Individual Details
Wilson Ray MCDOWELL
(25 Oct 1916 - 24 Oct 2005)
A series of articles, all in the Kokomo Trubune (Kokomo, Indiana) tellabout an accident in Kokomo, in which Wilson McDowell was the driverand left the scene of the accident, which killed a pedestrian.
Friday, October 4, 1940
"LOCAL MAN HELD AT NILES, MICH., FOR ACCIDENT - Wilson McDowell WalksInto State Police Office; Asks Information -
Kokomo police officers were planning to leave for Niles, Mich., Fridayafternoon, to take over the custody of Wilson R. McDowell, 23, of 414South Main street, who was being held by Michigan state troopers inconnection with the death of George Miller, on North Kennedy street,shortly after 9 o'clock Thursday night.
The officers here communicated with the Michigan police by telephoneafter a radio message from Columbia City had indicated that a motoristwas being held at Niles, and stating that he had been questioned aboutblood spattered on his car.
Sergeant Gore, of the state barracks at Niles, told Detective O. D.Criss, of the local department, that McDowell walked into the officethere early Friday and asked about a possible accident near the northend of Kokomom. Sergeant Gore said that McDowell told him he had hadan accident there, and had struck someone, but that he didn't think hehad killed him and that he continued on his way.
The Niles officers were told to hold McDowell, whoh is well knownhere, until they could reach Niles, and prepared at once to leave forthe city in Michigan.
Officers here had made a persistent searchc for a car answering thedescriptions given by witnesses of the fatal accident. Charges ofleaving the scene of an accident will be preferred against McDowell,the police say.
The description of the accident is given elsewhere in this issue."
"GEORGE MILLER KILLED HERE BY HIT-RUN DRIVER - Aged Man Meets Death onWay Home from Prayer Meeting; Police Seek Motorist -
"George A. Miller, 72-year-old pensioner, was killed instantly about9:15 o'clock Thursday night when he was reported knocked down in the2300 block of North Kennedy street by a hit-and-run driver. Policeimmediately threw a dragnet around the city, after having obtained agood description of the car from witnesses near the accident.
Most of them told the investigating officers they heard a terrificcrash, but since the street was dark, they said they thought that acar had struck a sign post along the side of the street and had drivenon. Not until Joe Johannes, 2304 North Kennedy street, who wasvisiting Denny Salmons, 2303 North Kennedy street, left the Salmonshome for his own home was Miller's body discovered.
In crossing Kennedy street to him home, Johannes said he noticedsomething lying along the road. He added that he went back to hisfriend's house and asked him if he had a lantern. Obtaining the light,the pair went back out to the street and found Miller.
One of them went to the home of Ralph T. Veeck, 2200 North Kennedystreet, who called the police. Two police squad cards, the city nightdetectives and the city first-aid crew answered the call, but Millerwas dead before the officers arrived.
They continued their investigation until Dr. E. H. Showalter, countycoroner, arrived. The body was taken to the Rich mortuary pendingfurther arrangements.
According to police, the driver was going north, and Miller waswalking south ono the east side of the street. After being hit by theauto, Miller was thrown about 20 feet along the pavement. It wasthought he died instantly of a fractured skull and other severe bodyinjuries. His face and head were mangled badly.
People at the scene identified the dead man as "Happy" Miller and saidthat he had attended prayer meeting at the North Kennedy streetBaptist Mission, leaving the church only a few minutes before he methis death. It was reported that Miller had been a regular attendant atthe church for the past several years.
Miller resided in a small house back of his mother's home at 730 17thstreet. His mother is Mrs. Henrietta Parker, who is about 90 years ofage. Besides her, he is survived by three brothers and a sister. Theyare Charles A. Miller, who also lives in 17th street; John N. Miller,221 East Defenbaughstreet; Henry Miller of Greentown, and Mrs. NancyWard, who lives in the Belmont Park addition."
