Harold Russell Penn (1922)

PENN, PIATT

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson
Date: 9/9/2010 at 14:46:19

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, June 21, 1922
Page 1

Two Killed In Auto Mishap - Harold and Edna Penn Killed When Car Turns Turtle On Narrow Grade

One of the most distressing of auto fatalities occurred Friday evening when Harold and Edna Penn, children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Penn, lost their lives when their Ford car overturned on a narrow grade three miles south of Earlham.

The Penn's who reside on a farm two and one half miles east of Pitzer, were on their way to Earlham to spend the evening with friends. At the first ravine north of the crossroads at the Frey farm, the grade is narrow and and the extent of the grade somewhat obscured by high weeds. It was here that the accident occurred. So far as we are able to learn, there was no speeding, no careless driving. Harold, who was driving, pulled out on the grade to allow a southbound car to pass. The grade was steeper than the driver had figured on, sufficient to throw the Ford off balance, and it plunged to the ditch fifteen feet below, landing upside down.

Harold was instantly killed by suffocation in the mud and water. Edna, who was pinned under the overturned car, was not killed outright and cried piteously for help, but the father's efforts were unavailing and she died before help arrived.

Henry ---- and Walter Eisele, who heard Mr. Penn's cries for help were the first on the scene. Others arrived soon after, the bodies were removed and the injured cared for. Mr. Penn and the two children, aged 4 and 5 escaped with minor injuries. Mrs. Penn's injuries were at first thought to be fatal, but she is now improving.

Funeral services for the two children, Harold, age 16 and Edna, one year younger, were held Sunday afternoon at Earlham and burial was made at the Penn Center cemetery.

Mr. Penn is a brother of J. F. Penn, of Union township. Mrs. Penn is a sister of Charles Piatt, of Winterset. They were well know in and about Winterset and their double affliction and sorrow will touch the hearts of many.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, June 21, 1922
Page 7

Earlham -

An accident which resulted in the death of Harold and Edna Penn, aged 16 and 15 years and their mother seriously injured, occurred Friday evening as the Penn family, consisting of the father, mother and four children coming to town from their home near Pitzer, drove off a culvert in meeting a car. The auto turned over, pinning the occupants underneath in the mud and water.

The community sympathizes with Mr. Penn and hopes that his wife may be spared to him.

Funeral services for the children were held Saturday afternoon at the Christian church. Interment was made at the Penn Center cemetery.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, June 28, 1922
Page 3

Mortuary

Harold Russell Penn was born at Winterset on Oct. 22, 1905. Edna Pauline Penn was born near Winterset on Jan. 22, 1907. They were the son and daughter of Thomas and Esther Penn.

In early childhood they moved with their parents to Casey, where they remained one year, then going to Oklahoma, where they lived for two years. After that they lived in Colorado for one year, thence returning to DeSoto, Iowa for one year and then lived at Stuart, Dexter, Guthrie Center and Menlo, for about one year each. Last March, they moved to Pitzer, which was their home at the time of their death, which occurred in an auto accident near Earlham on June 16th.

They leave to mourn their loss, a father, mother, two brothers: Don and Dale, and one sister, Gotha; besides a number of other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were held at the Earlham Church of Christ June 18th at 3 o’clock, conducted by the Rev. Walter Girdner of Early Chapel. Interment was made at Penn Center cemetery.

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