Van Meter Auto/Train Accident, 1920

LINAMAN, MINDORFF

Posted By: Kristi Murdock (email)
Date: 10/19/2002 at 11:21:57

From the Des Moines Register, November 24, 1920, Page 1:

"Family Dead, She Fights For Life"
"Mrs. Linaman Ignorant of Husband's, Babe's Death."
Unaware that her husband and 3-year-old baby are dead, Mrs. Elmer Linaman of Van Meter, Ia., sole survivor of yesterday's railroad crossing tragedy, is at Mercy hospital with a fighting chance for her life. Mrs Linaman suffered injuries to her spine and probably internal injuries when an automobile driven by her father-in-law was struck by a Rock Island train on a crossing just east of Des Moines yesterday morning. Her husband, 3-year-old baby, mother-in-law and father-in-law were instantly killed. Mrs. Linaman was reported last night as slightly improved.
"Side Curtains Caused Accident."
Side curtains on the car prevented them from seeing the Rock Island train until they were upon the tracks, it is believed. Peter Linaman, his wife, Elmer Linaman and his baby were thrown clear of the car and instantly killed. Mrs. Elmer Linaman was thrown into the air, caught upon the pilot of the engine and her body not rescued until the engine had stopped at the Van Meter depot, 200 yards away.
"Little Hope of Woman's Recovery"
She was rushed immediately to Mercy hospital where physicians gave little hope of her recovery. The family of Peter Linaman was completely wiped out with the exception of Clifford, who remained home on the farm. Peter Linaman was well known in the Van Meter vicinity. He was 55 years old. He lived six miles southwest of town. The crossing where the accident occurred is just south of the Coon river bridge. There is nothing to obstruct the view at this point. Funeral arrangements for the Linaman family will be made Wednesday. The inquest will be held Friday. Mrs. Elmer Linaman was Miss Manda Mindorff of DeSoto. Mrs. Peter Linaman lived only a few minutes after the accident. The others were instantly killed. The car, a Paige, was wrecked. The train seems to have struck the back end of it. The elder Linaman was driving.