Saturday, October 5, 1940
"POLICE HERE PROBE DEATH OF CAR VICTIM - Wilson McDowelll May FaceSerious Charge in Alleged Hit-Run Case -
Wilson R. McDowell, Kokomo business man whose vehicle struck andinstantly killed George Miller on North Kennedy street shortly after 9o'clock Thursday night, was being held by Kokomo police Saturday on acharge of leaving the scene of an accident, pending the possiblefiling of manslaughter clarges or the investigation of a grand jury.
McDowell was brought to Kokomo from Niles, Mich., where he reportedjust before noon Friday, to a Michigan police station. The vehicledriven by Mr. McDowell, a pick-up truck of special construction, wasbrought back to Kokomo by the officers and was inspected before beingturned over to relatives of the defendant.
The arrest of McDowell followed an intensive search by Kokomo andstate police for the driver of an alleged hit-run car which instantlykilled George Miller in the 2?00 block on North Kennedy street, whilethe latter was returning to his home from a prayer service at a smallchapel on North Kennedy street. The victim's body showed evidence ofbeing struck on the legs by the front fender of a vehicle, and in theface by some sharp square portion of the vehicle which almost cut hishear apart.
Witnesses said that the car was dark in color, but furtherdescriptions varied considerably in details.
The defendant, in his written statement to the police here after hisreturn from Niles, said that he drove his pick-up truck withmetal-protected square cabinets on the front corners of the body, tohis place of business at 207 East Walnut street, about 8 o'clockThursday evening. He said that he then started for Benton Harbor,Mich., to call at the home of Ross Lamb, his father-in-law, where Mrs.McDowell is now visiting. He said that near the point of the accidenthe saw a man coming toward him and thought he passed him withoutstriking him, but that his car made a sudden swerve, upsetting sometools in a box in the truck. He said that he drove the truck to Peru,parking in the rear of a place of business there, without examininghis car. He then continuednorth on Road 31.
About six miles south of the intersection with Road 6, he said he ranout of gas, and not having any money with him, persuaded two boys toget gasoline for him from a nearby filling station. He said he turnedin his tools for security for the gasoline, with the intention ofreturning for them in the morning.
McDowell said that he then went on to Benton Harbor, reaching hisfather-in-law's home at 1:30 o'clock Friday morning. He said that heleft Benton Harbor at 11:45 o'clock Friday forenoon, but afterparking his truck in the rear of a cafe, noticed blood on his car anddecided to enquire at a state police station as to whether he hadactually struck the man here. He was held by the Michigan officers,who in the meantime had been called by the Kokomo police. StatePatrolman Huffman and a Kokomo officer went to Niles Friday and tookcustody of the defendant.
Examinationn of the truck revealed that the right front fender wastorn by a recent impact, and the metal reinforcement of the squareboxing behind the right front door of the vehicle was caved in. Bloodwas smeared from that point rear-ward over the truck body.
Police stated that there is a possibility that manslaughter chargesmay be brought after investigation by a grand jury."
October 15, 1940
NO TIME FIXED FOR TRIAL IN MCDOWELL CASE - Motorist Out On Bond,Charged With Leaving Scene of An Accident. -
Trial of a charge against Wilson McDowell, 414 South Main street, whois accused of leaving the scene of an accident in which George A.Miller, 72, of Kokomo, was fatally injured, may be delayed until latein this term of circuit court, it was said Tuesday.
An affidavit has been filed against McDowell by Virgil L. Coffel,prosecuting attorney, and bond for the defendant was set in the amountof $1,000. McDowell now is at liberty after providing the bond.
Paul Hillis, deputy prosecutor, said the affidavit was filed inpreference to a grand jury investigation of Miller's death. He saidthere is a 1939 statute which puts the maximum penalty in cases ofleaving the scene of an accident at one year's imprisonment if afatality has occurred.
