JULIA POWALISZ
(1902 - 1930)
FIVE DIE AS TRAIN CRASHES INTO AUTO AT CLOVER TODAY
TWO WOMEN AND 3 CHILDREN HURLED TO DEATH BY TRAIN
Ten Persons In Light Touring Car Struck By Limited Leaving Manitowoc At 8 A.M
Victims Hurled 90 Feet; Probes Are Underway
DEAD WOMEN ARE SISTERS
Four persons were instantly killed, a fifth sustained injuries which ended fatally as she was being brought into the hospital and a sixth was so seriously injured that her death is expected when a Ford touring car containing 10 persons was struck by "The Fox," the gas-electric limited train, leaving Manitowoc at 8 o'clock this morning on a town road one-half mile south of Clover, shortly after 8 o'clock this morning.
THE DEAD:
Mrs. Frank Mrotek 32;
Her daughter, Gertrude 5:
Mrs. Victor Powlisz 26;
Her daughter, Marion 2 ½;
Martha Vandebusch 12.
THE INJURED:
Mrs. Peter Vanderbusch, 36, driver of the car; shock and bruises;
Her daughter, Leona, 14, basal skull fracture and broken jaw, may not survive;
Eleanor Mrotek, 7, bruises;
Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, possible skull fracture;
Donald Vandebusch, 1, possible skull fracture.
TWO IN SERIOUS CONDITION
No improvement in the condition of the accident victims of the train-car crash at Clover this morning was noted at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon and two of the Vandebusch girls, Leona, 14, and Dorothy, 5, were still unconscious. Leona is the more seriously injured of the two and it is said may not survive her injuries.
Hurled 90 Feet
Bodies of the dead and injured were flung a distance of 90 feet as the fast south-bound train struck the rear of the 1923 Ford touring car and dragged it for a distance of about 30 feet. The front of the car was not damaged, the engine and front wheels being in good condition but the rear was telescoped into the front of the automobile and was entirely wrecked.
Train Returns Victims
Immediately after the crash, Engineer Kitzerow brought his train of an engine and three coaches back to Manitowoc and the work of identifying the dead and maimed was started as city and county authorities launched their investigations.
All of Party Related
All of the accident and death victims were relatives who were on their way to the farm home of Frank Frozena, town of Newton, to assist him in picking beans on the farm fields.
Two of the dead, Mrs. Powlisz (sometimes spelled Povalish), and Mrs. Mrotek are sisters of Frozena as is Mrs. Vandebusch, the driver of the automobile. The children are cousins.
Only one member of the three families, other than the husbands who were at work in this city, escaped without injury, Leonard Vandebusch, 14, having remained at the Frozena home over night.
Unaware Of Accident
None of the husbands were aware of the terrible tragedy, the worst automobile accident in the history of this city, all of them living here, until some time after it occurred and they were informed by a Herald News man and police officer. They were sent to the hospital by Detective Frank Tomchek of the police department.
Scenes Of Horror
At the hospital, tragic scenes were enacted as the families sought their dead and missing and it was almost two hours after the accident that definite identification of the victims could be made.
Attempts to interview Mrs. Vandebusch at the hospital were fruitless, the driver of the death car being overcome by the tragedy as she felt she were partly to blame for the meeting.
Visibility Is Clear
The road at the grade crossing runs directly south and meets the railroad tracks at an angle, the latter extending in southwesterly direction from the intersection. There is no warning gong at the crossing, the road being little traveled.
No Houses or buildings obstruct the view but with the top of the car apparently up it would be difficult to look back as the tracks approach at an angle of almost 45 degrees, going to an apex where the road and tracks meet.
Order Investigations
A sweeping investigation was immediately ordered by Coroner W. G. Kemper, who with Sheriff Herman Carstens, was at the scene of the accident within a few minutes after it occurred. An inquest jury was to be sworn sometime today, the bodies of the dead were to be viewed and the taking of testimony will be started as soon as the victims of the accident can testify.
No eye witnesses could be located with the exception of Engineer Kitzerow who would make no statement after filling his report with railroad officials. Conductor Charles Sherman, former Manitowoc resident now living in Milwaukee, was in charge of the train.
All South Side Residents
All of the occupants in the light car lived in the city of Manitowoc, the family of Peter Vandebusch residing at 1105 South 10th Street; the Powlisz (or Povalish) family at 1125 S. Tenth street, while the Mrotek family lived at 1620 Madison street.
Notify Relatives
Identity of the parties was not definitely established until after Detective Tomchek recognized the driver of the automobile at the hospital and from almost incoherent remarks regarding "her dead sisters," the detective started on the search and within a half hour had sent the husbands to the hospital to identify the dead and injured.
Canning Co. Flooded With Calls
First news of the tragedy reached this city in a message to the office of Sheriff Carstens. Next came word to the police station to have both city ambulances at the Northwestern dept here when the gasoline propelled train was backed up here with the victims of the grade crossing crash.
First reports which stated that a truck loaded with bean pickers had been struck and that many had been killed resulted in the telephone at the office of the Wisconsin Pea Canners, Co., being swamped with calls. Parents and relatives who had children enroute to the bean fields this morning all began calling the company's office to get details. The company was without any information and this only added the confusion.
The scene at the Northwestern station, after the train backed in here with the dead and dying almost beggars description. The ten occupants of the car, four of whom were already dead were all in the baggage compartment. Two or three volunteers from passengers on the train were assisting the train crew as much as possible in giving first aid to the victims but the task was a well nigh hopeless one. The city ambulances were backed up to the baggage car of the train and those less seriously hurt were rushed to the hospital at once. For a time entrance could not be gained to the baggage room. Bodies of those already dead had to be placed on trucks on the station platform until attention was given to those still living. Crowds filled the streets leading to the depot as the curious hearing of the accident rushed there. Many of those were parents who had children out in the bean fields and had heard the first reports that the train had struck a truckload of pickers.
Four were dead upon arrival at the depot and were taken to the Wattawa & Urbanek mortuary in the company ambulance and in a delivery wagon which was passed into service as the other six were taken to the hospital.
Hundreds of morbidly curious rushed to the Chicago & North Western depot when it became known that the death train was returning to Manitowoc and a constant stream of men, women and children were in the baggage room hampering officials as they sought to cover the dead.
No Funeral Arrangements
So stricken were members of the families that it was impossible to learn any of the details of their arrangements for services.
Almost entire families were wiped out in the accident, the Frank Mrotek family of four losing a wife and daughter, with the other child being injured; the wife and only daughter of Victor Powlisz were killed, one daughter of the Peter Vandebusch family was killed, two were seriously injured, one escaped with minor injuries and the father and one son were not in the accident.
Manitowoc Herald News Friday, August 1, 1930 pg. 1
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SINGLE LOT FOR 4 CRASH VICTIMS DEAD OF WORST CRASH IN YEARS BURIED MONDAY
Four Of The Five Dead To Be Buried In Same Lot
Two Of Injured Still Unconscious Today
Manitowoc's most pitiful funeral cortege in history of the city will wind its way through city streets on Black Monday, when four of he five victims of the crossing accident at Clover yesterday morning will be buried in a single grave at St. Mary's cemetery, the procession will continue to Calvary cemetery, where the Vandenbusch girl will be buried.
