CARLSON, Carl Grant 1903 - 1931

CARLSON, CONNER, GAUMER, BURNS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:23:28

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Saturday, August 22, 1931
Front Page, Column 8

CARL CARLSON FOUND DEAD AT CROSSING
Staff Sergeant Met Death While Attending Camp Dodge.

Carl J. CARLSON (sic), 26, well known Staff sergeant of the Fairfield Service Unit was found dead today along the interurban railraod tracks near the approach to the Iowa National Guard camp in Des Moines near Euclid avenue. The body was found about 5:00 o'clock by Merle Beem, a farmer, and was identified by Lieut. Tilford E. CARLSON, brother of the dead man. Police could find no motive to bolster up a murder theory. There was $8 in his pockets. When found, the body disclosed both arms and legs and the skull fractured. It was believed that he fell or was pushed from an interurban from Des Moines to the camp last night. Other reports state that he might have been struck by an automobile and that he probably died of internal injuries. Word was received here about 10:00 o'clock that a guardsman from Fairfield was missing, but the name was unknown.

An examining board composed of Lieut. Col. P. L. McClay of St. Paul, Maj. Earl B. Bush of Ames and Maj. Robert L. Fulton of Webster City formerly of Fairfield cooperated with coroner William Carpenter in an investigation. The body was taken to a Des Moines funeral parlor.

The body will be brought to Fairfield this evening under escort of a special military guard.

Mr. CARLSON was married, and his wife was expected to arrive in Des Moines this afternoon unaware of the accident. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus CARLSON, who live at 805 West Stone street. His brother Tilford E. CARLSON, who was also attending the Iowa National Guard camp, and who identified the body, lives in this city.

Shortly after a week ago Mr. CARLSON left with the Service section of the local service company, for camp Dodge, to help make preliminary preparation for the annual camp of the Iowa National Guard, which opened a week ago tomorrow in Des Moines. He had taken an active and popular part in National Guard work for several years in the Fairfield unit, and was well liked in the community.

