Gillespie, Ralph Eldon 1914 - 1917

GILLESPIE

Posted By: Cindy Maust Smith (email)
Date: 10/5/2020 at 21:54:56

The Red Oak Express, Friday, September 21, 1917, Red Oak, Iowa, Page 1

CHILD HIT BY AUTO INSTANTLY KILLED

Three-Year-Old Babe Struck by Passing Car Sunday Morning-Nose Cut Off and Skull Fractured-Funeral Held Tuesday Afternoon.

Ralph Eldon, the 3 years and 7 months old son of Mr. and Mrs. Vernard Gillespie of West township, was instantly killed Sunday morning about 9 o'clock when he was hit by an automobile in front of the home of his uncle, Frank Gillespie.

The two Gillespie families were preparing to go to church together and a brother went over to the home of their uncle, Frank Gillespie, about 100 yards distance to inform the family that their parents were ready to go. When the car stopped in front of the Frank Gillespie home, the little boys ran out to get in. Ralph started to go back of the car to get in on the opposite side from the house but just as he stepped from behind the machine Jas. Cox of West township drove past in his car and the little fellow was hit in the head by the fender of the Cox car.

Mr. Cox stopped as quickly as possible and went back to pick up the child, but by that time the father, who at first did not know his little son had been hit, had found him and was carrying home the lifeless form. A physician was called by telephone, and Mr. Cox also started at once for Red Oak for a physician, fearing that one might not be secured by telephone, but nothing could be done for the injured babe after medical assistance arrived. His nose was cut off near the base, his skull fractured on the left side, and his neck broken, death resulting instantaneously. Coroner Walter Sellergren was called but it was not considered necessary to hold an inquest.

Ralph Eldon Gillespie was born in West township on February 3, 1914. He leaves, besides his parents, also three brothers. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Salem church, Rev. F.R. Blakely conducting the service, and burial was in Evergreen cemetery. The pallbearers were Wayne Giles, Glenn Rost, Allis Fisher and Charlie Winn, and the singing was by Mrs. Ed Gile, Mr. and Mrs. J.N. McGreer and M.B. Harris.