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RUSHTON, Edgar William (27039)

Parents

Birth

  • Born on April 25, 1895 in Westchester, Cumberland Co., NS

Death

  • Died on February 14, 1947 in Birchwood, Cumberland Co., NS
  • Buried in Little Rushton Cemetery in Kolbec, Cumberland Co., NS

Marriages

Children

Notes

  • Occupation: Labourer
  • Death: Automobile Accident - Dislocated Cervical Vertebrae/ Fractured Right Thigh
  • Obituary: The Oxford Journal, Oxford, Nova Scotia February 20, 1947 (FRONT PAGE) Edgar Rushton Loses Life When Thrown From Truck Death came suddenly to Edgar William Rushton of Birchwood last Friday night when he sustained a broken neck and a fractured thigh. The deceased, with Carl Miller and John Elden "Egan" Embree, both of Stallarton, were proceeding towards Hudson's Corner in Embree's truck when the vehicle struck a washout in the road and went out of control. The impact threw open the door of the truck and Rushton was thrown out on the frozen surface of the road. He died instantly. The truck went into a ditch. Carl Miller sustained a broken nose, while Embree, owner and driver of the truck, was uninjured. The accident took place at the foot of Henry Adshae's hill near the home of Ervin Sutherland, at about 7:30. Dr. J.E. Park, Dr. H.R. Roby, Chief of Police Lawrence Norman of Oxford and Cpl. Steinhauer of Springhill were called to the scene of the accident. After medical examination they reached the conclusion that the death had been instantaneous. The injured man was given attention. The police made measurements of the distance the truck had traveled after striking the washout and the position of the body. Cpl. Steinhauer notified Coroner P.J. Terrio of Joggins of the tragedy and an inquest was ordered for Saturday. The body was removed to Black's Funeral Home in Oxford. A jury composed of Charles I. MacNab, foreman, Kensel Mitchell, Leon H. Thompson, John A. MacDonald, Edmond Burke, Corey Moore, Peter M. MacLean, Reginald Hardie, Thomas Murphy, Noble Dobson, John F. Hudson and Basil Wood was selected Saturday morning and carried out an inquiry into the fatality under the direction of P.J. Terrio, coroner, Cpl. Steinhauer and A.R. Lusby, Crown prosecuter, Amherst, representing the Attorney-General's Department. Witnesses testifying were E.A. Owens of Rockly, who had been a passenger in the truck earlier that day, John Elden Embree, driver of the truck, Carl Miller, who was also in the truck at the time of the accident, Borden Fountain and Leonard Hardie, Westchester, who came along shortly after the accident occurred, Jim McDonald and Ervin Sutherland, who live near the scene of the accident, Dr. J.E. Par, Carmen Park, Cpl. Steinhauer and Chief of Police Norman. The jury visited the scene of the accident Saturday morning and later viewed the remains at Black's Funeral Home. Nearly all afternoon was taken to hear the evidence of eleven witnesses. The evidence showed that the fatal truck had made two trips to Springhill Liquor Store the day of the accident for beer. Several witnesses testified that the occupants of the truck had been drinking. Police officers told of finding unopened bottles of beer at the scene of the accident. Cpl. Steinhauser gave evidence that when he reached the scene of the accident, Embree, the driver of the truck, was not in sight and did not make his appearance until at least two hours later. Cpl. Steinhauser and other witnesses stated they detected the odor of liquor on Embree's breath. The taking of evidence was concluded at 5:30 and about 6 o'clock the jury brought in the following verdict: "We the jury empaneled to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the death of Edgar William Rushton, a resident of Birchwood, find that the deceased came to his death by being thrown from a truck which struck a water course rut across the highway. Contributing to the disaster there is evidence that the driver was under the influence of liquor. Jury foreman C.I. MacNab believed the verdict was unanimous, but when the coroner P.J. Terrio called on the jurymen to sign the verdict, two members, John F. Hudson and Basil Wood, refused to sign unless the last part of the verdict was changed to read "the driver was slightly under the influence of liquor". Although not positive of the law in this respect, Crown Prosecuter Lusby believed that it was not necessary to have a unanimous decision in the coroner's inquest. Coroner Terrio was of the opinion that the jurymen should have settled the matter before bringing in their verdict. However the verdict was accepted, with the two jurymen still refusing to sign. Edgar Rushton had been living on the outskirts of Oxford at Birchwood for several years. And previous to that, he lived at Streets Ridge, Kolbec and other parts of Cumberland. He was the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Amasa Rushton. He is survived by his wife and four small children, the youngest being but a few months old. The funeral was conducted on Monday afternoon from Black's Funeral Home and was largely attended. In his youth Mr. Rushton lost the use of one leg, which was later amputated at the knee. He was well known throughout the county, his cheery disposition winning him many friends who are saddened by his tragic passing.

Sources

  • Nova Scotia Deaths: Year 1947 Pg. 1790

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