Bio: Dunnigan, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph (auto accident - 19 Oct 1913)

Contact: Ann Stevens

Email:  sdann88@yahoo.com

Surnames: Dunnigan, Wason

----Source:  Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)  Oct 23, 1913

Dunnigan, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph (automobile accident - 19 Oct 1913)

The first serious automobile accident in this part of Jackson County occurred Sunday evening when Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dunnigan were  returning to their home in Irving from Black River Falls.  They have a fine Cadillac touring car weighing about 4000 pounds and Mrs. Dunnigan was at the wheel.  Nick Dunnigan was also a passenger in the car at the time of the accident.  When they arrived near the J.B. Wason farm, there is a narrow piece of road in which is a mud hole.  When they arrived at this point the car was not running over 10 or 12 miles an hour, but the embankment gave way and the car turned turtle.  Nick Dunnigan was thrown clear from the wreckage, and sustained only minor injuries.  Mr. Dunnigan was caught by his right leg under the car, and after finally extricating himself it was found that both bones were broken below the knee and he was otherwise considerably bruised.  Mrs. Dunnigan was caught by the steering wheel of the machine and firmly pinned under the car.  When help arrived it was necessary to use spades in digging away the dirt to get her out.  She sustained the most severe injuries, the pelvic bone being crushed, and there also being an injury to the spinal column, aside from other bodily injuries and bruises.  The injured were taken to Black River Falls for treatment.  The car was damaged only slightly. - Melrose Chronicle