Ariel C. Brown 1862-1936

BROWN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/2/2011 at 00:11:39

A.C. Brown Killed at Burt Today
Pioneer Here in Business, Retired Some 12 Years Ago
The citizens of Estherville were certainly shocked this morning when it was announced on the street that our pioneer citizen, A. C. Brown, had been killed in an accident at Burt.

There were no details of the accident at first. Neil Brown rushed home to be with his mother to whom he knew the shock would be terrible. He remained with her until his wife and his brother arrived, then left for Burt.

We called the editor at Burt, as information was difficult to obtain. This is the story we received from the editor of the Burt Monitor, on the second call after they had checked up on the accident.

Mr. Brown was driving south on the highway. He was about to cross the Northwestern tracks. He evidently noticed the train pulled by a gas car approaching. He started to take to the ditch but evidently changed his mind, thinking he might get over the tracks and the gas car hit his Chevrolet in the side.

The car was badly wrecked and Mr. Brown was jammed so hard into the steering gear with such force he was injured internally. He died minutes late from internal hemorrhages, without recovering consciousness. Our report says there was but little in the way of details to tell as it was a railroad crossing accident that was not decidedly different than all of them.

A.C. Brown and Walter Crowell, who were in the farm implement business in West Bend decided to come to Estherville in 1900 to open a wholesale and retail farm machinery business. They employed Ford Connelly to come here and get ready to open the business. He came in March and Mr. Brown moved here in the early summer.

Brown and Crowell, as the firm was known, erected the big frame building on the corner of Lincoln and Eighth streets. The building was two story and was used for farm machinery only. Later they purchased the wholesale grocery with others in what is now the J. T. Johnston building across the street from the implement company. They remained in business there for many years.

When the editors of this paper decided to build their building at its present location we officed with Brown and Crowell during the construction period. They were both excellent gentlemen and we cultivated a warm friendship for both. The senior editor and Mr. Brown became close friends during that time.

Mr. Brown’s remains were taken to the funeral parlors in Burt where they were taken from by the local undertakers.

Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Sillge who had been visiting the past few days at Webster City were at the scene of the accident immediately after it occurred and they were taken to Burt to identify Mr. Brown.

Mrs. Sillge says Mr. Brown had a bad gash over his eye. That his lip was cut and he was bleeding from the nose and ears. This was caused because his chest was badly crushed by the steering gear. The accident occurred at nine o’clock.

George Thompson and Herbert Allen left at noon for Burt to look after the car and such details as were necessary.

No arrangements have been made for the funeral services.

Estherville is grieved over the loss of our pioneer business man and friend. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, August 12, 1936)

A.C. Brown is Killed Near Burt
This morning’s Des Moines Register carried an account of the serious accident which befell A. C. Brown at Burt. We believe this refers to Mr. Brown who conducted a bank in West Bend many years ago. The article is as follows:

A.C. Brown, 71, retired Estherville, Ia., banker, was killed when a North Western train struck his auto on a crossing north of Burt Wednesday. Highway Patrolman C. B. Benedict, who was driving behind Mr. Brown on Highway 169, said he saw the crash and could not understand why Brown failed to see the train. Mr. Brown, a Mason, is a former Estherville city council member. Mr. Brown is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters, including Hazel Brown, formerly a women’s department writer for the Des Moines Tribune. He was driving alone. (West Bend Journal, West Bend, IA, August 13, 1936)

A.C. Brown Is Killed By Train at Burt
Lives Ten Minutes After Car is Hit at Crossing
A.C. Brown, 74, Estherville was killed yesterday morning when his car was struck by the Northwestern passenger car at the No. 169 grade crossing just north of Burt.

Brown suffered a severe frontal fracture of the skull, broken ribs, and possible ruptures of spleen, kidneys and liver.

That a collision would be unavoidable was seen by the engineer, and the car was stopped only two lengths from the crossing after the collision.

Car Struck Broadside
It is believed that Brown did not see the approaching train till he was almost upon it. The engineer noticed that Brown swerved his car slightly towards the ditch, then apparently changed his mind and attempted to beat the train to the crossing. This took place within 100 feet of the crossing.

The Brown car was struck broadside, and it skidded into the ditch, but it did not turn over. After the train was stopped Engineer Billings, Baggageman L. N. Cairy, and Conductor J. T. Callopy, all of Eagle Grove, took Brown from his car. He was bleeding from a head fracture, but was still breathing, though unconscious.

Death in Ten Minutes
The next car after Brown’s was driven by Dr. C. E. Douglas, White Cloud, Mich., who stopped, gave first aid and stayed with Brown till he died ten minutes after the crash.

The body was placed in the baggage compartment of the train car, which was backed to Burt. County Attorney McMahon, Sheriff Carl Dahlhauser, and Coroner R. A. Evans were called, and after the train crew had made report the car was permitted to leave.

The train first left at 9:43 a.m., and it returned at 10:11. The collision took place at 9:47.

Body to Estherville
C. B. Benedict of the highway patrol, who had left Algona shortly after 9 o’clock on his regular travels, reached the scene of the accident before the train had left and took charge of body and papers till arrival of the Algona officials.

The body was first placed in the baggage room of the depot, but thence was later taken to the Chipman funeral room. Yesterday afternoon it was removed to Estherville.

Mr. Brown is survived by his wife, two sons, Neil and Lee, and two daughters, Hazel, at home, and a daughter at Casper, Wyo. Hazel was formerly editor of the woman’s section of the Des Moines Sunday Register.

Once Lived at West Bend
It is believed that Brown was on his way to Gilmore City, the home of his son, Lee, where he and the son had a joint business interest.

Mr. Brown lived at West Bend at one time, but moved to Estherville many years ago. He retired some years ago.

The car was badly wrecked. The front end was caved in, and the engine pushed far to the right. Tires were torn from three wheels, and two wheels were bent beyond repair. Glass in the car was of the “safety” variety. The body was not badly cut. (Kossuth County Advance, Algona, IA, August 13, 1936)