University of Virginia Library

While I conscientiously
avoid writing letters to the
editor, it seemed desirable to
write concerning the interesting
article by Ms. Sprinkle on page
two of The Cavalier Daily of
Tuesday, April 10. In this
article, Ms. Sprinkle refers to
an article in The Cavalier Daily
in 1957 concerning an
automobile accident involving
Professor Edwin W. Patterson,
Sr. She suggests that Professor
Patterson might have been
under the influence of alcohol.
Everyone, I am sure, will
understand that this is all in
good humor, but I think I
should clarify this for you
readers.

Professor Patterson was one
of the most distinguished law
professors in this country and
taught for many years at
Columbia University before
visiting us in Charlottesville. He
did not use a car frequently in
New York and was not familiar
with automatic transmissions.
The particular car he was
driving was defective, its motor
accelerating suddenly without
warning. This happened when
Mr. Patterson was trying to
park and when he shifted gears,
the motor accelerated again
and he went down that steep
embankment behind the Law
School. After Mr. Patterson's
accident, the University put up
some barriers to keep vehicles
from rolling over into the
lower lot.

Professor Patterson was
much chagrined by this
accident, but I assure you he
was not at fault. Rather, the
vehicle was defective and
Professor Patterson had driven
so little he was not prepared
for a burst of speed which
probably resulted from a
sticking choke.

Professor Patterson
contributed greatly to our life
at the Law School and he was
much missed when he died
several years after this
accident. Mrs. Patterson
continues to live in
Charlottesville and his daughter
holds an executive position at
the University. I am sure you
agree it would not do to allow
a suggestion to be made in
your paper that this very
distinguished man was involved
in an accident caused by
drinking.