Michael and Lizzie Brewer

TRAGEDY HERE WAS ACCIDENT, CORONER SAYS
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brewer Killed at Railroad Crossing
AUTOMOBILE IS COMPLETE WRECK
Mishap Occurred Shortly After Freight Clears North Avenue Tracks

A verdict of accidental death was returned by Coroner Edward Cook today following his investigation of the tragic death of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Brewer, former Middletown residents, who were killed Thursday afternoon at 4:25 o'clock when their automobile was struck by a fast southbound express and mail train at the North Avenue crossing of the Big Four railroad. Coroner Cook stated the investigation would continue this afternoon and Saturday morning during which time officials of the railroad will be called upon to testify.
The investigation revealed, the signal lights and bells at the crossing were working at the time and that Mr. and Mrs. Brewer were either talking and failed to adhere to the warning at all or that they drove into the path of the oncoming train immediately after the freight train which had been switching at the crossing had passed.
The only two witnesses to the accident were Charles Emmet, of Fleming road, and C. C. Keller, 2002 Henry street. Several employees of Barkelew Electric manufacturing company were standing at a window at the time and said they saw the automobile pull onto the tracks.
Mr. Brewer, witnesses say was driving the small coupe east on North avenue and had stopped at the crossing to allow a freight train to clear the crossing. He then drove onto the tracks directly in front of the train. Belief was expressed by witnesses that his attention was intent upon the freight train and he did not see the train bearing down on him from the opposite direction.
The engine struck the side of the auto hurling Mrs. Brewer out while Mr. Brewer was caught inside the wreckage and carried from the crossing a block and a half south and extricated at the depot. The machine was a mass of twisted iron.
Mrs. Brewer's left leg and right arm were torn off and her skull was fractured. She was killed instantly. Mr. Brewer died at the City hospital of a fractured skull shortly after being received. His body was mangled.
The engineer of the train, John Mangan, of Columbus, said he applied the brakes immediately but the gasoline on the tracks from the wrecked machine hindered the brakes from holding.
Other members of the crew on the train were; Homer Hatton, Springfield, fireman; and L. H. Wilson, Cleveland, conductor. The train, it is said, was slowing up at the time of the accident to stop at the depot.
E. F. Anderson, ticket agent at the depot, stated the lights and bells t the crossing were tested only a few days ago and were working at the time of the accident. The engineer stated he blew the whistle 100 yards from the crossing. Brewer is thought to have believed the signals were working because of the freight train passing.
Mr. and Mrs. Brewer were returning to their home near Red Lion. They had been visiting Mrs. Brewer's sister Mrs. Anne Gibson, 620 Auburn street. The couple had been married 15 years. The operated a grocery store at 2016 Crescent boulevard, for four years. The store was sold to Brewer's brother about last September after which they moved to a farm near Red Lion.
Mr. William Jefferson, a brother of Mr. Brewer, uncovered a queer angle of the accident Thursday night, stating Brewer joked with him about a small debt, as he left his home prior to the accident, saying "Well Jeff, you'll get it alright even if my insurance has to take care of it."
George Brewer, another brother helped carry the body of Mrs. Brewer to the ambulance unaware of the fact it was his sister-in-law. Mingling in the crowd later he head the car was owned by a Brewer. He rushed to the hospital and found his brother had died.
Mrs. Brewer is survived by her parents of Blaze, Ky.; one sister, Mrs. Anne Gibson, 620 Auburn street; six brothers, James Henry Lewis, Farmer Lewis, William Lewis, Curtis Lewis, Morton Lewis, and Clarence Lewis, all of Kentucky.
Mr. Brewer is survived by a son and a daughter, Omer Brewer, 110 Franklin street, Middletown, and Mrs. Amanda Rubler, of Cleveland; six brothers, William Jefferson, Steve, Woodrow, of Middletown; Floyd and George, of West Middletown, and Gerald of Blaze, Kentucky.
The deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Brewer were the seventh and eighth automobile fatalities in Butler County this year.
The bodies of the two the victims have been removed to the home of Mrs. Brewer's sister, Ms. Anna Gibson, 620 Auburn street.
Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Church of God on Clayton street, Rev. Wilson officiating. Interment will be made in Woodside Cemetery. Undertaker J. R. Baker in charge.

