Fatally Hurt on Crosswalk

Dr. Annie Keeler, Struck by Automobile, Dies Within Few Hours.

Injuries received when she was struck by an automobile while crossing Main street at Chapel place, shortly after 9 o’clock last evening, caused the death of Dr. Annie Keeler, of 12 Chapel place, in the Danbury hospital within a few hours. Knocked down by the automobile, which was operated by Alfredo Osborne, of 120 South street, Dr. Keeler received a fracture of the skull at the base of the brain, and other injuries. The fracture of the skull was caused by the impact of her head against the pavement when she was thrown backward after she had been struck by the car.

Dr. Keeler was unconscious when several young men, witnesses of the accident, lifted her up from the pavement. She was carried by the young men to the City Hall, where Dr. N. B. Selleck, police surgeon, examined her and ordered her immediate removal to the Danbury hospital. Dr. Keeler’s condition was regarded as critical, when she reached the hospital, and little Rope was held for her recovery. An operation was not performed at the hospital as the injured woman was in no condition to withstand the ordeal.

Mr. Osborne went to police headquarters with the men who were carrying Dr. Keeler and made a report of the accident. His statement, together with that of seven eye-witnesses of the accident, caused the authorities to attach no criminal liability to him. He was unable to produce a motor vehicle operator’s license for 1927, however, although he had one that expired February 28, and he was held on the charge of operating a car without having an operator’s license. In the City court this morning, Judge S. A. Davis continued a hearing on this charge until next Monday, instructing the police to investigate the case thoroughly to-day.

Struck on Crosswalk.

The fatal accident occurred on a crosswalk in the center of the business section of the city. Automobiles were parked at the curb on the east side of the street, from which Dr. Keeler stepped on her way to Chapel place, where she resided. From the statements of Mr. Osborne and others it is apparent that Dr. Keeler heard the sound of the horn on Mr. Osborne’s automobile. She stopped, stepped back, and then started forward again.

When he first saw the woman, Mr. Osborne states, he was about fifteen feet away from her traveling north on Main street. When she stepped back he continued and then saw that she had started forward again. He pulled his car to his left. This action prevented: Dr. Keeler from being struck by the front of the car, but the body did not clear her, the right running board hitting her at about the middle of the car. The force of the collision knocked Dr. Keeler backward to the pavement.

Carry Injured Woman.

Seven young men. John Havora, 10 Cleveland street; George and Paul Faynor, of 30 Hillside avenue; Albert Addessi, 29 Main street; George Gaylord, 464 Main street; John Kolinchak and Fred Peck of Golden Hill, were eye-witnesses of the accident. They were walking south on the west side of Main street and were in front of the Savings Bank of Danbury. There were no cars at the curb there to obstruct their view.

When they saw the woman fall the young men ran into the street. Picking her up they started for police headquarters, believing they would be able to get medical aid more quickly by carrying her to the emergency hospital than by waiting for the arrival of the ambulance.

At police headquarters the young men made statements to the police. They agreed that Dr. Keeler hesitated just after the automobile horn sounded, that she stepped back and then stepped ahead toward the approaching car. They saw Mr. Osborne swing to the left, in an effort to avoid striking the woman; saw the side of the car hit her, and saw her fall.

The statement of Mr. Osborne to a reporter of the Evening News this morning agrees with that he made to the police last night. In the automobile with him was his wife, who was riding on the front seat, and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Brink, of 96 West street. The car was going north on Main street at a speed of twenty miles an hour, Mr. Osborne states. As he approached the crosswalk at Chapel place he saw a woman step out from between automobile parked at the curb. She was about ten or fifteen feet ahead of him at that time, he estimates.

He blew his horn and the woman stepped back. Believing that she was going to remain in that position Mr. Osborne continued on. Then Dr. Keeler started ahead, stepping, almost directly in the path of the car. In an attempt to avert an accident Mr. Osborne pulled the car sharply to the left but the running board struck the women. Mr. Osborne pulled his car up to the curb and went back. By the time the young men had picked Dr. Keeler up and were carrying her to the emergency hospital.

Mr. Osborne stated to-day that he had neglected sending in his application for an operator’s license for 1927 until last Friday and that he had not received it. The shock of the accident has prostrated Mrs Osborne, and she's confined to her bed to-day.

Coroner to Inquire.

The fatality has beep reported to Coroner John J. Phelan by Dr. D. C. Brown, medical examiner. Coroner Phelan will come to Danbury to-morrow afternoon at 2:30 o’clock, to conduct an inquiry.

Is Shock to Community.

The accident and the death has caused a shock to the community, as Dr. Keeler was a widely known resident of the
city. Although born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1855, she had resided in Danbury or Ridgefield the greater part of her life and for forty years had been a practicing physician in this city. Because of her deep interest in many activities of a public and semi-public nature Dr. Keeler had built up an extensive acquaintance and friendship.

She was the daughter of the late Halcyon and Emily Keeler Bailey. About twenty years ago for personal reasons, she substituted the family name of her mother, Keeler, for her own family name, the change being legalized by the courts. Her parents moved to Ridgefield from Brooklyn when she was seven years old. At the age of thirteen Dr. Keeler entered Miss Sherwood’s private school on Deer Hill avenue. Later she entered the New Britain State normal school, from which she was graduated in 1876. She taught school several years after her graduation.

In 1885 she was graduated from the Women’s medical college of the New York infirmary and received a hospital appointment for the following year. She came to Danbury to reside in 1886 and had engaged in the practice of her profession here since that time.

In connection with her professional duties Dr. Keeler was active in many ways. She was deeply interested in evangelical work, often supplying pulpits in Danbury and neighboring places in the absence of pastors. She also conducted many chapel, home and mission services and for a long time conducted a Bible school in her home. Recently it had been her custom to conduct services at the home for old people, in charge of Mrs. Margaret Wimmer and yesterday had charge of a service there.

She wrote books of a religious nature and contributed many articles to magazines and medical journals. Two lectures given by her in 1896 at the First Congregational church, "Prophecies Fulfilled in History," and "Prophecies in the Course of Fulfillment" were published and widely circulated.

She was a student of botany and in 1897-1898 was secretary of the Agassis Botanical Club, of Danbury.

For eleven years she served on the regular lecture course at the Danbury Hospital Training School for Nurses. In 1892, at the request of graduates of the school, she formed the Graduate Nurses’ association, the regular meetings being held at her home until the Nurses club rooms were secured.

Dr. Keeler was especially interested in parliamentary law and her classes of instruction to women of the community were a source of much value.

Twenty years ago she organized the Ridgebury Cemetery association, which was very dear to her heart, and had headed the organization ever since. She was an active member of Echo Rebekah lodge. Dr. Keeler was formerly a member of the First Congregational church.

She is survived by no relatives nearer than cousins.

The arrangements for the funeral of Dr. Keeler have not been made.