Walter E. Babcock Died 1931

BABCOCK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/28/2018 at 22:58:28

Onawa Democrat
2 July 1931

Former Garage Owner Killed
Walter E. Babcock was Instantly Killed When Car He Was Driving Hit Loose Gravel

Man Companion Also Killed and Lady Seriously Injured. He had Resided at Watertown South Dakota Since Leaving Onawa A Few Years Ago.

Sunday evening Chas Ross received word from Watertown, South Dakota, stating that Mr. Walter E. Babcock, former Onawa garage owner had been killed in an auto accident west of Watertown.

Mr. Babcock was well and favorably known in this and the vicinity of Turin where he resided for many years. A long number of years ago Mr. Babcock came to Monona County and located at Turin where he was employed in some drainage work in that vicinity. A few years later he and Mr. Bert Elliott, then of Whiting formed a partnership and began the manufacturing of cement blocks at Turin, building a good size factory. However, after a few years successful operation it was found that the hills around Turin did not contain sufficient clay to maintain the factory and it was closed.

Mr. Babcock then moved to Onawa and shortly went into the garage business in the building which is now used by the Shell Service Station and which is known as the Elliott Garage. Selling his interest in this garage, he joined forces with Chas W. Ross and for several years he and Mr. Ross operated jointly the Onawa Garage until Mr. Babcock went to Watertown, South Dakota where he has since been engaged in the garage business. He was thoroughly acquainted with all makes of cars and was considered one of the best demonstrators in the northwest.

The Democrat editor at this time is unable to get much information regarding Mr. Babcock. Mr. Ross, Mr. John Kelly and Ally George Prichard were in Watertown on Tuesday and Wednesday where they were making preparations to close Mr. Babcock business there and also for the burial of his body. It is thought that his remains will be brought to Onawa. Mr. Ross has also been able to get in communication with a sister who resides in Missouri and another sister who resides near Mason City, Iowa and a brother of Mr. Babcock who resides near Waterloo, Iowa.

No details of the accident have been heard here except the accident which appeared in Monday evenings Sioux City Tribune which we reprint below:

Watertown, South Dakota (Special)

Two men were killed and a young woman seriously injured when their speeding car rolled over several times after it got out of control on the yellow-stone trail a mile and a quarter east of Ortley, Sunday afternoon.

The dead are W.E. Babcock, automobile dealer of Watertown and Ben Tuckholke of Labolt, rancher and garage owner at Kranzburg.

Miss Catherine Brandrift of Kransburg was injured when thrown from the car.

Babcock was instantly killed with a skull fracture and Tuckholke died on the way to Waubay after a passing tourist picked him up.

Babcock was a former automobile dealer at Onawa, Iowa. He came here about 6 years ago. He was a brother-in-law of Fordyce Bisbee democratic candidate for Congress last year in the Eleventh Iowa District.