BLAIR MAN, FOUND LYING IN STREET, DIED EARLY MONDAY AT HOSPITAL

46 YEAR OLD MAN SUFFERED A SEVERE SKULL FRACTURE

“Doug” Carter, lifelong Blair man died early Monday at Blair Memorial Hospital after being found in the early morning hours lying in the intersection of Twentieth and Washington streets. He had suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage resulting from a skull fracture.

The manner in which he received his injury remains a mystery and police are awaiting the results of an autopsy which is being conducted at the University Of Nebraska School Of Medicine.

Erwin Douglas Carter was born at Blair May 4, 1927, and the family lived for many years at Fourteenth and Nebraska streets. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dine Carter, his father having been an engineer at the Blair Municipal Light Plant. Both parents have preceded him in death.

Douglas was one of five sons, three of who now survive. One brother died several years ago. Those surviving are Dr. Carroll Carter of Denver, Colorado; Dr. Russell B. Carter of Manteca, California and Dr. Clayton Carter of Morganstown, West Virginia.

Carter was found by Brian Lauritsen, Blair truck driver, who was returning from a run about 1:00 o’clock Monday morning. Lauritsen immediately stopped his truck, trained his lights on the man and around nearby neighbors to call Blair Rescue Squad. He was taken to the hospital where he was placed in the intensive care ward as his condition was immediately diagnosed as serious. His condition worsened and he died about 9:00 A.M.

Police in checking the incident, have arrived at no conclusions. Chief Verne Prescher reports that injuries about the head were the only injury which he appeared to have. Carter could have slipped and fallen on the pavement striking a severe blow to the back of his head. When found he was lying on his back.

He could have been struck by a passing auto but other injuries do not indicate this is likely. He had a habit of not following cross walks and frequently wandered across intersections and walked in the center of a street.

Foul play was ruled out because money which he carried was still in his pockets.

Carter lived at the Leptein Nursing Home at Twentieth and South streets and was apparently on his way home. Police determined that he had left a downtown tavern about twenty minutes before he was found on the pavement.

Funeral services will be held this (Thursday) afternoon at the First Baptist Church. The Rev. James Metzgar will conduct the service and burial will be made in the Blair Cemetery under the direction of Campbell Mortuary.

Pallbearers will be Calvin Metzler, Richard Grimit, Leslie Bucklin, Dick Svendgard, James Olson, and Ernie Stricklett.

Carter worked only occasionally, doing mostly manual labor jobs. He had no hobbies aside from playing cards at the local taverns and those with whom he played admitted that he was a shrewd player. He was of a friendly nature, knew most everyone and was a ready visitor.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~