SOURS, Clifton Eugene 1892-1943

SOURS, GATES, BOWER, REX, LINDSEY

Posted By: Diane M Scott (email)
Date: 11/12/2012 at 16:23:12

Clifton Eugene Sours – September 8, 1892 – August 2, 1943

#1

WRECK VICTIM DIED OF BURNS
CLIFTON SOURS FAILS TO SURVIVE INJURIES

Hampton – Clifton Sours, 50, of Marble Rock, who was seriously burned when his car crashed into a viaduct near Hampton Monday morning, died at a hospital at Hampton at 9 p.m. Monday.

Sours was identified by ration books and a car registration certificate in his clothing. Observers said his automobile, which he was driving east, broke off a pillar of the Great Western viaduct on Highway 10 and caught fire.

The man, with his clothing ablaze, rolled out of the machine and into a ditch, thus extinguishing the fire in his clothes. Hospital attendants said he suffered third degree burns.

Mason City Globe Gazette, Tuesday August 3, 1943

#2

CLIFTON E SOURS FARMER SOUTH OF MARBLE ROCK DIED
BURNS RECEIVED WHEN AUTOMOBILE HIT SIDE OF VIADUCT WEST OF HAMPTON PROVED FATAL ON MONDAY NIGHT

Clifton e. sours, age 50, well known farmer three and one-half miles south of Marble Rock, died Monday night about 9:00 o’clock from burns received in an automobile accident Monday morning.

His car crashed into the left side of a viaduct on Highway Number 10 West of Hampton. Simultaneously with the crash, the car burst into flames and the Marble Rock farmer’s clothing burst into flames.

Opening the door of his car, he fell down a six foot embankment down a roadside ditch.

Marks on the bank showed where he had endeavored to crawl out, after he had extinguished the fire in his clothing.

He wa taken to the Hampton Hospital where he lived only 11 hours after the accident. He suffered third degree burns practically all over his body. Mr. Sours was burned beyond recognition. He was alone in the car and only means of identification were by his car registration certificate and ration books.

Because his hat was found about 200 feet west of the viaduct, it is believed that his hat had blown from his head and he endeavored to follow it while driving. It was while looking backward that he pulled the wheel to the left side to crash into the left hand side of the viaduct. The impact was so great that one of the pillars was broken.

Funeral services are being held this afternoon at the Sours home under the direction of the Rev. George Foster, pastor of the Marble Rock Baptist Church. Burial is being made in Hillside Cemetery at marble Rock.

Mr. Sours was born two and one half miles south of Marble Rock, the son of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Sours, September 8, 1892.

After his father died, when he was three years old, the mother established her home with her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John C Sours. Sours attended the Gates rural school.

On April 22, 1914 he was married to Vera Mabel Bower at Charles City.

Surviving besides the wife and mother, are four children; Claire E Sours of Dougherty; Dr. Calvin Dean Sours of Nora Springs; and Vena Gale Sours and Norma Beth Sours; both at home; and one grandchild; Eileen Sours.

There are also three sisters; Mrs. Ross Rex of Marble Rock; Jane Sours, who makes her home with her mother in Marble Rock; and Mrs. Vern Lindsey of Saint Louis, Missouri.

Mr. Sours was a member of the Marble Rock Church of Christ.

Green Recorder, Greene, Iowa, Wednesday August 4 1943