The daughter of Adam Butcher and Frances "Jane" Tillet, Mary married Daniel Vorhees "Vora" Cox on 30 Sep 1891 in Monroe County, Indiana.
Mary was homemaker. For a time, Vora was an animal trainer with the Gentry Brothers Circus, which was co-founded and co-run by their son-in-law, Will Gentry. He later worked as a watchman.
Mary was a pedestrian crossing the street with her husband in Bloomington when she was struck, run over and killed by an automobile. She died due to ruptured internal organs.
At the time of her death, Mary was 67 years, 7 months and 21 days old.
She was survived by her husband, Vora; and by her daughter, Ollie.
Burial was on 12 Nov 1925.
Mary's husband, Vora, passed away in 1930.
Children: 1 daughter.
Mother of:
Ollie Butcher Gentry Henry
Mary's siblings:
William A. Butcher
Tillman Howard Butcher
Emma L. Butcher Vint Minton
Mary's half-sisters and half-brothers
from her father's first marriage:
Amanda Butcher Jeffries
Perry Oliver Butcher
Nancy Jane Butcher Swango Livingston Brown
Matthew Butcher
Mary's half-sister and half-brother
from her mother's first marriage:
Sarah Adaline Alexander Jacobs
James Samuel Alexander
----------
Excerpts from newspaper report:
WOMAN KILLED BY AUTO AT CITY HALL CORNER
MRS. D. V. COX IS THE VICTIM
WALKING HOME WITH HUSBAND ON SATURDAY NIGHT, THROWN IN FRONT OF ORA BENNETT CAR AND RUN OVER.
TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN A CONSCIOUS CONDITION BUT DIES IN SHORT TIME-THE FIFTH VICTIM ON WALNUT STREET
Bloomington had another terrible automobile accident Saturday night when Mrs. Mollie Cox, wife of Special Officer Cox of the First National Bank and mother of Mrs. J. W. Gentry, was struck and run down by an automobile while she was crossing the street at the city hall corner and was injured in such a manner as to cause death at the city hospital in thirty minutes. The fatal car was driven by Ora Bennett, a young quarryman of the Consolidated Neighborhood, who had three of his small children with him in the machine when the accident took place. Coroner William Reed is investigating the unfortunate accident and all the evidence which has been brought forward tends to show the accident was only one of those unfortunate affairs which often happens in which no one can be specifically blamed.
One particular feature of the accident is that Mrs. Cox was the fifth person to be killed recently on Walnut street, in or near Bloomington, all victims of automobiles and all accidents in which no blame was placed.
Special Officer Vora Cox and wife had been up town on a Saturday night shopping trip and were on their way home on 3rd street when the accident happened. As Mr. and Mrs. Cox crossed 4th street, going south on Walnut at the city hall corner, Mrs. Cox was a step or two in advance of her husband. Just then a car turned off Walnut street to 4th street, driven by Ora Bennett, and the right front fender struck Mrs. Cox, caught in her clothing, dragged her a few feet and threw her to the front. She fell on her back and both front and rear right hand wheels of the car passed over her body.
Mr. Cox, who has not been in good health for the last few weeks, had his hand on Mrs. Cox's arm as they started to cross the street, but he could not grab her in time to pull her back. He saw her thrown to the pavement and saw both wheels of the car pass over her body, and his calls brought immediate help.
Walter Allen, of the Allen undertaking firm, was at the north window of the Allen office when the accident happened, and saw it although he could not distinguish details. He heard the calls of Mr. Cox, ordered out the ambulance and ran to the scene. Officers from police headquarters, only a few feet away, also immediately ran out.
Mrs. Cox was picked up. She was cut about the face but was conscious, although somewhat dazed. She did not realize the seriousness of her injuries but complained of the cut on her face and inquired if her teeth had been damaged. To the men who ran to her assistance Mrs. Cox did not appear greatly injured and not one of them thought she would die.
But Mr. Cox, who had witnessed the entire accident, did realize the seriousness of what had happened.
"We must get her to the hospital at once," he told Mr. Allen. "I saw both the front and back wheels go over her body and I am sure she is badly hurt—am afraid she is hurt so she will die."
Mrs. Cox was placed in the ambulance and with her husband with her side was hurried to the hospital, while Dr. Frank Holland was called. Dr. Holland reached the hospital just behind the ambulance and examined Mrs. Cox as soon as she could be carried to a room. The Doctor felt her pulse weaken as he examined the patient and hurried to give heart stimulants. A brief examination brought the verdict that there was no hope, that Mrs. Cox was passing away. Her husband was called to her side and in a few minutes the end came.
