married, daughter of William T. Ranes and Sarah Miller, wife of William O. Hibbets
d. cert 4444
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KILLED BY TRAIN—Sister Of J.C. And Willis Ranes Killed—While Hurrying Across Railroad Crossing To Church At Kirksville

Mrs. Caroline Hibbetts, 69 years old, was killed at Kirksville at about seven o'clock last Friday night when she dashed in front of a slowly advancing freight train in a desperate move to avoid being late at church services. The elderly lady was in company with Mrs. Eva Pinkerton and they both were fleeing hand-in-hand across the tracks when the accident occurred but Mrs. Pinkerton was just enough in advance to avoid being hit. Mrs. Hibbetts was caught by the engine pilot and hurled into a right of way ditch several feet away where she expired in a few minutes, with her body badly broken and her head crushed. The train stopped about twenty five car lengths from the crossing and the engineer dismounted and took a torch to inspect the pilot. He said spots of blood and flesh on the pilot confirmed the apprehension that someone had been struck. The train had been grinding to a stop to set off a car at the freight house when the woman was hit and Mrs. Pinkerton's cries aroused the conductor who climbed through the cars and after a search saw Mrs. Hibbetts lying in the ditch just breathing her last. The coroner's jury brought in a verdict that the lady came to her death "by an unavoidable accident by walking in front of a train".

The deceased is survived by her husband, two daughters and one son. One son was killed in the World War. She was a sister of J.C. and Willis Ranes of this city, and also of Mrs. Jim Schoonover of Pollock. Mrs. J. G. Smith, Willis and J.C.Ranes, and Mr. and Mrs. Cleo Yount went to Kirksville Sunday because of the death of Mrs. Hibbetts. She visited in Unionville about three years ago and will be remembered here by some. Funeral services were held at 2:30 Monday afternoon at a funeral home in Kirksville, conducted by the Baptist minister, Rev. Ralph M.G. Smith, and burial was made in Highland Park cemetery.

excerpted from:
Unionville Republican
Unionville, Missouri
Mar. 4, 1931