Paul Edward Mersch (1912-1941)

HILL, MERSCH

Posted By: Eileen Reed
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:07:01

The Algona Upper Des Moines
Algona, Iowa
Thursday, October 16, 1941

Wedding Dance Ends In Tragedy

One Killed, Two Hurt Near West Bend in Kossuth

Paul Mersch Dies; Francis Mersch and Friend Injured at 1 A. M. Wednesday Morning

A wedding dance near West Bend ended in tragedy, early Wednesday morning, when one young man was killed, and two others injured, in an automobile accident one-half mile south and, one and one-half miles east of West Bend.

The mishap occurred at 1 a. m. The dead and injured: Paul Mersch, 28, Eagle Grove, died about 5 a. m. at the Kossuth hospital from injuries. Francis Mersch, 27, Eagle Grove, cracked ribs, treated and returned home. Melbourne Hill, 23, Eagle Grove, head injuries, and still in the Kossuth hospital.

The Mersch family lived in the West Bend vicinity until about six years ago, when they moved to Eagle Grove. The accident happened only a mile from their old family home. The Mersch family has many relatives in the vicinity.

As the story was pieced together by Sheriff A. J. Cogley, the trio, driving a 1940 Buick, owned by John Mersch, father of the two boys, started home after the wedding dance.

To save distance, they took county road E, and started east toward highway 169. At the point of the tragedy, the road suddenly narrows for a bridge. The car struck the south railing, crashed across the bridge and rolled 132 feet before coming to a stop.

Paul Mersch was thrown 84 feet ahead of the car after it stopped, and Hill was thrown some 42 feet from the car off to the side of the road. Francis was found lying beside the machine, by Matt Fehr, who happened along after the crash. Fehr got in touch with nearby farmers, and help was summoned.

Just who was driving is still not clear Sheriff Cogley said. Hill seemed indefinite on that point, and Francis Mersch had gone to Eagle Grove before the sheriff had a chance to talk with him. Francis was home on a furlough from Camp Bowie, Texas.

The machine was practically a total wreck, the sheriff said.

The body of Paul was taken to Eagle Grove, where funeral services will probably be held.

******

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, October 16, 1941

Paul Mersch Fatally Injured In Auto Accident

Passes Away In Hospital At Algona

Melbourne Hill and Francis Mersch, Seriously But Not Dangerously Injured, Will Recover.

Paul Mersch, 28, lost his life in an auto accident 1½ miles east of West Bend early Wednesday morning. Melbourne Hill, driver of the car owned by Mersch's father, sustained a severe scalp wound, abrasions and bruises. Francis Mersch, brother of the dead boy has two broken ribs and serious bruises.

The boys had attended a dance at West Bend and were enroute home about 1:30 yesterday morning. They were driving east on a gravel road and Hill turned out on the shoulder to pass another car, and did not get the car back into the road in time to avoid hitting a bridge railing with the front fender. The car bounded over against the other railing and turned over several time before coming to a stop. All three boys were thrown from the car, Paul Mersch being found 100 feet from the point of the impact. There were no reflector lights on the bridge the Eagle was informed.

A skull fracture caused young Mersch's death. With Hill he was taken to the Kossuth county hospital at Algona where Mersch died at 5:20 yesterday morning. Francis Mersch was taken to the home of his aunt, Mrs. Matt Schmalen, who lives in West Bend, where his injuries were taken care of and he was, brought to the home of his parents Mr. and Mrs. John Mersch, yesterday forenoon. They live on a farm about 2½ miles southeast of Eagle Grove. Francis Mersch, who has been in the army at Camp Bowie. Texas, since last March, is home on a furlough. Hill has been called for induction into the army Oct. 24th.

Accident Near Former Home

The scene of the accident 1½ miles east ot West Bend is less than, a mile from the farm where Mr. Mersch lived prior to moving to his present home southeast of Eagle Grove known as the George Wright-Chris Hansen farm.

Hill Doing Well

The Eagle called the hospital at Algona yesterday afternoon and learned that Hill was doing nicely and would recover, his condition being regarded as satisfactory. Francis Mersch should be able to be up and around in a few days. The car which is practically a total wreck, was hauled to West Bend.

Funeral Tomorrow Morning

Funeral services for Paul Mersch will be held at Sacred Heart church tomorrow, Friday morning at 9:30. Burial will be ln Calvary cemetery.

******

The Globe-Gazette
Mason City, Iowa
Thursday, October 16, 1941

Plan Rites Of Mishap Victim

Paul Mersch, 29, of Eagle Grove, to Be Buried on Friday

EAGLE GROVE–Funeral services for Paul Mersch, 29, who was fatally injured in an automobile accident near West Bend, Wednesday morning will be held at the Sacred Heart church in Eagle Grove Friday in charge of the Rev. Father J. L. Byrne. Burial will be in Calvary cemetery Kubitschek and Kastler.

Death occurred shortly atter he was taken to the hospital in Algona. The two others in the car were Melbourne Hill, the driver of the car, and Francis Mersch, brother of Paul. They were injured. The accident occurred near West Bend, when the car struck the abutment of a bridge over a drainage ditch, and was believed to have turned over several times. The men were returning after attending a wedding dance at West Bend.

Surviving are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. John P. Mersch of Eagle Grove; seven brothers and two sisters.