Thomas Alfred Verdon

VERDON, SULLIVAN, OLEARY

Posted By: Diana Henry Diedrich (email)
Date: 1/5/2007 at 15:54:59

Boy, 13 Killed by Automobile at Manchester

Manchester – A 13-year-old boy was struck and killed by an automobile here Monday night.

He was Thomas Alfred Verdon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Verdon. Authorities said the car was driven by Vernon Sullivan, 22, a Manchester garage employe.

Young Verdon, his brother, Vincent, 10, and another youngster, Gerald O’Leary, were returning home from the American Legion celebration at the Delaware county fairgrounds when the accident happened in front of the public library. The boy was pronounced dead on arrival at Willard hospital.

According to Highway patrolmen, Sullivan did not stop at the accident scene, but returned later. The patrolmen said Sullivan told them he thought he might have hit someone. Sullivan’s wife was riding with him.

The dead boy’s parents, who also had been at the fairgrounds, drove past the accident scene, but did not know it was their son who had been killed until later. A crowd had gathered and cars were being ordered to move on to avoid a traffic tieup.

In addition to his parents, the boy is survived by seven brother and sisters. The family came here from Lansing, Ia.. last January. The body will be taken to Lansing for services and burial.

Cedar Rapids Gazette; 13 Sep 1949
Transcribed by Diana Henry Diedrich