Newell Harry Olmstead 1912-1931

OLMSTEAD, MCCALL

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/28/2010 at 20:00:17

Auto Accident Near St. James Claims One; Pit Machine Other

While enroute to Estherville from Mossy Bay, the Barber summer resort near Richmond, Minn., the car driven by Warren Barber went into the ditch, killing Newell Olmstead, and injuring the driver. The accident occurred on the main highway five miles south of St. James about nine-thirty Monday [August 10, 1931] morning.

The Barber car, a Pontiac, was coming south when another car came onto the highway from the east, struck it near the rear end and sent it careening into the ditch. It is reported that after taking the ditch the car rolled into some trees which lined the road at this spot. The Olmstead boy was thrown through the windshield and was badly cut about the neck and head. The force of the blow crushed his chest and it is to this that his death was attributed.

Both boys were rushed to the hospital in St. James, and when the seriousness of Olmstead’s injuries was ascertained, Warren Barber called his parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Olmstead. Although they left immediately with their son, Robert, the boy passed away at 10:45 shortly before they arrived.

Warren Barber returned home with friends Monday evening. He is severely bruised and cut but his injuries are not serious and he is up and around at present. The Pontiac which belonged to him was practically a new car, and it is badly wrecked.

The funeral was held this afternoon at two o’clock from the Christian Church with Rev. Ragsdale officiating. Newell Harry Olmstead was born September 10, 1912, in Modale, Iowa, and he lived there with his parents until eight years ago they moved to Estherville. He was a student in the Estherville High School, and a member and active worker in the Christian Church. He is survived by his parents, six brothers, Roscoe, Robert, Shurrell, Howard, Harold and Earl, and four sisters, Mrs. Joe McCall of Castana, Gladys, Maude and Mrs. Marshall Elkin. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, August 12, 1931)