As preparation for the funeral were being completed today, it was learned that two of the injured, Donald Vandenbusch 1 and Eleanor Mrotek 7, have been able to leave the hospital yesterday afternoon and today as their injuries were only minor. Dorothy Vandenbusch 5 and Leona Vandenbusch 14, continue to remain unconscious at the Holy Family hospital and the terrible shock of the tragedy was taken a toll upon Mrs. Peter Vandenbusch, driver of the death car, and the condition was being aggravated as details of the accident occurred to her at the hospital.
In vivid language, Eleanor Mrotek, who lost her mother and sister in the accident told her father of the scenes enacted immediately before and after the tragedy. The driver of the death car had not noticed the approach of the train. Eleanor first observing it from her vantage place in the front seat. She called to Mrs. Vandenbusch and the others took up the call to halt the automobile but it was too late-the crash occurred in a moment. Little Eleanor, suffering from bruises, told of crawling out of the wreckage, of seeing her sister lying dead across a fender and of seeing others in the party in heaps in the immediate vicinity. Mrs. Vandenbusch, ignoring her own injuries went from person to person as she realized the terrible nature of the accident, she became hysterical and all the way to Manitowoc was suffering terribly from the mental anguish.
An expert from Chicago was called here last night to assist local undertakers in rebuilding the features of the mangled victims, Mrs. Victor Povalish and Martha Vandenbusch being the most cut up as the others went to their death because of internal and other injuries. During all of last night and again today, several undertakers were at work preparing the bodies so they could be taken to the respective homes late this afternoon and they will remain there until funeral services.
Four persons, Mrs. Vandenbusch, the driver; Leona Vandenbusch with her one year old brother, Donald on her lap and Miss Eleanor Mrotek were occupants of the front seat of the 1923 touring, car while Mrs. Pavolish 26, Mrs. Mrotek 32, Gertrude Mrotek 5, Marian Povalisz 2, Dorothey Vandenbusch and Martha Vandenbusch were in the rear seat.
All of the dead were occupants of the rear seat, the only one seated in the front seat to be seriously injured being Leona Vandenbusch, who is still unconscious. The sixth occupant of the rear seat, Dorothy Vandenbusch 5 is also still unconscious.
The funeral services are planned to start the funeral procession at the home of Peter Vandenbusch home at about 8 a.m. Monday morning. From there the procession will go to the Mrotek home, where the bodies of Mrs. Mrotek and her daughter will be received, the procession then winding its way to Victor Pavolisz home where Mrs. Pavolisz and their only child will join the other dead to be taken to St. Mary's church where funeral services will be held. A Solemn requiem high mass service has been arranged for 9 a.m.
Following the services at the church, the four bodies will be taken to the St. Mary's church cemetery and will be buried in the same lot. After that the procession will continue to Calvary cemetery where services for Martha Vandenbusch are to be held.
The terrible nature and the completeness of the disaster which almost wiped out three families today still gripped the members of this relationship so that little coherent details could be secured. The tragedy is the worst automobile accident in the history of the county and records disclose it to be the worst grade crossing accident in this section in ten years. The accident which took the largest number of lives is one that took place near New London, which killed six residents at Sheboygan.
Manitowoc Herald News Saturday, August 2, 1930 pg. 1
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BURY FIVE IN ONE GRAVE; MOURNER BREAKS ARM
LARGE THRONG AT CHURCH FOR FINAL RITES
Services Are Held at St. Mary's Church
Mrs. John Nitka Breaks Arm in Fall at Mrotek Home
With the five bodies of the victims of the Clover grade crossing accident of last Thursday morning ranged in front of the altar of the St. Mary's Catholic church this morning, in the same order that they were to be lowered into the one grave, requiem high mass was said at nine o'clock this morning, before a church filled with relatives, mourners and friends of the two mothers and three girls.
The services were in charge of Rev. Father Pociecha, pastor of St. Mary's, who was assisted by Fathers Peil and Letz. Despite the large turnout, everything was conducted in perfect order and the funeral cortege moved on scheduled time. Mayor Georgenson and Police Chief Trocheill cooperated in rendering assistance in the handling of the crowds, both at the church and at the St. Mary's cemetery, where all the bodies were lowered into a single grave.
Mourner Breaks Arm
Only one incident marred the funeral services. One of the mourners, Mrs. John Nitka, a cousin of the Mrotek family, after returning to the Mrotek home on Madison street, from the funeral, slipped down a flight of stairs and broke her right arm. She was removed to the hospital for an X-ray examination.
While the funeral was under way two of the victims of the accident, were still unconscious at the hospital. They have never come to since being brought there after the crash. They are Leona Vandebusch, 14, and Dorothy Vandebusch, 5.
The funeral procession started at the Vandebusch home on South Tenth street, where the body of Martha Vandebusch was in the first hearse. The procession moved to the Mrotek home, on Madison street where the bodies of Mrs. Mrotek and her daughter were received and then winded its way to the Victor Powlisz home where the body of Mrs. Powlisz and their only child, Marian, joined with the other dead and the procession proceeded to the St. Mary's church.
Here the church edifice was found to be filled with mourners and many were unable to gain admission. After the services all the bodies were removed to the St. Mary's cemetery where burial took place.
Removed To Her Home
Mrs. Peter Vandebusch, the driver of the death car, who has been at the hospital was removed to her home on Sunday. Two other children who were in the car, Donald Vandebusch and Eleanor Mrotek, but were only slightly injured, have also been taken to their home.
Father Pociecha and the St. Mary's church board desire to extend special thanks to the mayor and police chief for their cooperation in the handling of the crowds, both at the church and the cemetery. Despite the heat and the large throngs perfect order was maintained and everything moved on time.
The arrangements for the funeral were in charge of John Leschke.
Manitowoc Herald News Monday, August 4, 1930
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ONE SISTER IS BELIEVED OUT OF DANGER
Renewed hope for the ultimate recovery of Leona Vandebusch, 14, and Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, two children seriously injured in the grade crossing accident at Clover last Thursday morning, when the Northwestern motor train "The Fox" crashed into a car containing ten women and children, killing five, was expressed today. Word from the Holy Family hospital, where they are patients said that their condition continued to improve.
Leona Vandebusch has recovered consciousness and shows the greatest improvement. It is believed that she will recover. However the younger sister is still unconscious since the accident, suffering from a fractured skull. It is the condition of the younger sister over which the most fear is entertained.
Manitowoc Herald News Wednesday, August 6, 1930 pg. 14
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STILL IN COMA 11 DAYS AFTER TRAIN CRASH
Still unconscious but apparently with imprint of the tragedy of August 1 upon her mind, Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, one of the ten occupants of the automobile struck by a Northwestern passenger train at Clover was removed from the Holy Family hospital to her home yesterday. Physically the girl is improved but mentally no change has been noted as she occasionally screams out in terror.
Her older sister, Leona, 12, regained consciousness a number of days ago at the hospital and was declared to be improving there this morning. Five of the ten occupants of the light automobile were killed in the crash and several others were seriously injured.
