NEWSPAPERS: Gordon Russell death, Jackson County, Oregon *************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with United States Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by noncommercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *************************************************************************** Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Elizabeth Corethers 2 Jun 2003 *************************************************************************** Medford (Oregon) Mail Tribune, Tuesday, 29 Oct, 1940, p. 1, c. 6 CCC BOY KILLED BY CAR ON SOUTH PACIFIC HIGHWAY Gordon Russell, 18, Hit by Auto of Spurgeon Van Zee--Grand Jury to Probe Gordon Russell, 18, a CCC Camp Applegate enrollee on temporary duty at Medford district headquarters detachment at the county fairgrounds, suffered fatal injuries shortly before 6 p.m. Monday when he was struck by an automobile operated by Spurgeon Van Zee of Route 2, box 384, on the Pacific highway about 200 feet south of the Central avenue intersection. Russell, whose home is in Minden, Louisiana, was rushed to Sacred Heart hospital in the Perl ambulance, but died without regaining consciousness, at 11:20 p.m., a little over five hours following the accident. His attending physician said he sustained a severe basal skull fracture and shock. City police, who investigated the mishap, said young Russell was struck by the automobile as he and a fellow CCC enrollee, Thomas E. Beasley, 18, also here on temporary duty from Camp Applegate, were walking along toward Medford on the left side of the highway. Beasley was next to the ditch and Russell was walking on the cement stripping, police said. The 1929 Chevrolet sedan driven by Van Zee, who was returning to his home from his job at an orchard south of the city, was also traveling north, and swung to the left to pass a Petroleum Heat and Burner company truck being driven in the same direction by Robert L. Higgins of 1028 East Jackson boulevard. Just as Van Zee was abreast of the truck his automobile struck the CCC youth, police said, the boy being hit by the left front bumper and fender of the car. At the impact, Russell was lifted onto the left fender of the car and his head smashed against the left front windshield post and the top hinge of the left front door, police said it was learned. Beasley told police that the impact of the blow sent Russell spinning around several times before he struck the ground. He was quoted as saying he didn't know what had happened until he looked up and saw his friend whirling in the air. Police quoted Van Zee as explaining that he never, at any time prior to the accident, saw the two boys walking along the highway. Van Zee told police that he didn't know he had struck anything until he felt the jar of the impact. It was raining, police stated, and the windshield of Van Zee's machine was clouded. The car was not equipped with a windshield swipe, nor did it have bright lights, city police said. CCC officials said today that Russell and Beasley, just finished with dinner, were on their way to Medford to spend the evening. They explained t both boys were what are termed "casuals," or enrollees from outlying camps spending time here on work details. Russell's body, CCC officials said, would be shipped to Minden, Louisiana, for burial. He arrived at Camp Applegate last July, after joining the CCC in his home town. His mother's name is Mrs. Sadie Russell. The district attorney's office reported there would be no inquest into the fatal accident, that instead all facts would be submitted to the grand jury this afternoon. Medford (Oregon) Mail Tribune, Thursday, 31 Oct 1940, p. 7, c. 5 GRAND JURY EYES HIGHWAY DEATH OF GORDON RUSSELL Killing of CCC Enrollee by Auto to Be Given Further Consideration Later The Jackson County grand jury, Preston Phipps, Medford, foreman, after hearing a dozen witnesses in its investigation of the death last Monday night of Gordon Russell, 19, CCC enrollee from Minden, La., from injuries sustained when struck on the Pacific Highway by a car driven by Spurgeon Van Zee, orchard worker, recessed Wednesday, and will resume consideration of the case at a later date. Russell and another CCC enrollee, Thomas E. Beasley, 18, were walking on the Pacific Highway when Russell was struck by the fender of the Van Zee car, and hurled a considerable distance. Russell sustained a skull fracture from which he died five hours later. CCC officials said Russell's body would be shipped to Minden, La., for burial. His mother's name is Mrs. Sadie Russell. Russell has been stationed at Camp Applegate since last July, and was temporarily stationed at district Headquarters here. Van Zee was quoted by Deputy District Attorney George W. Neilson as stating he did not see the two youths at any time, and did not know he had hit anything until he felt the jar of the impact. The deputy district attorney also said the enrollees wore dark clothing, the windshield of the Van Zee car was clouded by rain and the lights not at full strength due to a weakened battery. Van Zee also claimed he was blinded by the lights of an approaching auto. Neilson anticipated the grand jury would be recalled as soon as the authorities completed further investigation now underway. The grand jury also returned two secret indictments, both withheld from publication, due to the defendants not being in custody.