SAFFELL, Harold Thomas

SAFFELL, PETERS, REDMAN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/16/2015 at 06:28:38

Humeston New Era
Humeston, Wayne County, Iowa
March, 1940

Obituary ~ Harold Thomas Saffell
June 3, 1913 ~ March 01, 1940

The first fatal accident to occur within the town of Humeston took the life of Harold Thomas Saffell, 26, shortly before midnight Friday as he was walking along the pavement on his way home after the evening session of the boys sectional basketball tournament here.

Young Saffell resided on a farm near the Richman schoolhouse several miles northwest of Humeston, with his father and mother and younger members of the family and had been attending the evening games of the basketball tournament in the new school gymnasium here, walking because of the condition of the country roads. While on his way home, walking along the west side of the pavement going north on Front Street, also known as No. 65, about the lowest point in the swale north of the K&W railroad track near the house occupied by the Ed Pool family, he was struck from the rear by a car and flung back over the car and apparently instantly killed by a concussion of the back of his head against some part of the car, which was driven by a young man named Hugh Moore, one of a party of four boys or young men from Russell who had been here to attend the tournament in which a team from their town was playing that evening.

The boys in the car explained afterward that the driver had started around another car which was going much slower than they desired to travel as they were a long way from home and the driver did not see the man walking until he was struck and flung up on or over the car.

They stopped and other parties from Russell went back and examined the situation and one or more came back into the business section and to the Richard Cafe seeking a representative of the law. Fortunately Dr. D.N. Hyatt, Wayne county coroner, Night Watchman L.D. Foster and Guy Williams, who is a sworn officer with authority to act in addition to his duties as street commissioner, were all at hand and went at once to the scene. Dr. Hyatt examined the various witnesses and decided the casualty would be classed as an unavoidable accident because of poor visibility and that an inquest was not required.

Sheriff Nessen and Deputy Hogue had been notified and had come from Corydon, and the young man's father, Allen M. Saffell was notified. The occupants of the fatal car were almost hysterical with grief over the unfortunate affair particularly one who was said to have been concerned in another road accident a short time ago.

The body of the unfortunate young man was brought to the Hutchinson and Son undertaking rooms and prepared for burial. Funeral Services were held Sunday in the Christian church at Weldon and burial made at Green Bay cemetery nearby.

Because of soft roads the distance between the surfaced highway and the cemetery was traversed by wagon, five wagons having been provided. From here to Weldon, a roundabout route on paving and surfaced road by way of Leon was used.

Harold was born in Clarke county June 3, 1913: graduated from Weldon high school with class honors at the age of 16 and is said to have been a fine young man with no vices or bad habits who enjoyed being with his parents and assisted with farm work. The grief stricken parents and other members of the family have the sympathy of all in their loss which came so suddenly without warning.

Harold Thomas, son of Allen and Laura Saffell was born in Clarke County June 3, 1913 and departed this life March 1, 1940 at the age of 26 years, 8 months and 28 days. He graduated from the Weldon high school in 1930 having spent his boyhood in that vicinity.

He made the confession of Christ in the Methodist church in Van Wert. In 1934 he with his parents moved to a farm near Humeston where he has since made his home. Harold was a young man of excellent character and had the respect of all who knew him. He was an obedient son, a kind brother and will be greatly missed by his family, relatives and friends.

He leaves to mourn his departure his parents, two brothers, Marvin of Van Wert and Darrell at home, four sisters, Mrs. Madge Peters of Fresno, California, Mrs. Lila Redman of Van Wert, Roberta and Virginia at home, three nephews and six nieces and many other relatives and friends. One brother, Russell Allen, preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon March 3 at 1:30 in the Christian Church in Weldon conducted by C.W. Rissinger of Van Wert. Singers were Messrs. Dalton Binford, F.W. Cundy, Ray Krutsinger and Wesley Lowe with Mrs. Alta Kimberlin at the piano.

Contributed by Karyl Bonnett