The accident occurred about five miles east of
St. Lawrence, near the Arnold Fremark farm, while the group was on the
way home from Huron. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Conerton, returning to
their home near Vayland, came upon the wrecked car, and summoned help.
This was about 2:30 and it is believed the crash occurred only a brief time
before.
Giving an account of events which led up to the
tragedy, young Gussler, only recently discharged from the army, stated that he
had met a car on the higway, travelling at a very high rate of speed. The
driver refused to dim his headlights which were so bright that a farmer living
nearby who saw the car thought it was a fire in St. Lawrence. Blinded by
the lights, and unable to tell just where the approaching car was in the road,
Ellsworth turned off the paving to give him as much passing room as possible.
It was as he swung back to the highway again that the car struck the concrete
abutment of the bridge, with such force as to wrap the front door around the
steel post.
All four occupants had been hurled from the car
in the crash which sheared off the right hand side of the car almost completely.
Miss McMahon, who was sitting in the front seat, is believed to have been killed
almost instantly, or may have died quickly from loss of blood. Miss Locke
was still alive, but died a few moments after being brought to the hospital.
Her injuries included a broken back. Both girls were sitting on the right
hand side of the car.
Roy McKown was unconscious when brought to the
hospital, and did not regain consciousness until Tuesday morning. Because
of his condition it was impossible to make a complete examination to determine
the extent of his injuries. One leg was fractured in two places, above and
below the knee, his left arm was fractured and it is feared that he suffered
internal injuries. His condition is serious.
Funeral services for Miss McMahon were held
Thursday morning from St. Ann's Catholic church, and burial made in the Catholic
cemetery. Pall bearers were John, James and Thomas Coss, Frank
and Lee Bell and Lowell Hall.
Born at Mitchell September 7, 1923, she received
her education in the Mitchell and Woonsocket schools, and with her parents came
to Miller about six years ago. For several years she was employed as clerk
at Scofield's and Haugen's grocery stores, and prior to her tragic death was
employed with the Coffee Cup Cafe.
Surviving are her parents and two brothers,
Glen and Lloyd.
Services for Miss Locke will be held Friday
afternoon from the Methodist church, of which she had been a member since June,
1941. Rev. Ernst will have charge of the services. Pall bearers will
be her high school class mates, Maurice Anderson, Robert Schroeder,
Louis Donlin, Francis Schwartz, and Marvin Benning.
Born near Miller October 4, 1922, Miss Locke
grew to young womanhood here, and attended high school in Miller, graduating
with the class of 1941. Following her graduation, she entered St. Mary's
School for Nursing at Pierre, completing her course in 1944. The same year
she joined the nursing staff of the Miller hospital, continuing in her
profession until her death.
She is survived by her parents, one sister,
Norma, two brothers, Kenneth and Robert, and her grandparents.
(no date or publication - from scrap book)
ROSE HILL FARMER
IS CRASH VICTIM
Ogee Johnson Dies from Injuries
Received in Collision. Five Others Injured.
Ogee Johnson, 62 year old farmer of Rose
Hill township, is dead, and five other people are in a Huron hospital, as the
result of an automobile crash south of Vayland Tuesday morning. Mr.
Johnson, driver of one of the cars, suffered internal injuries and passed away
in the hospital early Wednesday morning.
The crash occurred at a highway
intersection 17 miles south of Vayland. Sheriff Roy Haas, who was
called to investigate the collision, said it occurred at a wide intersection.
The Johnson car was traveling south, and the other, driven by Sherman Sterner
of Highmore, was coming from the east. Mr. Johnson was alone in his car.
Others injured in the collision,
who suffered injuries described by attending physicians as painful but not
critical are:
Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Sterner, who
live south of Highmore.
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Willroth
and 5 year old son,
Edward, of Denison, Ia.
Most seriously injured of the
group, all of whom were riding in the Sterner car, is Mrs. Willroth, who
suffered a dislocated knee; Mrs. Sterner, fractured knee cap; and Edward
Willroth, who sustained a fractured collar bone and severe facial and scalp
lacerations.
All members of the party were badly
cut and bruised but are expected to make satisfactory recovery, their physician
said.
Mr. Johnson is a brother-in-law of
Mrs.
Floyd McCarl of Miller and well known in the county.
(from scrapbook, no date or
publication)
Car
Stalled, Rescue
Averts Serious Result
Caught on the road when his car stalled in 15
below temperature and an icy northwest wind, John Wever had several very
uncomfortable hours, New Year day, before he was rescued.
Returning from Highmore John's car stalled about
four miles from that town. After unsuccessful attempts to start the car
again, he started walking to a farm house. He was wearing only a light top
coat and no hat. When he reached the farm, he found it was untennanted,
and started walking again, hoping to find a place where he could be sheltered.
He had gone only a short distance when Dean Henson of Ree Heights drove up, and
took him into Ree Heights, leaving John at the home of Henson's grandmother.
Early in the morning, after his failure to
return home, the parents became alarmed and a searching party was organized.
Because of the lack of night service at Ree Heights, it was impossible for John
to notify his parents that he was safe, until some time Monday forenoon, and in
the mean time much fear had been felt that he might be a victim of the bitter
cold.
Despite his harroing experience, he suffered no
ill effects from exposure.
(from scrapbook - no date or publication name)
TWO FATALLY INJURED,
MAN HOSPITALIZED IN SEPARATE ACCIDENTS
A series of two traffic accidents
took the lives of two men and put a third in the hospital, where he is under
guard, awaiting recovery before being removed to Pierre to face a charge of car
theft.
Anton Flottmeyer, well-known
resident of Fairview township, died early last Thursday morning in Memorial
hospital, from injuries received when his car struck the bridge near the golf
course, north of Miller. Mr. Flottmeyer was riding alone at the time, and
was on his way home after attending the sale in Miller. The accident
occurred about 11 o'clock Wednesday night.
Witnesses to the accident stated
that the car rolled over several times after hitting the bridge. Mr.
Flottmeyer was conscious when removed from the car, and was at once brought to
the hospital. Death was caused from a ruptured spleen and internal
hemorhage.
Born in Germany, the deceased had
made his home in the Polo vicinity for many years. Funeral services were
held last Saturday morning from St. Liborius church, Father Hunold officiating.
He is survived by three children. Mrs. Flottmeyer passed away five years
ago.
(remainder of article missing)
(from scrapbook - no date or
publication name)
MRS.
STENDER, HURT IN COLLISION, IS MUCH IMPROVED