Miller was struck on the night of Oct. 3 as he was walking south inthe 2200 block on North Kennedy street. Later McDowell stopped in atpolice headquarters in Niles, Mich. and inquired about the possibleinjury of someone in an accident at Kokomo. He said that he had seen aman on the street but thought he had not him. When he arrived inBenton Harbor, he said, he saw blood on his car and decided to makethe inquiry at the police station.
This led to his arrest and he was returned here by local officers. Hegave bond promptly."
January 21, 1941
Article covers for men total who will be facing criminal charges. Thelast paragraph says:
"Roy [sic] Wilson McDowell, who is accused of leaving the scene of anaccident, entered a plea of not guilty through Lloyd McCclure, hisattorney, and his case was set for trial Feb. 17."
February 17, 1941
"Court Hearing Case Involving Traffic Death - Wilson McDowell TrialConductede Before Uhler -
Charles of leaving the scene of an accident where George Miller, 72,was killed while crossing a street in north Kokomo, where triedagainst Wilson McDowell, 24, of 414 South Main street, before GeorgeC. Uhllir, judge pro tem. in circuit court Monday.
McDowell was being prosecuted on the charge that he drove away withoutstopping after hitting Miller and went to Benton Harbor, Mich. DarrelL. Hodson, prosecuting attorney, said the state would seek to showthat McDowell violated the statute which requires automobile driversinvolved in an accident to stop and render assistance to anyoneinjured in the mishap.
Howard Cherry, Kokomo police captain, and Millard Huffman, statepoliceman, testified that they went to Niles, Mich., and took McDowellinto custody there after he had reported to the Niles police that hethought he might have hit a man in Kokomo. The officers said McDowellsigned a statemetn in which he said that he discovered blood on hiscar, a truck, after arriving at Benton Harbor. The statement wasintroduced by the prosecutor as evidence.
The accident occurred on the night of October 3, 1940, and McDowell'sattorney, Lloyd McClure, said the defendant would state that hethought he had missed Miller and was not aware he might have struckthe man until he examined the truck in Michigan. This, McClure said,is a different matter than leaving an accident scene after knowinglystriking someone.
Capt. Cherry and Sergeant Harold Swops said there was a small dent inthe right front fender of the truck and that the truck bed borebloodstains. Detective Sergeant Archie Burget identified a photographof Miller, taken after the accident.
Joseph Johannes, 2304 North Kennedy street, and Dennis Salmons, 2203North Kennedy street, told of hearing a thud in the street outside,and said that upon investigating they found Miller's body on the eastside of the street. Johannes said he notified the police that therehad been an accident. The two men fixed the time of the accident at9:15 o.m.
Dr. E. H. Showalter, county coroner, was anotehr witness for thestate, describing the condition of Miller's body. He said that theelderly man evidently had been killed instantly.
The trial was expected to be completed Monday afternoon."
March 4, 1941
"McDowell Petitions For Anotehr Trial -
Wilson McDowell, 24, Kokomo, who was found guilty Feb. 17 of leavingthe scene of an accident in which his car struck and killed GeorgeMiller, 72, sought a new trial Tuesday when a motion for rehearing wasfiled in circuit court by his attorney, Lloyd McClure.
The motion i s based on allegations that McDowell was convicted oninsufficient evidence and that the conviction was contrary to law.
Judge Forrest E. Jump arranged to hear arguments on the motion nextTuesday. Darrel L. Hodson, prosecuting attorney, said he will opposethe attempt for another trial."
March 11, 1941
"Ask New Trial For McDowell Before Jump - Arguments Are PresentedCourt -
Asserting that the state was attempting to discredit evidence that ithad introduced in the trial of Wilson McDowell, 24, Kokomo, on acharge of leaving the scene of an accident, Lloyd McClure, attorneyfor the defendant, argued a motion in behalf of a new trial Tuesday.
McDowell was found guilty February 17 by George C. Uhlir, judge protem, and was fined $75 and costs. He was convicted of driving awayafter hitting and fatally injuring George Miller on a street in northKokomo last Oct. 3.
