Ralph Rearick (died 1941)

REARICK, SELSEL

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 5/20/2020 at 06:54:14

4 December 1941 - The Anamosa Journal

MONTIELLO--Inquest will be held Friday at Monticello 10 a.m. into the death of Ralph Rearick, 31, farm hand who was found dead on highway 151 at the south edge of Monticello at 1:45 a.m. Wednesday, according to Sheriff Henry Eichhorn.

Body was first sighted sprawled in the middle of the highway by Elbert Heiserman, Monticello attorney, as he approached the city limits. He called Marshal Bill Aldrich and Eldon Bradshaw, another attorney, and they returned to the scene. In the meantime, officers learned, a car operated by Willard Byerly, son of Loyal Byerly and Dwain Herren, son of Ed Herren, two Anamosa youths, passed over the body in the fog.

Rearick had a crushed chest and a fractured right leg, according to Coroner F. L. Harrington, Wyoming.

Bones in one of Rearick's feet were crushed and it is possible, state patrolmen said, that the two youths may have run over his foot unknowingly.

The man was dead when officers arrived at the scene but there was no blood on the pavement, indicating that he may not have been struck by an auto, Sheriff Eichhorn said.

Rearick was employed on the Fred Shover farm just south of Monticello and often walked to town.

He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Nellie Rearick, Monticello; a brother, Washington, Wyoming, and a sister, Mrs. Kenneth Selsel, Edgemont, S.D. Funeral arrangements were not completed Wedne3sday night.

11 December 1941 - The Anamosa Journal

MONTICELLO--Death of Ralph Rearick, 31-year-old Monticello farm hand whose body was found sprawled in the middle of highway 151 just south of Monticello about 2 a.m. Dec. 3, was termed "accidental" by a jury at a coroner's inquest at Monticello Friday morning.

Jury composed of Edgar Vernon, Ted Ecklund and Rudy Flack, all Monticello, returned the following verdict: "That the deceased came to his death by accidental means by being struck or run down by a motor vehicle driven by a person or persons whose identity is unknown."

Principal witnesses at the inquest were Elbert Heiserman, Monticello attorney who first saw the body, and two Anamosa youths, Willard Byerly, 17, and Duane Herren, 18.

Byerly related coming across the body across the highway, that it was foggy and wet and that he had attempted to swerve his car to avoid hitting the man but apparently the front wheel of the auto had passed over the front legs or feet.

Herren, a passenger in the Byerly car, testified he had been asleep and that he had not seen the body until Byerly had backed up his car to shine his auto headlights on the scene.

Inquest was conducted by Coroner F. L. Harrington, County Attorney Warren Rees, Sergt. Clarence B. Day of the Iowa highway patrol and Atty. O. K. Keyes, Cedar Rapids, representing Byerly.

Funeral service for Rearick was held at the Goettsch funeral home in Monticello Friday afternoon with Rev. H. E. Dalrymple, Anamosa, pastor of the Congregational church, officiating. Burial was in Oakwood cemetery.

He is survived by his mother, who lives in Castle Grove township; a brother, W. Rearick, Wyoming, and a sister, Mrs. Kenneth Helsel, Edgemont, S. D.