Johnny Jakes' Auto Accident-Rutherford Co. TN (1929)

For several years, I’ve been sitting on a bit of a mystery regarding my grand uncle, John L. Jakes. I had found an earlier article detailing an auto accident he was involved in, which ended with him being arrested and scheduled to appear before the Justice of the Peace the following day. Despite searching, I had never been able to locate a record which detailed the outcome.

With The Home Journal (Murfreesboro, TN) now available on FamilySearch, I finally located a follow-up piece that fills in the blanks. While both articles refer to him as "Johnny Jakes," I’m certain it’s my John L. because the reports mention his occupation as a local barber in Murfreesboro.

The two articles tell a very different story when read together. In the first, Johnny claimed he wasn't the driver, alleging that another man had been behind the wheel and fled the scene immediately after the crash. However, the second article, which was published after his court appearance which suggests the judge didn't buy that story. It appears there was no mystery driver after all; it was Johnny behind the wheel, and he had been driving while under the influence. Thankfully there were no injuries. I’m glad I located the second article. It gives me some idea of what really happened. 

Transcriptions of Both Articles

Autos Collide, Barber Arrested

No one was injured although one of the cars was badly damaged last night when an auto driven by Isaac Roberts and another machine collided at University and East Main streets. Johnny Jakes, a local barber, was going out East Main while Roberts was going North on University when the crash took place. Jakes told officers that another man, who was driving the car at the time of the crash, jumped from the machine and fled. He was arrested on a charge of drunkenness and his trial is scheduled to be held today before Justice of the Peace Hicks.

Source:
"Autos Collide, Barber Arrested," The Daily News-Journal, September 9, 1929, p 1,col 4; digital image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-news-journal-autos-collide-ba/195264260/ : accessed April 10, 2026), clip page for by user rmbeckman.

Cars in Collision on East Main Street
Isaac Roberts and Johnny Jakes were
the drivers of cars that collided at the
corner of East Main and University
streets Sunday Night about 7 o'clock.
No one was injured but the cars were
somewhat damaged.
Mr. Roberts drove out of University
street and his Chevrolet was struck on
a rear wheel by Mr. Jakes' Dodge.
Both cars were turned in opposite dir-
ections from the way they were travel-
ing.

Source:
"Cars in Collision on East Main Street," The Home Journal(Murfreesboro, TN), Tues Sept 10 1929, Vol 40 no 73, p 1, col 6; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHK-Q3RY-T3J8 : accessed 10 Apr 2026), IGN 8986511, Image 588 of 901.