Sawin, Clara, died 1942

SAWIN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/22/2010 at 18:44:28

THREE KILLED BY A CRASH AT CROSSING. BROTHER AND SISTER BURNED TO DEATH SUNDAY. Another Fatally Hurt as Auto Collides With a North Western Train Near Brunsville

Two young people, a brother and a sister, were burned to death and three others were injured, one fatally, in a train and automobile collision at Brunsville about 4 o'clock last Sunday morning [Dec. 13].

Dorothy Luschen, 20, and Leonard Luschen, 22, daughter and son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Luschen, residing a mile north and a mile west of Adaville, perished in the flames which broke out after the automobile crashed into the side of the train. Others in the car at the time were C. J. Noonan of Sioux City, driver and owner of the car, and Ed Marshall and Clara Sawin of Brunsville. Miss Sawin died Wednesday afternoon in a Sioux City hospital from burns received in the accident.

The young people had spent the evening in Le Mars and were on their way home at the time of the accident, which occurred at the grade crossing at the south end of Brunsville. According to reports, wheel marks in the road indicated that the driver of the car had apparently seen the train and jammed on the brakes to avoid the collision.

Miss Sawin and Leonard Luschen were sitting in the front seat with Mr. Noonan. Miss Luschen and Ed Marshall were in the back seat. According to the authorities, the car struck the center of the train and was dragged for about 50 feet. The car caught fire at once from a broken gas line.

Luschen was pinned in the car and even if not injured could not have escaped from the burning auto. Noonan was able to get out of the car when the door on his side partially opened. He was dazed but managed to assist Miss Sawin to get away from the flames which were coming through the floor boards.

[Omitted details about rear seat passengers]

Members of the train crew noticed the fire and stopped to pick up the three injured people and took them to Sioux City. Much of Miss Sawin's hair was burned off her head. She suffered burns on her face and arms, as did Marshall. Noonan complained of pains in his side.

The train was the passenger which arrives in Hawarden from the west at 2:27 a.m. and consisted of three passenger cars, six freight cars and a caboose. A train official stated that the car collided with the train's third car from the rear. The crossing is well protected with vibrating stop signs and flashing lights.

Coroner Luken of Plymouth county states that an inquest will be held Friday or Saturday.

[Omitted information about Luschen funeral]

Source: Hawarden Independent, Dec. 17, 1942.