RAIL CROSSING CRASH KILLS FOUR
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RAIL CROSSING CRASH KILLS FOUR
N&W Train Crushes Car At Higby
Norman Spearry, Two Sons, Father-in-Law Meet Instant DeathTragedy nearly wiped out the Norman Spearry family, Route 5, Sunday morning, when Mr. Spearry, his two sons and his father-in-law were killed instantly as their car was ripped apart by an N. & W. passenger train southeast of the city.
The accident, Ross county's worst in years, occurred at 9:39 a.m., 11 miles southeast at the Higby crossing, about a miles from Route 35 east. The auto, a 1935 Chevrolet, was demolished by eastbound train No. 36. State highway patrolmen listed the dead as Mr. Spearry, 42, a B&O railroad car shop employee; his father-in-law, George Nelson, 59, Wellston, Route 2 farmer, and two small sons, Robert Spearry, 7, and Emerson, 5.
Wife, Daughter Survive
Mrs. Evay Spearry and daughter, Beulah, the only two surviving members of the immediate family, which lives just a mile and half from the crossing, both visited the crash scene before the four mangled bodies were removed. Sheriff Mark said the warning lights were working, but that misty weather might have obscured the vision of those in the car. Witnesses to the tragedy, Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Ray, Waverly, Route 2, told the patrol, Ross County Sheriff Sam Mark and Coroner R. E. Oliver they were driving north on Stoney Creek road when they saw the train strike the car. We saw the car make a left turn, approach the double crossing, and come to almost a complete stop," they reported. "Then the car just seemed to roll right out in front of the oncoming engine."
Bodies Strewn for 75 Feet
The bodies were strewn all along the tracks as far as 75 feet from the point of impact, Mr. Nelson was lying east of the tracks and Mr. Spearry was knocked between the tracks some distance in front of the train. Seven -year old Robert was thrown 50 feet down the right of-way and his younger brother, Emerson, was found about 75 feet from his father along the Scioto river bank which runs parallel with the railroad at this point. At first it was believed that only three were killed in the mishap, but when the mother arrived on the scene, she was said the younger son, Emerson, also had been in the car. His body was found then, partly hidden by bushes. The four were enroute to Caldwell's corner on Route 35 to purchase a loaf of bread for Sunday dinner. Teen-aged Beulah Spearry had been offered a ride, but declined to go. Mr. Nelson arrived at the Spearry home Saturday evening to spend the week end. Coroner Oliver gave a verdict of "accidental death" and said all suffered skull fractures. Patrolman Charles E. Wallace and Richard Iuler, an auxiliary patrolman made the investigation for the state highway patrol.
Notifies Dispatcher
The N. & W. assistant trainmaster, who was aboard the train used a company line to call the news of the wreck to Pearl Workman, 500 Allen avenue, a dispatcher at the Renick tower, who in turn relayed the message to the patrol. Two ambulances from the A. H. Boyer Co. funeral home of Waverly, went to the scene and the four bodies were taken there pending final arrangements. Clary's wrecker of Richmond Dale removed the shattered automobile. The tragedy raised the death toll for Ross county to 16, a new high in recent years. Until Sunday, the toll was four in the city and eight in the county.
Norman Spearry was born at Wellston on Feb 19 1907, the son of Frank and Bertha Ervin Spearry. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Evay Spearry and one daughter, Beulah May, both at home on Route 5; his father Frank Spearry, Wellston, and stepmother, Ellen.
Also surviving are a sister, Mrs. Laura Sickels, Jackson, Route 3; two half brothers, Franklin Spearry, Wellston Route 3, and Arnold Spearry, St. Louis; and two half sisters, Mrs. Margaret Argerbright, Wellston, Route 3, and Mrs. Sylvia Maxstead, Groveport, Route 1. A twin brother, Nelson, died in infancy. His son, Robert , 7 was a first grade pupil at Richmond Dale. He was born Oct 13, 1942. Emerson, 5, was born in 1944.
The father-in-law, George Washington Nelson, 59, was born in Greenup Co, Kentucky, on June 16, 1890, the son of Jefferson and Nancy Nelson. His wife, Mrs. Gracie Nelson, died on June 21, 1941.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Evay Spearry Route 5, and Mrs. Hazel Reed, Route 2; three sons, Clyde and Bronlow Nelson Welston, Route 2, and Howard Nelson, Chillicothe, Route 2. Also surviving are five grandchildren, in addition to the two who were killed in the wreck; and four sisters, Mrs. Lilly Skeens, Wellston, Route 3; Mrs. Millie Bennett, Michigan; Mrs. Tillie Hall, Ripley; and Mrs. Della Colburn, Pike county, Kentucky.
Joint Services
Joint services will be conducted for all four victims at the Richmond Dale high school at 2 p.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Mr. Dillinger, pastor of the Church of God officiating. Burial will follow in Hickman cemetery nearby under the direction of the A. H. Boyer Co; funeral home, Waverly. The bodies will be taken to the Spearry residence on Route 5 after 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Chillicothe Gazette, Chillicothe OH; 19 Dec 1949