CARLSON was employed at the Fairfield Daily Ledger as a linotype operator. He had worked at the Ledger for nearly four years, having learned the trade in the Fairfield shop.

~~~~

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, August 24, 1931
Front Page, Columns 1 and 2

INQUEST STILL CONTINUES IN CARLSON DEATH
Conflicting Statements of Shipley are Being Checked Up.

DES MOINES, Aug. 24--(U.P.)--Today the police officers and Army officials place little confidence in the story of fred Shipley concerning the death of Carl G. CARLSON. Police are working, it is reported, on the theory that there was the foul play in connection with his death, having much evidence which points in that direction.

----

A rumor that Fred Shipley had confessed to the murder of CARLSON was being circulated on the streets of Fairfield late this afternoon. Des Moines police officers stated that this was untrue. Shipley is being held because officers believe that he is holding back some information.

----

DES MOINES, Aug. 24 (UP)--Happenings during approximately two hours' time today remained unknown and prevented authorities from piecing together an explanation of how Carl G. CARLSON, Fairfield National Guardsman, was killed.

CARLSON apparently met his death when he attempted to board an interurban train back to the National Guard camp about midnight Friday, authorities said the evidence indicated.

Fred Shipley of Des Moines who had previously testified that he left CARLSON at the camp revealed to police on Sunday that he had brought the guardsman to Des Moines after 10 o'clock Friday evening.

Further Inquest Today

When confronted with the accusation of William Laurier of Fairfield, warrant officer, at the coroners inquest yesterday, that Laurier had seen the pair drive off in Shipley's car, the latter would not agree, but later told police that he had brought CARLSON to Des Moines. They parted shortly afterward, according to Shipley, CARLSON telling him that he would "get back all right" to camp.

Another session of the coroner's inquest was scheduled for late today to seek additional information regarding activities between the time when Shipley said they parted and the death at the train crossing.

Makes Statement

From Fred Shipley, 1282 East Ninth st., CARLSON's friend, a coroner's jury and the police pieced together the story that the national guardsman left the Camp Dodge guard encampment and came to Des Moines with Shipley.

Shipley, who has hertofore maintained he left CARLSON at the camp and came to Des Moines alone, made a statement to Chief of Police Henry A. Alber in which he declared he brought the national guardsman in.

The disclosure of Shipley's statement to the chief of police was made by Coroner William Carpenter.

Laurier Testifies

The statement followed a dramatic climax at a coroners' inquest at the guard encampment when Warrant Officer William Laurier of Fairfield confronted Shipley with the declaration that he saw CARLSON get into Shipley's automobile and drive away from Camp Dodge.

At the inquest Shipley still asserted that he left CARLSON at the camp, but later questioning by the chief of police, the coroner disclosed, revealed the new information.

To Newspaper Plant

Carpenter said Shipley told Alber he brought CARLSON to Des Moines for the purpose of inspecting Thee Register and Tribune plant. Both men are printers. But when they arrived in front of the newspaper office CARLSON stepped across toe street according to Shipley's statement to purchase cigarets.

Shipley says that CARLSON then changed his plans and did not stay with him. According to the accident theory CARLSON must have attempted to board an interurban train about an hour and a half later, and was killed in the attempt.

Believes It Accidental

Chief of Police Alber announced following the inquest that he was satisfied by Monday night sufficient information would be collected to clear the unexplained details of CARLSON' death (sic) and show that it was accidental.

Shipley was not moved from his original story by the testimony of Warrant Officer Laurier at the inquest.

"I saw you and CARLSON talking at the canteen after taps had blown," Laurier said to Shipley banging his fist on the table. "CARLSON introduced me to you and we talked for some time--possibly 10 minutes.

"Then I left to go to my tent about 15 minutes after taps had been blown at 10 p.m., and as I walked along I got to thinking, 'What's a civilian doing in camp after taps?' I turned around to come back and inquire and I saw you and CARLSON get into the car and drive off."

Shipley Poor Witness

Officials said they did not believe Shipley had any direct connection with the guardsman's death but that he might have additional information, not revealed up to the present time which might definitely establish the manner in which the sergeant met his death.

Shipley, in respoinse to Laruier's question, said that he had heard CARLSON mention "seeing Laurier" but that he had no personal recollection of meeting him at all. Laurier and Shipley met several years ago when Shipley was a linotype operator on the Fairfield Daily Ledger and Laurier was a public school music director, the position he holds at the present time in Fairfield.

Killed Before Midnight

The solution of the entire case Dr. William Carpenter, Polk county coroner, and Chief of Police H. A. Alber agreed, hinges on information divulging where CARLSON went between the time he was last seen alive and midnight.

Expert testimony showed that CARLSON was killed shortly before midnight.

Shipley, in a long interview before the jury, told the events of Friday evening which he and CARLSON spent some time in a tent in the ambulance corps company. CARLSON told his tentmate, Sergant Arthur L. Culp of Fairfield, that he was going downtown with Shipley, according to testimony.

At The Canteen

The two then went to the canteen, arriving there at approximately 9:50 p.m. and were there when Laurier came to the canteen at 10 p.m. and met and talked with both of them according to Laurier's testimony.

Sergt. Frank N. Simmons of Fairfield, an attendant at the canteen and a friend of both CARLSON and Shipley met the men and sold them, according to his testimony two bottles of a lime drink. A moment later the canteen was closed for the night at 10 p.m., Simmons said and he didn't see what they did or where they went.

Shipley stated he left CARLSON shortly afterward. Shipley said he came downtown, got some sandwiches, bought a newspaper and "rode around town" until 2 a.m. when he met friends and finally went home.

Testimony Challenged

His testimony on how he spent his time from 10:30 p.m. until 2 a,m. was challenged by Coroner Carpenter, Chief Alber and the military board but the witness said he was unable to furnish further details.

Col. P. L. McClay and Maj. Earl Bush represented the national guard at the inquiry.

[Inset box in Column 2]

Office Closed For Funeral of CARLSON

The Daily Ledger office was closed this afternoon during the funeral of Carl G. CARLSON, employe of the Daily Ledger for the past four years, in order that his business associates might attend the last rites. Mr. CARLSON met his death in Des Moines Friday night. He was attending Camp Dodge with the Fairfield Service Unit.

Services were held at 2 oclock from the First Lutheran church. Eleven members of the Service Unit and the 133rd Regimental band returned to Fairfield for the funeral.