Manitowoc Herald News Monday, August 11, 1930 pg. 2
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(1902 - 1930)
FIVE DIE AS TRAIN CRASHES INTO AUTO AT CLOVER TODAY
TWO WOMEN AND 3 CHILDREN HURLED TO DEATH BY TRAIN
Ten Persons In Light Touring Car Struck By Limited Leaving Manitowoc At 8 A.M
Victims Hurled 90 Feet; Probes Are Underway
DEAD WOMEN ARE SISTERS
Four persons were instantly killed, a fifth sustained injuries which ended fatally as she was being brought into the hospital and a sixth was so seriously injured that her death is expected when a Ford touring car containing 10 persons was struck by "The Fox," the gas-electric limited train, leaving Manitowoc at 8 o'clock this morning on a town road one-half mile south of Clover, shortly after 8 o'clock this morning.
THE DEAD:
Mrs. Frank Mrotek 32;
Her daughter, Gertrude 5:
Mrs. Victor Powlisz 26;
Her daughter, Marion 2 ½;
Martha Vandebusch 12.
THE INJURED:
Mrs. Peter Vanderbusch, 36, driver of the car; shock and bruises;
Her daughter, Leona, 14, basal skull fracture and broken jaw, may not survive;
Eleanor Mrotek, 7, bruises;
Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, possible skull fracture;
Donald Vandebusch, 1, possible skull fracture.
TWO IN SERIOUS CONDITION
No improvement in the condition of the accident victims of the train-car crash at Clover this morning was noted at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon and two of the Vandebusch girls, Leona, 14, and Dorothy, 5, were still unconscious. Leona is the more seriously injured of the two and it is said may not survive her injuries.
Hurled 90 Feet
Bodies of the dead and injured were flung a distance of 90 feet as the fast south-bound train struck the rear of the 1923 Ford touring car and dragged it for a distance of about 30 feet. The front of the car was not damaged, the engine and front wheels being in good condition but the rear was telescoped into the front of the automobile and was entirely wrecked.
Train Returns Victims
Immediately after the crash, Engineer Kitzerow brought his train of an engine and three coaches back to Manitowoc and the work of identifying the dead and maimed was started as city and county authorities launched their investigations.
All of Party Related
All of the accident and death victims were relatives who were on their way to the farm home of Frank Frozena, town of Newton, to assist him in picking beans on the farm fields.
Two of the dead, Mrs. Powlisz (sometimes spelled Povalish), and Mrs. Mrotek are sisters of Frozena as is Mrs. Vandebusch, the driver of the automobile. The children are cousins.
Only one member of the three families, other than the husbands who were at work in this city, escaped without injury, Leonard Vandebusch, 14, having remained at the Frozena home over night.
Unaware Of Accident
None of the husbands were aware of the terrible tragedy, the worst automobile accident in the history of this city, all of them living here, until some time after it occurred and they were informed by a Herald News man and police officer. They were sent to the hospital by Detective Frank Tomchek of the police department.
Scenes Of Horror
At the hospital, tragic scenes were enacted as the families sought their dead and missing and it was almost two hours after the accident that definite identification of the victims could be made.
Attempts to interview Mrs. Vandebusch at the hospital were fruitless, the driver of the death car being overcome by the tragedy as she felt she were partly to blame for the meeting.
Visibility Is Clear
The road at the grade crossing runs directly south and meets the railroad tracks at an angle, the latter extending in southwesterly direction from the intersection. There is no warning gong at the crossing, the road being little traveled.
No Houses or buildings obstruct the view but with the top of the car apparently up it would be difficult to look back as the tracks approach at an angle of almost 45 degrees, going to an apex where the road and tracks meet.
Order Investigations
A sweeping investigation was immediately ordered by Coroner W. G. Kemper, who with Sheriff Herman Carstens, was at the scene of the accident within a few minutes after it occurred. An inquest jury was to be sworn sometime today, the bodies of the dead were to be viewed and the taking of testimony will be started as soon as the victims of the accident can testify.
No eye witnesses could be located with the exception of Engineer Kitzerow who would make no statement after filling his report with railroad officials. Conductor Charles Sherman, former Manitowoc resident now living in Milwaukee, was in charge of the train.
All South Side Residents
All of the occupants in the light car lived in the city of Manitowoc, the family of Peter Vandebusch residing at 1105 South 10th Street; the Powlisz (or Povalish) family at 1125 S. Tenth street, while the Mrotek family lived at 1620 Madison street.
Notify Relatives
Identity of the parties was not definitely established until after Detective Tomchek recognized the driver of the automobile at the hospital and from almost incoherent remarks regarding "her dead sisters," the detective started on the search and within a half hour had sent the husbands to the hospital to identify the dead and injured.
Canning Co. Flooded With Calls
First news of the tragedy reached this city in a message to the office of Sheriff Carstens. Next came word to the police station to have both city ambulances at the Northwestern dept here when the gasoline propelled train was backed up here with the victims of the grade crossing crash.
First reports which stated that a truck loaded with bean pickers had been struck and that many had been killed resulted in the telephone at the office of the Wisconsin Pea Canners, Co., being swamped with calls. Parents and relatives who had children enroute to the bean fields this morning all began calling the company's office to get details. The company was without any information and this only added the confusion.
The scene at the Northwestern station, after the train backed in here with the dead and dying almost beggars description. The ten occupants of the car, four of whom were already dead were all in the baggage compartment. Two or three volunteers from passengers on the train were assisting the train crew as much as possible in giving first aid to the victims but the task was a well nigh hopeless one. The city ambulances were backed up to the baggage car of the train and those less seriously hurt were rushed to the hospital at once. For a time entrance could not be gained to the baggage room. Bodies of those already dead had to be placed on trucks on the station platform until attention was given to those still living. Crowds filled the streets leading to the depot as the curious hearing of the accident rushed there. Many of those were parents who had children out in the bean fields and had heard the first reports that the train had struck a truckload of pickers.
Four were dead upon arrival at the depot and were taken to the Wattawa & Urbanek mortuary in the company ambulance and in a delivery wagon which was passed into service as the other six were taken to the hospital.
Hundreds of morbidly curious rushed to the Chicago & North Western depot when it became known that the death train was returning to Manitowoc and a constant stream of men, women and children were in the baggage room hampering officials as they sought to cover the dead.
No Funeral Arrangements
So stricken were members of the families that it was impossible to learn any of the details of their arrangements for services.
Almost entire families were wiped out in the accident, the Frank Mrotek family of four losing a wife and daughter, with the other child being injured; the wife and only daughter of Victor Powlisz were killed, one daughter of the Peter Vandebusch family was killed, two were seriously injured, one escaped with minor injuries and the father and one son were not in the accident.
Manitowoc Herald News Friday, August 1, 1930 pg. 1
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SINGLE LOT FOR 4 CRASH VICTIMS DEAD OF WORST CRASH IN YEARS BURIED MONDAY
Four Of The Five Dead To Be Buried In Same Lot
Two Of Injured Still Unconscious Today
Manitowoc's most pitiful funeral cortege in history of the city will wind its way through city streets on Black Monday, when four of he five victims of the crossing accident at Clover yesterday morning will be buried in a single grave at St. Mary's cemetery, the procession will continue to Calvary cemetery, where the Vandenbusch girl will be buried.
