McNeil, Elizabeth “Betty,” 1931-1934

MCNEIL, ANDERSON

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

From the Rock Valley Bee, February 9, 1934:

LITTLE GIRL KILLED IN CROSSING ACCIDENT
Parents Bardly[Badly] Injured—Taken to Hospital for Treatment

A most distressing and fatal accident happened on the main line railroad crossing by the dump grounds in the west part of Rock Valley last Friday forenoon. Mr. and Mrs. Robt. McNeil and two children, aged one and four years, of near Hudson, S.D., were coming to Rock Valley to visit in the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Long, Mrs. McNeil being a sister of Mrs. Long. On the crossing above mentioned, their car was struck by a gas electric inspection car coming from the west on the railroad in which the superintendent of this division and other officials were riding. The automobile was carried along the track for several feet, and the occupants were thrown out, and the little four-year-old girl, Betty, was almost instantly killed. She was removed to Dr. Lock’s office at once and later to G. Van Nimwegen’s funeral home.

Mr. and Mrs. McNeil were both badly injured and were taken to Dr. Lock’s office and later to the hospital at Hull for X-Ray examinations. It was at first feared that Mr. McNeil was injured internally, but an examination showed that he was only badly bruised and shaken up. Mrs. McNeil suffered a fractured pelvis bone, besides other minor cuts and bruises, and will have to be kept in a cast for five weeks.

Funeral services for the little girl were held at Hudson Sunday. It is a very regrettable accident, and the many friends of the bereaved parents extend sincere sympathy.

H. F. McLaughlin of Mason City and E. W. Webb of Des Moines, claim agents for the Milwaukee, were in town Tuesday investigating the accident.

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Her death certificate has her as Elizabeth McNeil, birth date Jan. 27, 1931, born in Madison, S.D.; parents Robert McNeil, born in Madison, S.D., and Helen Anderson, born in Hudson, S.D.; died at 12:10 p.m. February 2, 1934; cause: “accidental, car she was riding in was struck by train in outskirts of Rock Valley. Milwaukee Road. Skull crushed”; buried in Hudson.

FindaGrave.com has her as Elizabeth Maxine McNeil, 1931-1934, with a photo of her headstone. No family information.