The Salt Lake Tribune
Monday, July 2, 1934
page 14

DRIVER KILLED, FOUR HURT
AS TRAIN, CAR HIT
Richfield Store Owner Meets Death; Wife Badly Injured

Richfield - Christian Anderson, 65, died in the local hospital, and his wife is in a serious condition following an accident in which Mr. Anderson drove his car into the side of a Denver & Rio Grande Western passenger train at 1:45 p.m. Sunday, three miles south of here.
Three other passengers in the wrecked car suffered injuries, and all were brought to the Richfield hospital by passing motorists. Mr. Anderson died shortly after being admitted to the hospital. He had suffered a fractured skull, internal injuries, several broken ribs and a badly fractured leg.

LIST OF INJURED
The injured:
Mrs. Anderson, severe scalp lacerations, several broken ribs, internal injuries.
Mrs. Pearl Christensen, Richfield, cuts on arms and face, possible broken left wrist.
Mas Christensen, 14, son of Mrs. Christensen, laceration near base of skull.
Ardell Hunt, 16, Richfield, brain concussion, possible skull fracture and lacerations.
Attending physicians said Mrs. Anderson had an even chance of living, depending upon her internal injuries, while the others are in no danger.
Mr. Anderson was the owner of the Model store in Richfield, but resided in Elsinore.

TRAIN CREW RELEASED
The party was en route to Elsinore on highway 89 when the accident occurred. Deputy Sheriff A. O. Hopkins, who investigated and released the train crew, expressed doubt that Mr. Anderson had seen the approaching train, as the angle of the crossing is such that perfect vision is afforded from the highway. The car was traveling in a southerly direction and the train north.
Conductor F. G. Sanford was in charge of the train, with J. F. Taylor, engineer, and R. H. Cottrell, fireman.
Cotterell said he saw the approaching car, but thought it would stop. When he saw it could not stop, he shouted to the engineer, who immediately applied the brakes and stopped the train within six car lengths. Engineer Taylor said the train was traveling between 25 and 30 miles an hour.
The car struck the front part of the "tank" and tore away the steps into the engine. Parts of the wreckage were strewn along the tracks and a door from the car was thrown 100 feet.

HEARD WHISTLE
Lloyd Chappell of Lyman, Wayne county, a passenger on the train, told Sheriff Hopkins he heard the engine whistle blow just before the crossing was reached, and next felt the impact. There were no eye witnesses.
No inquest will be held.
Mr. Anderson was born September 27, 1868, at Herby, Denmark, a son of Niels and Anna Anderson. He came to America in 1883 with his sister and settled at Mantua, later moving to Elsinore in November, 1885. He was married to Annie C. Christensen December 28, 1898, in the Manti L.D.S. temple. He had operated two general merchandise stores for some years, one at Elsinore and one at Richfield.
Surviving are eight daughters and three sons: Mrs. Chrystal Marx, Mrs. Alice Barney, Lester, Gilbert and Linford Anderson, Mrs. Gladys Hansen and Sylvia, Ferroll and Evelyn Hansen, Elsinore; Mrs. Stella Sandberg and Mrs. Hazel Peterson, Richfield; three brothers and two sisters, N. P. Anderson and Christy Anderson, Elsinore; Mrs. Nina Hansen and Hans C. Anderson, Salt Lake City; and Mrs. C. A. Anson, Mount Emmons, and nine grandchildren.