COOPER, May 1889 - 1963

COOPER, GOODBAN, FULTON, JENSEN, RICHTER

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

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, October 29, 1963
Front Page, Columns 1-3, and Page 7, Column 9

Mrs. May COOPER

Woman Killed At Crossing

Mrs. May COOPER, 74, was killed instantly Monday evening when she was struck by a westbound CB&Q freight train at the Court street crossing.

Mrs. COOPER was en route to her home at 608 N. Court St. 5:07 p.m. Her mangled body was found north of the right-of-way 171 feet west of the crossing.

Local officers and train crewmen were at a loss to explain why she did not see or hear the approaching train, No. 972 operating between Chicago and Denver.

The crossing signals and warning bell were in operation well before Mrs. COOPER started across the tracks on the west side of the street.

Blew Air Horn

Engineer K. F. Vickstrom, blew his air horn when he saw Mrs. COOPER approach. He said she was walking "very methodically" and did not change her stride as she started across the double tracks.

Vickstrom estimated that Mrs. COOPER was within one step of being clear of the train. She was struck by the left corner of the engine, hurling her body against a steel pole which supports the depot canopy on the north side of the tracks. Pieces of clothing were scattered along the tracks.

The train came to a halt eight-car lengths west of the Ninth street crossing. F. G. Davis, also of Burlington, was the conductor on the train. He did not witness the accident. The speed of the train was not reported.

Custodian

Mrs. COOPER was custodian of the city restroom on W. Burlington street. She regularly uses the Court street crossing when walking to and from her home.

The accident was investigated by city and county officers and Dr. R. A. Ryan, acting county medical examiner.

Officers theorize that Mrs. COOPER may have been preoccupied and because she was so familiar with the crossing did not see or hear the approaching train.

Wednesday Rites

Services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Raymond Funeral home in charge of Edward M. Esler. Burial will be in Evergreen cemetery.

Mrs. COOPER was born in Fairfield June 6, 1889, the daughter of Horace H. and Mina GOODBAN FULTON. She was reared and educated here. She was married to George O. COOPER, who preceded her in death Jan. 22, 1955.

Mrs. COOPER was a member of the First Presbyterian church. She formerly managed the Fairfield Credit Bureau for several years. She is survived by two brothers, Fay V. FULTON, Seymour, and Wilbur L. FULTON, San Mateo, Calif.; and two sisters, Mrs. Harry H. JENSEN, Elk Point, S.D.; and Mrs. Frank A. RICHTER, Cedar Rapids. Three sisters and one brother are deceased.

~~~~
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 submitter ~ copyright restrictions apply.
*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Lot 2nd.093 with husband George.