Source: February 14, 1930 Friday Middletown Journal, Middletown, Ohio
5 Oct 2006 Vivian Combs Moon writes,
"Lizzie Vance Lewis Brewer is the d/o Edmund Price Lewis and Rebecca Law
Michael (aka Mitchell) Brewer is the s/o Stephen Brewer and Elizabeth Adams"

Omer Brewer

6 Apr 2007 Heather Brewer writes,
" I have been trying to find an obit or a newspaper article on Omer Brewer’s accident and death in Middletown OH. I found the Brewer family obituaries the one that was on Michael and Lizzie Brewer. Omer was their son and he was my children’s Grandfather. I know there has to be an article on when he died because it was a car accident. If you have any info on where I might obtain the info I seek please contact me at [email protected]

11 April 2007 Vivian Combs Moon writes,
This is the only Omer Brewer listed in the Middletown Death Records.
OHIO DEATH RECORDS
Middletown, Ohio
DC# 505
name: Omer Brewer
married white male
born: January 27, 1928 Ky
died: November 26, 1966 Middletown, Ohio
father: Jack Brewer
mother: Elnora Pelfrey
funeral home: Eaton Funeral Home, Eaton, Ohio
burial: November 30, 1966 Tar Ridge Cemetery, Wolfe Co Ky
informant: Lohoma Brewer

Ora Brewer Forsythe

Mrs. Ora Brewer Forsythe, 60, Harlan Road, Waynesville, died at 8 p.m. yesterday at her home after an illness of six months. She had been bedfast for a month.
Mrs. Forsythe moved to Waynesville in 1952 from Newport, KY. She was employed at the Gardner cafeteria here for four years. She was a member of the First Church of God.
Surviving are her husband, James Blaine Forsythe; four daughters, Mrs. Alfred Alexander of Monroe, Mrs. Thomas Dickerson of Newport, Mrs. Herman Surgenor of Middletown and Mrs. Henry Windburn of Florence, KY; two sons, William C. Brewer of Miamisburg and Raymond L. Brewer of Angola, Ind.; ten grandchildren; one great-grandchild; her father, George Davis of Middletown; five sisters, Mrs. Dora Short and Mrs. Ruby Joliff, both of Middletown, Mrs. Ruth Armitage of Franklin, Mrs. Sudie Congleton of Albuquerque, NM, and Gail Nell Forsythe of Waynesville; two brothers Russell Davis of Albuquerque and Ray Davis of Lebanon; two steps sons, James Vernon and Charles W. Forsythe, both of Waynesville and three stepdaughters, Mrs. Virginia Flynn of Kettering, Mrs. Martha Sears and Mrs. James Diers, both of Dayton.
Friends may call at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Surgenor, at 210 Vanderveer St. from 4 p.m. Tuesday until 11 a.m. Thursday, when the body will be moved to the First Church of God, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Dr. R.C. Caudill and the Rev. Clifford Hutchinson will officiate. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery.
Arrangements are by the Joseph R. Baker & Sons Funeral Home

Source: August 15, 1960 Middletown Journal, Middletown, Ohio
11 Oct 2006 Vivian Combs Moon writes,
"William Jessie Brewer born 1-11-1897 Powell Co Ky was the s/o Robert Lee Brewer & Zuelema Belle Swango.
He married Ora Davis born 3-10-1900 Kentucky d/o George Washington Davis & Rebecca Brooks"

William Jessie Brewer

William Jessie Brewer, 50, 229 East Fourth St., Newport, KY., died Sunday evening at Spears Hospital after an illness of one month.
A resident of Middletown for 20 years before moving to Newport, he was employed by Armco.
Surviving him are his widow, Ora; two sons, William C. and Raymond L. of Newport; four daughters, Mrs. Alfred Alexander of Monroe, Mrs. Thomas Dickerson of Newport, and Ruth and Wilma Jean of the residence; and four grandchildren.
Services will be held at the First Church of God in Middletown on Wednesday at 2 p.m., Rev. Irig of Newport and Rev. Curtis Lee of Middletown officiating. Burial will be in Woodside Cemetery.
Friends may call at the home of Mrs. Brewer's brother-in-law, Alex Short; of 1824 Sherman Ave., today. mcCoy-Leffler Funeral Home has charge of arrangements.

Source: August 12, 1947 Tuesday Middletown Journal, Middletown, Ohio
11 Oct 2006 Vivian Combs Moon writes,
"William Jessie Brewer born 1-11-1897 Powell Co Ky was the s/o Robert Lee Brewer & Zuelema Belle Swango.
He married Ora Davis born 3-10-1900 Kentucky d/o George Washington Davis & Rebecca Brooks"