David Montgomery Killed In Centralia Thursday
Dave Montgomery, 55 years of age, and employed by the city street cleaning department in Centralia, was killed last Thursday morning on the main street, when he was struck by a car driven by Jeff Baxter, aged 28 years. Riding with Baxter was J. M. Connell, aged 24, and W. L. Parker, aged 36. The accident occurred about 1:30 a. m., as Ford, another city employee, and Montgomery were looking at the street sprinkler, which had previously been hit by another car. The Baxter car came dashing up and struck Montgomery, who was driven into the sprinkler. He was disemboweled and both legs were broken, and he died a few minutes later.
Baxter is said to have been drinking, Connell escaped, but was later found in a hospital, slightly hurt. The three men were arrested and placed in the county jail, and Thursday afternoon following an inquest by Coroner Scott, County Attorney Wm. H. Grimm filed a manslaughter charge against Baxter.
Montgomery had lived in Centralia twenty years. He was a member of the I. O. O. F. He is survived by his widow, Elizabeth; a son, Lloyd A., of Centralia; his father, James Montgomery of Centralia; three sisters, Mrs. May Finnegan of Goble, Ore.; Mrs. Nora Carter of Kansas City and Mrs. Ella McGlothern of Entiat, Wash.; also six brothers, William of Canada, Calvin of Kansas City, C. R. of Chelan, Wash.; D. H. of Centralia, J. K. of Tacoma and Jesse of Milba, Idaho.
Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock from the Newell chapel, Rev. Charles Baker officiating. Interment was in Mt. View cemetery.
Baxter was arraigned Saturday morning before Judge W. A. Reynolds on a charge of manslaughter and was given time by the court to secure an attorney. His plea was postponed. Bail was set by the court at $2000. Connell and Parker had their bail set at $500 each. They are being held as material witnesses.
Source: The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, Friday, 1 January 1932 page 11. Microfilm available at Washington State Library, 6880 Capitol Boulevard South, Tumwater, Washington 98512
Transcribed by Kathryn Lester. She has no further information on this individual.