to be a pile of clothing. She applied her brakes, but struck the object anyway. Marks on the road indicated the Cummiskey car had been braked 35 feet before the impact.

According to a report by Dushore Borough Police at 6:10 p.m. Saturday night a car driven by Leonard L. Hatch, Forksville, R.D, was stopped because the car was being operated in a manner suggesting the operator may have been under the influence of intoxicating beverages.
A passenger in the car was William R. Barth according to the report.

The driver was taken to the State police substation for a chemical test of his breath and Mr. Barth was instructed to stay in the Hatch vehicle, that he would be given a ride home shortly.

Mr. Barth stated he wanted to walk home.

An attendant at Sick's BP Station on South German St. was told that if Mr. Barth got out of the car, to have him phone the Sweeney Hotel for someone to come and get him.
Mr. Barth told the attendant he didn't want to use the phone; he got out of the car and started walking.
He walked about half a mile north on German St., Mill St. and Carpenter St. to the area of the McHenry Funeral Home where the accident occurred.

Three witnesses saw Mr. Barth walking between the Sick BP Station and the scene of the accident.

Two young boys on the sidewalk by the scene apparently saw the accident and ran to a nearby house for help. The boys have not been identified, but police believe they may be of help in determining details of the accident. They or their parents should contact the Dushore Police.

The Dushore ambulance and crew responded, as did the Dushore Fire Company. Their assistance was greatly appreciated by Dushore Borough and State Police.


The Sullivan Review
Dushore, PA
26 Oct 1972

William R. Barth, 75, Dushore, R.D. 2, whose death is reported elsewhere in this week's issue, was born in Cherry Township July 26, 1897, a son of Charles W. and Bertha Mae Yonkin Barth.

He had been a self-employed carpenter until his retirement about 10 years ago. He was a member of St. Basil's church and Loyalsock Post No. 996, American Legion.

Mr. Barth is survived by a daughter, Miss Mae Barth; a brother, Harry, of Pittsford, N.Y.; four sisters, Mrs. Mary Weed and Mrs. Cora Zaner, both of Dushore; Mrs. Alice Woychak of Elmira; Mrs. Dorothy Borick of Philadelphia.

Funeral services were held October 25 at the Tubach Funeral Home, Dushore, and at St. Basil's Church, Burial was in the church cemetery. A vigil service was held Tuesday night at 8 p.m.