In presenting the motion for another trial before Judge Forrrest E.Jump, McClure said that the state had introduced McDowell's statementto the police in which the defendant asserted he had not known thathis car struck Miller. "The prosecutor," McClure said, "now chooses tosay that he disbelieves this statemetn, which was part of his ownevidence."
The defense attorney declared that the fact that McDowell wentvoluntarily to the police station at Niles, Mich., after noticingblood on his car, and he reported that he might have hit a man inKokomo, was evidence that the defendant had no intention of avoidingresponsibility. "If he had wanted to get out of this case, he couldhave kept still and no one ever would have known who hit Mr. Miller,"McClure said. He added that the light sentence imposed by the courtwas an indication that the trial judge was somewhat skeptical aboutMcDowell's guilt having been proved.
Darrel L. Hodson, prosecutor, contended that the state had made astrong circumstantial case against McDowell. He pointed out that twowitnesses seated inside a house near the scene of the accident heard aloud thud such as the striking of a body hitting a pavement wouldsound and asked how the driver could have helped hearing it.
The prosecutor also asserted that circumstances pointed to McDowellfleeing from the scene to Benton Harbor, Mich., to consult hisfather-in-law, an attorney there. The defendant lackedmoney to buy gaswhen he ran out of gas in northern Indiana and this was evidence thathe had not planned to travel that far, Hodson argued. "I thinkMcDowell knew he hit the man and that he fled to Benton Harbor, fixedup his alibi, and came back," the prosecutor declared.
Judge Jump took the motion under advisement."
March 19, 1941
"A new trial for Wilson McDowell, 23, Kokomo, who was convicted Feb.17 of leaving the scene of an accident, was denied Wednesday by JudgeForrest E. Jump in circuit court.
The defendant's motion for another trial, argued before the courtTuesday, was overruled. Lloyd McClure, attorney for McDowell, saidthat an appeal is improbable.
McDowell was fined $75 and costs by George C. Uhlir, who tried thecase as judge pro tem. He was found guilty of driving away after histruck had hit George Miller, 72, and fatally injured him."
On a different matter, the same paper had this on November 26, 1941.
"Damage Suit Filed As Result of Crash -
Damages of $5,650 are asked in a suit filed in circuit court Wednesdayby Carl B. Newcomb again Wilson McDowell, Inc., and Wilson McDowell asthe result of an automobile collsiion which occurred November 20, 1940[sic], on U. S. road 31 five miles north of Rochester.
Newcomb says he was driving his car north at the time and McDowell wasen route south. The plaintiff says that at the point where the accdenthappened the road berm was excavated so that there was a six-inch dropfromt he surface to the pavement surface of the berm.
The complaint says the two cars reached the point at the same time andalleges that negligence by the defendant caused the collision.
Newcomb says he was severely injured, receiving three rib fractures, abrain concussion and cuts and bruises. He asks $5,000 damages forpersonal injuries and $650 for damage to his car. Darrel C.Lucas andHoward Young Jr. are attorneys for him."
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
about Wilson R McDowell
Name: Wilson R McDowell
Birth Year: 1916
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Indiana
State of Residence: Michigan
County or City: Berrien
Enlistment Date: 25 Oct 1944
Enlistment State: Indiana
Enlistment City: Indianapolis
Branch: No branch assignment
Branch Code: No branch assignment
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or otheremergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the Presidentor otherwise according to law
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life
Education: 4 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Electricians
Marital Status: Married
Height: 99
Weight: 999
Friday, October 4, 1940
"LOCAL MAN HELD AT NILES, MICH., FOR ACCIDENT - Wilson McDowell WalksInto State Police Office; Asks Information -
Kokomo police officers were planning to leave for Niles, Mich., Fridayafternoon, to take over the custody of Wilson R. McDowell, 23, of 414South Main street, who was being held by Michigan state troopers inconnection with the death of George Miller, on North Kennedy street,shortly after 9 o'clock Thursday night.
