Oleson, John G. (1897-1976)

OLESON, ERICKSON, GROVES, GRESDAL

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 10/2/2022 at 13:17:39

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, Thursday, July 8, 1976

One fatality in auto-train crash here
John G. Oleson is victim of local tragedy

A car-train accident, which occured at about 2 p.m. yesterday two and one half miles west of Webster City, took the life of John G. Oleson, 78, veteran Webster City auto service garage owner.

Sheriff Jerry Farnham said the tragedy happened when Oleson was riding in the open trunk of a car being driven by Harold LeRoy Thompson, 78, Clarion, and was trying to locate the source of a rattle in the car.

According to the sheriff, the Thompson auto, northbound on the gravel road, drove up to the crossing just as an Illinois Central-Gulf freight train, eastbound came along.

Sheriff Farnham said the front end of the auto hit the steps on the right side of the engine, spinning the auto around so that the back end was then smashed by the train.

Oleson was tossed out of the trunk by the impact and his body apparently hit a concrete railroad marker about 50 feet away; killing him instantly. The auto was tossed about 25 feet from the point of impact, landing in the ditch on the south side of the tracks.

Although the front and back end of the auto was demolished, the cab of the car was not badly damaged and Thompson, still in the auto, was apparently not severely hurt. He was brought to Hamilton County hospital for a checkup for possible injuries, but was released in a short time and taken to the police station where data on the mishap was compiled.

K.E. Lindstrom, Manson, Iowa was engineer aboard the train. He told sheriff's officers that the train had sounded its whistle when approaching the crossing and while going through the crossing. Lindstrom said he didn't see the auto but added that the brakeman aboard the train did. The train was traveling an estimated 50 to 55 miles per hour, authorities said.

Sheriff's officials said that Thompson told them that he had the windows up in the auto and apparently did not hear the train approaching.

Sheriff Farnham and Deputies Scott Anderson and Roy Olmstead, Jr., investigated the tragedy which marked the fifth fatality in Hamilton county this year.

Funeral services for John G. Oleson, 78, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Church of Christ in Webster City with Phil Olsen officiating and with burial in Evergreen cemetery in Jewell. Friends may call at the Foster Funeral home until 10 a.m. Saturday when the casket will be taken to the church where it will remain closed.

John G. Oleson, son of Andreas and Catherine Erickson Oleson, was born Sept. 2, 1897, on a farm near Jewell. He was reared and educated in the Jewell community.

He farmed for several years northeast of Webster City, and then entered the auto mechanics trade, starting in business for himself in 1932. From the spring of 1932 until 1935, he operated a service station on Division street, then purchased the building at 741 Second St., and had operated his auto service there ever since, specializing in general auto repair. He had been in business here for 44 years.

He is survived by his brother, George C. Oleson of Webster City, two sisters, Mrs. Leslie (Margaret) Groves and Mrs. Lloyd (Ann) Gresdal of Des Moines and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.

He was a member of the Church of Christ in Webster City.