Jim Allison's Obituary

Indianapolis Motor Speedway founder Jim Allison's death was front page news in the August 4, 1928 edition of the Indianapolis News. It was also somewhat controversial. Allison had recently divorced his wife of over 20 years to marry his secretary. After the wedding at Carl Fisher's Montauk retreat, Allison and his new wife took a train ride west to Indianapolis. Along the way Allison, who had a history bronchial infections, contracted pneumonia. He passed away at his Indianapolis home a week later. Within weeks this triggered a bitter court room dispute over his estate between not just his first and second wives, but his mother as well.