BUERKENS, Archie Overkamp 1902 - 1951

BUERKENS, GAASS, KIGER, BONNETT, LANE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:27

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, September 17, 1951
Front Page, Column 1 and Page 4, Column 6

Inquest Ordered In BUERKENS Death
FARMER KILLED, THREE HURT IN HIWAY CRASH

Coroner Jack Raymond said this morning there will be an inquest into the death of a prominent Jefferson county farmer who lost his life in an auto accident late Saturday night that also injured three other persons and demolished two cars.

The victim, the second person to be killed in Jefferson county this year as a result of a highway accident, is Archie O. BUERKENS, 49, who resides on a farm southeast of Libertyville. He was killed instantly.

His two brothers, riding in the same car, are both hospitalized with serious injuries, and so is the driver of the other car, Gerald Heisel, 18, Fairfield.

A report this morning said Max BUERKENS is suffering from a fractured pelvis, fractured hip and dislocated thigh; and his brother, Barney, suffered two fractured ribs and a broken breast bone. Both are also suffering severe bruises and cuts.

Young Heisel received a brain concussion and a possible skull fracture plus cuts and bruises.

The accident took place on the "S" curve south of Cedar creek bridge on highway No. 1 south of Fairfield about 11:15 p.m. Saturday night. According to officers who investigated the accident, Heisel was traveling north and apparently lost control on the curve as his car started down the long hill.

The BUERKENS brothers, Archie, driving, were traveling south and were approaching the north end of the curve when the two cars collided.

As the car driven by Heisel swung into the curve, apparently out of control, it skidded sideways into the path of the BUERKENS car. The BUERKENS car plowed headon into the right side of the Heisel car, flipping it over on its side.

Officers said it was fortunate there was no one riding in the Heisel car. If there had been there would have been another death since the entire right side of the vehicle was smashed in by the impact.

Reports this morning said Archie BUERKENS died instantly as a result of a crushed chest and a punctured lung.

An ambulance was called immediately after the crash, and when it arrived passing motorists had removed the two BUERKENS brothers from the wreckage and had started to the hospital with them. Young Heisel was still in his car. The body of Archie BUERKENS had also been taken from the wreckage.

Heisel was rushed to the hospital and reports this morning said his condition is serious, but so far not regarded as critical.

Both autos were described as completely demolished as a result of the impact. The accident was investigated by county officers and highway patrolmen.

Coroner Raymond said this morning the inquest will be held later this week, but no time or date has been set.

The first traffic accident victim in Jefferson county this year was Benjamin Hannah, Mt. Pleasant, who was killed when his gasoline transport truck rammed into another truck on highway No. 1 north of Fairfield during a dense fog. The accident occurred Feb. 10.

Rites Thursday

Last rites for Archie BUERKENS will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Hoskins funeral home with the Rev. S. P. Williamson in charge. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.

Archie Overkamp BUERKENS was born June 14, 1902, the son of the late Charles E. and Amelia Gertrude GAASS BUERKENS. He was never married.

He and his two brothers, Max and Barney, have lived on a farm southeast of Libertyville for the past several years. He had spent practically his entire life in Jefferson county.

His father passed away June 14, 1948, and his mother died September 16, 1941.

He is survived by the following brothers and sister: Mrs. Noble KIGER, Fairfield; Julius; John, who resides in Long Beach, Cal.; Barney, Fairfield; Mrs. Carl BONNETT, Batavia; Charles, Berkeley, Cal.; Lee, Fairfield; Mrs. Frank LANE, Stockport; Max, Fairfield; Gene, Cedar Rapids; Earl, El Cerrito, Cal. and Bob of Richmond, Cal.

He is also survived by seven nieces and nephews.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Wednesday, September 19, 1951
Page 6, Column 8

Submits Report On Accident Victims

Two of the victims hurt in the fatal accident south of Fairfield Saturday night are improving but the third is described as just fair.

That report was obtained by officials at the Jefferson county hospital just before noon today.

The condition of Max and Barney BUERKENS was described as satisfactory, but that of Gerald Heisel was not so encouraging.

