Ralph D. Gracey (1887 - 1922)

GRACEY, MCCLELLAND, DANIELS

Posted By: Karen Brewer (email)
Date: 3/27/2016 at 12:11:11

The Osceola Sentinel, Osceola, Iowa
July 6, 1922, Page 1

AUTO ACCIDENT
PROVES FATAL TO
OSCEOLA MAN

Ralph Gracey Dead as the Result of
Having Been Struck by Car
Wednesday Evening.

MRS. McCLELLAND IS INJURED

Well Known Citizens Escaped Death
by Narrow Margin—A Distressing Event.

One of the most distressing accidents that has occurred in Clarke County in many months happened last Wednesday evening about 10:30 following the band concert, when an automobile driven by C. McClelland of Fremont township collided in the darkness with a car standing in the street in the northern borders of the city.

As nearly as the reporter could learn the incidents leading up to the sad event are as follows: Following the band concert a Ford car occupied by Ralph Gracey, Arthur Daniels and some other young men, all of whom were employed with the graders on the Jefferson Highway, started to return to "The Camp." At a point just off the pavement on North Main street the lights on the Ford failed. they drove the car just a little to one side and one of the young men got out to fix the lights. Another Ford occupied by Carl McClelland and his mother of Fremont township, came off the pavement down the grade and not seeing the lightless car in the road until they were near it sought to avert an accident by swinging quickly to the left. Seeing the impending danger Arthur Daniels who was one of the three men still in the front car called to his companions to jump. Daniels and his companion who jumped to the right were uninjured but Ralph Gracey jumped directly in front of the approaching car and was fatally injured by the impact.

In response to a hurried call Drs. Harken and Hollenbeck were soon present taking care of the injured. An examination revealed the fact that Ralph Gracey had both legs broken and was otherwise badly bruised. He was taken to the Harken hospital and given every possible care, but nothing could be done to save his life and his spirit took its flight at about 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

Mrs. McClelland and her son Carl, were taken into Frank Dutton's residence where they received first aid. Mrs. McClelland was badly (unreadable) about the right eye by glass from the windshield and she was otherwise seriously injured. Her son was cut and bruised about the face and shoulders, but his injuries are not so serious. Mrs. McClelland was taken to the hospital for treatment. A few hours later she was taken to the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Trueblood where at last report she was but slightly improved.

An examination of the cars indicated that the rear end of the approaching car had struck the other car and that had Gracey remained in his seat of jumped to the right he should have escaped injury.

Though in the opinion of the authorities Carl McClelland was not responsible for the accident he called on the grief stricken mother of the deceased young man and expressed his sympathy and paid the expense incurred by the incident which had brought so much grief to the sorrowing mother and which he and others of the community are sincerely sharing.

The funeral services of Ralph Gracey were held at the M. P. church in Osceola Monday afternoon, and interment was made in the Fields cemetery.