~~~~

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, August 25, 1931
Front Page, Columns 1 and 2

JURORS REFUSE SOLUTIONS ON CARLSON DEATH
Police Chief Will Continue for Further Details Today.

DES MOINES, Aug. 25 (UP)--Ttestimony (sic) given to a coroner's jury and to a military board of inquiry today lent uncertainty to the accident theory in the death of Carl G. CARLSON, Iowa National Guard Sergeant from Fairfield.

Chief of Police Alber assumed charge of the investigation and is to seek further details today.

The jury will be recalled by the coroner today or Wednesday.

Employees of the interurban railway testified late yesterday that they had seen no body near the tracks about the time when CARLSON supposedly was killed.

No Verdict

The first conclusion of the police and military authorities that CARLSON was killed as he attempted to board the moving interurban was shaken by Monday's testimony and the coroner's jury adjourned at 6 p.m. without reaching a verdict.

J. H. Haigh, 1716 York st., a motorman, stated that he had made two trips back to Camp Dodge, one at 10:30 p.m. and the second at 11:50 p.m.

Saw No Body

On neither trip he testified nor on the return runs, did he see a body near the crossing although his headlight threw a beam of approximately 500 feet ahead and spread an area of light between 50 and 60 feet on each side of the car.

The motorman's statement was corroborated by J. J. Ryan 1822 Mondamin ave., conductor on the same car.

Passed Four Times

According to Haigh's testimony, he passed the crossing four times after 10 p.m. The first trip out he crossed Euclid ave., he said, at approximately 10:45 p.m. The first return was shortly before 11:30, the second trip out was at 12:05 a.m. and the last return at 12:35, he said.

Howard B. Lamkin, 2720 Mondamin ave., motorman on a freight train said that he passed the crossing coming into Des Moines at 12:20 a.m. but did not see anything. He said his trip out of Des Moines began at 5:15 p.m.

Noble Saw Nothing

The last train over the road Friday night was in charge of W. A. Noble 623 Third st. motorman, who passed the crossing at 11:30 p.m. Mr. Noble declared that there was no body there at that time. He took his train to Perry and did not return until Saturday morning after the body was found.

Dr. W. E. Sanders, who performed an autopsy on CARLSON's body at the Harbach funeral home, presented his findings to the jury and said that in his opinion, the guardsman had not been truck (sic) headon by an automobile or interurban.

Terrible Blow

He stated, however, that injuries such as he found on the sergeant's body, might have been caused if the soldier had attempted to board a moving car and had missed his footing, to be mauled by the train.

There were no deep abrashions on the body, the physician said. Death was caused, he said, by a terrific crushing blow which broke six right ribs and four left ribs, the right arm and right leg and caused numerous bruises.

Describes Finding Body

Mr. Beem described finding the body early Saturday morning lying approximately 12 feet from the paving and two feet from the track. CARLSON was lying on his back Beem said, with his arms at his side and one leg drawn up.

The last witness on the stand was Fred Shipley, 1282 East Ninth st., the last known person to have seen CARLSON alive, who corroborated his statement to Chief of Police H. A. Alber that he brought CARLSON to Des Moines from Camp Dodge Friday night.

Shipleys testimony was challenged further by Dr. William Carpenter, Polk county coroner and Chief Alber after Shipley failed to explain his movements from 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Adolphe Cebuhar and Adolphe Grossing printers, said that they had met Shipley shortly after 2 a.m.

Grosing said that he saw Shipley in his car at Eighth and Locust streets at 1:30 a.m. before meeting half an hour later.

The inquest is atempting (sic) to determine how the guardsman met his death, and at the conclusion of the testimony the coroner's jurors, unwilling to sign a verdict that he died by means unknown, asked for additional evidence of CARLSON's activities Friday night and early Saturday morning.

