August L. Walatka (1879-1936)

WALATKA

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 3/22/2009 at 08:19:40

AMES DAILY TRIBUNE AND TIMES, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Monday, May 4, 1936.

THREE PEOPLE KILLED HERE SUNDAY

BOY HITCHHIKER IS STRUCK DOWN ON LINCOLN WAY

Train Hits A. Walatka; Des Moines Man Dies In Crash

Death stalked the highways in and near Ames Sunday with a viciousness and thoroness never before equaled in the history of the city, leaving three dead and one critically injured within a period of 16 hours, and bringing the total weekend fatalities to four dead and two injured.

Four separate accidents in and near the city resulted in in four deaths, two being pedestrians, one in a car and the other on a motorcycle.

Those who died Sunday are:

Eurban Krantz, 19, of Harlan, died 5 a. m.

August Walatka, 56, of Ames, died about noon.

Roger Hansen, 24, of Des Moines, died at 9 p. m.

Miss Elinor Wakefield of Sioux City was critically injured in the accident in which Hansen was killed.

[Krantz part of article was here. See individual obituary.]

August L. Walatka, 55, of 802 Sixth street, a resident of Ames for 18 years, was killed about noon Sunday when he was struck by a train as he was walking along the Chicago and North Western railroad tracks near the viaduct north of the veterinary buildings at Iowa State college.

Walatka's body was found about 4 p. m. by a student, whose name was not learned. Coroner Guy W. Mills of McCallsburg was called and reported that Walatka had been dead about four hours. Walatka, who was stone deaf, was believed to have been walking along the tracks toward the recreational project north of the college, on which project he was employed by the PWA three days each week. He was employed at the Goodyear Shoe shop at 107 Welch avenue, two days each week.

Lithuanian Native

He was born in Lithuania July 12, 1879 and came to Ames 18 years ago, where he operated a shoe repair shop on Main street for a number of years.

Surviving him are his widow and three children, John of Bagley, Minn.; William and Mary Lou at home. Funeral arrangements had not been completed at noon Monday, pending arrival of John.

[Remainder of article about the other victims. See individual obituaries.]

AMES DAILY TRIBUNE AND TIMES, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Tuesday, May 6, 1936.

Walatka Services Wednesday Morning

Funeral services for August Walatka, 56, who was killed by a train Sunday noon while walking along the railroad tracks north of Iowa State college, will be held at 9 a. m., Wednesday from St. Cecilia's Catholic church, with the Rev. F.
M. Mulcahy in charge. Burial will be in the Ames Catholic cemetery.