Day, Helen (Norton)

DAY, NORTON, BEWLAY, CLOUGH

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 8/16/2010 at 11:46:01

Grinnell Herald (Grinnell, Iowa) May 16, 1931

TRAGEDY WHEN CARS COLLIDE

Mrs. E.P. Day is Instantly Killed and Her Companion, Harry M. Bewlay, is in Critical Condition

FUNERAL SERVICES ARE HELD MONDAY AFTERNOON

Were Driving Into Chicago to Visit Relatives; Collision Taken Place at Des Plaines, Ill.

The A.T. & T. plant at Ewart reported early this afternoon that nothing had been heard regarding Mr. Bewlay since last night when he was reported to be holding his own, although still unconscious. They would have been advised if there had been any change in condition and his friends here are encouraged in their hopes that he may rally.

An autombile expedition to Chicago undertaken with happy anticipations Friday, ended in tragedy when the car in which Henry M. Bewlay and Mrs. E.P. Day were riding collided with an auto driven by Lew Holtze of Wheeling, Ill., near Des Plaines, Ill., a Chicago suburb. Mrs. Day was instantly killed and Mr. Bewlay suffered a fractured skull and lies in a critical condition. He has been unconscious ever since the accident.

Mr. Bewlay is an employe of the A.T. & T. and has for some time been rooming at the Day home. He had secured a short leave of absence and was planning to drive in to visit his mother in Evanston. The suggestion was made that Mrs. Day go with him to visit her sister, Mrs. Anna Clough, in Chicago. Although Mrs. Day had only returned from a visit with her sister a couple of weeks before the opportunity for this pleasant ride was attractive and the two started early Friday morning.

The first word of the tradedy came over the A.T. & T. lines from Chicago to the station here, stating that Mr. Bewlay had been hurt and a woman with him had been killed. Later reports came through to the papers and it was learned that Mrs. Day was the victim. However, the report was not fully verified until the next morning. Mrs. Clough was called up and said that she had been expecting Mrs. Day but that she had not arrived. She was informed of the situation and while greatly shocked assisted in making arrangements for the removal of the body to Grinnell. A telegram received from L. Rowder, sergeant of the Cook county highway police, stated merely that Mrs. Day had been killed in an auto collision and that the driver of the other car was being held. An inquest was to have been held but has been deferred on account of the critical condition of Mr. Bewlay.

Mrs. Day's body was brought back to Grinnell on the Sunday evening train. It was accompanied by her sister and husband and her son, Eugene Day and wife, of St. Louis, who had gone at once to Chicago when advised of the accident.

Reports of the accident which have reached Grinnell are to the effect that Mr. Bewlay failed to see a stop sign and drove onto a boulevard. Mrs. Day was thrown a number of feet from the car and was dead when picked up.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the home with Rev. Robert Inglis in charge. Interment was in Hazelwood cemetery. Pall bearers were Dr. E.C. Bliss, J.G. Shifflett, J.L. Fellows, C.K. Needham, S.R. Robinson and E.M. Kearney.

Mrs. Day before her marriage was Helen Norton. She was born in Bridgetown, N.J., and at the time of her death was aged 63 years, 8 months and 15 days. She came to Grinnell in 1882 and was married to E.P. Day in 1891. Mrs. Day was a member of the Congregational church. She is survived by her husband, one son, Eugene, of St. Louis, and her sister, Mrs. Clough, of Chicago.

Mrs. Day was a woman of active mind. She was fond of books, fond of people and interested in the best things of the community life. Though her life was quiet those who came in touch with her were impressed by her breadth of information and her always active interest in what was going on about her. She will be greatly missed in the circles where she was best known.