The feeling was expressed that although Shipley, who is not believed to have any direct connection with CARLSON's death, had ampliflied his original statement there were still details he might tell which would clear up the death.

~~~~

"The Fairfield (Iowa) Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, August 25, 1931
Page THREE, Columns 1, 2, and 3

DUE MILITARY RITES GIVEN FOR CARLSON
Sergeant of Local Section Laid to Rest In Evergreen.

A most dignified and fitting military service was held as the last rite for Sergeant Carl Grant CARLSON at the Lutheran church yesterday afternoon at 2:00 oclock. The memorial was in charge of Dr. W. R. Rex and the Chaplain of the Iowa National Guard, Rev. Maj. C. N. Van Metre. Chaplain Van Metre is pastor of the Methodist church at Marelton, Iowa. By special orders from the adjutant-general's office a convoy consisting of 26 members of the 133 regimental band, a firing squad and pallbearers made a motor trip to Fairfield yesterday in order to take part in the services. The entire convoy consisted of nearly 40 men under the command of Lieut. John E. McIntyre. The men were transported here in three government trucks and three private cars. (Note: the line reading 'tyre. The men were trans' was printed inverted for some reason.)

The body of Sergt. CARLSON was brought from the home of his parents Mr. and Mrs. Gust CARLSON, of this city to the Lutheran church at 1:30. The church was packed to overflowing with those who came to pay their last respects to the young man who accidentally met death in Des Moines Friday night. A special section was reserved for the members of the military convoy.

Dr. Rex's Remarks

Dr. Rex., pastor of the Lutheran church, read a scripture passage from Paul's Letter to The Romans, chapter 8 starting with the 31st verse. He then read from the gospel of St. Luke chapter 7 and the 11th verse; then turning to the 14th chapter of St. Luke he read verse 30 which is as follows: "This man began to build, and was not able to finish" from this he took his text, "The Unfinished Tasks." He compared the house which was started and the life of the young man who recently met with death __ghting his foundation in a Christian home; his occupation __e starting of his own home when he was married; and his identification with the Iowa National Guard, as an agency for peace and liberty in the several states and the nation. Mention was also made of those relatives and loved ones who suffered loss in time of death.

State Chaplain Speaks

At the conclusion of Dr. REx's remarks he introduced Chaplain Van Metre who expressed the love and sympathy of the entire 133 Regiment for their comrade. Maj. Van Metre also expressed the thought that there was immortality on this side of the grave, through the many community ties and friendship that will last for ever. He stated that CARLSONs comrades would remember the fine qualities of the soldier and that he would always live in their hearts. He revealed the fact that the whole regiment was stirred by the death and that the entire Fairfield Unit desired to come to the services but that was impossible, because of camp duties and the fixed program. In conclusion he commended Dr. Rex's remarks and said," "We feel the loss of this man.'

The six comrades who served as pallbearers were: William Freshwater, Arthur Culp, Elbert Little William Hampton, Willard Bowermaster and Walter Raynard.

During the service Mrs. Gen Bates, Ray Mulkins, Ernest Mes- "Does Jesus Care?" and 'We are ner and Mrs. Fred Neibert, sang Going Down the Valley." Many placed about the casket. (sic)

As the funeral party left the church for Evergreen Cemetery the 133 Regimental band marched in the lead and played very impressively throughout the march. At the grave Dr. Rex read the service. As the flag draped casket was lowered three volleys of shot were fired by the squad consisting of: Ben Faulkner, Walter Little, Horace Little, Kenneth Langner, Forest Barley, Elzie Messer, Harry Jones and Clifford Salts. The taps, which denoted the end of the soldiers day, were sounded by Merle Munger.

Other Camp Services

Sunday morning at 8:00 o'clock a private service for CARLSON was held in the mess hall at Camp Dodge, at which members of the local unit were the only ones in attendance. This service was also in charge of the Chaplain.

A second tribute was paid to him during the Regimental Church at which all of the National Guardsmen in Camp were present.

Carl Grant CARLSON was born in Jefferson county September 11 1903. He attended the Fairfield schools and was graduated from the Watson Business college in 1926. He then accepted a position with the Fairfield Daily Ledger, where he held a position as linotype operator at the time of his death. He was married November 16, 1929, to Ethel E. CONNER of Batavia. At the time of his death he was a staff sergeant of the service company 133d infantry, having joined the national guard May 19, 1921. He was a member of the Lutheran church, having been baptized in that church when a child.

Mr. CARLSON is survived by his wife, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gust CARLSON, and a brother Lieut. Tilford CARLSON all of Fairfield; a sister, Mrs. Eleanora D. GAUMER of Rock Island, a brother Walter R. CARLSON of Chicago, all of which CARLSON of Chicago, all of which (sic) were able to attend the service.

----

Card of Thanks

We wish to express our sincere thanks and deepest appreciation to those who so kindly helped us in our sorrow and bereavement of our husband and son and brother. Also for the beautiful flowe offerings (sic).

Mrs. Ethel CARLSON
Mr. and Mrs. Gust CARLSON
Lieutenant and Mrs. T. T. CARLSON and family
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. GAUMER and fmaily
Mr. and Mrs. U. R. CARLSON

