PASSENGERS ARE CRUSHED UNDER MASS OF WRECKAGE - 1921

KELLY, WILLIAMS, BRUSH, DOWNING, SHELDON

Posted By: Irish Eyes Are Smiling (email)
Date: 9/13/2012 at 21:04:00

Thanks Linda for this info:

Courtesy of the Ottumwa Courier May of 1921

TRAGEDY AT VINE STREET REVIVES PUBLIC DEMAND FOR ROAD ABOVE TRACKS

Burlington Switching Train Strikes Auto; Passengers are crushed Under Mass Of Wreckage.

VIODUCT PLANS TO BE RENEWED

The city of Ottumwa will renew the fight for a viaduct over the Vine street crossing just as soon of the matter can be adjusted. This was announced this morning by Mayor Chilton, and was a direct result of the tragedy at the crossing last night. The state railroad Commisioners rejected the city's demand for a vioduct of this kind of a hearing March 5, 1920. The railroad commisioners will hear from Ottumwa today; said Mr. Chilton; maybe this will make them see that Ottumwa needs a vioduct.

SWITCHMEN SEEN DEATH SCENE
Three persons were killed instantly, a fourth was seriously injured when a party of seven in an automobile driven by Edward Kelly, 234 Freitag Avenue was struct at the Vine street crossing by a string of cars propelled by a Burlington switch engine:

THE DEAD:
Edward Kelly 42 years old, assistant section foreman on the Burlington.

Mrs. X.A. Williams 60 years old mother in law of Mr. Kelly

Pauline Brush 12 years old of Brush, Colorado; niece of Mrs. Edward Kelly and grandaughter of Mrs. Williams.

INJURED: Died on May 21st from injuries.
Mrs. Edward Kelly 40 years old in seriously condition hip crushed and numerous cuts and bruises.

Miss Roxie Downing age 17 years right leg broke, body bruised and cut.

Miss Stella Sheldon, aged 24 years old of Ottumwa Route 4; bruised and cut.

Floyd Sheldon 22 years old; Miss Sheldons brother; bruised and cut.