John Kenneth Soper 1921-1925

SOPER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/23/2010 at 22:23:07

John Soper Run Down by Truck Driver at Sibley

Was Sitting on the Curb With Playmate When the Truck Hit
One of the saddest accidents of some time past was the killing by an automobile of little John Soper, the three and one-half year old son of Mr. and Mrs. H. K. Soper, formerly of this city but who now reside in Sibley.

No one but the man who killed the little fellow and six year old boy, his playmate knows how the accident happened. John and his playmate were sitting on the parking curb in the center of the street. The street there is such as we have on East Main street, east of the court hours. As near as can be ascertained the little fellow was sitting on the curb. It is possible that his playmate started across the street. The driver of the car evidently came to the conclusion that he would have to stop suddenly and he clamped on the breaks. It was thirty-six feet from where the wheels of the car showed signs of skidding to the edge of the curb. The car evidently was going at a terrific speed as it mounted the curb, went over the edge and then traveled some thirty feet into the street again. It is thought the boy was struck as the car mounted the curb and the body was lying just where the car left the curb. The accident was in front of the Soper home and Mrs. Soper rushed out of the yard to the scene of the accident. The driver of the car said “I guess I have killed your little boy” got into his car and before the remains were removed it is said he was back with two lawyers looking the ground over. It is said this is the second person he has killed.

The remains of little John Soper were brought here for burial on Sunday and the services were held in the Presbyterian church on Monday afternoon, the Rev. Voorhies officiating. The remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, July 1, 1925)

Horace Soper’s Son Killed in Accident
Was Crossing the Street at Sibley When Hit By an Automobile going at High Speed
John Kenneth Soper, three and a half year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Soper, living at Sibley, was run over by an automobile while walking across the street in front of the Soper home at 11:15 Saturday [June 27, 1925] forenoon. He had been across the street to a neighbor’s and was on his way home when the accident took place. No one saw the accident. The car was driven by a man named Reverts, agent for the Nash car at Sibley. They say the ground in the street showed that the wheels of the car slid fully fifty feet after he applied the brakes and he must have been driving at a rapid speed. Estherville friends of the Soper family will regret to learn of this fatal accident. John Kenneth was born in Estherville on December 27, 1921. Mr. and Mrs. Soper resided here from childhood but moved to Sibley last November where Mr. Soper had a position as fireman for the Rock Island from that place to Gowrie. The remains were brought to Estherville Sunday afternoon and funeral held Monday afternoon in the Presbyterian church. Rev. Voorhies preached the funeral sermon and burial was in Oak Hill Cemetery. The sympathy of the entire community is extended the bereaved parents in their hours of profound sorrow. Besides the father and mother a younger brother is left to mourn his death. He was the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Rufus D. Soper, of this city. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, July 1, 1925)

Speeding Auto Kills Young Son H. Soper Sat.
Was in Front of Home in Sibley – Funeral Held Here Monday Afternoon
Little John Soper, four year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Soper, was instantly killed Saturday morning when struck by an auto at Sibley where the family is at present making their home. The accident happened directly in front of the child’s home and marks on the street indicated the auto was being driven at a high rate of speed and that the driver had been unable to stop the car when he saw the boy.

The body was brought to Estherville Sunday evening and funeral services held on Monday afternoon from the Presbyterian church.

Burial was made at Oak Hill cemetery.

The little lad was born in Estherville in December 1921, and lived here until last fall when the family moved to Sibley.

He was a child of unusually bright and loving disposition and his passing will leave an unfilled spot in the hearts of the grief stricken family and their many friends.

There is a younger son in the family. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, July 1, 1925)