~~~~

"The Fairfield (Iowa) Daily Ledger"
Wednesday, August 26, 1931
Page FIVE, Column 6

GOV. TRUCKS HAD TROUBLE
Of the 4 Leaving Fairfield, 1 Reached Camp Dodge Monday Eve.

(By F. N. S.)

Trouble rode on the heels of the Service Company soldiers who made the 137 mile trip from Camp Dodge to Fairfield Monday to attend the funeral of Serg. Carl G. CARLSON.

In addition to six private cars, three of the government ambulances and one reconozonce (sic) truck started from camp to convey the forty or more men making the trip. Of the government cars ,one was sent back to camp after a faulty start, another burned out a bearing on the return trip and was left at Monroe, another lost a wheel in Des Moines while returning to camp and the only one to enter the gates that night was the big machine gun truck--and it had the back foot board smashed where a touring car had crashed into it on the road. However, by doubling up loads, all were in bunk by one o'clock--except Capt. McCampbell and Officer Laurier who made the last trip from town with the band instruments at three o'clock.

But with all the hard return trip, every man would gladly repeat it if necessary.

Routine duty is again taken up this morning (Tuesday) and from now on until the end of the week extensive activity will prevail. Numerous parades and reviews fill most every day. The remaining days will pass quickly--until the final camp formation of brigade field inspection Saturday morning, then an afternoon of a mixture of duty and preparation for returning home and finally pay Saturday night and the boarding of the train in the early hours Sunday morning.

~~~~

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Wednesday, August 26, 1931
Front Page, Column 2

COMPANION OF FRED SHIPLEY BEING SOUGHT
Officers Learn Shipley Was With Another Person Besides CARLSON.

DES MOINES, Aug. 26. (UP)--Police today searched for a companion of Fred Shipley, the last person known to have seen Carl G. CARLSON, Fairfield National guardsman, alive, in an effort to clear the mystery of the latter's death.

Shipley has already told authorities he parted with CARLSON after an evening spent together. CARSON's (sic) body was found next morning, death apparently having come from an accident while trying to board an interurban train.

Information was given to police that Shipley met another person after parting with CARLSON. Chief of police H. A. Alber would not reveal the identity of the person sought but believed that the person could divulge information which would clear up the details surrounding CARLSON's death.

Further investigation Tuesday of the death of Sergt. CARLSON by Coroner William Carpenter, had failed to disclose any information on the cause of death.

Police questioned Shipley, printer, a friend of CARLSON, again, but failed to get additional information from him concerning CARLSON's death, Chief of Police H. A Alber said.

~~~~

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, August 31, 1931
Front Page, Column 1, continued on
Page EIGHT, Columns 5 and 6

CARLSON DEATH IS ACCIDENTAL JURY REPORTS
Shipley's Latest Story Fits Into Testimony of Motorman

DES MOINES, Aug. 31--The death of Carl G. CARLSON, Fairfield National Guardsman, was today listed as accidental, after surprising developments Saturday which did not decrease the mystery surrounding the details of CARLSON's death.

