ARTHUR, Harry E. 1892-1928

ARTHUR

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 8/18/2011 at 11:35:26

#1:

TRAIN STRIKES M-R SCHOOL BUS

Driver and Two Children
Die as a Result of the
Accident.

Snow Storm Hinders Driver's Vision. Injured
Taken to Hospital.

Marble Rock and vicinity was suddenly plunged into deepest grief last Thursday afternoon by the news that the school bus driven by Harry Arthur, and which contained sixteen pupils besides the driver, had been struck by the afternoon Rock Island passenger train, near the Webster Reed home southeast of town, and two children killed and most of the remainder badly injured.

The news spread quickly, and in a few minutes cars were racing madly for the scene. Arriving there a horrible sight was presented. Dead and injured children an unconscious driver and a wrecked bus were before the horrified gaze of the onlookers. The train stopped at once after the crash and the train crew came to give first aid, and physicians were quickly called. Two children, Roger Stauffer and Harrison May, were dead, the driver was unconscious, and the remainder of the load were in various stages of suffering. Seven children, Pauline May, Eugene May, Raymond Schaffer, Thelma Schaffer, Glen Schafer (no relation to the previous two), Max Barnett and Edna Merfeld were at once taken on board the train, and also the unconscious driver, Harry Arthur, and as the train steamed away the remainder of the children: Neal Stauffer, Timothy Stauffer, Richard Hoil, Virginia Hardy, Libby Barnett and Delmar May, more or less injured, but not seriously were taken to their several homes.

Funerals for the two dead were held Sunday at Greene, the Stauffer funeral at the Methodist Church, and the May funeral at the Catholic church, with burial in the local cemeteries.

The next chapter in the tragedy occurred Saturday shortly afternoon, when Harry Arthur, the driver, died. Mr. Arthur received a broken jaw and several chest injuries. He was 36 years old and leaves a wife and two children.

The funeral was held Monday afternoon from the Baptist Church and burial was in the local Hillside Cemetery here.

Coroner B. J. Oakes of this place commenced an inquest Friday at Green in an attempt to place the blame for the accident. After taking the testimony of the engineer and fireman of the train and several others the inquest was adjourned until next Friday, when the children in the accident will be called to testify.

Engineer May of the Rock Island train testified that the headlight was burning and that besides whistling for the crossing that he kept the bell ringing continuously on account of the bad weather conditions. He said that he was at his proper station and that he could see about 150 feet in front of the train. The crossing is at an angle and he could not see the bus from his side. The fireman also claimed he was at his outlook station but that he couldn't see beyond the engine. The storm was coming in his direction and the poor vision is accounted for by the fact that the snow perhaps plastered against his window. Engineer May said the train was traveling at about 45 miles an hour when it struck the bus

[Marble Rock Journal, Thursday, March 15, 1928]
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#2:

Hillside Cemetery data:
Arthur, Harry E. 1892 -- 1928 Lot C-1
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#3:

Mrs. Harry Arthur of Marble Rock, widow of the late Harry Arthur, who was killed In the school bus tragedy, was given a widow's pension of $2.50 per week for each of her children.

[Waterloo Courier, November 28, 1928]

Floyd Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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