Garage

Reported Monday, January 7, 1946.

Hugh Patterson, Vice President of Suburban Bank, found dead in the garage by his wife, Sue Patterson.

Mrs. Patterson gave the following statement:

Hugh went out alone in the car after dinner on Saturday, January 5. He often did this, especially lately, and would stay out very late. Sunday morning when he hadn't come home by breakfast, Mrs. Patterson went to the garage to see if the car was there. She looked in the left-hand door and saw Hugh hanging out of the car. She then telephones the local police station for help as she couldn't reach the doctor.

When the patrolman arrived, he went around to the back, broke the glass, climbed in the window and opened both doors. He left through the window so as not to disturb footprints in front. He found the garage full of gas fumes, the car's ignition turned on and the gas tank empty.

Hugh had seemed troubled for some time and money hadn't been as plentiful as it once was. Some time ago he told her that he carried heavy life insurance, with the double indemnity clause for accident, in her favor, and about that time he deeded the house to her. He had begun to drink a good deal lately.

The model shows the premises just after the patrolman left the garage by way of the window.

(To see a full-sized picture, click on the picture.)