Fred Shipley, local friend of the guardsman, went to police chief H. A. Alber, saying that he had something to say. The coroner's jury was hastily summoned and Shipley related events in a new story which fit perfectly into the report previously made by the interurban trainmen. They had narrowly missed hitting an automobile on the evening of CARLSON's death. Shipley said he did not miss his companion for some time and when he returned he could not find the body. It was, however, close to the road and in plain view.

----

Week's Inquiring Ends

DES MOINES, Ia., Aug. 31 (UP)--A verdict of accidental death was returned to a coroner's jury Saturday afternoon in the inquiry into the death of Sergt. Carl G. CARLSON of Fairfield a week ago.

CARLSON's body was found at the intersection of Euclid ave. and the interurban tracks at 5:45 a.m. a week ago Saturday. A military board of inquiry and a coroner's jury has since been conducting an investigation in attempt to clear up conflicting details regarding the manner in which he met his death.

Shipley's New Story

Fred Shipley, printer, 1282 East Ninth st., ave (sic) a new story Saturday which guided jurors to their verdict. Shipley completed his story begun at earlier sessions, but which he characterized at each hearing as the "whole story."

He appeared before Chief of Police H. A. Alber Saturday morning and said that he wanted to explain the whole situation. Dr. William Carpenter, Polk county coroner, was called, and the jury summoned.

Shpley (sic) testified that after leaving Camp Dodge with the sergeant a fact which he had already admitted, he and CARLSON drove down Euclid ave., on their way into Highland park. As they neared the interurban crossing, he said, CARLSON exclaimed:

"Look out--there comes an interurban!"

Shipley said he swerved the car and stepped on the accelerator, missed the interurban and a short distance away turned to talk to CARLSON and noticed that the guardsman was not in the car.

Motorman Testifies

He turned the car around, he testified, and came back to see if he could find the sergeant, but was unable to locate him. He assumed, he said, that CARLSON had been picked up and taken back to camp by a passing motorist.

He said he did not know CARLSON had been killed until he was told so the next afternoon.

Shipleys testimony concerning the near accident was substantiated by statements from J. H. Haish, motorman, and J. J. Ryan conductor, who had previously testified that on their 10:30 p.m. trip they had almost hit a car at the crossing.

The interurban passed the intersection at approximately 10:45 p.m., they said.

The Jurys Guess

The jury, in discussing the verdict, was of the opinion that CARLSON either attempted to get out of Shipley's roadster, traveling at a rapid rate of speed, and was thrown to the pavement with sufficient force to cause the crushing injury, or they decided, the sergeant was dragged by the car, either after getting out himself or being catapulted from the seat, into the path of the interurban and was thrown with terrific force to the side of the road.

Shipley's car did not hit the interurban car, investigation showed.

The verdict closes an investigation in which military and civil officials have spent days in an effort to determine the manner of the soldier's death.

Statements Challenged

Shipley has told numerous conflicting stories. his latest one is that CARLSON left the automobile in some unexplained manner and he does not know what happened.

He said that CARLSON was coming to Des Moines with him, at the time of the accident, to be shown through the mechanical department of The Register and Tribune.

This statement was challenged by the chief and coroner, but no further investigation will be made.

The jury, in deciding the accidental death verdict, did not name specifically the manner of death, according to the two theories, but included both views or a combination of both in the document.

The jury was composed of F. C. Bulwan, T. J. Edmonds and R. P. Porter. Military officials have been notified of the verdict and a copy will be provided for the national guard board's report to the war department.

~~~~
Copied with permission from The Fairfield Ledger, Inc. IAGenWeb Bylaws PROHIBIT the COPYING AND RE-POSTING OF THIS MATERIAL IN ANY PUBLIC VENUE such as Ancestry or Find A Grave without WRITTEN permission from the poster ~ copyright restrictions apply.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 3rd.102. Wife Ethel subsequently married Homer G. 'Garry' BURNS, died in 2000, and is buried in Delta, CO.