As preparation for the funeral were being completed today, it was learned that two of the injured, Donald Vandenbusch 1 and Eleanor Mrotek 7, have been able to leave the hospital yesterday afternoon and today as their injuries were only minor. Dorothy Vandenbusch 5 and Leona Vandenbusch 14, continue to remain unconscious at the Holy Family hospital and the terrible shock of the tragedy was taken a toll upon Mrs. Peter Vandenbusch, driver of the death car, and the condition was being aggravated as details of the accident occurred to her at the hospital.
In vivid language, Eleanor Mrotek, who lost her mother and sister in the accident told her father of the scenes enacted immediately before and after the tragedy. The driver of the death car had not noticed the approach of the train. Eleanor first observing it from her vantage place in the front seat. She called to Mrs. Vandenbusch and the others took up the call to halt the automobile but it was too late-the crash occurred in a moment. Little Eleanor, suffering from bruises, told of crawling out of the wreckage, of seeing her sister lying dead across a fender and of seeing others in the party in heaps in the immediate vicinity. Mrs. Vandenbusch, ignoring her own injuries went from person to person as she realized the terrible nature of the accident, she became hysterical and all the way to Manitowoc was suffering terribly from the mental anguish.
An expert from Chicago was called here last night to assist local undertakers in rebuilding the features of the mangled victims, Mrs. Victor Povalish and Martha Vandenbusch being the most cut up as the others went to their death because of internal and other injuries. During all of last night and again today, several undertakers were at work preparing the bodies so they could be taken to the respective homes late this afternoon and they will remain there until funeral services.
Four persons, Mrs. Vandenbusch, the driver; Leona Vandenbusch with her one year old brother, Donald on her lap and Miss Eleanor Mrotek were occupants of the front seat of the 1923 touring, car while Mrs. Pavolish 26, Mrs. Mrotek 32, Gertrude Mrotek 5, Marian Povalisz 2, Dorothey Vandenbusch and Martha Vandenbusch were in the rear seat.
All of the dead were occupants of the rear seat, the only one seated in the front seat to be seriously injured being Leona Vandenbusch, who is still unconscious. The sixth occupant of the rear seat, Dorothy Vandenbusch 5 is also still unconscious.
The funeral services are planned to start the funeral procession at the home of Peter Vandenbusch home at about 8 a.m. Monday morning. From there the procession will go to the Mrotek home, where the bodies of Mrs. Mrotek and her daughter will be received, the procession then winding its way to Victor Pavolisz home where Mrs. Pavolisz and their only child will join the other dead to be taken to St. Mary's church where funeral services will be held. A Solemn requiem high mass service has been arranged for 9 a.m.
Following the services at the church, the four bodies will be taken to the St. Mary's church cemetery and will be buried in the same lot. After that the procession will continue to Calvary cemetery where services for Martha Vandenbusch are to be held.
The terrible nature and the completeness of the disaster which almost wiped out three families today still gripped the members of this relationship so that little coherent details could be secured. The tragedy is the worst automobile accident in the history of the county and records disclose it to be the worst grade crossing accident in this section in ten years. The accident which took the largest number of lives is one that took place near New London, which killed six residents at Sheboygan.
Manitowoc Herald News Saturday, August 2, 1930 pg. 1
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BURY FIVE IN ONE GRAVE; MOURNER BREAKS ARM
LARGE THRONG AT CHURCH FOR FINAL RITES
Services Are Held at St. Mary's Church
Mrs. John Nitka Breaks Arm in Fall at Mrotek Home
With the five bodies of the victims of the Clover grade crossing accident of last Thursday morning ranged in front of the altar of the St. Mary's Catholic church this morning, in the same order that they were to be lowered into the one grave, requiem high mass was said at nine o'clock this morning, before a church filled with relatives, mourners and friends of the two mothers and three girls.
The services were in charge of Rev. Father Pociecha, pastor of St. Mary's, who was assisted by Fathers Peil and Letz. Despite the large turnout, everything was conducted in perfect order and the funeral cortege moved on scheduled time. Mayor Georgenson and Police Chief Trocheill cooperated in rendering assistance in the handling of the crowds, both at the church and at the St. Mary's cemetery, where all the bodies were lowered into a single grave.
Mourner Breaks Arm
Only one incident marred the funeral services. One of the mourners, Mrs. John Nitka, a cousin of the Mrotek family, after returning to the Mrotek home on Madison street, from the funeral, slipped down a flight of stairs and broke her right arm. She was removed to the hospital for an X-ray examination.
While the funeral was under way two of the victims of the accident, were still unconscious at the hospital. They have never come to since being brought there after the crash. They are Leona Vandebusch, 14, and Dorothy Vandebusch, 5.
The funeral procession started at the Vandebusch home on South Tenth street, where the body of Martha Vandebusch was in the first hearse. The procession moved to the Mrotek home, on Madison street where the bodies of Mrs. Mrotek and her daughter were received and then winded its way to the Victor Powlisz home where the body of Mrs. Powlisz and their only child, Marian, joined with the other dead and the procession proceeded to the St. Mary's church.
Here the church edifice was found to be filled with mourners and many were unable to gain admission. After the services all the bodies were removed to the St. Mary's cemetery where burial took place.
Removed To Her Home
Mrs. Peter Vandebusch, the driver of the death car, who has been at the hospital was removed to her home on Sunday. Two other children who were in the car, Donald Vandebusch and Eleanor Mrotek, but were only slightly injured, have also been taken to their home.
Father Pociecha and the St. Mary's church board desire to extend special thanks to the mayor and police chief for their cooperation in the handling of the crowds, both at the church and the cemetery. Despite the heat and the large throngs perfect order was maintained and everything moved on time.
The arrangements for the funeral were in charge of John Leschke.
Manitowoc Herald News Monday, August 4, 1930
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ONE SISTER IS BELIEVED OUT OF DANGER
Renewed hope for the ultimate recovery of Leona Vandebusch, 14, and Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, two children seriously injured in the grade crossing accident at Clover last Thursday morning, when the Northwestern motor train "The Fox" crashed into a car containing ten women and children, killing five, was expressed today. Word from the Holy Family hospital, where they are patients said that their condition continued to improve.
Leona Vandebusch has recovered consciousness and shows the greatest improvement. It is believed that she will recover. However the younger sister is still unconscious since the accident, suffering from a fractured skull. It is the condition of the younger sister over which the most fear is entertained.
Manitowoc Herald News Wednesday, August 6, 1930 pg. 14
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STILL IN COMA 11 DAYS AFTER TRAIN CRASH
Still unconscious but apparently with imprint of the tragedy of August 1 upon her mind, Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, one of the ten occupants of the automobile struck by a Northwestern passenger train at Clover was removed from the Holy Family hospital to her home yesterday. Physically the girl is improved but mentally no change has been noted as she occasionally screams out in terror.
Her older sister, Leona, 12, regained consciousness a number of days ago at the hospital and was declared to be improving there this morning. Five of the ten occupants of the light automobile were killed in the crash and several others were seriously injured.
