The Death of Cliff Literall

A harbinger of tragedy, perhaps, but a Stoddard-Dayton mechanic by the name of Cliff Literall was killed on Capitol Avenue in downtown Indianapolis when he fell off the gas tank of a race car and spilled onto the street to be crushed by a company truck following closely behind. The accident occurred on August 17, during the week leading up to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's first-ever auto race meet August 19-21.
 
The article in the attachment here notes the conclusion of an autopsy by Coroner Blackwell performed in August 1909. Interestingly, it insinuates a conflict of interest in Blackwell performing autopsies on bodies where the cause of death was readily apparent. The compensation was $25 per autopsy, and Blackwell or one of his colleagues could perform them.