Oscar Alonzo Lucas (1932)

ILER, KIRBY, LIVINGSTON, LUCAS, NEHRING, PICK, SHEARER, WELCH

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/6/2006 at 15:10:25

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, August 25, 1932

OSCAR LUCAS KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT

Former Winterset Merchant Was Fatally Injured Sunday Near Fort Dodge

Oscar Lucas, well known Madison county resident, and former merchant here, was fatally injured in an automobile collision at Duncombe, Sunday afternoon, August 21st, and died at the Mercy hospital in Fort Dodge, shortly after 9 o'clock, that evening. Lucas, O. L. Wilson, John Cornell and Fred Danforth, all of Winterset were driving west on Highway No. 20 toward Fort Dodge, and at the Duncombe corner, twelve miles east of the city, they collided with a Pontiac coupe occupied by Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Gill of Fort Dodge. The Gills were driving east, and there were several versions of the accident, which happened at four o'clock, but the cars crashed almost head on.

Ambulances were summoned and the injured were taken to the Mercy hospital in Fort Dodge. Lucas was the most seriously injured and his condition was critical from the first. His chest and right shoulder were crushed and his lung punctured. He was conscious when taken to the hospital, but he died five hours later.

John Cornell had several ribs broken and a fractured sternum, while Wilson had a smashed nose and a broken rib. He also had some cuts on his knees. Both men are still in the hospital, but it is thought they will be released the latter part of the week. It is said that Danforth was apparently dazed by the accident, and he wandered away from the scene of the accident. The Winterset men, thought he was in another ambulance, until late that evening they could not find him in Fort Dodge. Several hours after the accident, he called Mrs. Danforth to come after him. She took him home, and summoned a doctor, and he had him taken to the Winterset hospital. It was found that he had a leg fractured, several bruises on his head, and other injuries.

Mr. Gill, who is president of the Fort Dodge Bottling Works suffered severe injuries to a wrist and hand. Mrs. Gill had a fracture of the right hip and bad cuts. Her condition was critical Sunday night and Monday, but she is now recovering nicely.

Wilson, who was the driver of the car, did not appear to be so badly hurt, called for the amublances, and summoned Winterset friends, and some of the Lucas family. George Lucas reached Fort Dodge, about 7:30, and sent for his mother, and brothers. Mrs. Lucas and sons Paul and Carl, and daughter Alberta left at once, but Mr. Lucas had died before they reached there.

Lucas' body was removed to Laufersweiler's Funeral parlor, and brought to Winterset, Monday afternoon.

Mr. Lucas who was 55 years of age had always lived in this county. He clerked in the Luther Fox grocery store, for a long time, and in 1914 engaged in the grocery business for himself. He continued in this business until this spring when he and his family moved to his farm near St. Charles. Mr. Lucas is survived by his wife and their eight children: Mrs. David Livingston and Mrs. Herman Pick of Chicago, and Carl, Paul, George, Alberta, Mary and Theresa of Winterset. Three grandchildren survive: David and Bobbie Livingston and Billie Lucas. He also leaves a brother Clarence Lucas and three sisters, Mrs. J. H. Kirby, Mrs. Earl Welch of Winterset, and Mrs. Fred Shearer of Portland, Oregon.

The Rev. W. C. Porter, pastor of the United Presbyterian church conducted his funeral services, at the Ramsey-Richards funeral home at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday, and burial was made in the Winterset cemetery.

MORTUARY

Oscar Alonzo Lucas was the son of George and Sarah Emily Iler Lucas. He was born on the old Lucas farm northwest of Winterset on March 9, 1877. After suffering auto accident injuries he passed away at Mercy hospital in Fort Dodge on August 21, 1932, aged 55 years, 5 months and 12 days.

All his life was spent in or near Winterset. He entered Winterset business circles as a youth. He clerked in the Luther Fox grocery for nineteen years. In 1914 he entered the grocery business for himself at the place still bearing his name on the south side of the square. Allowing for time spent on the farm recovering impaired health, he spent 15 years in business. He returned to farming near St. Charles in the spring of 1932.

On June 28, 1900, he was united in marriage to Anna Nehring of Patterson. To this union were born eight children: all of whom are living: Mrs. David Livingston, Park Ridge, Illinois; Mrs. H. C. Pick, Jr., Oak Park, Illinois; Carl, Paul, Alberta, George, Mary and Theresa of Winterset. There are three grandchildren: David and Robert Livingston and William Lucas. Besides these he is outlived by his wife, Mrs. Anna Lucas, one brother, Clarence, and three sisters, Mrs. J. H. Kirby and Mrs. Earl Welch of Winterset, and Mrs. Fred Shearer of Portland, Oregon.

He was a kind and loving husband and father tenderly devoted to his family and dearly beloved by them. He was a fun loving youth and grew up to be a genial hearted well-liked business man; energetic, obliging and capable. He was a member of the K. P. lodge. His tragic accidental death has deeply shocked the Winterset community.

Gravesite
 

Madison Obituaries maintained by Linda Griffith Smith.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen