CAUGHLAN, Lawrence Lee 'Larry' 1924 - 1942

CAUGHLAN, KOONS

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

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, November 9, 1942
Front Page, Column 4 and
Page 7, Column 4

LOCAL YOUTH DIES IN CRASH
L. CAUGHLIN (sic - CAUGHLAN), 18 FATALLY HURT

two county residents in hospital following mishap Sunday morning

An accident which occurred west of Cedar bridge on highway 34 west of Fairfield late Saturday night this morning claimed the life of Larry CAUGHLIN, 18, Fairfield. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Vern CAUGHLIN, 501 East Lowe street.

The other occupants in the car involved in the crash were injured and are patients in two different hospitals.

Betty Jo Avery, of Packwood, is in the Ottumwa hospital suffering from face lacerations, severe bruises and shock. She was taken to Ottumwa after the accident which happened shortly after midnight Saturday.

The other injured person, Hazel Wells, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Preston Wells of Packwood, is a patient in the Jefferson county hospital. She suffered a broken right wrist and severe face lacerations. Her condition was reported better this morning.

According to reports, there was no other car involved in the mishap Saturday night. The car ,driven (sic) by CAUGHLIN, left the pavement on the north side of the road, just west of Cedar bridge. It struck the bank and apparently rolled over several times before coming to a stop on its top. The automobile was completely demolished.

Betty Avery, apparently in a semi-conscious condition, made her way to the highway where she was picked up by a passing car bearing a Missouri license plate. Not knowing what had happened, the driver took the girl on to Ottumwa where she was taken to the hospital.

She was unable to give any particulars concerning the mishap.

It is estimated that the other two injured parties remained in the wrecked car about an hour before they were found by truck drivers who noticed the wreckage lying in the deep ditch.

Frank Bruggemeyer, Fairfield, returning to Fairfield from his work in Ottumwa, stopped and brought CAUUGHLIN (sic) and Hazel Wells to the Jefferson county hospital. It was reported that they were suffering from shock and exposure when found.

Since no one witnessed the accident, cause of the wreck has not been determined. It was reported that CAUGHLIN talked of bright lights and trucks while in a semi-conscious condition at the hospital, indicating that he was blinded by oncoming traffic as he tried to make the turn. The position of the car indicated that it left the road at a considerable rate of speed, according to the reports.

The demolished car is owned by Dale Parker, also of Fairfield. He was with the other occupants of the car as they made a trip to Ottumwa earlier Saturday evening.

While purchasing gasoline at an Otumwa filling station, before starting home, Parker backed his car into another automobile. It was reported that an argument followed and the incident was to be reported at the police station.

According to word concerning the first mishap, it was stated that Parker volunteered to remain in Ottumwa until the matter was cleared up and told CAUGHLIN to bring the girls home and return for him later.

It was while CAUGHLIN was bringing the girls home that the accident happened which took his life. Young Parker had straightened out matters concerning the minor accident in Ottumwa and was waiting for CAUGHLIN to return for him when he heard of the wreck.

Parker, who had enlisted in the Marines, had to report for duty and left Fairfield last night.

Lawrence Lee (Larry) CAUGHLIN passed away at the Jefferson county hospital at 11:00 a.m. this morning.

He was a member of the senior class at the Fairfield high school and was active in school activities. He was a member of the Boys' Glee Club, Mixed Chorus, and Hi-Y.

Larry was employed at the Sterling Food Store. The body was taken to the Hoskins funeral home where funeral arrangements are pending, awaiting word from his several brothers serving in the armed forces.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Saturday, November 14, 1942
Page EIGHT, Column 6

LOCALS

... --Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Lock and daughter Bernadine and Dwight Atkinson all of Centerville attended the funeral Thursday for Larry CAUGHLAN. ...

(same publication and page, but Column 8 -- )

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to sincerely thank the neighbors and friends for the many acts of thoughtful kindness during the illness and death of our son and brother Larry CAUGHLAN, as well as those who furnished the lovely music at the services. We wish also to show our appreciation for the many beautiful floral offerings.

Mr. and Mrs. Vern CAUGHLAN
and family

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Wednesday, December 2, 1942
Page FOUR, Column 7

OBITUARY

LAWRENCE L. CAUGHLAN

Lawrence (Larry) CAUGHLAN was born June 29, 1924 in Fairfield, Ia. the son of Mr. and Mrs. Vern CAUGHLAN. His entire life was spent in Fairfield where he attended the public schools. He would have graduated with this year's class from the Fairfield high school and had looked forward with much enthusiasm to joining his three older brothers in the U. S. navy in the spring.

He became a member of the Christian church at an early age. During his life he had been employed by several local firms, the past three years having been spent with the F. W. Woolworth Co. and Sterling Food Store.

On Nov. 8, 1942 he was fatally injured in an automobile accident and passed away at 11:00 a.m. the following day at the Jefferson county hospital.

Funeral services were held Thursday Nov. 12, 1942 at 2:00 p.m. from the Christian church in charge of Rev. S. P. Williamson. Soft organ music by Mrs. William Stever preceded the services. Two songs "Near to the Heart of God" and "Lead Me Lord" were sung by a group of young singers from the Fairfield high school mixed chorus of which Larry was a member.

The many lovely floral offerings and the large attendance were mute testimony of the many friends he had made and his generous disposition and ready smile will long be remembered by those who learned to know and love him.

The untimely passing of Larry was the first break in the family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Henry KOONS of Batavia, his maternal grandparents.

Survivors other than the grandparents are the saddened members of his immediate family, the parents, seven brothers, Lt. Willis R. of Ft. Bragg, N. C., Don H. and Richard, U. S. N. and Homer Jack, U. S. N. R., Charles, David and Tommy and one sister Marian at home. Relatives and many friends mourn his passing.

Pallbearers were George Davison, John Clarridge, Fred Nickelsen, Lynn Rodgers, Don McKee and Lloyd Payne, close friends of the deceased. Interment was made in Evergreen cemetery.

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

Note: Buried in Lot 3rd.186½. He was a son of Willis V. and Leona G. KOONS CAUGHLAN.