Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1920-08-12
TRAIN CRASHED INTO
AUTO ON TRACK
ONE WOMAN INSTANTLY KILLED
AND ANOTHER ONE ONLY
SLIGHTLY INJURED

An accident occurred two miles
north of town about three o'clock
\ Tuesday afternoon in which Miss
| limo Spencer lost her life and her
sister Alma was slightly injured.
The two young ladies were re-
| turning to their home in Ford car
and when they reached the North
western crossing a quarter of a mile
from their home, they collided with
the Northwestern passenger train.
Miss limo Spencer was in the front
seat with her sister Alma, who was
driving the car. She had but little
experience driving and was going at
a moderate rate. Just as they
were approaching the railroad cross
| ing the afternoon passenger train
came along. The girls did not hear
the train whistle for the crossing
and as they neared the track they
shut off the gasoline and put on the
emergency brake, evidently hoping
| to stop the car before reaching the
track. The train ran into the car
which was stalled on the track.
| throwing limo between the rails and
turning the car over to the left. The
driver remained in the car and sus-
tanned a dislocated shoulder blade
and a few scratches on her face.
| The train with seven cars passed ov-
err the body of limo. Her body was
badly cut, crushed and bruised. One
arm was broken, the thumb on her
| left hand was cut off and the big toe
on her left foot was also amputated.
The train was stopped immediate
| W. The mutilated body was taken
out from under the rear coach. She
was still breathing, but she had been
mangled so badly that she died in a
few minutes. DR.. Brooks happen
ed along on his return from a call
to Dedham while the train was still
there. He gave medical attention
to Alma and soon had her able to be
taken to her home. The body OF
limo was put on a stretcher and
brought to the undertaking rooms of
G. l.. Gore & Co., where 1t was pre-
pared and placed in casket before
being taken to her home.
When the engineer saw the car
had been stalled on the track he
stopped his engine, but was unable
to bring the train to stop in time
to avoid the collision.
The county officials and the cor
oner went to the scene Of the acct
dent at once. Passengers on the
train were questioned and photos OF
the wreck and the track were taken
Wednesday morning X. j. Owens
Northwestern claim agent came
from Omaha and assisted the count!
attorney and county coroner in hold
ing an inquest In the afternoon
4 Engineer Dewitt. Fireman Allen and
Conductor O'Connell were witnesse:
before the coroner's jury composed
of A. e. Beason, Geo. Viewer and
Frank Bagley. Their evidence was
| taken after which the jury rendered
a verdict that 'the deceased came to
her death by being run over by a
| Northwestern train"
The accident is a regrettable one
and no one feels it more keenly than
Engineer Dewitt. The deceased
was one of our splendid young
women, a graduate of the A. H. s
in the class of 1918. She is the
daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Madison
Spencer. The sympathy Of the en-
tire community is extended to the
bereaved parents.
Funeral services will be held al
the Methodist church this afternoon
at two o'clock in charge of the pas
tor, Rev. d. ]. Shenton.