Ora Bennett, driving the car which ran down Mrs. Cox, went into police headquarters and gave himself up as soon as she was started to the hospital in the ambulance. He had his little children with him when he walked into the chief's room—one of the children 3 years of age, a second 4 and the third older. He was terribly shaken by the accident, but convinced the police that he was not driving fast. Dr. Reed, the coroner, was called and after questioning him ordered that he be set at liberty pending a complete investigation.
Mr. Bennett said he was driving his Overland south on Walnut street and turned west at 4th street. He saw Mrs. Cox slightly in front of her husband, but did not have time to dodge when the fender struck her. It seemed to him that the fender caught Mrs. Cox's clothing and threw her in front of the machine. He could feel the wheels of the machine pass over her body and stopped the machine in a few feet. He said he was the father of four little children, worked at the Consolidated quarry and lived in a cottage on "Consolidated row." Neither the police or Coroner Reed are inclined to place any legal blame on Mr. Bennett and it can be forecast that the coroner's verdict will be to the effect that the accident was unavoidable.
________
Following the death of Mrs. Cox the body was taken to the Allen home where it remained Sunday. Efforts were at once made to get the news to the only daughter of Mrs. Cox, Mrs. J. W. Gentry, who is at Lemon City, a short distance from Miami, Fla., spending the winter. A telegram was sent Mr. Gentry at Lemon City, and also one to Robert Harris at Miami, asking him to immediately Mrs. Gentry in case the wire to her was delayed.
________
Mrs. Cox was 63 years of age and was a member of the Butcher family, well known Monroe county people and leaders in politics in their section of the county. Mrs. Cox was born and raised east of Bloomington in the Unionville neighborhood. By the older people she is remembered as a beautiful girl.
Mrs. Cox with her husband, lived on east 3rd street, and was in good health. Her husband had been more or less sick for the past few weeks and she was much worried about him, and much interested in getting him back to his normal health. Mr. Cox, who is the special officer at the First National bank, is shocked and much broken up over the tragedy. He has the sympathy of a large number of friends. Mr. Cox traveled with the Gentry show a number of years and had general charge of the animals. His present duties at the First National bank bring him in contact daily with many people and he is held in the highest regard by these people. The news of the tragedy was wired to Tib Cox, a brother of Mr. Cox, at Brownsburg, and a message was also sent to H. L. Butcher at Bloomington Grove, Texas, who replied that he could not come here for the funeral.
Mrs. Vora Cox was 63, and born and raised on the east side of the county, and was a faithful member of the 1st Christian church, and with Mr. Cox has made her home in Bloomington many years. Mrs. J. W. Gentry is the only child and the sisters are Mrs. Emma Vint, Mrs. Amanda Jeffries and Mrs. Nancy Livingston, and the brothers are T. H. Butcher, of Bloomington Grove, Texas; James Alexander, of Spencer, and Perry Butcher, of this county.
Details as to the funeral await the arrival of Mrs. J. W. Gentry from near Miami, Florida, and she is expected to arrive via the Monon tomorrow by midnight. Burial will be at Rose Hill.
(Bloomington Daily Telephone; 09 Nov 1925)
Mary was homemaker. For a time, Vora was an animal trainer with the Gentry Brothers Circus, which was co-founded and co-run by their son-in-law, Will Gentry. He later worked as a watchman.
Mary was a pedestrian crossing the street with her husband in Bloomington when she was struck, run over and killed by an automobile. She died due to ruptured internal organs.
At the time of her death, Mary was 67 years, 7 months and 21 days old.
She was survived by her husband, Vora; and by her daughter, Ollie.
Burial was on 12 Nov 1925.
Mary's husband, Vora, passed away in 1930.
Children: 1 daughter.
Mother of:
Ollie Butcher Gentry Henry
Mary's siblings:
William A. Butcher
Tillman Howard Butcher
Emma L. Butcher Vint Minton
Mary's half-sisters and half-brothers
from her father's first marriage:
Amanda Butcher Jeffries
Perry Oliver Butcher
Nancy Jane Butcher Swango Livingston Brown
Matthew Butcher
Mary's half-sister and half-brother
from her mother's first marriage:
Sarah Adaline Alexander Jacobs
James Samuel Alexander
----------
Excerpts from newspaper report:
WOMAN KILLED BY AUTO AT CITY HALL CORNER
MRS. D. V. COX IS THE VICTIM
WALKING HOME WITH HUSBAND ON SATURDAY NIGHT, THROWN IN FRONT OF ORA BENNETT CAR AND RUN OVER.
TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN A CONSCIOUS CONDITION BUT DIES IN SHORT TIME-THE FIFTH VICTIM ON WALNUT STREET
Bloomington had another terrible automobile accident Saturday night when Mrs. Mollie Cox, wife of Special Officer Cox of the First National Bank and mother of Mrs. J. W. Gentry, was struck and run down by an automobile while she was crossing the street at the city hall corner and was injured in such a manner as to cause death at the city hospital in thirty minutes. The fatal car was driven by Ora Bennett, a young quarryman of the Consolidated Neighborhood, who had three of his small children with him in the machine when the accident took place. Coroner William Reed is investigating the unfortunate accident and all the evidence which has been brought forward tends to show the accident was only one of those unfortunate affairs which often happens in which no one can be specifically blamed.
One particular feature of the accident is that Mrs. Cox was the fifth person to be killed recently on Walnut street, in or near Bloomington, all victims of automobiles and all accidents in which no blame was placed.
Special Officer Vora Cox and wife had been up town on a Saturday night shopping trip and were on their way home on 3rd street when the accident happened. As Mr. and Mrs. Cox crossed 4th street, going south on Walnut at the city hall corner, Mrs. Cox was a step or two in advance of her husband. Just then a car turned off Walnut street to 4th street, driven by Ora Bennett, and the right front fender struck Mrs. Cox, caught in her clothing, dragged her a few feet and threw her to the front. She fell on her back and both front and rear right hand wheels of the car passed over her body.
Mr. Cox, who has not been in good health for the last few weeks, had his hand on Mrs. Cox's arm as they started to cross the street, but he could not grab her in time to pull her back. He saw her thrown to the pavement and saw both wheels of the car pass over her body, and his calls brought immediate help.
Walter Allen, of the Allen undertaking firm, was at the north window of the Allen office when the accident happened, and saw it although he could not distinguish details. He heard the calls of Mr. Cox, ordered out the ambulance and ran to the scene. Officers from police headquarters, only a few feet away, also immediately ran out.
Mrs. Cox was picked up. She was cut about the face but was conscious, although somewhat dazed. She did not realize the seriousness of her injuries but complained of the cut on her face and inquired if her teeth had been damaged. To the men who ran to her assistance Mrs. Cox did not appear greatly injured and not one of them thought she would die.
But Mr. Cox, who had witnessed the entire accident, did realize the seriousness of what had happened.
"We must get her to the hospital at once," he told Mr. Allen. "I saw both the front and back wheels go over her body and I am sure she is badly hurt—am afraid she is hurt so she will die."
Mrs. Cox was placed in the ambulance and with her husband with her side was hurried to the hospital, while Dr. Frank Holland was called. Dr. Holland reached the hospital just behind the ambulance and examined Mrs. Cox as soon as she could be carried to a room. The Doctor felt her pulse weaken as he examined the patient and hurried to give heart stimulants. A brief examination brought the verdict that there was no hope, that Mrs. Cox was passing away. Her husband was called to her side and in a few minutes the end came.
Ora Bennett, driving the car which ran down Mrs. Cox, went into police headquarters and gave himself up as soon as she was started to the hospital in the ambulance. He had his little children with him when he walked into the chief's room—one of the children 3 years of age, a second 4 and the third older. He was terribly shaken by the accident, but convinced the police that he was not driving fast. Dr. Reed, the coroner, was called and after questioning him ordered that he be set at liberty pending a complete investigation.
Mr. Bennett said he was driving his Overland south on Walnut street and turned west at 4th street. He saw Mrs. Cox slightly in front of her husband, but did not have time to dodge when the fender struck her. It seemed to him that the fender caught Mrs. Cox's clothing and threw her in front of the machine. He could feel the wheels of the machine pass over her body and stopped the machine in a few feet. He said he was the father of four little children, worked at the Consolidated quarry and lived in a cottage on "Consolidated row." Neither the police or Coroner Reed are inclined to place any legal blame on Mr. Bennett and it can be forecast that the coroner's verdict will be to the effect that the accident was unavoidable.