The officers here communicated with the Michigan police by telephoneafter a radio message from Columbia City had indicated that a motoristwas being held at Niles, and stating that he had been questioned aboutblood spattered on his car.
Sergeant Gore, of the state barracks at Niles, told Detective O. D.Criss, of the local department, that McDowell walked into the officethere early Friday and asked about a possible accident near the northend of Kokomom. Sergeant Gore said that McDowell told him he had hadan accident there, and had struck someone, but that he didn't think hehad killed him and that he continued on his way.
The Niles officers were told to hold McDowell, whoh is well knownhere, until they could reach Niles, and prepared at once to leave forthe city in Michigan.
Officers here had made a persistent searchc for a car answering thedescriptions given by witnesses of the fatal accident. Charges ofleaving the scene of an accident will be preferred against McDowell,the police say.
The description of the accident is given elsewhere in this issue."
"GEORGE MILLER KILLED HERE BY HIT-RUN DRIVER - Aged Man Meets Death onWay Home from Prayer Meeting; Police Seek Motorist -
"George A. Miller, 72-year-old pensioner, was killed instantly about9:15 o'clock Thursday night when he was reported knocked down in the2300 block of North Kennedy street by a hit-and-run driver. Policeimmediately threw a dragnet around the city, after having obtained agood description of the car from witnesses near the accident.
Most of them told the investigating officers they heard a terrificcrash, but since the street was dark, they said they thought that acar had struck a sign post along the side of the street and had drivenon. Not until Joe Johannes, 2304 North Kennedy street, who wasvisiting Denny Salmons, 2303 North Kennedy street, left the Salmonshome for his own home was Miller's body discovered.
In crossing Kennedy street to him home, Johannes said he noticedsomething lying along the road. He added that he went back to hisfriend's house and asked him if he had a lantern. Obtaining the light,the pair went back out to the street and found Miller.
One of them went to the home of Ralph T. Veeck, 2200 North Kennedystreet, who called the police. Two police squad cards, the city nightdetectives and the city first-aid crew answered the call, but Millerwas dead before the officers arrived.
They continued their investigation until Dr. E. H. Showalter, countycoroner, arrived. The body was taken to the Rich mortuary pendingfurther arrangements.
According to police, the driver was going north, and Miller waswalking south ono the east side of the street. After being hit by theauto, Miller was thrown about 20 feet along the pavement. It wasthought he died instantly of a fractured skull and other severe bodyinjuries. His face and head were mangled badly.
People at the scene identified the dead man as "Happy" Miller and saidthat he had attended prayer meeting at the North Kennedy streetBaptist Mission, leaving the church only a few minutes before he methis death. It was reported that Miller had been a regular attendant atthe church for the past several years.
Miller resided in a small house back of his mother's home at 730 17thstreet. His mother is Mrs. Henrietta Parker, who is about 90 years ofage. Besides her, he is survived by three brothers and a sister. Theyare Charles A. Miller, who also lives in 17th street; John N. Miller,221 East Defenbaughstreet; Henry Miller of Greentown, and Mrs. NancyWard, who lives in the Belmont Park addition."
Saturday, October 5, 1940
"POLICE HERE PROBE DEATH OF CAR VICTIM - Wilson McDowelll May FaceSerious Charge in Alleged Hit-Run Case -
Wilson R. McDowell, Kokomo business man whose vehicle struck andinstantly killed George Miller on North Kennedy street shortly after 9o'clock Thursday night, was being held by Kokomo police Saturday on acharge of leaving the scene of an accident, pending the possiblefiling of manslaughter clarges or the investigation of a grand jury.
McDowell was brought to Kokomo from Niles, Mich., where he reportedjust before noon Friday, to a Michigan police station. The vehicledriven by Mr. McDowell, a pick-up truck of special construction, wasbrought back to Kokomo by the officers and was inspected before beingturned over to relatives of the defendant.
