The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1948-10-28
Caldwell Veteran Dies In Flaming WreCkage
Coal Truck
ColIides With
Loaded Vehicle

WOfld war IL IN Caldwell,
burned to death in the cab of
his truck Monday afternoon
on the Charlottesville road in
Muskingum county as three
men tried valiantly to save
him.
AS flames licked first from
the broken fuel line, then
from the gas tank and over
the entire cab, Christopher
screamed to his would-be res
cuers to free his left foot caught
in the wreckage.
In respiration, a chain was
thrown around the blazing cab
and it was yanked into the road
way but the driver was already
dead, his body badly charred.
The Caldwell drivers gravel
truck had crashed into a heavy
truck owned by the w. E. Shrid-
er Drilling company, of Newark,
and driven by Donald Vanwy, of
Granville route /. 1t was loaded
with timber and heavy we'll
drilling equipment.
Trucks Crash
According to authorities who
investigated the accident, Christ
opher was following the Shrider
truck, east bound about nine
miles from GAINESVILLE. Vanwy
slowed for approaching traffic,
then turned left into a roadway
leading to the S. R. Deal farm
and the gravel truck crashed in
to the side of the other vehicle,
showing it some distance.
The body of Christopher's
truck and its load of gravel
was ripped loose from the chas-'
sis, landing on the roadway but
the driver was unable to free
himself.
AAttempted Rescue
James R. Merry, of Caldwell,
P. H. 'Ohlinger and George Bey,
who were on the scene within a
minute, fought the flames and
tried to pry Christopher's foot
loose but as the flames crept
higher, they were forced to back
away.
Young Christopher was driving
for G. 7. Jennings, of Caldwell,
who holds a P. U. c. o. contract.
He had been engaged in the
hauling business for the past
year and this last May, unsuc-
cessfully attempted to be the
Republican candidate for sheriff
in Noble county.
War Veteran
A veteran of World War II,
Christopher served as aerial en-
gineer in the China theatre for
three years. He was a member of
the American Legion, Noble post.
1t is said that a number of
Caldwell residents were at the
scene of the accident, few min
utes after it had occurred, but
all were helpless to aid the
stricken driver.
A son of John, Sr. and Bessie
Christopher, of Playground road,
the young man graduated from
the local high school, where he
was star on the football field.
Before the war, he was employ
ed in Canton.
Accident Investigated
He married Miss Dorothy
Young, of Uniontown, Pa, who
survives with his parents and
the following brothers and sis
ters: George, William, also star
on the local football team this
year, Albert, Dolores and Evelyn
June, all of the home and Mrs.
Wanda Hartley, Covington, and
his grandfather, Harmon Christie
pher, of the Heskett rest home in
Cambridge.
The Hills ambulance answered
Ia call to the scene of the tragedy
as well as investigating state
highway patrolmen from the
Cambridge station. Coroner S.
S. Daw, of GAINESVILLE, gave a
verdict of accidental death from
burning and the body was then
removed to the B. B. Wheeler
funeral home in Caldwell.
Military Rites
Full military rites were ac-
corded Tuesday afternoon at 3
o'clock when funeral services
were held from the Wheeler
chapel. Rev O. O. Wilson, pastor
of the First Methodist church
and Rev. Reese McGoldrick, pas
tor of the First Church of Christ
officiated. Interment was made
at the Olive cemetery with mil
itass 9honors.