________
Following the death of Mrs. Cox the body was taken to the Allen home where it remained Sunday. Efforts were at once made to get the news to the only daughter of Mrs. Cox, Mrs. J. W. Gentry, who is at Lemon City, a short distance from Miami, Fla., spending the winter. A telegram was sent Mr. Gentry at Lemon City, and also one to Robert Harris at Miami, asking him to immediately Mrs. Gentry in case the wire to her was delayed.
________
Mrs. Cox was 63 years of age and was a member of the Butcher family, well known Monroe county people and leaders in politics in their section of the county. Mrs. Cox was born and raised east of Bloomington in the Unionville neighborhood. By the older people she is remembered as a beautiful girl.
Mrs. Cox with her husband, lived on east 3rd street, and was in good health. Her husband had been more or less sick for the past few weeks and she was much worried about him, and much interested in getting him back to his normal health. Mr. Cox, who is the special officer at the First National bank, is shocked and much broken up over the tragedy. He has the sympathy of a large number of friends. Mr. Cox traveled with the Gentry show a number of years and had general charge of the animals. His present duties at the First National bank bring him in contact daily with many people and he is held in the highest regard by these people. The news of the tragedy was wired to Tib Cox, a brother of Mr. Cox, at Brownsburg, and a message was also sent to H. L. Butcher at Bloomington Grove, Texas, who replied that he could not come here for the funeral.
Mrs. Vora Cox was 63, and born and raised on the east side of the county, and was a faithful member of the 1st Christian church, and with Mr. Cox has made her home in Bloomington many years. Mrs. J. W. Gentry is the only child and the sisters are Mrs. Emma Vint, Mrs. Amanda Jeffries and Mrs. Nancy Livingston, and the brothers are T. H. Butcher, of Bloomington Grove, Texas; James Alexander, of Spencer, and Perry Butcher, of this county.
Details as to the funeral await the arrival of Mrs. J. W. Gentry from near Miami, Florida, and she is expected to arrive via the Monon tomorrow by midnight. Burial will be at Rose Hill.
(Bloomington Daily Telephone; 09 Nov 1925)
The daughter of Adam Butcher and Frances "Jane" Tillet, Mary married Daniel Vorhees "Vora" Cox on 30 Sep 1891 in Monroe County, Indiana.
Mary was homemaker. For a time, Vora was an animal trainer with the Gentry Brothers Circus, which was co-founded and co-run by their son-in-law, Will Gentry. He later worked as a watchman.
Mary was a pedestrian crossing the street with her husband in Bloomington when she was struck, run over and killed by an automobile. She died due to ruptured internal organs.
At the time of her death, Mary was 67 years, 7 months and 21 days old.
She was survived by her husband, Vora; and by her daughter, Ollie.
Burial was on 12 Nov 1925.
Mary's husband, Vora, passed away in 1930.
Children: 1 daughter.
Mother of:
Ollie Butcher Gentry Henry
Mary's siblings:
William A. Butcher
Tillman Howard Butcher
Emma L. Butcher Vint Minton
Mary's half-sisters and half-brothers
from her father's first marriage:
Amanda Butcher Jeffries
Perry Oliver Butcher
Nancy Jane Butcher Swango Livingston Brown
Matthew Butcher
Mary's half-sister and half-brother
from her mother's first marriage:
Sarah Adaline Alexander Jacobs
James Samuel Alexander
----------
Excerpts from newspaper report:
WOMAN KILLED BY AUTO AT CITY HALL CORNER
MRS. D. V. COX IS THE VICTIM
WALKING HOME WITH HUSBAND ON SATURDAY NIGHT, THROWN IN FRONT OF ORA BENNETT CAR AND RUN OVER.
TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN A CONSCIOUS CONDITION BUT DIES IN SHORT TIME-THE FIFTH VICTIM ON WALNUT STREET
Bloomington had another terrible automobile accident Saturday night when Mrs. Mollie Cox, wife of Special Officer Cox of the First National Bank and mother of Mrs. J. W. Gentry, was struck and run down by an automobile while she was crossing the street at the city hall corner and was injured in such a manner as to cause death at the city hospital in thirty minutes. The fatal car was driven by Ora Bennett, a young quarryman of the Consolidated Neighborhood, who had three of his small children with him in the machine when the accident took place. Coroner William Reed is investigating the unfortunate accident and all the evidence which has been brought forward tends to show the accident was only one of those unfortunate affairs which often happens in which no one can be specifically blamed.
