The Death of Cliff Litterall

A harbinger of tragedy, perhaps, but a Stoddard Dayton mechanic by the name of Cliff Litterall 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 during the week leading up to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's first ever auto race meet August 19-21. This article notes the conclusion of an autopsy by Coroner Blackwell performed in August 1909.