Grant, Jerald Dale (1928-1953)

GRANT, MUNSON, SMITH, JACOBSON

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 3/15/2015 at 18:02:31

Daily Freeman Journal, Wednesday, February 4, 1953

TWO DEAD IN HEAD-0N CRASH

County Records Its First Fatalities in Mishap Near City

Hamilton county recorded its first two fatalities of 1953 after a head-on crash of two automobiles 5 miles east of Webster City at about 7:30 p.m. yesterday. Two other persons were seriously injured.

The dead are Jerald Dale Grant, 24, whose parents live at 815 William street, and Thomas S. Anderson, 47, of Route 1, Jewell.

The injured are Roy Knapp, 19, Second street and Mrs. Anna Mae Anderson, 46. Both remained in critical condition at Hamilton county hospital this morning.

Grant, a veteran of service in the Korean war, had just returned to this city a short time ago after having received his discharge.

Details of the accident were learned this morning when Mike Hogan, highway patrol officer and Sheriff E.R. Lear talked with Roy Knapp in the hospital.

Knapp said that he and Grant were headed east in a 1948 Mercury, Anderson, driving a 1952 Pontiac, was headed west behind a semi-trailer truck driven by E.P. Muller, Route 1, Liberty, Mo.

Anderson pulled out to pass the truck and smashed head-on into the Grant car. A yellow line on the highway marks it as a dangerous spot and prohibits passing in the (?).

An ambulance was called by persons who came up on the accident and Sheriff E. R. Lear was called to the scene, along with Mike Hogan, highway patrol officer.

Anderson apparently was killed instantaneously, and Grant died on the way to the hospital in the ambulance. Both men had head injuries and Grant had a crushed chest.

Knapp was reported to have a broken leg, ribs and severe face lacerations. Mrs. Anderson had fractures of both legs, one arm and other injuries.

Road conditions were good at the time of the accident, Hogan said. He said that the accident occurred so suddenly that none of the witnesses could actually tell what had happened.

Law enforcement officials had a difficult time clearing the scene of the crash. Traffic backed up for almost a mile on both sides and it was some time before it was moving again.

Rites Here Pending for Korean Vet

Funeral services for Jerald Dale Grant, 24, killed in last night's auto accident are pending with Foster's funeral home in charge.

Son of John and Elsie May Grant, he was born August 3, 1928, on a farm near Wall Lake, Iowa. When he was three years old, the family moved to Eagle Grove, and he attended schools in that community.

The family later moved to Roland, Iowa, residing there until six years ago when they moved to Webster City.

He was employed for three years at the Hart-Carter Co. before entering the service March 12, 1951. He served in Korea, taking part in action near Heartbreak (?)ing the fighting.

After being returned to this country, he received his discharge Dec. 12, 1952. Since that time he had been employed at the Acme Machine Co. in this city.

He is survived by his parents, three sisters, Mrs. Amos (Helen) Munson of Fort Dodge, Mrs. Willis (Norma) Smith, China Lake, Calif.; Mrs. Steve (Ruby) Jacobson of Peerless, Mont., one nephew and five nieces.

He was a member of the American Legion.