One particular feature of the accident is that Mrs. Cox was the fifth person to be killed recently on Walnut street, in or near Bloomington, all victims of automobiles and all accidents in which no blame was placed.
Special Officer Vora Cox and wife had been up town on a Saturday night shopping trip and were on their way home on 3rd street when the accident happened. As Mr. and Mrs. Cox crossed 4th street, going south on Walnut at the city hall corner, Mrs. Cox was a step or two in advance of her husband. Just then a car turned off Walnut street to 4th street, driven by Ora Bennett, and the right front fender struck Mrs. Cox, caught in her clothing, dragged her a few feet and threw her to the front. She fell on her back and both front and rear right hand wheels of the car passed over her body.
Mr. Cox, who has not been in good health for the last few weeks, had his hand on Mrs. Cox's arm as they started to cross the street, but he could not grab her in time to pull her back. He saw her thrown to the pavement and saw both wheels of the car pass over her body, and his calls brought immediate help.
Walter Allen, of the Allen undertaking firm, was at the north window of the Allen office when the accident happened, and saw it although he could not distinguish details. He heard the calls of Mr. Cox, ordered out the ambulance and ran to the scene. Officers from police headquarters, only a few feet away, also immediately ran out.
Mrs. Cox was picked up. She was cut about the face but was conscious, although somewhat dazed. She did not realize the seriousness of her injuries but complained of the cut on her face and inquired if her teeth had been damaged. To the men who ran to her assistance Mrs. Cox did not appear greatly injured and not one of them thought she would die.
But Mr. Cox, who had witnessed the entire accident, did realize the seriousness of what had happened.
"We must get her to the hospital at once," he told Mr. Allen. "I saw both the front and back wheels go over her body and I am sure she is badly hurt—am afraid she is hurt so she will die."
Mrs. Cox was placed in the ambulance and with her husband with her side was hurried to the hospital, while Dr. Frank Holland was called. Dr. Holland reached the hospital just behind the ambulance and examined Mrs. Cox as soon as she could be carried to a room. The Doctor felt her pulse weaken as he examined the patient and hurried to give heart stimulants. A brief examination brought the verdict that there was no hope, that Mrs. Cox was passing away. Her husband was called to her side and in a few minutes the end came.
Ora Bennett, driving the car which ran down Mrs. Cox, went into police headquarters and gave himself up as soon as she was started to the hospital in the ambulance. He had his little children with him when he walked into the chief's room—one of the children 3 years of age, a second 4 and the third older. He was terribly shaken by the accident, but convinced the police that he was not driving fast. Dr. Reed, the coroner, was called and after questioning him ordered that he be set at liberty pending a complete investigation.
Mr. Bennett said he was driving his Overland south on Walnut street and turned west at 4th street. He saw Mrs. Cox slightly in front of her husband, but did not have time to dodge when the fender struck her. It seemed to him that the fender caught Mrs. Cox's clothing and threw her in front of the machine. He could feel the wheels of the machine pass over her body and stopped the machine in a few feet. He said he was the father of four little children, worked at the Consolidated quarry and lived in a cottage on "Consolidated row." Neither the police or Coroner Reed are inclined to place any legal blame on Mr. Bennett and it can be forecast that the coroner's verdict will be to the effect that the accident was unavoidable.
________
Following the death of Mrs. Cox the body was taken to the Allen home where it remained Sunday. Efforts were at once made to get the news to the only daughter of Mrs. Cox, Mrs. J. W. Gentry, who is at Lemon City, a short distance from Miami, Fla., spending the winter. A telegram was sent Mr. Gentry at Lemon City, and also one to Robert Harris at Miami, asking him to immediately Mrs. Gentry in case the wire to her was delayed.
________
Mrs. Cox was 63 years of age and was a member of the Butcher family, well known Monroe county people and leaders in politics in their section of the county. Mrs. Cox was born and raised east of Bloomington in the Unionville neighborhood. By the older people she is remembered as a beautiful girl.
