GASTON, Jack, Evelyn & Jacqueline (not Joyce) : Died 1937

GASTON, MILLER, BARKUS, SATTERWAITE, LERSCH

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/10/2016 at 01:25:55

HAWKEYE
"A BETTER NEWSPAPER"
BURLINGTON, IOWA, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1937.

JACK GASTON, WIFE AND CHILD, MAID ARE DEAD
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Second Twin in Davenport Hospital, Seriously Injured in Accident

Jacqueline Gaston, injured when her parents and sister were killed in a train-auto crash this morning, was reported in a "fair" condition in a Daveport(sp) hospital this afternoon. She is suffering (from) a scalp wound, broken right leg above the knee and severe bruises. It was not known for some time whether it was Jacqueline or Joyce who survived. The little girl in the hospital told nurses her name was Jacqueline. [see photo at end for correction; it was Joyce who survived crash]

Four Burlingtonians were killed and a fifth was injured, perhaps fatally, in a train-auto collision at Cambril, Ia., 15 miles north of Davenport on Route 61 today.

The dead are Jack Gaston, 29, operator of the Curley Inn, beauty shop; his wife, Evelyn, 30; one of their two-year-old twin daughters, and Grace Barkus, 27, the couple's maid, formerly of Yarmouth, Ia.

The couple's other twin daughter was taken to Mercy hospital in Davenport where efforts up to mid-afternoon had failed to establish which twin had been killed and which had been brought there. The injured girl suffered a skull injury and her right leg was broken above the knee. Her condition was reported as fair.

Crash at Crossing.

The fatal crash occurred at a Rock Island Lines crossing today between 8:30 and 9 a.m., as the Burlington party was en route home from a two weeks' trip to Minnesota.

They were driving a Cord automobile, a front-wheel drive machine in which the Gastons only recently made a trip to the west coast. They were pulling a small one-wheel trailer in which they stored their luggage.

The automobile crashed (with?) the train which traveled about 350 feet after striking the machine. Three bodies were mangled beneath the engine and it took more than an hour to extricate them, dispatches state.

Says Car Speeding.

Engineer Meeker of Cedar Rapids said the Gaston car was traveling at a "terrific speed" when it drove in front of his engine.

"I never saw an automobile going any faster," Engineer Meeker commented. Several persons who witnessed the crash are reported to have supported Meeker's statement as to the speed of the Burlington car.

Natives of City.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Gaston were natives and life residents of Burlington. He was born here May 5, 1908, and Mrs. Gaston, the former Evelyn Miller, was born 30 years ago.

Married at a public ceremony at the Tri-State fair eight years ago, the couple lived a mile south of municipal airport on Summer street road, and conducted the Curley Inn beauty shop.

Their triple funeral will be conducted by the Rev. R.R. Belter, pastor of the Bethany Lutheran church. The mother and daughter will be laid to rest in the same casket, and interment will be in the Aspen Grove cemetery.

Miss Barkus 24.

Miss Barkus, 24, was born near Emerado, N.D., Aug. 15, 1913, and had lived near Yarmouth in Des Moines county since she was six years of age, until coming to Burlington six years ago. She had worked here since that time, and entered the employ of the Gaston family only a few days before the trip to Minnesota.

Surviving are her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Barkus of Yarmouth; her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Kolkman of Yarmouth; three sisters, Mrs. Ray Mason of Burlington, and the Misses Dorothy and Irene at home, in addition to numerous other relatives. She was a member of the Methodist church.

Interment will be in Trinity cemetery south of Yarmouth following the services at the church there Thursday afternoon.
+ + + + + +
Couple Popular.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Gaston were popular and well known not only in Burlington, but throughout this area.

They had an attractive home a mile south of municipal airport on Summer street road. Mr. and Mrs. Gaston were married at a public ceremony at the Tri-State fair eight years ago, and Mr. Gaston had operated the beauty shop here for six years.

With their two twin daughter, Jacqueline and Joyce, two years old, and their maid, the couple left Burlington a week ago yesterday morning for the Minnesota trip. They planned to return this morning - and were within a few hours of home when the trip ended in death. Residents of the locality said only the one train traveled over the crossing where the crash occurred.

Fathers Survive.

Fathers of both Mr. and Mrs. Gaston survive: W.O. Gaston, formerly local agent for the old Muscatine railroad, and John Miller, Burlington Route shops employe. Mr. Gaston also is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Paul Satterwaite of Burlington and Merle of Webster City, Ia., and Mrs. Gaston by one sister, Mrs. Arthur Lersch of Davenport.

Efforts to locate either Mr. or Mrs. Lersch were futile this morning. Friends here reported, however, it is doubtful if even Mrs. Lersch could establish the identity of the injured twin as they resembled each other so greatly few besides their parents knew them apart.

Plans for services have not been made and probably will not be decided before late tomorrow as it was indicated an inquest might be held at Davenport Tuesday.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 144, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA

*** NOTE: Contacted by daughter of Joyce on 4-12-2022. See image below which reveals which twin girl actually died.

Photo of Jack and Evelyn Gaston
 

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