MOTT, Robert Vernon 1924-19??

MOTT, RICE, BRIDGES, BRIDEGS, LANGSTON, JUSTICE

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 3/8/2014 at 12:27:21

BOBBY MOTT
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Victim of Tractor Accident Laid to Rest

Funeral services for Bobby, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Heber Mott, of west of LaJara, who was killed last Thursday afternoon in a tractor accident at the Mott ranch in the Carmel district, were held at 2:00 o’clock Monday afternoon in Richfield, with a large attendance, the church being filled beyond capacity with many standing in the yard during the service.

Arrangements were in charge of the Alamosa mortuary. Services were opened with prayer by Warren Coombs of Morgan. Speakers were Merlin Manning and Angus Holman, Manasas. Mrs. Emma Newcoomb accompanied by Mrs. Howard Shawcroft, sang “Lay My Head Beneath a Rose”. Troy and Howard Shawcroft, accompanied by Mrs. Shawcroft, sang “In the Garden.” Charles Jones, accompanied by Mrs. J. L. Mott, sang “Going Home.”

Closing prayer was by J. N. Shawcroft.

Pallbearers were Kenneth Justice and Graham Hughes of Denver, Lyle Mott and Melvin Price of La Jara, Joe Langston, Flagstaff, Ariz., Winfred Mott of Alamosa.

Interment was in the Monte Vista cemetery, with the Alamosa BPO Elks lodge No. 1297 conducting graveside rites. The grave was dedicated by Alfred Price of Morgan.

Robert Vernon Mott was born December 16, 1924, at Monte Vista. When a small child the family resided on a ranch in the Carmel district, later moving to the Eskridge ranch, about five miles west of La Jara, which has been their home for a number of years. Bobby, as he was affectionately called by everyone who knew him, attended the La Jara schools graduating from high school in 1942. He attended A & M college at Fort Collins. The past four or five years he had been assisting his father in farming. He was a member of the Elks lodge at Alamosa.

Besides his parents the deceased is survived by one sister, Miss Marvene Mott; his grandmothers, Mrs. Emma Rice, Flagstaff, Ariz. and Mrs. Mary Mott, Alamosa; grandfather, John Bridegs(sic), Morgan; two aunts, Mrs. Delzia Langston, Flagstaff, Ariz. and Mrs. Mae Justice, Denver; 3 uncles, Elmer Mott, La Jara, J. L. Mott, Alamosa and Albert Bridges of Los Angeles, Calif. All, with the exception of Albert Bridges, attended the funeral.

As there were no one who saw the accident that took Bobby’s life, it may never be known just what happened. Reports from some who visited the scene of the accident, it is in their belief that the lad may have been knocked off the tractor by the branch of a tree, falling on to the chisler, where his body was lying when found by his father. It is stated that the tractor made 28 rounds after the boy fell, before it stopped, judging from the path it traveled. Bobby’s body was wedged between the section of the chisler, but on the top side, and not underneath as some reports stated. Mr. Mott stated that after securing the aid of another employee, they had to take the chisler apart to remove the body.

The body was considerably bruised on one side and his hands were badly damaged, possibly from dragging on the ground, but no broken bones were sustained. Mark on his forehead indicated that he may have been hit by a tree limb. Other marks on the back of the head indicated that his death may have been instantly.

Source: Scrapbook of Unknown Origin, page 87