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CONDON, Ellie A. 1886-1904

CONDON

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 9/6/2011 at 18:57:50

[Waterloo Daily Courier, Saturday, June 4, 1904]

YOUNG LADY KILLED

Ella Condon Crushed to Death Under Rapid Transit Car

DEATH CLOSES CONCERT

Scene of Joyous Pleasure Plunged in Sorrow.

Fatal Accident at San Souci Park Places Garb of Gloom Over An Occasion of Festivity—Coroner's Inquest Held This Morning.

Miss Ella Condon, eighteen years of age, was killed last evening at San Souci Park, by being struck by a street car. The accident occurred about 10:15 o'clock immediately after the band concert, while the young lady was attempting to board the car. In the jam she was pushed under the coach, which ran over her, breaking her neck, arm, and otherwise injuring her. When assistance reached her she was apparently dead.

Miss Condon, whose home is six and a half miles north of this city, had been staying at the home of Ed Storm during the last week. Last evening she and a friend, Miss Lois Wissinger, went to San Souci Park, where the Waterloo band opened the concert season. At the conclusion of the program the young ladies went with several hundred others to the wafting station.

Struck By Big Car. The car under which Miss Condon met her death was a heavy interurban No. 23, generally used on the Denver line. Last evening, however, it was put in local service to care for the immense crowds that thronged the park. The car was preceding with the rear end first, and was under the direction of Motorman J. R. Dickison and Conductor Roy Parkins.

According to the testimony introduced at the inquest this morning, the unfortunate girl was gone, surged onto the track as soon as the car cleared the bridge. The evidence shows that Miss Condon started across the track with her companion and several others, and that before the rails were cleared, the car struck her and she rolled underneath. An exclamation was heard and then all was confusion.

A signal to stop the car is said to have been given about that time, and the coach was brought to a standstill within about a car length. C. D. Cass, general passenger agent, hastily secured a lantern and with the aid of spectators attempted to extricate the young lady. The body was laying directly under the gearing of the motor, with the head on the rail and the forward wheel pressing tightly against the cheek. She had been dragged several feet and the body was badly lacerated by the cinders. The efforts to get the body from under the car were futile, and a local car was sent to the Rapid Transit round house to procure jackscrews.

Forty-five minutes were consumed in procuring the necessary tools. During that time, the scene surrounding the accident was horrible. Women wrung their hands and screamed, others nearly fainted, men were shouting excitedly, while still others stood by in awe-stricken silence. Miss Wissinger, the lady's companion, was almost hysterical, while a sadness prevailed upon the entire assemblage which a moment before had been so intent upon pleasure only.

Before the eyes of more than a thousand people, the mangled form was taken to the hotel nearby, where they remained until taken to the Hanlon undertaking parlors. Coroner McManus was summoned and Dr. Arthur Gollmar was notified. The physician arrived in a short time, but the girl had been cold in death for some time. He made a hasty examination of her injuries, and found the neck broken, her right leg fractured, abdomen pierced in two places, both ears cut off and other bruises. The face was also burned where she had come in contact with the electric current. It is not improbable that the lady was electrocuted and her death was instantaneous.

At the conclusion of the inquest, the verdict was; "We do find that the deceased came to her death by being knocked down and crushed by a moving street car of the Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Northern Railway Company. And we, the jury, do not determine who is to blame."

Obituary

Ella Condon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Will Condon, was born in DeKalb County, Illinois, on the 11th day of February, 1886, and lived there until four years of age. She then moved with her family to Iowa, and since has made this state her home. For several years past she has been residing in Bennington Township, about six and a half miles north of this city. She has often visited in Waterloo, and her last stay had been of one weeks's duration. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Those who survive are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Will Condon, and six brothers and one sister. They are: James, John, Wilbur, Bernie, Leonard, Carl and Elsie, all of whom reside at home.

The funeral service will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.


 

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