The arrest of McDowell followed an intensive search by Kokomo andstate police for the driver of an alleged hit-run car which instantlykilled George Miller in the 2?00 block on North Kennedy street, whilethe latter was returning to his home from a prayer service at a smallchapel on North Kennedy street. The victim's body showed evidence ofbeing struck on the legs by the front fender of a vehicle, and in theface by some sharp square portion of the vehicle which almost cut hishear apart.
Witnesses said that the car was dark in color, but furtherdescriptions varied considerably in details.
The defendant, in his written statement to the police here after hisreturn from Niles, said that he drove his pick-up truck withmetal-protected square cabinets on the front corners of the body, tohis place of business at 207 East Walnut street, about 8 o'clockThursday evening. He said that he then started for Benton Harbor,Mich., to call at the home of Ross Lamb, his father-in-law, where Mrs.McDowell is now visiting. He said that near the point of the accidenthe saw a man coming toward him and thought he passed him withoutstriking him, but that his car made a sudden swerve, upsetting sometools in a box in the truck. He said that he drove the truck to Peru,parking in the rear of a place of business there, without examininghis car. He then continuednorth on Road 31.
About six miles south of the intersection with Road 6, he said he ranout of gas, and not having any money with him, persuaded two boys toget gasoline for him from a nearby filling station. He said he turnedin his tools for security for the gasoline, with the intention ofreturning for them in the morning.
McDowell said that he then went on to Benton Harbor, reaching hisfather-in-law's home at 1:30 o'clock Friday morning. He said that heleft Benton Harbor at 11:45 o'clock Friday forenoon, but afterparking his truck in the rear of a cafe, noticed blood on his car anddecided to enquire at a state police station as to whether he hadactually struck the man here. He was held by the Michigan officers,who in the meantime had been called by the Kokomo police. StatePatrolman Huffman and a Kokomo officer went to Niles Friday and tookcustody of the defendant.
Examinationn of the truck revealed that the right front fender wastorn by a recent impact, and the metal reinforcement of the squareboxing behind the right front door of the vehicle was caved in. Bloodwas smeared from that point rear-ward over the truck body.
Police stated that there is a possibility that manslaughter chargesmay be brought after investigation by a grand jury."
October 15, 1940
NO TIME FIXED FOR TRIAL IN MCDOWELL CASE - Motorist Out On Bond,Charged With Leaving Scene of An Accident. -
Trial of a charge against Wilson McDowell, 414 South Main street, whois accused of leaving the scene of an accident in which George A.Miller, 72, of Kokomo, was fatally injured, may be delayed until latein this term of circuit court, it was said Tuesday.
An affidavit has been filed against McDowell by Virgil L. Coffel,prosecuting attorney, and bond for the defendant was set in the amountof $1,000. McDowell now is at liberty after providing the bond.
Paul Hillis, deputy prosecutor, said the affidavit was filed inpreference to a grand jury investigation of Miller's death. He saidthere is a 1939 statute which puts the maximum penalty in cases ofleaving the scene of an accident at one year's imprisonment if afatality has occurred.
Miller was struck on the night of Oct. 3 as he was walking south inthe 2200 block on North Kennedy street. Later McDowell stopped in atpolice headquarters in Niles, Mich. and inquired about the possibleinjury of someone in an accident at Kokomo. He said that he had seen aman on the street but thought he had not him. When he arrived inBenton Harbor, he said, he saw blood on his car and decided to makethe inquiry at the police station.
This led to his arrest and he was returned here by local officers. Hegave bond promptly."
January 21, 1941
Article covers for men total who will be facing criminal charges. Thelast paragraph says:
"Roy [sic] Wilson McDowell, who is accused of leaving the scene of anaccident, entered a plea of not guilty through Lloyd McCclure, hisattorney, and his case was set for trial Feb. 17."
February 17, 1941
"Court Hearing Case Involving Traffic Death - Wilson McDowell TrialConductede Before Uhler -
Charles of leaving the scene of an accident where George Miller, 72,was killed while crossing a street in north Kokomo, where triedagainst Wilson McDowell, 24, of 414 South Main street, before GeorgeC. Uhllir, judge pro tem. in circuit court Monday.