A third brother, Archie BUERKENS, lost his life in the crash. He was driving the car and was accompanied by his two brothers.

Heisel was driving the other auto involved and was riding alone.

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"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, September 26, 1951
Page 3, Column 3

Stockport Couple On Trip To New Mexico

STOCKPORT, Ia.--Mr. and Mrs. Joe LANE left Saturday for a two weeks' vacation trip through the southwest. They expect to visit relatives in New Mexico. Mr. and Mrs. KIGER of Fairfield will live in the LANE home during their absence.

John and Earl BUERKENS of California, Mr. and Mrs. Charles BUERKENS and Mr. and Mrs. Robert BUERKENS and daughter visited last week with her sister, Mrs. Frank LANE and family, east of town. The BUERKENS relatives were called to Iowa at this time by the death of their brother, Archie BUERKENS, of near Libertyville. ...

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Saturday, September 29, 1951
Front Page, Column 7

RECKLESSNESS IS BLAMED FOR FATAL MISHAP

A coroner's jury last night ruled that Archie O. BUERKENS, prominent Jefferson county farmer, came to his death through the negligence and reckless driving of Gerald Heisel, Fairfield.

Heisel and BUERKENS were driving the two cars involved in a fatal crash four miles south of Fairfield on highway No. 1 on the night of Sept. 15. BUERKENS was accompanied by his two brothers, both injured in the crash, and Heisel was riding alone.

The coroner's jury also recommended that Heisel be questioned further by the grand jury in regard to the fatal accident.

Heisel, through direction of his attorney, R. C. Leggett, refused to testify at the coroner's hearing last night.

Six witnesses appeared before the three-man jury during the hearing last night, and the written testimony of another was read into the records. The written testimony came from Max BUERKENS, brother of the accident victim, who is still a patient in the Jefferson county hospital because of the injuries he received in the crash.

The hospitalized witness said he can remember nothing concerning the accident.

The other brother riding in the car, Barney BUERKENS, said the car in which he was riding was going up Cedar hill when he noticed car lights coming from the south and around the corner.

He further testified that as the BUERKENS car rounded the curve he noticed a car on their side of the road directly in front of them. About then the crash occurred.

Art Williams, farmer living near Birmingham, was the first person to reach the scene of the accident. he said he helped remove the occupants from the BUERKENS car, and that Archie BUERKENS was dead at that time. He brought the other two brothers to the hospital and said young Heisel was still in his car when he left.

B. D. Hall, highway patrolman called to investigate the crash, testified he found tire skid marks on the highway for a distance of 270 feet before the Heisel car crashed into the other vehicle.

Ilene Maxwell, Fairfield, testified she was with Heisel earlier in the evening but that he had let her out near the library a few minutes before his car was involved in the fatal crash.

Another witness was Forrest Ulin, local photographer, who was called to take pictures of the smashed vehicles. The pictures were introduced as evidence.

The verdict, returned to the coroner after the jury deliberated the case, reads as follows: "Archie O. BUERKENS came to his death through the negligence and reckless driving by Gerald Heisel. We suggest that Heisel be questioned further by the grand jury."

The verdict was signed by the three members of the jury, F. H. Beck, L. L. Hillman and Ray H. Loehr.

The hearing was conducted by Coroner Jack Raymond in the court room at the Jefferson county court house last night.

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Wednesday, October 3, 1951
Page 2, Column 7

CARD OF THANKS

I wish to express my thanks to my many friends and relatives for their kindnesses and thoughtfulness during my recent stay in the hospital. Your beautiful flowers, cards, letters and gifts were greatly appreciated. Also, thanks to my neighbors who helped with my farm work.

Barney BUERKENS

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"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Friday, November 9, 1951
Page 5, Column 3

... The juros (sic) failed to return an indictment against Gerald Heisel, Fairfield, who was driving a car that collided with another causing the death of Archine BUERKENS, Jefferson county farmer.

A coroner's jury recommended that the accident be further investigated by the grand jury. ...

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 3rd.156.