Santa Cruz Daily Surf, April 5, 1917, p.1 MOVIE PEOPLE IN ACCIDENT

Delays the Blowing Up of Newspaper Office

The blowing up of the newspaper office by the Reid Film Producing Company was delayed by an auto accident this morning, when several people were injured. The Morning Democrat office, the one to be blown up, was constructed between the old Leslie Brick block now owned by Dr. L. A. Whittle and the Mission School lot, and throngs were near and about the building as the explosion was scheduled for 11:00 o'clock. It was a continuation of the brick block with a front of a single brick wall, an entrance, windows on each side, and a big sign, "Morning Democrat," across the top. A bulletin board announced the election of the first woman Senator in Montana and was at the side of the entrance. The side of the building was flimsily built of cloth and framework. Crowds had left Holy Cross Church from the Holy Thursday services, and with the others gathered, made a throng of people eagerly watching the happening.

Director Hal Reid was in his car. An electric car was approaching and as the street is very narrow it attempted to get out of the way of the approaching car. He placed his foot on the wrong pedal and lost control of his machine. It shot ahead, caught a German woman and dragged her and struck Mr. Utell, a member of the company, who, with Deputy Sheriff Alzina had grabbed the car wheels and tried to hold it back. Utell had his knee badly cut. A lad was also injured and cut. The woman managed to leave without serious injury, but Utell and the lad were taken by auto to a physician.

Dr. Dowling dressed the wounds, which were slight. The boy, Merle Whitehurst, besides his leg, had his face and arm skinned.

The car climbed the curb, shot across the walk, struck the temporary building, shattered the glass window and took out some of the brick wall which had to be repaired and rebuilt, and the blowing up was then postponed until 2 o'clock.

The wall, which was of wooden blocks, a good representation of bricks, was badly knocked out of place."