A SHOCKING TRAGEDY

KERR, HYDE, CRETCHER, SILVER, FRANKLIN, WOLLAM

Posted By: Betty Jo Scott (email)
Date: 1/14/2002 at 21:07:45

A SHOCKING TRAGEDY
EAST OF CANTRIL
Four Legion Boys Lose Lives Sunday in Auto Wreck, Fifth May Recover

One of the most terrible accidents that ever happened in this county took place Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Niles crossing, three miles east of Cantril. Five service men of Cantril were returning from the military funeral of a comrade, John Kerr, at Prairie View, near Azen, Mo., which was conducted by the Cantril Post, and when their car reached the railroad crossing it was struck by a west bound locomotive, without a train. The auto was hurled through the fence near the cattle-guard, and was turned upside down, with the victims beneath. The gas tank bursted, and almost instantly the car was enveloped in soaring flames. Others returning from the funeral were soon on hand and braved the fire to rescue the boys.

The auto load was composed of Chas. Hyde, Ward Cretcher, A. L. Silver, Elmer Franklin, driver of the car, and Riley Wollam. Hyde was probably instantly killed and his body was taken to Cantril in the locomotive. The other four were taken to Cantril in autos. Cretcher, cashier of the State Bank of Cantril died shortly after reaching the doctor's office. Silver, president of Cantril Savings Bank, died about midnight, and Franklin about 5 o'clock in the morning. Wollam was badly burned about the head and his legs injured, but may live. Some of the boys were burned beyond recognition. The locomotive crew also received burns in assisting to extricate the bodies from the fire.

The news of the accident was a stunning blow to the people of Cantril and fairly prostrated with grief the members of the families whose loved ones had been so ruthlessly snatched away.

A military funeral was held at Cantril at 2:00 p.m, Wednesday of this week, at which all the Legion Posts in this section took part.