Mrs. Cox with her husband, lived on east 3rd street, and was in good health. Her husband had been more or less sick for the past few weeks and she was much worried about him, and much interested in getting him back to his normal health. Mr. Cox, who is the special officer at the First National bank, is shocked and much broken up over the tragedy. He has the sympathy of a large number of friends. Mr. Cox traveled with the Gentry show a number of years and had general charge of the animals. His present duties at the First National bank bring him in contact daily with many people and he is held in the highest regard by these people. The news of the tragedy was wired to Tib Cox, a brother of Mr. Cox, at Brownsburg, and a message was also sent to H. L. Butcher at Bloomington Grove, Texas, who replied that he could not come here for the funeral.
Mrs. Vora Cox was 63, and born and raised on the east side of the county, and was a faithful member of the 1st Christian church, and with Mr. Cox has made her home in Bloomington many years. Mrs. J. W. Gentry is the only child and the sisters are Mrs. Emma Vint, Mrs. Amanda Jeffries and Mrs. Nancy Livingston, and the brothers are T. H. Butcher, of Bloomington Grove, Texas; James Alexander, of Spencer, and Perry Butcher, of this county.
Details as to the funeral await the arrival of Mrs. J. W. Gentry from near Miami, Florida, and she is expected to arrive via the Monon tomorrow by midnight. Burial will be at Rose Hill.
(Bloomington Daily Telephone; 09 Nov 1925)
Mary was homemaker. For a time, Vora was an animal trainer with the Gentry Brothers Circus, which was co-founded and co-run by their son-in-law, Will Gentry. He later worked as a watchman.
Mary was a pedestrian crossing the street with her husband in Bloomington when she was struck, run over and killed by an automobile. She died due to ruptured internal organs.
At the time of her death, Mary was 67 years, 7 months and 21 days old.
She was survived by her husband, Vora; and by her daughter, Ollie.
Burial was on 12 Nov 1925.
Mary's husband, Vora, passed away in 1930.
Children: 1 daughter.
Mother of:
Ollie Butcher Gentry Henry
Mary's siblings:
William A. Butcher
Tillman Howard Butcher
Emma L. Butcher Vint Minton
Mary's half-sisters and half-brothers
from her father's first marriage:
Amanda Butcher Jeffries
Perry Oliver Butcher
Nancy Jane Butcher Swango Livingston Brown
Matthew Butcher
Mary's half-sister and half-brother
from her mother's first marriage:
Sarah Adaline Alexander Jacobs
James Samuel Alexander
----------
Excerpts from newspaper report:
WOMAN KILLED BY AUTO AT CITY HALL CORNER
MRS. D. V. COX IS THE VICTIM
WALKING HOME WITH HUSBAND ON SATURDAY NIGHT, THROWN IN FRONT OF ORA BENNETT CAR AND RUN OVER.
TAKEN TO HOSPITAL IN A CONSCIOUS CONDITION BUT DIES IN SHORT TIME-THE FIFTH VICTIM ON WALNUT STREET
Bloomington had another terrible automobile accident Saturday night when Mrs. Mollie Cox, wife of Special Officer Cox of the First National Bank and mother of Mrs. J. W. Gentry, was struck and run down by an automobile while she was crossing the street at the city hall corner and was injured in such a manner as to cause death at the city hospital in thirty minutes. The fatal car was driven by Ora Bennett, a young quarryman of the Consolidated Neighborhood, who had three of his small children with him in the machine when the accident took place. Coroner William Reed is investigating the unfortunate accident and all the evidence which has been brought forward tends to show the accident was only one of those unfortunate affairs which often happens in which no one can be specifically blamed.
One particular feature of the accident is that Mrs. Cox was the fifth person to be killed recently on Walnut street, in or near Bloomington, all victims of automobiles and all accidents in which no blame was placed.
Special Officer Vora Cox and wife had been up town on a Saturday night shopping trip and were on their way home on 3rd street when the accident happened. As Mr. and Mrs. Cox crossed 4th street, going south on Walnut at the city hall corner, Mrs. Cox was a step or two in advance of her husband. Just then a car turned off Walnut street to 4th street, driven by Ora Bennett, and the right front fender struck Mrs. Cox, caught in her clothing, dragged her a few feet and threw her to the front. She fell on her back and both front and rear right hand wheels of the car passed over her body.
Mr. Cox, who has not been in good health for the last few weeks, had his hand on Mrs. Cox's arm as they started to cross the street, but he could not grab her in time to pull her back. He saw her thrown to the pavement and saw both wheels of the car pass over her body, and his calls brought immediate help.
