“George E. Ware, 54 years old, of Fruitland, was instantly killed early Sunday morning when he was struck by an automobile driven by L. A. Kasten, 21, of Pocahontas on Highwy 25 at the north edge of Fruitland.
Ware was hit by the knob on the right door of the automobile and his skull was fractured, an examination revealed.
Kasten was exonerated by Coroner E. R. Schoen, who made an examination and held that an inquest was unnecessary.
Kasten, who was returning to his home in Pocahontas after attending a dance at the Ideal amusement hall near Fruitland, said he saw Ware step into the road ahead of his car, and that in an effort to avoid striking him he turned the car quickly and went into a ditch. That Ware stumbled and fell into the car as it turned quickly was indicated in the fact that only the door knob struck him.
After the accident, Kasten went to the home of Jack Ware, a son of the deceased, and told him of the accident. They returned to the scene and called a Jackson physician, who said that death had probably come instantly. Later Coroner Schoen was called and an investigation was made.
Ware had also been present at the dance at the amusement hall earlier in the night and had been taken to Fruitland by Perry county people, who reported they aroused him from sleep to leave him in Fruitland. They left him on a street in Fruitland, now knowing where he lived it is reported.
Kasten is reported not to have seen Ware until the latter emerged from the side of the road directly in the path of the car. The driver swerved the machine sharply, he said, believing that Ware would stop.
Kasten had attended the dance with a stepdaughter of Jack Ware, the son of the deceased, and had left her at the Ware home only a few minutes before the tragedy, authorities were told.
Ev. Ware, as he was generally known throughout the community, was a native of Cape Girardeau county. He was born Jan. 11, 1854 near Fruitland and lived the greater part of his life in that community. He was married to Blanche D. James June 1, 1889, who now resides in St. Louis. He leaves three sons, James and Dick Ware of St. Louis and Jack Ware of Fruitland. He had been making his home with an aunt, Mrs. Mollie Hays of Fruitland.
Dean Ware, a brother of the deceased, was killed in an automobile accident near the Clover Hill school in December, 1916. The car, belonging to Ruddle Adams, was overturned.
Funeral services were held this afternoon at the Pleasant Hill Presbyterian church. Rev. Allen, pastor, conducted the services. Interment was in the cemetery there.”

Source:  The Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau MO; April 16, 1928

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