Larry MONSON

MONSON, UMSTEAD, PARKER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/31/2008 at 14:36:28

Funeral services were held here Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. for Larry Monson, 4, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Monson of here, who was struck and killed by a car on Wesley's main street, Thursday evening about 6 p.m. Larry was playing with some companions along the curb, when he ran in front of a machine driven by LeRoy Umstead, 32, of Eagle Grove, and was struck. He suffered a basal skull fracture and both legs were broken. Death was said to be almost instantaneous.

Umstead, who runs a sales barn at Eagle Grove, and his companion, Leo Parker, also of Eagle Grove, were held for questioning, Thursday night, and a coroner's jury convened Friday morning, called by Dr. R. A. Evans, county coroner, and H. W. Miller, county attorney. The men were later released. The jury after going over all facts in the matter brought in a verdict to the effect that there was no felonious intent on the part of the car. On the jury were Tom McMahon, John Hutchinson and Rev. J. A. Riggs.

Deputy Sheriff Ralph Lindhort, Highway Patrolman D. S. Hutchinson and Coroner Evans investigated the accident immediately after it was reported, Thursday night. Reports stated that Larry was playing near the Monson home with some other children near the west edge of town, on highway 18. After the accident he was picked up and taken to a dentist's office by Glenn Roland, who happened to be passing at the time. Umstead was stunned by the tragedy. Mrs. Monson heard the children scream, ran out and picked up her youngest child from the pavement. Besides his parents, Larry is survived by four brothers, Martin, Julius, Wilbur and Oscar, and one sister, Deloris.

Source unknown, ca. 1946