Manitowoc Herald News Monday, August 11, 1930 pg. 2
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JULIA POWALISZ
(1902 - 1930)
FIVE DIE AS TRAIN CRASHES INTO AUTO AT CLOVER TODAY
TWO WOMEN AND 3 CHILDREN HURLED TO DEATH BY TRAIN
Ten Persons In Light Touring Car Struck By Limited Leaving Manitowoc At 8 A.M
Victims Hurled 90 Feet; Probes Are Underway
DEAD WOMEN ARE SISTERS
Four persons were instantly killed, a fifth sustained injuries which ended fatally as she was being brought into the hospital and a sixth was so seriously injured that her death is expected when a Ford touring car containing 10 persons was struck by "The Fox," the gas-electric limited train, leaving Manitowoc at 8 o'clock this morning on a town road one-half mile south of Clover, shortly after 8 o'clock this morning.
THE DEAD:
Mrs. Frank Mrotek 32;
Her daughter, Gertrude 5:
Mrs. Victor Powlisz 26;
Her daughter, Marion 2 ½;
Martha Vandebusch 12.
THE INJURED:
Mrs. Peter Vanderbusch, 36, driver of the car; shock and bruises;
Her daughter, Leona, 14, basal skull fracture and broken jaw, may not survive;
Eleanor Mrotek, 7, bruises;
Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, possible skull fracture;
Donald Vandebusch, 1, possible skull fracture.
TWO IN SERIOUS CONDITION
No improvement in the condition of the accident victims of the train-car crash at Clover this morning was noted at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon and two of the Vandebusch girls, Leona, 14, and Dorothy, 5, were still unconscious. Leona is the more seriously injured of the two and it is said may not survive her injuries.
Hurled 90 Feet
Bodies of the dead and injured were flung a distance of 90 feet as the fast south-bound train struck the rear of the 1923 Ford touring car and dragged it for a distance of about 30 feet. The front of the car was not damaged, the engine and front wheels being in good condition but the rear was telescoped into the front of the automobile and was entirely wrecked.
Train Returns Victims
Immediately after the crash, Engineer Kitzerow brought his train of an engine and three coaches back to Manitowoc and the work of identifying the dead and maimed was started as city and county authorities launched their investigations.
All of Party Related
All of the accident and death victims were relatives who were on their way to the farm home of Frank Frozena, town of Newton, to assist him in picking beans on the farm fields.
Two of the dead, Mrs. Powlisz (sometimes spelled Povalish), and Mrs. Mrotek are sisters of Frozena as is Mrs. Vandebusch, the driver of the automobile. The children are cousins.
Only one member of the three families, other than the husbands who were at work in this city, escaped without injury, Leonard Vandebusch, 14, having remained at the Frozena home over night.
Unaware Of Accident
None of the husbands were aware of the terrible tragedy, the worst automobile accident in the history of this city, all of them living here, until some time after it occurred and they were informed by a Herald News man and police officer. They were sent to the hospital by Detective Frank Tomchek of the police department.
Scenes Of Horror
At the hospital, tragic scenes were enacted as the families sought their dead and missing and it was almost two hours after the accident that definite identification of the victims could be made.
Attempts to interview Mrs. Vandebusch at the hospital were fruitless, the driver of the death car being overcome by the tragedy as she felt she were partly to blame for the meeting.
Visibility Is Clear
The road at the grade crossing runs directly south and meets the railroad tracks at an angle, the latter extending in southwesterly direction from the intersection. There is no warning gong at the crossing, the road being little traveled.
No Houses or buildings obstruct the view but with the top of the car apparently up it would be difficult to look back as the tracks approach at an angle of almost 45 degrees, going to an apex where the road and tracks meet.
Order Investigations
A sweeping investigation was immediately ordered by Coroner W. G. Kemper, who with Sheriff Herman Carstens, was at the scene of the accident within a few minutes after it occurred. An inquest jury was to be sworn sometime today, the bodies of the dead were to be viewed and the taking of testimony will be started as soon as the victims of the accident can testify.
No eye witnesses could be located with the exception of Engineer Kitzerow who would make no statement after filling his report with railroad officials. Conductor Charles Sherman, former Manitowoc resident now living in Milwaukee, was in charge of the train.
All South Side Residents
All of the occupants in the light car lived in the city of Manitowoc, the family of Peter Vandebusch residing at 1105 South 10th Street; the Powlisz (or Povalish) family at 1125 S. Tenth street, while the Mrotek family lived at 1620 Madison street.
Notify Relatives
Identity of the parties was not definitely established until after Detective Tomchek recognized the driver of the automobile at the hospital and from almost incoherent remarks regarding "her dead sisters," the detective started on the search and within a half hour had sent the husbands to the hospital to identify the dead and injured.
Canning Co. Flooded With Calls
First news of the tragedy reached this city in a message to the office of Sheriff Carstens. Next came word to the police station to have both city ambulances at the Northwestern dept here when the gasoline propelled train was backed up here with the victims of the grade crossing crash.
First reports which stated that a truck loaded with bean pickers had been struck and that many had been killed resulted in the telephone at the office of the Wisconsin Pea Canners, Co., being swamped with calls. Parents and relatives who had children enroute to the bean fields this morning all began calling the company's office to get details. The company was without any information and this only added the confusion.
The scene at the Northwestern station, after the train backed in here with the dead and dying almost beggars description. The ten occupants of the car, four of whom were already dead were all in the baggage compartment. Two or three volunteers from passengers on the train were assisting the train crew as much as possible in giving first aid to the victims but the task was a well nigh hopeless one. The city ambulances were backed up to the baggage car of the train and those less seriously hurt were rushed to the hospital at once. For a time entrance could not be gained to the baggage room. Bodies of those already dead had to be placed on trucks on the station platform until attention was given to those still living. Crowds filled the streets leading to the depot as the curious hearing of the accident rushed there. Many of those were parents who had children out in the bean fields and had heard the first reports that the train had struck a truckload of pickers.
Four were dead upon arrival at the depot and were taken to the Wattawa & Urbanek mortuary in the company ambulance and in a delivery wagon which was passed into service as the other six were taken to the hospital.
Hundreds of morbidly curious rushed to the Chicago & North Western depot when it became known that the death train was returning to Manitowoc and a constant stream of men, women and children were in the baggage room hampering officials as they sought to cover the dead.
No Funeral Arrangements
So stricken were members of the families that it was impossible to learn any of the details of their arrangements for services.
Almost entire families were wiped out in the accident, the Frank Mrotek family of four losing a wife and daughter, with the other child being injured; the wife and only daughter of Victor Powlisz were killed, one daughter of the Peter Vandebusch family was killed, two were seriously injured, one escaped with minor injuries and the father and one son were not in the accident.
Manitowoc Herald News Friday, August 1, 1930 pg. 1
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SINGLE LOT FOR 4 CRASH VICTIMS DEAD OF WORST CRASH IN YEARS BURIED MONDAY
Four Of The Five Dead To Be Buried In Same Lot
Two Of Injured Still Unconscious Today
Manitowoc's most pitiful funeral cortege in history of the city will wind its way through city streets on Black Monday, when four of he five victims of the crossing accident at Clover yesterday morning will be buried in a single grave at St. Mary's cemetery, the procession will continue to Calvary cemetery, where the Vandenbusch girl will be buried.
