A. Edgar Fowler
Story furnished by Clarence Crocker

AUTO ACCIDENTS TAKE 24TH LIFE HERE THIS YEAR AS A. EDGAR FOWLER, GLENDALE, DIES IN CRASH NEAR GLENN SPRINGS, SOUTH CAROLINA

Such was the front page headlines of the Spartanburg Herald on Sunday June 21, 1936. A. Edgar Fowler, a Glendale textile worker was fatally injured in an auto accident on the Glenn Springs/Pacolet road Saturday evening at about 5 P.M. June 20, 1936. Mr. Fowler was driver of the pick-up truck in which he and two other men were riding. His death marked the 24th auto fatality in Spartanburg County as of June 21, 1936.

According to the Spartanburg Herald which published the story on Sunday June 21,and Monday June 22, 1936, the three men were returning to their home when the light pick-up truck in which they were traveling, left the road on a grade, plunging down a steep embankment. All three were thrown from the truck. 

Mr. Fowler’s neck was broken and died instantly. One of the passengers, Charlie Burrell who was riding in the cab with the driver, suffered a considerable loss of blood from laceration on the chin and arm. George Easler, who had just returned to his home in Glendale from the Walhalla CCC Camp and was riding in the truck bed, escaped with minor injuries. Both men were knocked unconscious when thrown from the truck.

Regaining consciousness, Easler sought to stop Burrell’s bleeding by tying a tourniquet around his arm before walking about a mile to the nearest house, seeking help. Arriving at the house and relating his problem, Easler told how a man was sent on a mule to Glenn Springs, some three miles away, to phone for a Doctor. He said that several hours had passed before medical aid arrived. In the mean time, residents of the neighborhood did what they could for the injured. 

 

Receiving a call for help about 8 P.M., The M. W. Bobo Funeral Chapel sent two ambulances to the scene to bring the victims to the Spartanburg General Hospital. After being treated for their injuries Mr. Burrell and Mr. Easler were discharged and taken to their homes. Mr. Fowler’s body was released to the Funeral home for burial arrangements. 

Coroner John S. Turner announced that no inquest would be held in the death of Mr. Fowler in that he was the driver and all evidence pointed to the wreck as being purely an accident. The deceased family was also convinced that the wreck was entirely accidental. Mr. Fowler was a 32 year old textile worker employed by The D. E. Converse Company, Glendale Mill Division and had lived in Glendale for many years. 

His obituary published by the Spartanburg Herald listed as survivors; his wife, Mrs. Mattie Inez Brown Fowler; four young children, an unnamed infant daughter, only days old, later named Nancy Fowler, a second daughter, Nellie Ruth Fowler; two sons, Roy and Paul Fowler, all of Glendale, S. C. Three brothers; Hiram Fowler, Fort Bragg, N. C., Johnnie and Lewis Fowler of Converse, S. C.; Two sisters, Miss Purnie Fowler, Converse, S.C. and Mrs. Clarence Millwood, Spartanburg, S.C. and also, an aunt, Mrs. Laura Wright of Converse with whom he had once lived. 

Funeral services were held at the Glendale Baptist Church on Monday morning June 22, 1936 with interment following in the Glendale Community Cemetery. Ministers were, Rev. J. J. Sparks and Rev. Jesse Tomlinson. Pallbearers were, James Spurling, Howard Lancaster, Carl Gossett, Lawrence Thomas, Howard Rhinehart and John Deaton. 

According to the published obituaries, Mattie Inez Brown Fowler, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jessie F. Brown, (a Glendale Mill Supervisor and distant cousin of this writer) died in the Hospital at the age of 33 on January 5, 1939 following a brief illness. She was survived by her four children who were raised to adulthood by their Aunts who also lived and worked at Glendale.

Return to Glendale Families
Return to Glendale Homepage

This web site has been started as a public service to share the story of Glendale. See more information about Mary and her Glendale connection at Mary McKinney Teaster.