Floyd Simmons ~ 1911-1932

SIMMONS, FOLKER

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 1/31/2002 at 10:57:11

Floyd Simmons Killed When Train Hit Freight Truck

Floyd Simmons was killed Friday evening when the truck in which he was riding was demolished by the south bound Rock Island passenger train at Farmington.

Floyd is the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Harley Simmons of Farmington. He and his father operated a truck for Wahrer of Charleston, making trips daily except Sunday between Keokuk and Farmington, Bonaparte, Keosauqua, Cantril and Milton.

Floyd was returning to Farmington Friday evening from Keokuk with a truck load of groceries, hardware, etc. he was alone in the truck and no one will ever know just why the accident occurred. The crossing of the Rock Island railway and highway number three in southeast part of Farmington is open and unobstructed.

Engineer Kelley of the Rock Island gas-electric train saw the truck approaching the crossing, but of course supposed that it would stop, but it did not do so, and the front wheels of the truck were across the railway tracks when the collision came. Mr. Kelley says that Floyd seemed to try to turn the car sharply to the left, then threw up his hands. The compact of the train with the truck load of groceries covered the front part of the train with flour, broken glass, pieces of lumber, etc., obscuring the view of the engineer and breaking the air brake connection so that the train could only coast to a stop about 400 feet from the crossing.

Floyd was in the cab and still breathing when the train stopped, but he was unconscious and passed away before being returned to the Rock Island station about a quarter mile distant. The truck was carried 400 feet or more on front of the motor car and was rolled off the track after the train backed away.

Conductor Grant had charge of the train which was en route from Des Moines to Keokuk and had left the Farmington depot a few minutes after five o’clock.

The death of the young man was caused by a fractured skull, and probably a broken neck. His right arm was broken. It is probable that his eyes were blinded by the setting sun and he did not see the approaching train until he was on the track.

Coroner H.A. Burnett of Keosauqua signed the death certificate stating that the deceased came to his death because of a fractured skull in an auto and train collision.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Farmington on Sunday afternoon at three o’clock, Rev. Samp of Columbus Junction, a former pastor officiating, assisted by Rev. Stevens.

Floyd Simmons, son of Harley and Ethel Simmons, was born July 28, 1911, and was twenty years, nine months and one day of age. He had spent considerable of his life on a farm on Vernon Prairie but had been a resident of Farmington for the past five years, where he was well known as an honorable, industrious and highly respected young man.

He is survived by his parents, one brother, Ivan, and three sisters, Mary, Edith and Betty, all at home.

He is also survived by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Bell Folker of Keokuk and T.L. Simmons of Bonaparte.

The funeral was one of the largest attended ever held in Farmington. His former classmates of the class of 1929, Farmington high school were the pall bearers.

Many people came Friday evening and Saturday to view the scene of the wreck and the railway tracks strewn with the contents of the ill-fated truck.

Insofar as the train crew was concerned the wreck seems to have been entirely unavoidable. The train had the right-of-way and naturally expected the truck driver to stop. Floyd may have become wearied by a hard day’s work and momentarily gone to sleep as many drivers have been known to do. His sudden death comes as a severe blow to the entire community.

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings