Chambers, E. L. - 1846-1911

CHAMBERS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/12/2020 at 10:51:00

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Dec. 5, 1911, LP, C3

E. L. Chambers, of New Hampton, was killed in an auto accident on Saturday last while running between New Hampton and Lawler, his car being overturned by the bursting of a tire. Three ladies who were with him were not seriously injured.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Dec. 12, 1911, 2, C3

Death of E. L. Chambers.

Saturday morning, Dec. 2nd, Mr. E. L. Chamber with his auto, started to take Mrs. C. E. Carr and children, Avis, Donald, Stanley, Paul and her sister, Miss Margaret Carney to Hawkeye. The roads were in good shape and all went well until they started southeast from Lawler. The car was traveling about 10 miles per hour when they came to the bridge on the turn of the road near the tow mill. From what we can learn Mr. Chambers kept too near the outside of the road and being unable to see well, did not notice, the necessary sudden turn when leaving the bridge. When upon the bridge he saw the danger and quickly turned, causing the rear of the car to skid off the embankment. This jolt threw Mrs. Car, who was sitting in the front seat, out. Mr. Chambers continued to try to right the car but the momentum was too great and it turned over onto the top and then onto the right side, three-fourths of complete turn. How the four children and Margaret Carney in the back seat, escaped death, only God knows. Mrs. Carr tore the top open and pulled the children out. All of them could stand but Paul, who re­mained unconscious throughout Satur­day night.
Stanley had an arm brok­en at the elbow and wrist. Avis was cut about the eyes and head. Miss Carney had her wrist sprained. All were badly bruised. Mrs. Carr has suffered greatly from nervousness since. At present writing all have re­covered sufficiently to go on to their home at Hawkeye.

Just what caused Mr. Chambers’ death is more than any human knows. Mrs. Carr says she heard but one groan which no doubt was the sudden snuffing out of his life. He was badly bruised about the head. Probably the steering gear of the car struck him or the weight of the car when it fell on its top crushed the life out of him.

The car was terribly mangled though the engine continued to run until one of the Carr children shut it off.

Mr. E. L. Chambers was born May 3, 1846, at Belvidere. Ill. He came to Iowa when but a boy, driving across country with a team of oxen, settling west of Clarksville and later moved to Janesville and Waverly, Iowa.

Mr. Chambers learned the carpenter’s trade at Bevidere and was for twenty-one years the bridge contractor for the B. C. R. & N. railroad, now the Rock Island. For the past twenty years he has contracted for county bridges in this and surrounding counties.
The deceased was the oldest of seven children. He was a member of several lodges. The Masons, Elks, Knights of Pythias, Yeomen and Eagles. He was a member of the Christian church at Clarksville.

The funeral was held Monday morn­ing at 10 o’clock from his home in this city, Rev. W. A. Cave conducting the services. The body was taken to Clarksville via Nora Springs on the noon train for burial.

Mr. Chambers leaves to mourn his death, his wife, daughter, and three brothers.—New Hampton Tribune.