As preparation for the funeral were being completed today, it was learned that two of the injured, Donald Vandenbusch 1 and Eleanor Mrotek 7, have been able to leave the hospital yesterday afternoon and today as their injuries were only minor. Dorothy Vandenbusch 5 and Leona Vandenbusch 14, continue to remain unconscious at the Holy Family hospital and the terrible shock of the tragedy was taken a toll upon Mrs. Peter Vandenbusch, driver of the death car, and the condition was being aggravated as details of the accident occurred to her at the hospital.
In vivid language, Eleanor Mrotek, who lost her mother and sister in the accident told her father of the scenes enacted immediately before and after the tragedy. The driver of the death car had not noticed the approach of the train. Eleanor first observing it from her vantage place in the front seat. She called to Mrs. Vandenbusch and the others took up the call to halt the automobile but it was too late-the crash occurred in a moment. Little Eleanor, suffering from bruises, told of crawling out of the wreckage, of seeing her sister lying dead across a fender and of seeing others in the party in heaps in the immediate vicinity. Mrs. Vandenbusch, ignoring her own injuries went from person to person as she realized the terrible nature of the accident, she became hysterical and all the way to Manitowoc was suffering terribly from the mental anguish.
An expert from Chicago was called here last night to assist local undertakers in rebuilding the features of the mangled victims, Mrs. Victor Povalish and Martha Vandenbusch being the most cut up as the others went to their death because of internal and other injuries. During all of last night and again today, several undertakers were at work preparing the bodies so they could be taken to the respective homes late this afternoon and they will remain there until funeral services.
Four persons, Mrs. Vandenbusch, the driver; Leona Vandenbusch with her one year old brother, Donald on her lap and Miss Eleanor Mrotek were occupants of the front seat of the 1923 touring, car while Mrs. Pavolish 26, Mrs. Mrotek 32, Gertrude Mrotek 5, Marian Povalisz 2, Dorothey Vandenbusch and Martha Vandenbusch were in the rear seat.
All of the dead were occupants of the rear seat, the only one seated in the front seat to be seriously injured being Leona Vandenbusch, who is still unconscious. The sixth occupant of the rear seat, Dorothy Vandenbusch 5 is also still unconscious.
The funeral services are planned to start the funeral procession at the home of Peter Vandenbusch home at about 8 a.m. Monday morning. From there the procession will go to the Mrotek home, where the bodies of Mrs. Mrotek and her daughter will be received, the procession then winding its way to Victor Pavolisz home where Mrs. Pavolisz and their only child will join the other dead to be taken to St. Mary's church where funeral services will be held. A Solemn requiem high mass service has been arranged for 9 a.m.
Following the services at the church, the four bodies will be taken to the St. Mary's church cemetery and will be buried in the same lot. After that the procession will continue to Calvary cemetery where services for Martha Vandenbusch are to be held.
The terrible nature and the completeness of the disaster which almost wiped out three families today still gripped the members of this relationship so that little coherent details could be secured. The tragedy is the worst automobile accident in the history of the county and records disclose it to be the worst grade crossing accident in this section in ten years. The accident which took the largest number of lives is one that took place near New London, which killed six residents at Sheboygan.
Manitowoc Herald News Saturday, August 2, 1930 pg. 1
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BURY FIVE IN ONE GRAVE; MOURNER BREAKS ARM
LARGE THRONG AT CHURCH FOR FINAL RITES
Services Are Held at St. Mary's Church
Mrs. John Nitka Breaks Arm in Fall at Mrotek Home
With the five bodies of the victims of the Clover grade crossing accident of last Thursday morning ranged in front of the altar of the St. Mary's Catholic church this morning, in the same order that they were to be lowered into the one grave, requiem high mass was said at nine o'clock this morning, before a church filled with relatives, mourners and friends of the two mothers and three girls.
The services were in charge of Rev. Father Pociecha, pastor of St. Mary's, who was assisted by Fathers Peil and Letz. Despite the large turnout, everything was conducted in perfect order and the funeral cortege moved on scheduled time. Mayor Georgenson and Police Chief Trocheill cooperated in rendering assistance in the handling of the crowds, both at the church and at the St. Mary's cemetery, where all the bodies were lowered into a single grave.
Mourner Breaks Arm
Only one incident marred the funeral services. One of the mourners, Mrs. John Nitka, a cousin of the Mrotek family, after returning to the Mrotek home on Madison street, from the funeral, slipped down a flight of stairs and broke her right arm. She was removed to the hospital for an X-ray examination.
While the funeral was under way two of the victims of the accident, were still unconscious at the hospital. They have never come to since being brought there after the crash. They are Leona Vandebusch, 14, and Dorothy Vandebusch, 5.
The funeral procession started at the Vandebusch home on South Tenth street, where the body of Martha Vandebusch was in the first hearse. The procession moved to the Mrotek home, on Madison street where the bodies of Mrs. Mrotek and her daughter were received and then winded its way to the Victor Powlisz home where the body of Mrs. Powlisz and their only child, Marian, joined with the other dead and the procession proceeded to the St. Mary's church.
Here the church edifice was found to be filled with mourners and many were unable to gain admission. After the services all the bodies were removed to the St. Mary's cemetery where burial took place.
Removed To Her Home
Mrs. Peter Vandebusch, the driver of the death car, who has been at the hospital was removed to her home on Sunday. Two other children who were in the car, Donald Vandebusch and Eleanor Mrotek, but were only slightly injured, have also been taken to their home.
Father Pociecha and the St. Mary's church board desire to extend special thanks to the mayor and police chief for their cooperation in the handling of the crowds, both at the church and the cemetery. Despite the heat and the large throngs perfect order was maintained and everything moved on time.
The arrangements for the funeral were in charge of John Leschke.
Manitowoc Herald News Monday, August 4, 1930
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ONE SISTER IS BELIEVED OUT OF DANGER
Renewed hope for the ultimate recovery of Leona Vandebusch, 14, and Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, two children seriously injured in the grade crossing accident at Clover last Thursday morning, when the Northwestern motor train "The Fox" crashed into a car containing ten women and children, killing five, was expressed today. Word from the Holy Family hospital, where they are patients said that their condition continued to improve.
Leona Vandebusch has recovered consciousness and shows the greatest improvement. It is believed that she will recover. However the younger sister is still unconscious since the accident, suffering from a fractured skull. It is the condition of the younger sister over which the most fear is entertained.
Manitowoc Herald News Wednesday, August 6, 1930 pg. 14
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STILL IN COMA 11 DAYS AFTER TRAIN CRASH
Still unconscious but apparently with imprint of the tragedy of August 1 upon her mind, Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, one of the ten occupants of the automobile struck by a Northwestern passenger train at Clover was removed from the Holy Family hospital to her home yesterday. Physically the girl is improved but mentally no change has been noted as she occasionally screams out in terror.
Her older sister, Leona, 12, regained consciousness a number of days ago at the hospital and was declared to be improving there this morning. Five of the ten occupants of the light automobile were killed in the crash and several others were seriously injured.
