From the Tacoma Times, Monday, April 20, 1942, pg 1
Manslaughter Is Charged In Death of Sumner Man
A tentative charge of manslaughter was being placed against Stancer Frost, a 43-year-old federal inspector, following a fist fight Saturday evening in an automobile company office in Sumner which resulted in the death of Fred M. Pendleton, 41, prominent Sumner business man.
Frost was being held in the count jail Monday, but Prosecuting Attorney Thor C. Tollefson and Deputy Prosecutor Elmer E. Healy agreed he should be placed under a charge so that he might be released on bail bond.
They also agreed that investigation so far was quite conclusive that there were no grounds for a murder charge. There had been a quarrel over repairs to Frost's car, words led to a fight, and an hour afterward, Pendleton died.
Frost, residing at 321 7th Ave., N. W., Puyallup, is a war department inspector, formerly employed on the Mud Mountain dam project and more recently assigned to the construction of the Japanese concentration center near the Puyallup fair grounds.
Pendleton, popular in Sumner, was a partner in and manager of the Wood Motor Co., in which he was associated with Jay Wood.
Healy, who directed the investigation, said Monday that Dr. Charles R. McColl, pathologist, had performed an autopsy Sunday but until certain laboratory tests are made, said he could not definitely determine the cause of death. The tests, according to the pathologist, would require about five days.
Healy said he had obtained statements of numerous witnesses Sunday, and was interviewing more Monday. The stories do not altogether jibe, he said, but show there was very certainly a slap-bang fight in which both men took considerable punishment.
Both Pendleton and Frost were of light heavyweight build and from testimony and physical evidence, there were no rules.
As Healy reconstructed the general agreement of storied Monday, here is approximately what happened:
Frost purchased a new car from the Wood Motor company about a year ago. He experienced mechanical trouble with it, the latest defect appearing in the clutch.
Saturday morning, Mrs. Frost took the car to the Wood shop in Sumner and asked what they would do about it.
She was advised that the new car guarantee period of a year had expired, but that the company might put in a new clutch if Frost would pay for the installation labor.
She met her husband about 4:30 Saturday afternoon, told him of the propersition and he suggested they see Pendleton and settle the matter.
In the shop, Frost insisted the company should stand the whole expense; Pendleton refused to absort the labor charge. Frost said he wanted to put the question up to Jay Wood.
Pendleton called Wood on the shop phone, and handed the received to Frost, then went to the office to listen in on the extension.
Wood told Frost that Pendleton was manager and whatever Pendleton said would be done.
Then, according to Healy, Frost said something that Pendleton heard but didn't like, and Pendleton invited Frost to come to the office - just a few feet from the telephone.
Frost went, Pendleton meeting him at the door. Frost removed his glasses and the battle began. Stories conflict, but Frost insists Pendleton swung first, struck him and knocked him down to the cement floor.
Pendleton, according to Frost, had boasted he could beat Frost “the best day he ever lived.” Frost told Healy he couldn't remember much after that, but that he was down and Pendleton was holding one of his legs. Frost kicked with the other.
Shop men and other came in then and one dragged the two men into the adjoining sales room. Frost got up and Pendleton indicated “that was enough,” but Frost came at him then and the fight resumed.
Frost got a hold around Pendleton's neck - a wrestling hold - and squeezed hard. The spectators jumped in to separate them and the whole gang went down in a heap.
Mrs. Frost then took her husband out to the car and they drove away.
Pendleton had called for police, the statements showed, but the fight was over and Frost gone when an officer appeared.
Pendleton was asked if he wanted to prefer charges, but said he did not. He went on home and complained of a headache and injured right shoulder.
Mrs. Pendleton suggested a doctor, but Pendleton doubted if he could get a doctor at dinner time and said he guessed he'd go down to the drug store to get something for his bruised face, which was swelling.
He soon reappeared at home, parking his car in front of the house and started up the stairs, staggering. Mrs. Pendleton helped him into the house and to bed. But before a doctor could be reached, Pendleton had expired.
Frost meanwhile, not knowing of the tragedy, had taken his wife to Buckley. Returning home after 11 o'clock he heard the Sumner police were looking for him. He supposed Pendleton had obtained a warrant for his arrest, and drove direct to the Sumner police station.
There he was advised Pendleton had died soon after the fight.
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