McDowell was being prosecuted on the charge that he drove away withoutstopping after hitting Miller and went to Benton Harbor, Mich. DarrelL. Hodson, prosecuting attorney, said the state would seek to showthat McDowell violated the statute which requires automobile driversinvolved in an accident to stop and render assistance to anyoneinjured in the mishap.
Howard Cherry, Kokomo police captain, and Millard Huffman, statepoliceman, testified that they went to Niles, Mich., and took McDowellinto custody there after he had reported to the Niles police that hethought he might have hit a man in Kokomo. The officers said McDowellsigned a statemetn in which he said that he discovered blood on hiscar, a truck, after arriving at Benton Harbor. The statement wasintroduced by the prosecutor as evidence.
The accident occurred on the night of October 3, 1940, and McDowell'sattorney, Lloyd McClure, said the defendant would state that hethought he had missed Miller and was not aware he might have struckthe man until he examined the truck in Michigan. This, McClure said,is a different matter than leaving an accident scene after knowinglystriking someone.
Capt. Cherry and Sergeant Harold Swops said there was a small dent inthe right front fender of the truck and that the truck bed borebloodstains. Detective Sergeant Archie Burget identified a photographof Miller, taken after the accident.
Joseph Johannes, 2304 North Kennedy street, and Dennis Salmons, 2203North Kennedy street, told of hearing a thud in the street outside,and said that upon investigating they found Miller's body on the eastside of the street. Johannes said he notified the police that therehad been an accident. The two men fixed the time of the accident at9:15 o.m.
Dr. E. H. Showalter, county coroner, was anotehr witness for thestate, describing the condition of Miller's body. He said that theelderly man evidently had been killed instantly.
The trial was expected to be completed Monday afternoon."
March 4, 1941
"McDowell Petitions For Anotehr Trial -
Wilson McDowell, 24, Kokomo, who was found guilty Feb. 17 of leavingthe scene of an accident in which his car struck and killed GeorgeMiller, 72, sought a new trial Tuesday when a motion for rehearing wasfiled in circuit court by his attorney, Lloyd McClure.
The motion i s based on allegations that McDowell was convicted oninsufficient evidence and that the conviction was contrary to law.
Judge Forrest E. Jump arranged to hear arguments on the motion nextTuesday. Darrel L. Hodson, prosecuting attorney, said he will opposethe attempt for another trial."
March 11, 1941
"Ask New Trial For McDowell Before Jump - Arguments Are PresentedCourt -
Asserting that the state was attempting to discredit evidence that ithad introduced in the trial of Wilson McDowell, 24, Kokomo, on acharge of leaving the scene of an accident, Lloyd McClure, attorneyfor the defendant, argued a motion in behalf of a new trial Tuesday.
McDowell was found guilty February 17 by George C. Uhlir, judge protem, and was fined $75 and costs. He was convicted of driving awayafter hitting and fatally injuring George Miller on a street in northKokomo last Oct. 3.
In presenting the motion for another trial before Judge Forrrest E.Jump, McClure said that the state had introduced McDowell's statementto the police in which the defendant asserted he had not known thathis car struck Miller. "The prosecutor," McClure said, "now chooses tosay that he disbelieves this statemetn, which was part of his ownevidence."
The defense attorney declared that the fact that McDowell wentvoluntarily to the police station at Niles, Mich., after noticingblood on his car, and he reported that he might have hit a man inKokomo, was evidence that the defendant had no intention of avoidingresponsibility. "If he had wanted to get out of this case, he couldhave kept still and no one ever would have known who hit Mr. Miller,"McClure said. He added that the light sentence imposed by the courtwas an indication that the trial judge was somewhat skeptical aboutMcDowell's guilt having been proved.
Darrel L. Hodson, prosecutor, contended that the state had made astrong circumstantial case against McDowell. He pointed out that twowitnesses seated inside a house near the scene of the accident heard aloud thud such as the striking of a body hitting a pavement wouldsound and asked how the driver could have helped hearing it.
