DAWSON, James Willis (1915-1934)

DAWSON

Posted By: Ann Bowler (email)
Date: 1/18/2012 at 19:44:52

“The Indianola Tribune”, Indianola, Iowa, October 10, 1934, pages 1 & 3.
“Willis Dawson Is Killed In Auto Accident”

“Funeral of Popular Young Freshman Leader and Star Athlete at M. E. Church Sunday.

“The funeral of Willis Dawson, 19, one of the most popular students on the Simpson campus, star athlete and an outstanding leader in the freshman class, who was almost instantly killed last Thursday night about 6:30 o’clock when his automobile crash into a southbound truck near the Middle River bridge, was held at the Methodist Episcopal church Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Kyle Dawson.

His companion, James Ritchie, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. O. Ritchie, was seriously injured from a blow on the head. He was rushed to the community hospital in the J. J. Orr & Co. ambulance, where it was reported Tuesday that he would recover. He has been conscious only at intervals, but a marked improvement in his condition was noted by his attending physician Tuesday.

Was Highly Esteemed

Young Dawson’s death came as a shock to the students on the Simpson campus, his numerous friends in the high school where he graduated last spring, and to the entire community which had watched his progress through the public schools of Indianola with an affectionate interest, and which had observed him as he developed the qualities of leadership that had made him such an outstanding personality among his classmates in the senior class and at Simpson.

The two boys were on their way to Des Moines when the tragedy occurred. As they approached the Middle river bridge, a car driven by C. E. Hill and a truck were in the line of traffic just ahead of them. Willis, who was driving, started to pass the two vehicles. He passed the car, but just ahead of him was a truck headed south, driven by Earl Scott, and owned by S. E. Rower of Sheridan, Mo.

Crashes Into Truck

Realizing that he would be unable to steer his car through the narrow lane young Dawson applied the brakes with such force that his car was thrown into the southbound traffic lane, and he crashed into the front of the truck. The impact hurled his car back in front of Mr. Hill’s automobile. Mr. Hill was the first person to reach the Dawson automobile which was almost completely wrecked. Both boys were unconscious.

The Orr ambulance was called and young Ritchie was removed to the hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson were notified of the accident by Merrill Lawyer who was returning home from Des Moines. He drove to Indianola and drove them back to the scene of the tragedy. Sheriff Frank Houghtaling also called and assisted in removing the body of young Dawson who was almost instantly killed, to the ambulance.

Services were brief

The funeral services were brief. There was no music and no obituary was read. There was a prayer by the Rev. Dr. Mearle A. Gable, who also preached the funeral sermon. He was assisted by the Rev. Sampson Cocks, pastor of the First Presbyterian church were Willis had attended Sunday school. Both ministers united the service at the graveside and there was another prayer by the Rev. Mr. Cocks.

Every available seat in the Methodist church was occupied by friends of young Dawson. Players on the Indianola high school team on which he played fullback, and members of the college varsity eleven, where he gave promise of developing into a great backfield ace, were present.

Friends Pay Respects

Classmates of the 1934 graduating class in the high school and of the freshman class in college sat in a body during the brief services. Members of his college fraternity, the Alpha Tau Omega group, to which he was pledged this fall, were there to pay their last respects. Simpson sororities all sat in groups. Citizens who had loved him for the sheer fineness of his nature and for his interesting personality were there to pay a last tribute to a boy whom they had expected to go far in whatever career he choose to follow.

No greater tribute could be paid to the character of Willis Dawson than the large number of friends present at the funeral. The bronze casket was covered with flowers and the pulpit was banked with masses of blossoms and beautiful sprays of bloom.

A Good Student

In high school Willis Dawson was a good student and ranked well up in his classes. He took part in numberous activities while in high school where he made a good record all the way through his course. Superintendant W. H. Hoyman spoke of the unusual qualities of leadership which he possessed and of his constant willingness to cooperate wherever he could. He was president of his class in high school.

As an athlete he was perhaps one of the greatest that ever donned a high school uniform. He won more letters, probably, than any previous athlete as fullback on the football team, center on the basketball team, and in the quarter mile run. He brought many honors to his high school in athletics.

A Fine Athlete

It was the concensus of opinion in the high school and on the Simpson campus that he was headed for even greater athletic laurels in college. He was always spoken of as a fine sport. In spite of his own outstanding ability, his teachers, as well as his teammates, state that he never spoke of it, and he was unspoiled as he headed into his college career.

He was also spoken of as companionable and agreeable. He was open and frank and unselfish and showed an unusual spirit of friendlines. His life was clean and he had an ambition to build up a strong physique. He was ambitious for a college education and was willing to work for it. He had a job at the college to pay his expenses.
Willis Dawson was born in Des Moines May 29, 1915. He began his education at the Smedley school near Wick where his parents lived for a short time. He continued his school work at the Hawthorne school in Indianola, completing the high school course last May. As a boy he was baptized in the Methodist church.
He is survivedy by his parents and one brother, Kyle Dawson.”