Smith, Gerald 1914-1938

SMITH, GRONEMEYER, HORNER

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-Volunteer
Date: 8/30/2014 at 23:28:17

Source: Hawarden Independent (12-15-1938)

Born: July 1914
Died: 1938

Gerald Smith, a resident of Hawarden during the greater part of his life, passed away in the Salinas Valley Hospital at Salinas, California, last Thursday evening as the result of injuries received Tuesday evening, December 6th, when a light coupe which he was driving collided with a Southern Pacific switch engine at a grade crossing over a siding a mile south of Salinas.

Word of his death was received here Saturday night, in a telegram from Gerald’s father, E.W. Smith, who had been summoned from his home in Washington to Salinas following the fatal accident.

According to meager reports of the accident which have been received here, Gerald was driving north on a main highway and struck the switch engine which was stationary on the grade crossing at the time. Gerald was alone in the car which struck the engine with terrific force, demolishing the front end of the car and hurling it to the side of the road. Gerald was taken to the Salinas Valley Hospital in an ambulance where it was found that he had suffered a fractured leg and arm, fractured collar bone, punctured chest, cuts and bruises and internal injuries. His condition was regarded as critical from the first but he lived for 48 hours following the accident.

Gerald Smith was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Smith, long time residents of this city and community, who moved to the state of Washington about a year ago. He was born on a farm near Hawarden in July, 1914, so was just past 24 years of age. He attended the Hawarden schools and was graduated from the high school here in 1934. Following his graduation he was employed for about a year and a half in the Mallette battery station and then worked for about six months for his uncle, W.J. Smith, in his house moving operations. About two years ago in company with some other Hawarden young men he departed for the west coast and after spending some time in Washington and Oregon, went on to California and for some time past, in partnership with another young man, has been operating a filling station at Soledad, California, near Salinas.

Besides his parents, he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. William Gronemeyer, residing east of Akron, and Mrs. Lois Horner of Alcester. He also leaves many relatives and friends in Hawarden who were shocked and grieved at his tragic death.

No word has been received here regarding his funeral.