Sparks, Merle – d. 1937

SPARKS

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:40

Grinnell Man Killed Early Sunday Morning
Found Alongside Railroad Tracks
Merle Sparks, 36, Was Colorful Figure in Grinnell Community
GRINNELL, IA – The dismembered body of Merle Sparks, 36-year old grocery deliveryman, was found on the right of way of the Rock Island railroad at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning, indicating that he was struck by a train while walking along the tracks. There were no witnesses to the accident.
Sparks, a colorful figure in the community, spent the first part of the evening in the downtown section, but about midnight left it to accompany his father, Barton Sparks, 80, to the home which the two shared. It is supposed that he was returning to the business section at the time the accident occurred.
Conflicting Theories
Conflicting theories of the precise nature of the accident have been advanced, but little evidence is available for Dr. J. Lea Taylor of Montezuma, Poweshiek county coroner, to whom local officers turned the matter over for investigation. From the time limits established by his departure from the downtown district and the discovery of the body, it is believed that No. 14, a fast east-bound passenger train, was responsible for the accident.
R. R. Reed of Malcom found the body about 77 feet west of the Main Street railroad crossing here, and was the first to report the fatal accident to the police. Following a preliminary investigation the body was removed to a local undertaking establishment until funeral arrangements shall have been made.
Survivors
In addition to his father, mentioned above, with whom he made his home, the dead man is survived by a divorced wife, the divorce proceedings having been completed within the past few weeks, and by one brother, Don Sparks, all whom are residents of Grinnell.
Source: Newton Daily News; Monday, June 21, 1937