Wynia, Frank, 1884-1918

WYNIA, VANWYHE

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/8/2013 at 08:47:27

BAD AUTO ACCIDENT

Frank Wynia and family of near Lester met with a bad auto accident Sunday evening at about eight o'clock while coming down the Siemonsma hill north of town. The car is said to have been going at a high rate of speed, and Mr. Wynia lost control of it, and it turned over once and a half. It is a large sev[en?] passenger car, and Mr. and Mrs. Wynia and six children were riding in it. It amounts almost to a miracle how any of them escaped, considering the way in which the car was broken up. It is about the worst wrecked car that has ever been brought into a Rock Valley garage.

Mr. Wynia suffered the most severe injuries. His lower jaw is broken and fractured in three places and he has a deep cut around one eye, and is badly cut and bruised up otherwise. He naturally suffers much pain. One of the boys had both bones in one of his arms broken and Mrs. Wynia was hurt in the side, but was able to be up the next morning. The rest of the family were more fortunate, and escaped with only minor injuries. After the accident they were brought to the hospital, and later removed to the homes of relatives.

Mrs. Wynia is a daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Lambert Van Wyhe of this city. The Wynia family loved in this vicinity for many years before moving to Lester.

Later--Mr. Wynia is not getting along as well as had been expected, and at this time, Thursday, he is in a very critical condition, and it is feared he may not recover. His many friends sincerely hope his condition may speedily improve.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, August 23, 1918.

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Auto Accident Near Rock Valley

An auto accident occurred near H. R. Siemonsma, north of Rock Valley about eight o'clock Sunday evening when Frank Wynia and his family, consisting of wife and six children were coming to Rock Valley from their home near Lester, when just at the top of the Siemonsma hill, the tire exploded, and as the car went down the steep hill, Mr. Wynia lost control of his big Studebaker and it twisted and squirmed on the road and turned turtle, depositing its load of human freight violently on the ground.

Mr. Wynia was found on the running board of the car by Mr. Siemonsma, bleeding profusely from a cut under his eye and back of the ear. It was also found upon examination that he sustained a broken jaw and other bruises of a serious nature. He was conveyed to the home of his sister, Miss Rowena Wynia, where Drs. Lock and Chalmers attended to his injuries.

The family was taken to her parents' home, Mr. and Mrs. Lambert Van Wyhe, where the little ten year old boy who sustained a broken arm was cared for by Dr. S. M. Bradshaw and the other members of the family who were badly shaken up and bruised. It certainly was a miraculous escape from instant death. The injured are doing as well as can be expected at this writing. The auto was badly damaged but can be repaired.

Source: Alton Democrat, August 24, 1918.

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AUTO ACCIDENT PROVES FATAL

As a result of the auto accident north of town which was reported in last week's Bee, Frank Wynia died Thursday afternoon at about six o'clock. On Sunday before, with his family, he was driving down the Siemonsma hill north of town when one of the casings blew out, and the car turned over, fatally injuring Mr. Wynia.

The subject of this sketch was born at Orange City, and had he lived until next October 30th he would have been thirty-five years old. When he was a small boy his parents moved to a farm near Rock Valley, and he spent almost the rest of his life in this vicinity. About four years ago, he moved with his family onto a farm near Lester, Lyon County, where he resided at the time of the accident.

Besides his wife, he leaves to mourn, six children, the oldest being nine years old and the youngest a babe of seven months. He also leaves three sisters and three brothers, Mrs. K. Landman, Mrs. John Remmerde and Miss Rowena Wynia, and Frank, John and Will Wynia, all of whom are living in this vicinity, except Will who is in the service, and since he had been transferred from Camp Dodge, they were not able to send him word of the accident and his brother's death, as they had not learned his new address.

Funeral services were held in the Reformed Church in this city Monday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Recker of Rock Rapids, and the remains were taken to Valley View Cemetery for burial. The services were largely attended by sympathizing friends. The Wynia family is held in high esteem here and all extend heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved ones.

Source: Rock Valley Bee, August 30, 1918.

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The Sioux County Cemetery Index has Wynia, Frank, born 30 Oct. 1884, died 22 Aug 1918.