Manitowoc Herald News Monday, August 11, 1930 pg. 2
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(1902 - 1930)
FIVE DIE AS TRAIN CRASHES INTO AUTO AT CLOVER TODAY
TWO WOMEN AND 3 CHILDREN HURLED TO DEATH BY TRAIN
Ten Persons In Light Touring Car Struck By Limited Leaving Manitowoc At 8 A.M
Victims Hurled 90 Feet; Probes Are Underway
DEAD WOMEN ARE SISTERS
Four persons were instantly killed, a fifth sustained injuries which ended fatally as she was being brought into the hospital and a sixth was so seriously injured that her death is expected when a Ford touring car containing 10 persons was struck by "The Fox," the gas-electric limited train, leaving Manitowoc at 8 o'clock this morning on a town road one-half mile south of Clover, shortly after 8 o'clock this morning.
THE DEAD:
Mrs. Frank Mrotek 32;
Her daughter, Gertrude 5:
Mrs. Victor Powlisz 26;
Her daughter, Marion 2 ½;
Martha Vandebusch 12.
THE INJURED:
Mrs. Peter Vanderbusch, 36, driver of the car; shock and bruises;
Her daughter, Leona, 14, basal skull fracture and broken jaw, may not survive;
Eleanor Mrotek, 7, bruises;
Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, possible skull fracture;
Donald Vandebusch, 1, possible skull fracture.
TWO IN SERIOUS CONDITION
No improvement in the condition of the accident victims of the train-car crash at Clover this morning was noted at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon and two of the Vandebusch girls, Leona, 14, and Dorothy, 5, were still unconscious. Leona is the more seriously injured of the two and it is said may not survive her injuries.
Hurled 90 Feet
Bodies of the dead and injured were flung a distance of 90 feet as the fast south-bound train struck the rear of the 1923 Ford touring car and dragged it for a distance of about 30 feet. The front of the car was not damaged, the engine and front wheels being in good condition but the rear was telescoped into the front of the automobile and was entirely wrecked.
Train Returns Victims
Immediately after the crash, Engineer Kitzerow brought his train of an engine and three coaches back to Manitowoc and the work of identifying the dead and maimed was started as city and county authorities launched their investigations.
All of Party Related
All of the accident and death victims were relatives who were on their way to the farm home of Frank Frozena, town of Newton, to assist him in picking beans on the farm fields.
Two of the dead, Mrs. Powlisz (sometimes spelled Povalish), and Mrs. Mrotek are sisters of Frozena as is Mrs. Vandebusch, the driver of the automobile. The children are cousins.
Only one member of the three families, other than the husbands who were at work in this city, escaped without injury, Leonard Vandebusch, 14, having remained at the Frozena home over night.
Unaware Of Accident
None of the husbands were aware of the terrible tragedy, the worst automobile accident in the history of this city, all of them living here, until some time after it occurred and they were informed by a Herald News man and police officer. They were sent to the hospital by Detective Frank Tomchek of the police department.
Scenes Of Horror
At the hospital, tragic scenes were enacted as the families sought their dead and missing and it was almost two hours after the accident that definite identification of the victims could be made.
Attempts to interview Mrs. Vandebusch at the hospital were fruitless, the driver of the death car being overcome by the tragedy as she felt she were partly to blame for the meeting.
Visibility Is Clear
The road at the grade crossing runs directly south and meets the railroad tracks at an angle, the latter extending in southwesterly direction from the intersection. There is no warning gong at the crossing, the road being little traveled.
No Houses or buildings obstruct the view but with the top of the car apparently up it would be difficult to look back as the tracks approach at an angle of almost 45 degrees, going to an apex where the road and tracks meet.
Order Investigations
A sweeping investigation was immediately ordered by Coroner W. G. Kemper, who with Sheriff Herman Carstens, was at the scene of the accident within a few minutes after it occurred. An inquest jury was to be sworn sometime today, the bodies of the dead were to be viewed and the taking of testimony will be started as soon as the victims of the accident can testify.
No eye witnesses could be located with the exception of Engineer Kitzerow who would make no statement after filling his report with railroad officials. Conductor Charles Sherman, former Manitowoc resident now living in Milwaukee, was in charge of the train.
All South Side Residents
All of the occupants in the light car lived in the city of Manitowoc, the family of Peter Vandebusch residing at 1105 South 10th Street; the Powlisz (or Povalish) family at 1125 S. Tenth street, while the Mrotek family lived at 1620 Madison street.
Notify Relatives
Identity of the parties was not definitely established until after Detective Tomchek recognized the driver of the automobile at the hospital and from almost incoherent remarks regarding "her dead sisters," the detective started on the search and within a half hour had sent the husbands to the hospital to identify the dead and injured.
Canning Co. Flooded With Calls
First news of the tragedy reached this city in a message to the office of Sheriff Carstens. Next came word to the police station to have both city ambulances at the Northwestern dept here when the gasoline propelled train was backed up here with the victims of the grade crossing crash.
First reports which stated that a truck loaded with bean pickers had been struck and that many had been killed resulted in the telephone at the office of the Wisconsin Pea Canners, Co., being swamped with calls. Parents and relatives who had children enroute to the bean fields this morning all began calling the company's office to get details. The company was without any information and this only added the confusion.
The scene at the Northwestern station, after the train backed in here with the dead and dying almost beggars description. The ten occupants of the car, four of whom were already dead were all in the baggage compartment. Two or three volunteers from passengers on the train were assisting the train crew as much as possible in giving first aid to the victims but the task was a well nigh hopeless one. The city ambulances were backed up to the baggage car of the train and those less seriously hurt were rushed to the hospital at once. For a time entrance could not be gained to the baggage room. Bodies of those already dead had to be placed on trucks on the station platform until attention was given to those still living. Crowds filled the streets leading to the depot as the curious hearing of the accident rushed there. Many of those were parents who had children out in the bean fields and had heard the first reports that the train had struck a truckload of pickers.
Four were dead upon arrival at the depot and were taken to the Wattawa & Urbanek mortuary in the company ambulance and in a delivery wagon which was passed into service as the other six were taken to the hospital.
Hundreds of morbidly curious rushed to the Chicago & North Western depot when it became known that the death train was returning to Manitowoc and a constant stream of men, women and children were in the baggage room hampering officials as they sought to cover the dead.
No Funeral Arrangements
So stricken were members of the families that it was impossible to learn any of the details of their arrangements for services.
Almost entire families were wiped out in the accident, the Frank Mrotek family of four losing a wife and daughter, with the other child being injured; the wife and only daughter of Victor Powlisz were killed, one daughter of the Peter Vandebusch family was killed, two were seriously injured, one escaped with minor injuries and the father and one son were not in the accident.
Manitowoc Herald News Friday, August 1, 1930 pg. 1
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SINGLE LOT FOR 4 CRASH VICTIMS DEAD OF WORST CRASH IN YEARS BURIED MONDAY
Four Of The Five Dead To Be Buried In Same Lot
Two Of Injured Still Unconscious Today
Manitowoc's most pitiful funeral cortege in history of the city will wind its way through city streets on Black Monday, when four of he five victims of the crossing accident at Clover yesterday morning will be buried in a single grave at St. Mary's cemetery, the procession will continue to Calvary cemetery, where the Vandenbusch girl will be buried.
