Walter, his wife Osaa Mae Hixon Kinnison, and their 2 young sons, James and John were all killed in an automobile/train accident south of Edon, Ohio.
His parents are John Wesley Kinnison and Emma Iora Pemora Beamblossom.
Four In Famiy Lose Lives At R.R. Crossing
Worst Tragedy In This County In Recent Years
Four Edon residents, a father, mother, and two sons were killed last Wednesday night when their car was struck by the Wabash railroad's crack Red Arrow passenger train at the crossing four miles south of Edon.
They are Walter Kinnison, 48, his wife Osaa Mae, 46; their two sons, John Wesley, 13 and James, 10. The first three were killed instantly when the train struck, carrying them nearly three fourths of a mile down the right-of-way. James lived until 12:30 the next morning, dying in the Cameron Hospital in Angola.
This brings to seven the number who have died in Williams County since Jnuary 1. Six of these have lost their lives in railroad crossing accidents: the other was a pedestrian, killed near Edgerton 10 days ago.
The family was returning from Edgerton enroute to their home two miles southwest of Edon when the tragedy occured, about 7:33 o'clock.
Man Witnesses Tragedy
R.T. Athy, Edon businessman, who with his wife, witnessed the accident, said that he was approaching the crossing from the north, and his car was losing speed as he waited the passing of the crack flyer.
As he approached the tracks, he noticed that the Kinnison car was not slowing down. The engine of the 12-car train caught the sedan on the left front side, carrying it on the corner of the cow-catcher and cylinder a distance down the track, nearly to the second crossing. Parts of the car were strewn along the right-of-way for most of the distance.
All four of the Kinnisons were still in the car when found. Their bodies were removed and taken to the Krill Funeral Home , Edgerton. Young James, who was still alive, was taken to a neighboring farm house, near the east crossing where the engine came to a halt.
Child Waits Hour
Ambulance attendants, unaware of the distance the train had gone, brught their vehicles to the west crossing on Route 49, and it was nearly an hour before the youngster was taken from the farm home to the hospital. Five ambulances answered the call.
Sheriff A.R. DeWees and Deputy C.A. Connell were called to investigate the accident and to control traffic at the intersection. Coroner C. Paul Waid conducted an examination and declared the deaths were accidental.
Kinnison, his wife and the younger son all suffered severe skull fractures and other major body injuries. John's death was caused by a broken neck.
When found, Kinnison and his wife and John were in the front seat. Kinnison's head injury was on he left side, leading officers to believe that he was driving the car. The four were returning from Edgerton where Mr. Kinnison had gone to have a truck repaired.
Fitzer Is Conductor
Mr. Athy said that he didn't actually see the train strike the car, as the car did not get completly on the tracks, but he was the car's headlights disappear and as they were not visible under the cars of the train as they passed. He said he thought the car had been hit. After the train passed, he ran down the track to render aid.
R.T. Fitzer of Ft. Wayne, a former resident of Montpelier, was the conductor on the train and W.C. Ernest of Mexico, Ind., was the engineer.
The train crew, assisted by Deputy Connell, flagged down a fast east-bound freight train, which was following the passenger train and set flares at the east end to warm passenger train No. 3, which was scheduled to leave Montpelier for Ft. Wayne at 8:45. However, No. 3 was held in the Montpelier yards until the flyer had passed. The Arrow, which was already running late, traveled at 75 miles an hour at the time of the accident, was held up over an hour by the accident before proceeding on it's way.
No trace had been found Saturday of Kinnison's wallet which was missing from the wreck. He had been out collecting Wednesday afternoon before the accident and it was believed that he was still carrying the money with him when he was killed.
Worst Since 1936
This is probably the worst tragedy that has hit one family in recent years. On September 15, 1936, four Blakeslee youths, two from one family, were killed at the Wabash crossing in Blakeslee by train No. 7. They were LeRoy Kelble, 17, his sister, Evelyn, 14; Regina Bloemke, 14, and Leo Hug, 17.
Kinnison, a dredging and ditching contractor, had lived on his farm home the past 11 years, having moved here from Yorkshire, Ohio.
The Kinnisons leave five other daughters and two sons surviving.
Services Sunday
They are Mrs. George Julien and Mrs. Carlton Newman, both of Edon; Mrs. Omer Keller, southwest of Edon; Anna Lou, 16, and Marilyn, 8, at home; Sgt. Marion, Camp Hood, Tex., and S 2/c Adrian who is somewhere in the Pacific war theater. St. Marion arrived Saturday by plane to attend the final rites for the family. Also surviving are her mother, Erie Hixon, who made her home with the Kinnison's, his brother, and five sisters. Another daughter, Gracia Ellen died four years ago.
