Bell, Robert (1923-1940)

BELL

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 5/15/2015 at 11:41:21

Daily Freeman Journal, Friday, July 5, 1940

Webster City Youth Fatally Hurt

ROBERT BELL, 17, DIES AFTER ROAD ACCIDENT

Was Riding Motorcycle Which Threw Him As It Went in Ditch

Robert Bell, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Bell, living 9 miles southwest of here, was fatally injured yesterday when the motorcycle he was riding left the highway eight miles west of Cedar Falls.

The accident occurred about 9 p.m. and the youth was taken to Sartori hospital at Cedar Falls where he died at 1 a.m. today. He suffered a fractured skull and collar bone as well as internal injuries, it was said.

Robert was with a group of friends on motorcycles enroute to Vinton to attend motorcycle races. In the group were Milden Mathre, Melvin Sonerholm, Bob Yockey and Bob Loring. Some of the youths were riding double, but Robert was alone on his machine.

The youth was said to have looked back to see if the others were coming as he was going around a curve on highway No. 20. It was then that the machine left the highway. Robert turned back toward the paving and in so doing struck a spillway, his friends said, swerving his motorcycle to the opposite side of the highway.

He manged to ride the machine for about 200 feet, attempting to gain control of it before he was thrown off, his head striking a telephone pole. He was knocked unconscious and never regained consciousness.

Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the McCauley-Chapman funeral home with the Rev. W.R. Yard officiating. Burial will be in Graceland cemetery.

Besides his parents, the youth leaves two sisters, Virginia and Audrey; a brother, Richard, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bell.

He was born Feb. 20, 1923, on a farm 12 miles southwest of here and had lived in this community all his life. He attended high school here, being graduated last spring. He was a member of the Baptist church, as well as the DeMolays.

Robert was popular and well liked and his sudden death comes as a shock to both his family and friends.