As preparation for the funeral were being completed today, it was learned that two of the injured, Donald Vandenbusch 1 and Eleanor Mrotek 7, have been able to leave the hospital yesterday afternoon and today as their injuries were only minor. Dorothy Vandenbusch 5 and Leona Vandenbusch 14, continue to remain unconscious at the Holy Family hospital and the terrible shock of the tragedy was taken a toll upon Mrs. Peter Vandenbusch, driver of the death car, and the condition was being aggravated as details of the accident occurred to her at the hospital.
In vivid language, Eleanor Mrotek, who lost her mother and sister in the accident told her father of the scenes enacted immediately before and after the tragedy. The driver of the death car had not noticed the approach of the train. Eleanor first observing it from her vantage place in the front seat. She called to Mrs. Vandenbusch and the others took up the call to halt the automobile but it was too late-the crash occurred in a moment. Little Eleanor, suffering from bruises, told of crawling out of the wreckage, of seeing her sister lying dead across a fender and of seeing others in the party in heaps in the immediate vicinity. Mrs. Vandenbusch, ignoring her own injuries went from person to person as she realized the terrible nature of the accident, she became hysterical and all the way to Manitowoc was suffering terribly from the mental anguish.
An expert from Chicago was called here last night to assist local undertakers in rebuilding the features of the mangled victims, Mrs. Victor Povalish and Martha Vandenbusch being the most cut up as the others went to their death because of internal and other injuries. During all of last night and again today, several undertakers were at work preparing the bodies so they could be taken to the respective homes late this afternoon and they will remain there until funeral services.
Four persons, Mrs. Vandenbusch, the driver; Leona Vandenbusch with her one year old brother, Donald on her lap and Miss Eleanor Mrotek were occupants of the front seat of the 1923 touring, car while Mrs. Pavolish 26, Mrs. Mrotek 32, Gertrude Mrotek 5, Marian Povalisz 2, Dorothey Vandenbusch and Martha Vandenbusch were in the rear seat.
All of the dead were occupants of the rear seat, the only one seated in the front seat to be seriously injured being Leona Vandenbusch, who is still unconscious. The sixth occupant of the rear seat, Dorothy Vandenbusch 5 is also still unconscious.
The funeral services are planned to start the funeral procession at the home of Peter Vandenbusch home at about 8 a.m. Monday morning. From there the procession will go to the Mrotek home, where the bodies of Mrs. Mrotek and her daughter will be received, the procession then winding its way to Victor Pavolisz home where Mrs. Pavolisz and their only child will join the other dead to be taken to St. Mary's church where funeral services will be held. A Solemn requiem high mass service has been arranged for 9 a.m.
Following the services at the church, the four bodies will be taken to the St. Mary's church cemetery and will be buried in the same lot. After that the procession will continue to Calvary cemetery where services for Martha Vandenbusch are to be held.
The terrible nature and the completeness of the disaster which almost wiped out three families today still gripped the members of this relationship so that little coherent details could be secured. The tragedy is the worst automobile accident in the history of the county and records disclose it to be the worst grade crossing accident in this section in ten years. The accident which took the largest number of lives is one that took place near New London, which killed six residents at Sheboygan.
Manitowoc Herald News Saturday, August 2, 1930 pg. 1
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BURY FIVE IN ONE GRAVE; MOURNER BREAKS ARM
LARGE THRONG AT CHURCH FOR FINAL RITES
Services Are Held at St. Mary's Church
Mrs. John Nitka Breaks Arm in Fall at Mrotek Home
With the five bodies of the victims of the Clover grade crossing accident of last Thursday morning ranged in front of the altar of the St. Mary's Catholic church this morning, in the same order that they were to be lowered into the one grave, requiem high mass was said at nine o'clock this morning, before a church filled with relatives, mourners and friends of the two mothers and three girls.
The services were in charge of Rev. Father Pociecha, pastor of St. Mary's, who was assisted by Fathers Peil and Letz. Despite the large turnout, everything was conducted in perfect order and the funeral cortege moved on scheduled time. Mayor Georgenson and Police Chief Trocheill cooperated in rendering assistance in the handling of the crowds, both at the church and at the St. Mary's cemetery, where all the bodies were lowered into a single grave.
Mourner Breaks Arm
Only one incident marred the funeral services. One of the mourners, Mrs. John Nitka, a cousin of the Mrotek family, after returning to the Mrotek home on Madison street, from the funeral, slipped down a flight of stairs and broke her right arm. She was removed to the hospital for an X-ray examination.
While the funeral was under way two of the victims of the accident, were still unconscious at the hospital. They have never come to since being brought there after the crash. They are Leona Vandebusch, 14, and Dorothy Vandebusch, 5.
The funeral procession started at the Vandebusch home on South Tenth street, where the body of Martha Vandebusch was in the first hearse. The procession moved to the Mrotek home, on Madison street where the bodies of Mrs. Mrotek and her daughter were received and then winded its way to the Victor Powlisz home where the body of Mrs. Powlisz and their only child, Marian, joined with the other dead and the procession proceeded to the St. Mary's church.
Here the church edifice was found to be filled with mourners and many were unable to gain admission. After the services all the bodies were removed to the St. Mary's cemetery where burial took place.
Removed To Her Home
Mrs. Peter Vandebusch, the driver of the death car, who has been at the hospital was removed to her home on Sunday. Two other children who were in the car, Donald Vandebusch and Eleanor Mrotek, but were only slightly injured, have also been taken to their home.
Father Pociecha and the St. Mary's church board desire to extend special thanks to the mayor and police chief for their cooperation in the handling of the crowds, both at the church and the cemetery. Despite the heat and the large throngs perfect order was maintained and everything moved on time.
The arrangements for the funeral were in charge of John Leschke.
Manitowoc Herald News Monday, August 4, 1930
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ONE SISTER IS BELIEVED OUT OF DANGER
Renewed hope for the ultimate recovery of Leona Vandebusch, 14, and Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, two children seriously injured in the grade crossing accident at Clover last Thursday morning, when the Northwestern motor train "The Fox" crashed into a car containing ten women and children, killing five, was expressed today. Word from the Holy Family hospital, where they are patients said that their condition continued to improve.
Leona Vandebusch has recovered consciousness and shows the greatest improvement. It is believed that she will recover. However the younger sister is still unconscious since the accident, suffering from a fractured skull. It is the condition of the younger sister over which the most fear is entertained.
Manitowoc Herald News Wednesday, August 6, 1930 pg. 14
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STILL IN COMA 11 DAYS AFTER TRAIN CRASH
Still unconscious but apparently with imprint of the tragedy of August 1 upon her mind, Dorothy Vandebusch, 5, one of the ten occupants of the automobile struck by a Northwestern passenger train at Clover was removed from the Holy Family hospital to her home yesterday. Physically the girl is improved but mentally no change has been noted as she occasionally screams out in terror.
Her older sister, Leona, 12, regained consciousness a number of days ago at the hospital and was declared to be improving there this morning. Five of the ten occupants of the light automobile were killed in the crash and several others were seriously injured.
Manitowoc Herald News Monday, August 11, 1930 pg. 2
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