Title	Mrs.
Last Name	Tibbetts
First Name	(Leonard)
Middle Name
Maiden Name
Nick Name
Place of Birth
Date of Birth
Place of Death	Dexter, ME
Date of Death	1920-11-07
Publication	The Eastern Gazette 11-11-1920, p.1
Obituary	FATAL AUTO ACCIDENT Automobile Turns Over, Killing Mrs. Leonard Tibbetts Mrs. Leonard H. Tibbetts of this town was instantly killed Sunday evening when an automobile in which she and her husband were riding with their son, Fred L. Tibbetts, became unmanageable on School street hill, and coming backward down the hill at terrific speed, overturned. The three occupants of the car were thrown out with great force, Mrs. Tibbetts striking on her head, with the result that death was almost instantaneous. Her skull was broken in three pieces, her jaw was fractured and one arm broken in two places. It was the first fatal automobile accident to occur in Dexter. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbetts and their son had been in Charleston and in returning took a short cut across town and started up School street hill, which is very steep. When about half way up the pinion gear broke, the emergency brake was found to be useless and the machine started backward down the very steep grade, gaining speed rapidly. In approaching Main street it is apparent that Mr. Tibbetts attempted to swing the car into the street when it overturned at the corner, throwing the occupants very forciby into the street. Matthias Thurston, who was driving up Main street, had a narrow escape from being struck by the runaway Tibbetts car. Stopping his car he carried Mrs. Tibbetts to the porch of L. B. Waldron's residence, where it was found that life was extinct. The elder Mr. Tibbettts was little hurt though suffering from shock. He was taken to his home on Zion's Hill, while Fred L. Tibbetts suffering from a probable broken shoulder and bruises was taken to the Plummer Memorial hospital by Dr. Harold H. Crane, who was summoned to the scene of the accident, and later taken to his home. Mrs. Tibbetts was one of the estimable women of the town and her sad death cast a gloom among her many friends. Her husband, sons and daughter have the sympathy of the community in their bereavement. She was about 70 years of age and has been a resident of this town for many years. Funeral services were held Wednesday forenoon at 10 o'clock from the Methodist church of which she was a member, Rev. F. Ernest Smith officiating. The bearers were four grandsons of the deceased, Morton Bullard, Ray Bullard, Arthur Bullard and Francis Tibbetts. Many neighbors and friends gathered to pay their last respects to one who was highly esteemed in the community. There were many beautiful floral offerings. Interment walk at Mt. Pleasant cemetery.