Mead, Roberta, Olive Mrs. 1924-1960

MEAD, LOGAN

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/9/2010 at 11:37:30

Source:Hawarden Independent(9-15-1960)
Woman,Daughter Die in Accident near Hawarden

A 36 year old Brunsville woman and her 15 year old daughter were killed when the station wagon, she was driving catapulted into the Big Sioux river near the bridge four miles north of Hawarden.

There was no inquest, Neither was there an autopsy at the request of the widower. Investigating officer however reported to the Independent that the two victims suffered severs head injuries and probably were dead, or at least unconscious when the vehicle entered the river.

The vehicle left the highway on a curve leading to the Big Sioux bridge into South Dakota bounded over a farm driveway and hit a two-foot embankment just before it flew 120 feet in the air into the river. Police Chief Milo Hartman of Hawarden, who was one of many officials who investigated, attributed the tragedy to an excessive rate of speed. The demolished station wagon was taken to the Carr Auto Slavage here after two wreckers were required to pull it from the Big Sioux and up a steep embankment.

Double funeral services for the victims--Mrs. Olive Roberta Mead and her oldest daughter Nora Lee Logan--were held Tuesday at Brunsville. The body were recovered Saturday night after two Hawarden boys Larry Abbey and Michael Johnson discovered the upturned wheels while fishing near the bridge. Mrs. Abbey notified the Hawarden police department. It was necessary to launch a boat to carry the cables from the wreckers to the virtually submerged station wagon.

Bodies of the victims were identified at the Barnard Funeral home by Mrs. Mead husband James. He told the officers his wife and daughter left Brunsville about 6 p.m. Friday for Sioux Falls.

Survivors of Mrs. Mead include a son, two daughters, a step-son, her parents and a brother. Nora Lee father, Albert Logan was killed in action during World War II