Vern L Prunty Died 1897 - 1936

PRUNTY, GOTTO

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/9/2008 at 00:52:40

The Ute Independent
Ute, Monona County, Iowa
16 October 1936

Mapleton Man Dies Five Hours After Car Wreck
Vern L Prunty, 40 years old, operator of the South Side service station and gargage in Mapleton and a veteran of the World was, passed away in St. Joseph’s hospital in Sioux City shortly after 6 o’clock Thursday evening, about 5 hours after the car he was driving went into the ditch along Highway 35 between Mapleton and Danbury.

Found 60 feet from the car by one of the Brenner boys living near where the accident happened, Prunty was rushed to Dr. Ingham’s office in Mapleton and then taken immediately in the Byers ambulance to the Sioux City hospital. Both legs and one arm were broken and he suffered internal injuries that caused his death, despite everything that medical science could do to save his life.

With him at the time of the accident was Mrs. Prunty, formely Mary Gotto, who also was thrown from the car when it careened into the ditch and overturned several times. She was brought to Dr. Ingham’s office, suffering from severe shock and body cuts and bruises. She was still there Thursday evening for treatment.

Mr. Prunty was repairing Supt. K.C. VanOrden’s Plymouth 4-door sedan at his garage and was in need of repairs, so he drove the VanOrden car to Danbury about 1 o’clock after them, taking Mrs. Prunty along for the ride. They were within about 3 miles of Mapleton on their return trip when either a flat tire, a defect in the car or loose gravel caused them to swerve to the right of the road into a post and then to the left side of the road and down into a deep ditch, through two fences and off into a field, according to available information.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Prunty were thrown through the top of the car which apparently turned over two or three times. Mr. Prunty was at least 60 feet from the car, while Mrs. Prunty was only about half as far away.

The car was wrecked and was brought to the Service garage by Don Head. Mr. VanOrden had insurance on it.

Surviving are Mrs. Prunty and one daughter, about 7 years old and one brother, Bob Prunty, of Bronson, formely of Mapleton—Mapleton Press.

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