The bodies were taken Thursday to the Meyers Funeral Home, Edon, where they remained until time for the rites Sunday.
His parents are John Wesley Kinnison and Emma Iora Pemora Beamblossom.
Four In Famiy Lose Lives At R.R. Crossing
Worst Tragedy In This County In Recent Years
Four Edon residents, a father, mother, and two sons were killed last Wednesday night when their car was struck by the Wabash railroad's crack Red Arrow passenger train at the crossing four miles south of Edon.
They are Walter Kinnison, 48, his wife Osaa Mae, 46; their two sons, John Wesley, 13 and James, 10. The first three were killed instantly when the train struck, carrying them nearly three fourths of a mile down the right-of-way. James lived until 12:30 the next morning, dying in the Cameron Hospital in Angola.
This brings to seven the number who have died in Williams County since Jnuary 1. Six of these have lost their lives in railroad crossing accidents: the other was a pedestrian, killed near Edgerton 10 days ago.
The family was returning from Edgerton enroute to their home two miles southwest of Edon when the tragedy occured, about 7:33 o'clock.
Man Witnesses Tragedy
R.T. Athy, Edon businessman, who with his wife, witnessed the accident, said that he was approaching the crossing from the north, and his car was losing speed as he waited the passing of the crack flyer.
As he approached the tracks, he noticed that the Kinnison car was not slowing down. The engine of the 12-car train caught the sedan on the left front side, carrying it on the corner of the cow-catcher and cylinder a distance down the track, nearly to the second crossing. Parts of the car were strewn along the right-of-way for most of the distance.
All four of the Kinnisons were still in the car when found. Their bodies were removed and taken to the Krill Funeral Home , Edgerton. Young James, who was still alive, was taken to a neighboring farm house, near the east crossing where the engine came to a halt.
Child Waits Hour
Ambulance attendants, unaware of the distance the train had gone, brught their vehicles to the west crossing on Route 49, and it was nearly an hour before the youngster was taken from the farm home to the hospital. Five ambulances answered the call.
Sheriff A.R. DeWees and Deputy C.A. Connell were called to investigate the accident and to control traffic at the intersection. Coroner C. Paul Waid conducted an examination and declared the deaths were accidental.
Kinnison, his wife and the younger son all suffered severe skull fractures and other major body injuries. John's death was caused by a broken neck.
When found, Kinnison and his wife and John were in the front seat. Kinnison's head injury was on he left side, leading officers to believe that he was driving the car. The four were returning from Edgerton where Mr. Kinnison had gone to have a truck repaired.
Fitzer Is Conductor
Mr. Athy said that he didn't actually see the train strike the car, as the car did not get completly on the tracks, but he was the car's headlights disappear and as they were not visible under the cars of the train as they passed. He said he thought the car had been hit. After the train passed, he ran down the track to render aid.
R.T. Fitzer of Ft. Wayne, a former resident of Montpelier, was the conductor on the train and W.C. Ernest of Mexico, Ind., was the engineer.
The train crew, assisted by Deputy Connell, flagged down a fast east-bound freight train, which was following the passenger train and set flares at the east end to warm passenger train No. 3, which was scheduled to leave Montpelier for Ft. Wayne at 8:45. However, No. 3 was held in the Montpelier yards until the flyer had passed. The Arrow, which was already running late, traveled at 75 miles an hour at the time of the accident, was held up over an hour by the accident before proceeding on it's way.
No trace had been found Saturday of Kinnison's wallet which was missing from the wreck. He had been out collecting Wednesday afternoon before the accident and it was believed that he was still carrying the money with him when he was killed.
Worst Since 1936
This is probably the worst tragedy that has hit one family in recent years. On September 15, 1936, four Blakeslee youths, two from one family, were killed at the Wabash crossing in Blakeslee by train No. 7. They were LeRoy Kelble, 17, his sister, Evelyn, 14; Regina Bloemke, 14, and Leo Hug, 17.
Kinnison, a dredging and ditching contractor, had lived on his farm home the past 11 years, having moved here from Yorkshire, Ohio.
The Kinnisons leave five other daughters and two sons surviving.
Services Sunday
They are Mrs. George Julien and Mrs. Carlton Newman, both of Edon; Mrs. Omer Keller, southwest of Edon; Anna Lou, 16, and Marilyn, 8, at home; Sgt. Marion, Camp Hood, Tex., and S 2/c Adrian who is somewhere in the Pacific war theater. St. Marion arrived Saturday by plane to attend the final rites for the family. Also surviving are her mother, Erie Hixon, who made her home with the Kinnison's, his brother, and five sisters. Another daughter, Gracia Ellen died four years ago.
The bodies were taken Thursday to the Meyers Funeral Home, Edon, where they remained until time for the rites Sunday.
Walter, his wife Osaa Mae Hixon Kinnison, and their 2 young sons, James and John were all killed in an automobile/train accident south of Edon, Ohio.
His parents are John Wesley Kinnison and Emma Iora Pemora Beamblossom.
Four In Famiy Lose Lives At R.R. Crossing
Worst Tragedy In This County In Recent Years
Four Edon residents, a father, mother, and two sons were killed last Wednesday night when their car was struck by the Wabash railroad's crack Red Arrow passenger train at the crossing four miles south of Edon.
They are Walter Kinnison, 48, his wife Osaa Mae, 46; their two sons, John Wesley, 13 and James, 10. The first three were killed instantly when the train struck, carrying them nearly three fourths of a mile down the right-of-way. James lived until 12:30 the next morning, dying in the Cameron Hospital in Angola.
This brings to seven the number who have died in Williams County since Jnuary 1. Six of these have lost their lives in railroad crossing accidents: the other was a pedestrian, killed near Edgerton 10 days ago.
The family was returning from Edgerton enroute to their home two miles southwest of Edon when the tragedy occured, about 7:33 o'clock.
Man Witnesses Tragedy
R.T. Athy, Edon businessman, who with his wife, witnessed the accident, said that he was approaching the crossing from the north, and his car was losing speed as he waited the passing of the crack flyer.
As he approached the tracks, he noticed that the Kinnison car was not slowing down. The engine of the 12-car train caught the sedan on the left front side, carrying it on the corner of the cow-catcher and cylinder a distance down the track, nearly to the second crossing. Parts of the car were strewn along the right-of-way for most of the distance.
All four of the Kinnisons were still in the car when found. Their bodies were removed and taken to the Krill Funeral Home , Edgerton. Young James, who was still alive, was taken to a neighboring farm house, near the east crossing where the engine came to a halt.
Child Waits Hour
Ambulance attendants, unaware of the distance the train had gone, brught their vehicles to the west crossing on Route 49, and it was nearly an hour before the youngster was taken from the farm home to the hospital. Five ambulances answered the call.
Sheriff A.R. DeWees and Deputy C.A. Connell were called to investigate the accident and to control traffic at the intersection. Coroner C. Paul Waid conducted an examination and declared the deaths were accidental.
Kinnison, his wife and the younger son all suffered severe skull fractures and other major body injuries. John's death was caused by a broken neck.
When found, Kinnison and his wife and John were in the front seat. Kinnison's head injury was on he left side, leading officers to believe that he was driving the car. The four were returning from Edgerton where Mr. Kinnison had gone to have a truck repaired.
Fitzer Is Conductor
Mr. Athy said that he didn't actually see the train strike the car, as the car did not get completly on the tracks, but he was the car's headlights disappear and as they were not visible under the cars of the train as they passed. He said he thought the car had been hit. After the train passed, he ran down the track to render aid.
R.T. Fitzer of Ft. Wayne, a former resident of Montpelier, was the conductor on the train and W.C. Ernest of Mexico, Ind., was the engineer.
The train crew, assisted by Deputy Connell, flagged down a fast east-bound freight train, which was following the passenger train and set flares at the east end to warm passenger train No. 3, which was scheduled to leave Montpelier for Ft. Wayne at 8:45. However, No. 3 was held in the Montpelier yards until the flyer had passed. The Arrow, which was already running late, traveled at 75 miles an hour at the time of the accident, was held up over an hour by the accident before proceeding on it's way.
No trace had been found Saturday of Kinnison's wallet which was missing from the wreck. He had been out collecting Wednesday afternoon before the accident and it was believed that he was still carrying the money with him when he was killed.
Worst Since 1936
This is probably the worst tragedy that has hit one family in recent years. On September 15, 1936, four Blakeslee youths, two from one family, were killed at the Wabash crossing in Blakeslee by train No. 7. They were LeRoy Kelble, 17, his sister, Evelyn, 14; Regina Bloemke, 14, and Leo Hug, 17.
Kinnison, a dredging and ditching contractor, had lived on his farm home the past 11 years, having moved here from Yorkshire, Ohio.
The Kinnisons leave five other daughters and two sons surviving.
Services Sunday
They are Mrs. George Julien and Mrs. Carlton Newman, both of Edon; Mrs. Omer Keller, southwest of Edon; Anna Lou, 16, and Marilyn, 8, at home; Sgt. Marion, Camp Hood, Tex., and S 2/c Adrian who is somewhere in the Pacific war theater. St. Marion arrived Saturday by plane to attend the final rites for the family. Also surviving are her mother, Erie Hixon, who made her home with the Kinnison's, his brother, and five sisters. Another daughter, Gracia Ellen died four years ago.
