OBITUARY - JAMES E. POLAND

Submitted by: Jan Redelsperger, jansperger at gmail dot com

Source: "The Daily News," Longview, Cowlitz Co., Washington, June 8, 1940

James Poland OF Carrolls Killed By Patrol Car

Pioneer Resident is Hurt Fatally When Hit on Highway 
Inquest Will Be Held

James Poland, 73, pioneer resident of the Carrolls Point district south of here,
was injured fatally at 11:30 o'clock Thursday night when he was struck by a
state patrol car driven by Patrolman William Kellogg.

Poland died at a Longview Hospital about five hours later.  It was the second
automobile accident fatality in the Poland family in less than a year.  A
daughter, Jane, 21, was killed August 28th in an accident on the Ocean Beach
highway near Oak Point when five other Carrolls Point residents also met death.  

Inquest will be Held

Coroner Shirley R. Marsh announced an inquest will beheld either Saturday or
Monday.  He is conducting an investigation into the circumstances of the death.
A similar probe is being made by Sergeant A. B. Little for the patrol.  Marsh
said that Kellogg, who was on regular patrol duty, reported.  Poland was
crossing the Pacific highway afoot when he was hit.  The patrol car went into
the ditch as the officer sought to avoid striking Poland.

The elderly man attended a General Welfare Club meeting in Kelso Thursday
evening and returned to Carrolls with a friend.  Marsh said evidence indicated
Poland had gone along the left side of the highway to a point near the Carrolls
school, where he was employed as a janitor, and started to cross the highway.

Stopped on Highway

According to Kellogg's report Poland stopped in the middle of the highway when
he saw the lights of the patrol car and started back toward the edge of the
roadway.  The officer stated he was driving at a comparatively low speed as is
the custom when on patrol duty.

Poland was taken to a Longview Hospital in the Ditlevsen ambulance.  Deputy
Sheriffs Hal DeWaide and John Price were called and made a preliminary
investigation immediately after the mishap.

The deceased had resided in Cowlitz county for 59 years and fur many years had
been active in Carrolls community affairs.  

Survivors Named

Poland is survived by his widow, Maude, who is the postmistress at home; three
daughters, Mrs. Esther Jones of near Woodland, Mrs. Ruth Ruthford, Burlington,
Wash., and Mrs. Mildred Edwards, Seattle; two brothers, W. J. Kelso, and George,
Longview, and four sisters, Mrs. Belle Jenkins, Seaside, Ore; Mrs. Maude Adams
and Mrs. Jane Schaefer, both Portland, and Mrs. Emeline Barber, Carrolls.  The
body is at the Ditlevsen funeral home in Kelso.