KOCH

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Thursday, January 07, 2010 at 05:16:26 :

Marin Journal
Thursday, March 15, 1917
Page 4

Auto Wreck Kills Wife, Husband Held

Charged with driving an automobile while intoxicated, August E. Koch of Mill Valley is facing criminal prosecution following an accident Saturday night in which his wife, Jessie Koch, was killed.

Returning to his home from San Rafael, Koch is said to have lost control of his machine near the railroad crossing beyond Green Brae. The car left the road and plunged into a field. Koch was thrown out and Mrs. Koch, pinned underneath the overturned car, died before she could be extricated by Dr. J. J. Spottiswood of Mill Valley, who came along in a few moments.

Dr. Spottiswood flagged a train which came along in a few minutes and the train crew righted the machine. It was found that Mrs. Koch had been thrown face downward in the mud of the marsh and that she had apparently suffocated. Deputy Coroner Ray Keaton removed the body to the morgue and it was later shipped to San Francisco.

Koch was placed in custody by Under Sheriff Charles Redding, who investigated the circumstances of the affair. Redding states that from his investigation he believes that Koch was intoxicated.

Judge Magee arraigned the defendant on Monday and released him on bonds of $1,000, furnished by Jules Levy and John Baller. The date of the preliminary examination is next Monday, the 19th.

Mrs. Koch, about 40 years old, had charge of a department in the Emporium. During the summer season she conducted a refreshment resort on the Dipsea Trail between Mill Valley and Willow Camp.