CHAUFFEUR FINED $300 FOR 'WORST CASE' OF WRECKLESS DRIVING IN D.C.
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 13, 1924, Charles Gillan received the maximum sentence of $300 in Police Court after having been found guilty of reckless driving here in the Nation's Capital.
Mr. Gillan is the chauffeur of Mr. Arthur Sixsmith*, the private secretary of Andrew Mellon**.
Judge Gus A. Schuldt, according to The Evening Star, said that this was the "worst case" of wreckless driving that had come before him.
The defendant admitted in court to driving 45 miles per hour through a school crossing at the scene of the accident of November 18 last at the junction of Connecticut Avenue and Ashmead Place.
Gillan's vehicle crashed into a truck injuring two men who were taken to hospital for treatment.
JFK+50 NOTE
The Evening Star incorrectly names Arthur Sixsmith as "Arthur S. Sixsmith" as other sources identify his middle name as Egerton.
*Arthur Egerton Sixsmith (1880-1969) was born in Ottawa, Ontario Canada & became a professional ice hockey player before going into the banking industry.
AES was the personal assistant of Andrew Mellon & amassed a wealth of $10 million before losing it all in the Stock Market Crash of 1929.
**Andrew William Mellon (1855-1937) was born in Pittsburgh, PA & became a wealthy industrialist & banker. AWM served as Secretary of Treasury 1921-1932 & as US Ambassador to UK 1932-1933.
SOURCE
"Sixsmith's Driver Assessed $300 Fine," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 13, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