The prosecutor also asserted that circumstances pointed to McDowellfleeing from the scene to Benton Harbor, Mich., to consult hisfather-in-law, an attorney there. The defendant lackedmoney to buy gaswhen he ran out of gas in northern Indiana and this was evidence thathe had not planned to travel that far, Hodson argued. "I thinkMcDowell knew he hit the man and that he fled to Benton Harbor, fixedup his alibi, and came back," the prosecutor declared.
Judge Jump took the motion under advisement."
March 19, 1941
"A new trial for Wilson McDowell, 23, Kokomo, who was convicted Feb.17 of leaving the scene of an accident, was denied Wednesday by JudgeForrest E. Jump in circuit court.
The defendant's motion for another trial, argued before the courtTuesday, was overruled. Lloyd McClure, attorney for McDowell, saidthat an appeal is improbable.
McDowell was fined $75 and costs by George C. Uhlir, who tried thecase as judge pro tem. He was found guilty of driving away after histruck had hit George Miller, 72, and fatally injured him."
On a different matter, the same paper had this on November 26, 1941.
"Damage Suit Filed As Result of Crash -
Damages of $5,650 are asked in a suit filed in circuit court Wednesdayby Carl B. Newcomb again Wilson McDowell, Inc., and Wilson McDowell asthe result of an automobile collsiion which occurred November 20, 1940[sic], on U. S. road 31 five miles north of Rochester.
Newcomb says he was driving his car north at the time and McDowell wasen route south. The plaintiff says that at the point where the accdenthappened the road berm was excavated so that there was a six-inch dropfromt he surface to the pavement surface of the berm.
The complaint says the two cars reached the point at the same time andalleges that negligence by the defendant caused the collision.
Newcomb says he was severely injured, receiving three rib fractures, abrain concussion and cuts and bruises. He asks $5,000 damages forpersonal injuries and $650 for damage to his car. Darrel C.Lucas andHoward Young Jr. are attorneys for him."
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
about Wilson R McDowell
Name: Wilson R McDowell
Birth Year: 1916
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Indiana
State of Residence: Michigan
County or City: Berrien
Enlistment Date: 25 Oct 1944
Enlistment State: Indiana
Enlistment City: Indianapolis
Branch: No branch assignment
Branch Code: No branch assignment
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or otheremergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the Presidentor otherwise according to law
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life
Education: 4 years of high school
Civil Occupation: Electricians
Marital Status: Married
Height: 99
Weight: 999
Events
| Birth | 25 Oct 1916 | Indiana |  | ||
| Census | 1 Jan 1920 | Kokomo Ward 2, Howard Co., IN, ED 124 Sh 12B; Wilson R. McDowell, son, 3 (1916), born IN both parents born IN. | |||
| Census | 1 Apr 1930 | Kokomo Ward 2, Howard Co., IN, ED 3 Sh 14B; Wilson R. McDowell, son, 13 (1916-17), born IN both parents born IN. | |||
| Graduation | May 1935 | Graduated from Kokomo High School. | |||
| Marriage | 17 Nov 1936 | Living | |||
| Military | 25 Oct 1944 | Enlisted in US Army. See Notes for detail. | |||
| Residence | 11 Aug 1952 | Benton Harbor, Mich., according to father's obituary. | |||
| Death | 24 Oct 2005 | | |||
| Reference No | 10854 |
Families
| Spouse | Living |
| Child | Living |
| Father | Ray John MCDOWELL (1893 - 1952) |
| Mother | Caddie F. WILSON (1894 - 1984) |
| Sibling | Catherine Pauline MCDOWELL (1915 - 2006) |
| Sibling | Victor O'Neil MCDOWELL (1919 - 1990) |
| Sibling | Living |
Endnotes
1. Social Security Death Index.
2. Newspaper Article.
3. Social Security Death Index.