Walter Allen, of the Allen undertaking firm, was at the north window of the Allen office when the accident happened, and saw it although he could not distinguish details. He heard the calls of Mr. Cox, ordered out the ambulance and ran to the scene. Officers from police headquarters, only a few feet away, also immediately ran out.
Mrs. Cox was picked up. She was cut about the face but was conscious, although somewhat dazed. She did not realize the seriousness of her injuries but complained of the cut on her face and inquired if her teeth had been damaged. To the men who ran to her assistance Mrs. Cox did not appear greatly injured and not one of them thought she would die.
But Mr. Cox, who had witnessed the entire accident, did realize the seriousness of what had happened.
"We must get her to the hospital at once," he told Mr. Allen. "I saw both the front and back wheels go over her body and I am sure she is badly hurt—am afraid she is hurt so she will die."
Mrs. Cox was placed in the ambulance and with her husband with her side was hurried to the hospital, while Dr. Frank Holland was called. Dr. Holland reached the hospital just behind the ambulance and examined Mrs. Cox as soon as she could be carried to a room. The Doctor felt her pulse weaken as he examined the patient and hurried to give heart stimulants. A brief examination brought the verdict that there was no hope, that Mrs. Cox was passing away. Her husband was called to her side and in a few minutes the end came.
Ora Bennett, driving the car which ran down Mrs. Cox, went into police headquarters and gave himself up as soon as she was started to the hospital in the ambulance. He had his little children with him when he walked into the chief's room—one of the children 3 years of age, a second 4 and the third older. He was terribly shaken by the accident, but convinced the police that he was not driving fast. Dr. Reed, the coroner, was called and after questioning him ordered that he be set at liberty pending a complete investigation.
Mr. Bennett said he was driving his Overland south on Walnut street and turned west at 4th street. He saw Mrs. Cox slightly in front of her husband, but did not have time to dodge when the fender struck her. It seemed to him that the fender caught Mrs. Cox's clothing and threw her in front of the machine. He could feel the wheels of the machine pass over her body and stopped the machine in a few feet. He said he was the father of four little children, worked at the Consolidated quarry and lived in a cottage on "Consolidated row." Neither the police or Coroner Reed are inclined to place any legal blame on Mr. Bennett and it can be forecast that the coroner's verdict will be to the effect that the accident was unavoidable.
________
Following the death of Mrs. Cox the body was taken to the Allen home where it remained Sunday. Efforts were at once made to get the news to the only daughter of Mrs. Cox, Mrs. J. W. Gentry, who is at Lemon City, a short distance from Miami, Fla., spending the winter. A telegram was sent Mr. Gentry at Lemon City, and also one to Robert Harris at Miami, asking him to immediately Mrs. Gentry in case the wire to her was delayed.
________
Mrs. Cox was 63 years of age and was a member of the Butcher family, well known Monroe county people and leaders in politics in their section of the county. Mrs. Cox was born and raised east of Bloomington in the Unionville neighborhood. By the older people she is remembered as a beautiful girl.
Mrs. Cox with her husband, lived on east 3rd street, and was in good health. Her husband had been more or less sick for the past few weeks and she was much worried about him, and much interested in getting him back to his normal health. Mr. Cox, who is the special officer at the First National bank, is shocked and much broken up over the tragedy. He has the sympathy of a large number of friends. Mr. Cox traveled with the Gentry show a number of years and had general charge of the animals. His present duties at the First National bank bring him in contact daily with many people and he is held in the highest regard by these people. The news of the tragedy was wired to Tib Cox, a brother of Mr. Cox, at Brownsburg, and a message was also sent to H. L. Butcher at Bloomington Grove, Texas, who replied that he could not come here for the funeral.
Mrs. Vora Cox was 63, and born and raised on the east side of the county, and was a faithful member of the 1st Christian church, and with Mr. Cox has made her home in Bloomington many years. Mrs. J. W. Gentry is the only child and the sisters are Mrs. Emma Vint, Mrs. Amanda Jeffries and Mrs. Nancy Livingston, and the brothers are T. H. Butcher, of Bloomington Grove, Texas; James Alexander, of Spencer, and Perry Butcher, of this county.
Details as to the funeral await the arrival of Mrs. J. W. Gentry from near Miami, Florida, and she is expected to arrive via the Monon tomorrow by midnight. Burial will be at Rose Hill.
(Bloomington Daily Telephone; 09 Nov 1925)
Gravesite Details
Newspaper article courtesy of Thomas E. Vint. Double click on photos to enlarge images.
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