Ida Hay McCleery Prell 1871-1926

PRELL MITCHELL MCCLEERY

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/21/2012 at 16:16:59

Mapleton Press
24 June 1926

MRS. JOHN PRELL KILLED BY AUTO WHILE CROSSING STREET

BIG JAM OF CARS HEAVY AUTOMOBILB TRAFFIC
ENDS IN SAD TRAGEDY WHEN SMITHLAND CAR STRIKES BODY
AND CRUSHES MAPLETON WOMEN WHOSE DEATH SOON FOLLOWS
HER REMOVAL FROM BENEATH THE WHEELS —PURELY ACCIDENTAL
is THE OPINION

The usual busy Saturday night in Mapleton, with the streets filled with parked cars and auto traffic at its thickest, was suddenly turned into sorrowful tragedy at about ten o'clock when Mrs. John Prell was struck down and her life crushed out by a car driven by P. S. Scott, of Southland.
Mrs. Prell did not regain consciousness after being removed from beneath the car, and died about two hours later.

The tragedy occurred while Mrs. Prell was crossing the intersection between the Iowa Light, Heat & Power Co. place of business and the Rice building. Those who were eye-witnesses to the accident are unable to say just how it happened, but as near as they could explain the sad affair.
Mrs. Prell was making her way across the street while the Scott car had turned, in the center of the square and was going west. It seemed as if Mrs. Prell had paused when she noticed the car. The left fender hit her, turned her around facing the car which then knocked her down. The car had stopped over the body and those who came to assist hurriedly removed the body from beneath and summoned medical aid. But Mrs. Prell died about two hours later without regaining consciousness.

An examination revealed that a collar bone was broken in two places, a hip, leg and three fingers fractured while the back of the skull was cracked.

Mr. Scott said that he was hot driving at an excessive speed, and it seemed to him that Mrs. Prell was in the clear, when all at once the car struck her. He went and told Mayor Hammond about the accident and willingly submitted to rigid examination to show that he could not have prevented that which happened so suddenly and disastrously.

At the John Prell home Sunday morning the county coroner held an inquest and several witness were examined. County Attorney Bennett and Mayor Hammond were present at the hearing. The evidence given at this time could not be construed as attaching blame to the auto driver for the death of Mrs. Prell and such was the decision at the coroner.

The funeral was held at two o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Christian church, Pastor Peter Jensen preaching the last sad rites. Even the elements seemed pitted in an angry mood against her departure, for as the funeral procession was making its way toward the church a heavy downpour of rain began and continued throughout the services.

Ida Hay McCleery was born at Mapleton, June 15. 1871. Here she grew to womanhood. She was united in marriage to Frank Mitchell on April 3, 1891; to this union were born five children, three of whom have passed into the great beyond. After the death of her husband she was united
in marriage to John J. Prell making their home in Mapleton, where Mr. Prell is section Forman on the Northwestern railroad.

Mrs. Prell departed this life June 19, 1926, at the age of 55 years, four days.

She leaves to mourn her death, her husband, John J. Prell; two daughters, Mrs. Mabel Iddings and Mrs. Grace Powell also residents of Mapleton, four step children, William G. Prell, and Henry Prell, of Danbury; Mrs. Mary Thompson and Albert Prell, of Mapleton; three brothers, George McCleery of Decatur, Neb., O. A. McCleery of Lawrence, Kans., and Charles McCleery of Danbury: four sisters. Mrs. Elmer Lillie of Oto: Mrs. Merle Anderson, of Sioux City; Mrs. Ada Richards and. Mrs. Grace Smith of Danbury; besides ten grandchildren.

Mrs. Prell became a member of the Church of Christ at Mapleton under the ministry of Rev. Organ, during which she proved herself a consecrated Christian worker, always willing to serve her Master wherever possible.