John H. Jackson (1911-1933)

JACKSON

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/23/2008 at 00:08:16

John Harold Jackson 1911-1933
Fatally Injured in Auto Accident

Avoca was shocked Wednesday morning by the news of an automobile crash about 2 am wherin Harold ‘Skinny’ Jackson was fatally injured and Joe Morrissey was severely injured. Harold died of his injuries about 10 am Wednesday.

About 2 am young Jackson accompanied by Joe Morrissey drove south on highway no 4 in the Jackson Pontiac sedan. A freight train was standing in the yards and blocked the No 4 crossing. Jackson said he did not see the train in time to stop and crashed directly into it. Both boys were thrown partially from the car, one on each side.

Nobel Wilson, operator at the station hearing the crash and the screams of the men ran to their assistance. He reached Morrissey first and dragged him from the car to find that he was bleeding profusely. He then went to the other side and got Jackson free of the car.

Doctors were called and the young men taken to their homes. It was found that Jackson’s chest was crushed, at least fourteen ribs being broken and his lungs punctured. Internal hemorrhage caused his death in about eight hours.
Joe Morrissey is a nephew of Mrs. Jean Kingman and is employed at the Kingman Café. His parents live at Storm Lake, Iowa. He was badly injured about head and bleeding profusely from mouth, ears, and nose. Fracture and concussion of the brain were feared and he was taken immediately to Methodist hospital in Omaha by Dr. William Hay. Later reports say that an x-ray showered no fracture and his friends confidently expect his complete recovery.

W. H. Jackson, father of Harold, returned from Edmundson hospital Sunday, where he was taken November 5, following an automobile accident in which he narrowly escaped death. The funeral will be held Friday, November 17, at 2 o’clock pm at the First Congregational church.

HAROLD JACKSON

John Harold Jackson was born at the Christian Home in Council Bluffs, July 26, 1911, and was 22 years, 3 months, and 9 days old at his death.

When he was three months old he was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Jackson with whom he has lived ever since. He graduated from the Avoca high school in the Class of ’29.
Physically, Harold had never been a normal child, having been born with a defective spinal column. He was very slight of build and had little strength.

Mr. and Mrs. Jackson had done all possible for his benefit, but had been assured by physicians that there was no help for him and that he would continue to grow weaker.

His tragic death came as a great shock to the parents, who had taken him into their hearts and home. However, Harold in his conscious hours before his death, expressed his resignation to death saying it was better than living confined to a wheel chair, which he had feared would be his future.

The foster parents, knowing the full extent of Harold’s affliction, may well feel that his passing is a release. Funeral services will be held at the Congregational church Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald