MOUNT CARROLL — The two persons hospitalized from the head-on collision Friday evening near Mount Carroll, which claimed four lives, appear to be recovering today. Savanna City Hospital officials said Mrs. Melvin Kotz, 22, and Donald Wolfe, 32, both of Monticello, Iowa, are improving today. Mrs. Kotz is listed in satisfactory condition and Wolfe in fair condition. Killed in the crash were Carl Messmer, 40, of rural Savanna, a heavy equipment operator; Vernon Brown, 25, of rural Thomson; Mrs. Donald Wolfe, and Melvin T. Kotz, 32, both of Monticello, Iowa. The accident resulted in 17 children being left without a mother or father.
Carroll County Sheriff Harry Miller said it was the worst traffic accident in the county since a crash five years ago near Thomson took five lives. Miller said investigation indicates that Brown, driver of the westbound auto in which Messmer was a passenger, was apparently attempting to pass another car and ran head-on into the Iowa auto driven by Kotz. Miller said the only skid marks were made by the Iowa car in the east bound lane of traffic. Both cars were demolished. The head-on collision occurred on Route 64 one-half mile west of Mount Carroll. Authorities said it took place on a long sweeping curve where there is normally good visibility.
The two Iowa couples were traveling to Chicago for the week end. The Wolfes were celebrating their birthdays and wedding anniversary which were on the day of the crash.
Carl Messmer was born in Savanna, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Messmer. He married Josephine Corbett Oct. 4, 1941. Surviving are his wife; two sons, Larry Lee and Dennis Carl; and five daughters, Norma, Kay, Kathleen Ann, Karen, Carol and Debra, all at home; his parents; three sisters, Mrs. Frank Zink of Lanark; Mrs. Oscar Frey of Rock Falls, and Mrs. Clyde Smith of Mount Carroll; and three brothers, LeRoy of Savanna, Edwin of Montana; and Floyd of Chicago. Service was held at 2 p.m. today in the Frank Funeral Home, Mount Carroll. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery. - Mon., May 29, 1961, Freeport Journal-Standard, pg. 2
Carroll County Sheriff Harry Miller said it was the worst traffic accident in the county since a crash five years ago near Thomson took five lives. Miller said investigation indicates that Brown, driver of the westbound auto in which Messmer was a passenger, was apparently attempting to pass another car and ran head-on into the Iowa auto driven by Kotz. Miller said the only skid marks were made by the Iowa car in the east bound lane of traffic. Both cars were demolished. The head-on collision occurred on Route 64 one-half mile west of Mount Carroll. Authorities said it took place on a long sweeping curve where there is normally good visibility.
The two Iowa couples were traveling to Chicago for the week end. The Wolfes were celebrating their birthdays and wedding anniversary which were on the day of the crash.
Carl Messmer was born in Savanna, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Messmer. He married Josephine Corbett Oct. 4, 1941. Surviving are his wife; two sons, Larry Lee and Dennis Carl; and five daughters, Norma, Kay, Kathleen Ann, Karen, Carol and Debra, all at home; his parents; three sisters, Mrs. Frank Zink of Lanark; Mrs. Oscar Frey of Rock Falls, and Mrs. Clyde Smith of Mount Carroll; and three brothers, LeRoy of Savanna, Edwin of Montana; and Floyd of Chicago. Service was held at 2 p.m. today in the Frank Funeral Home, Mount Carroll. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery. - Mon., May 29, 1961, Freeport Journal-Standard, pg. 2
MOUNT CARROLL — The two persons hospitalized from the head-on collision Friday evening near Mount Carroll, which claimed four lives, appear to be recovering today. Savanna City Hospital officials said Mrs. Melvin Kotz, 22, and Donald Wolfe, 32, both of Monticello, Iowa, are improving today. Mrs. Kotz is listed in satisfactory condition and Wolfe in fair condition. Killed in the crash were Carl Messmer, 40, of rural Savanna, a heavy equipment operator; Vernon Brown, 25, of rural Thomson; Mrs. Donald Wolfe, and Melvin T. Kotz, 32, both of Monticello, Iowa. The accident resulted in 17 children being left without a mother or father.
Carroll County Sheriff Harry Miller said it was the worst traffic accident in the county since a crash five years ago near Thomson took five lives. Miller said investigation indicates that Brown, driver of the westbound auto in which Messmer was a passenger, was apparently attempting to pass another car and ran head-on into the Iowa auto driven by Kotz. Miller said the only skid marks were made by the Iowa car in the east bound lane of traffic. Both cars were demolished. The head-on collision occurred on Route 64 one-half mile west of Mount Carroll. Authorities said it took place on a long sweeping curve where there is normally good visibility.
The two Iowa couples were traveling to Chicago for the week end. The Wolfes were celebrating their birthdays and wedding anniversary which were on the day of the crash.
Carl Messmer was born in Savanna, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Messmer. He married Josephine Corbett Oct. 4, 1941. Surviving are his wife; two sons, Larry Lee and Dennis Carl; and five daughters, Norma, Kay, Kathleen Ann, Karen, Carol and Debra, all at home; his parents; three sisters, Mrs. Frank Zink of Lanark; Mrs. Oscar Frey of Rock Falls, and Mrs. Clyde Smith of Mount Carroll; and three brothers, LeRoy of Savanna, Edwin of Montana; and Floyd of Chicago. Service was held at 2 p.m. today in the Frank Funeral Home, Mount Carroll. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery. - Mon., May 29, 1961, Freeport Journal-Standard, pg. 2
Carroll County Sheriff Harry Miller said it was the worst traffic accident in the county since a crash five years ago near Thomson took five lives. Miller said investigation indicates that Brown, driver of the westbound auto in which Messmer was a passenger, was apparently attempting to pass another car and ran head-on into the Iowa auto driven by Kotz. Miller said the only skid marks were made by the Iowa car in the east bound lane of traffic. Both cars were demolished. The head-on collision occurred on Route 64 one-half mile west of Mount Carroll. Authorities said it took place on a long sweeping curve where there is normally good visibility.
The two Iowa couples were traveling to Chicago for the week end. The Wolfes were celebrating their birthdays and wedding anniversary which were on the day of the crash.
Carl Messmer was born in Savanna, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Messmer. He married Josephine Corbett Oct. 4, 1941. Surviving are his wife; two sons, Larry Lee and Dennis Carl; and five daughters, Norma, Kay, Kathleen Ann, Karen, Carol and Debra, all at home; his parents; three sisters, Mrs. Frank Zink of Lanark; Mrs. Oscar Frey of Rock Falls, and Mrs. Clyde Smith of Mount Carroll; and three brothers, LeRoy of Savanna, Edwin of Montana; and Floyd of Chicago. Service was held at 2 p.m. today in the Frank Funeral Home, Mount Carroll. Burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery. - Mon., May 29, 1961, Freeport Journal-Standard, pg. 2
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