The bodies were taken Thursday to the Meyers Funeral Home, Edon, where they remained until time for the rites Sunday.
His parents are John Wesley Kinnison and Emma Iora Pemora Beamblossom.
Four In Famiy Lose Lives At R.R. Crossing
Worst Tragedy In This County In Recent Years
Four Edon residents, a father, mother, and two sons were killed last Wednesday night when their car was struck by the Wabash railroad's crack Red Arrow passenger train at the crossing four miles south of Edon.
They are Walter Kinnison, 48, his wife Osaa Mae, 46; their two sons, John Wesley, 13 and James, 10. The first three were killed instantly when the train struck, carrying them nearly three fourths of a mile down the right-of-way. James lived until 12:30 the next morning, dying in the Cameron Hospital in Angola.
This brings to seven the number who have died in Williams County since Jnuary 1. Six of these have lost their lives in railroad crossing accidents: the other was a pedestrian, killed near Edgerton 10 days ago.
The family was returning from Edgerton enroute to their home two miles southwest of Edon when the tragedy occured, about 7:33 o'clock.
Man Witnesses Tragedy
R.T. Athy, Edon businessman, who with his wife, witnessed the accident, said that he was approaching the crossing from the north, and his car was losing speed as he waited the passing of the crack flyer.
As he approached the tracks, he noticed that the Kinnison car was not slowing down. The engine of the 12-car train caught the sedan on the left front side, carrying it on the corner of the cow-catcher and cylinder a distance down the track, nearly to the second crossing. Parts of the car were strewn along the right-of-way for most of the distance.
All four of the Kinnisons were still in the car when found. Their bodies were removed and taken to the Krill Funeral Home , Edgerton. Young James, who was still alive, was taken to a neighboring farm house, near the east crossing where the engine came to a halt.
Child Waits Hour
Ambulance attendants, unaware of the distance the train had gone, brught their vehicles to the west crossing on Route 49, and it was nearly an hour before the youngster was taken from the farm home to the hospital. Five ambulances answered the call.
Sheriff A.R. DeWees and Deputy C.A. Connell were called to investigate the accident and to control traffic at the intersection. Coroner C. Paul Waid conducted an examination and declared the deaths were accidental.
Kinnison, his wife and the younger son all suffered severe skull fractures and other major body injuries. John's death was caused by a broken neck.
When found, Kinnison and his wife and John were in the front seat. Kinnison's head injury was on he left side, leading officers to believe that he was driving the car. The four were returning from Edgerton where Mr. Kinnison had gone to have a truck repaired.
Fitzer Is Conductor
Mr. Athy said that he didn't actually see the train strike the car, as the car did not get completly on the tracks, but he was the car's headlights disappear and as they were not visible under the cars of the train as they passed. He said he thought the car had been hit. After the train passed, he ran down the track to render aid.
R.T. Fitzer of Ft. Wayne, a former resident of Montpelier, was the conductor on the train and W.C. Ernest of Mexico, Ind., was the engineer.
The train crew, assisted by Deputy Connell, flagged down a fast east-bound freight train, which was following the passenger train and set flares at the east end to warm passenger train No. 3, which was scheduled to leave Montpelier for Ft. Wayne at 8:45. However, No. 3 was held in the Montpelier yards until the flyer had passed. The Arrow, which was already running late, traveled at 75 miles an hour at the time of the accident, was held up over an hour by the accident before proceeding on it's way.
No trace had been found Saturday of Kinnison's wallet which was missing from the wreck. He had been out collecting Wednesday afternoon before the accident and it was believed that he was still carrying the money with him when he was killed.
Worst Since 1936
This is probably the worst tragedy that has hit one family in recent years. On September 15, 1936, four Blakeslee youths, two from one family, were killed at the Wabash crossing in Blakeslee by train No. 7. They were LeRoy Kelble, 17, his sister, Evelyn, 14; Regina Bloemke, 14, and Leo Hug, 17.
Kinnison, a dredging and ditching contractor, had lived on his farm home the past 11 years, having moved here from Yorkshire, Ohio.
The Kinnisons leave five other daughters and two sons surviving.
Services Sunday
They are Mrs. George Julien and Mrs. Carlton Newman, both of Edon; Mrs. Omer Keller, southwest of Edon; Anna Lou, 16, and Marilyn, 8, at home; Sgt. Marion, Camp Hood, Tex., and S 2/c Adrian who is somewhere in the Pacific war theater. St. Marion arrived Saturday by plane to attend the final rites for the family. Also surviving are her mother, Erie Hixon, who made her home with the Kinnison's, his brother, and five sisters. Another daughter, Gracia Ellen died four years ago.
The bodies were taken Thursday to the Meyers Funeral Home, Edon, where they remained until time for the rites Sunday.
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