Pauline Kernen Cummings

KERNEN, CUMMINGS, SPRING, BURRIS, MASON, MARLOW

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 10/1/2012 at 17:12:08

Car, Truck Meet Head on; 1 Dead, Others Injured
John Mason Died From Injuries Received
Six persons were seriously injured, one fatally, last Thursday afternoon between 12:30 and 1:00 when the Leonard Burris car was struck by a gravel truck at the intersection of highways Nos. 71 and 34. John Mason, who suffered scalp wounds and internal injuries died early Sunday morning. Spicy Burris has a deep gash over her eyes, scalp wounds, chest and other injuries, and is in the Creston hospital in a serious condition. Mrs. Perry Cummings was first brought home and then taken to the Creston hospital and from there to the Jennie Edmundson Hospital at Council Bluffs, X-Rays have revealed injuries to her back which leaves her paralyzed from her chest down, but she is making a courageous fight for her life. Leonard Burris has some bad scalp wounds, and injuries about his chest from which he is recovering at his home under the care of a trained nurse. Mrs. John Mason was cut with splintered glass and badly bruised, but is bearing up with unusual courage. C. R. Marllow of Des Moines, the truck driver, has deep cuts about his hands and legs, but nothing serious.
The five people started out from Corning to go to Shenandoah where Leonard and Spicy Burris have a sister and expected to attend a flower show. At the intersection of the highways the party met a truck driven by Mr. Marlow, returning empty from a gravel truck.
It is very had to get exact statement as to how the accident happened. Mrs. Mason says there were no cars in sight except a gravel truck coming, and Miss Burris had said, "There comes a gravel truck, Len, be careful." None of thought of the possibility of being hit until the crash came. Those who were first on the spot claim that to all appearances the truck had lifted the Burris car and carried and pushed it a distance of between 22 and 25 feet in a collision which was almost squarely head on. The front of the Burris car was crushed back into the body of the car with what must have been a terrific blow.
Mr. and Mrs. Burris and Mr. and Mrs. Mason were rushed to the Dr. John Liken Hospital in Villisca and Mrs. Perry Cummings was taken to the office of Dr. J. Clark Cooper until able to be moved as previously stated. Mr. Mason never regained consciousness after the accident, but died in his home in Corning.
On Wednesday as we went to press, the condition of the three surviving persons most seriously injured is encouraging. The whole affair has been a distinct shock to the whole community and a matter of deepest concern and sorrow because of the tragic toll of death and suffering. It is a terrible accident and one which should be explained in some way in order that repetition may never occur. The accident happened in almost the same spot where Mr. and Mrs. John Kirkman of Peoria, Illinois lost their lives about a year ago, the two accidents being very similar. The whole community regrets and sympathizes and hopes for the best in the hear breaking tragedy.
Adams County Free Press, June 8, 1933, page 1