Katherine BALLARD

BALLARD, KEITH, OMARA, FARMER, FUNSTON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:51

Katherine Ballard
November 17, 1874 --- December 10, 1916

DOUBLE FUNERAL HELD OF VICTIMS OF TRAIN CRASH

EAGLE GROVE- Dec.10 — A double funeral was held at Eagle Grove Thursday, when the bodies of K. K. Keith, president of the Iowa Jeweler's association, and Miss Kate Ballard, killed at a railroad crossing accident, were buried. The accident occurred when Keith and Miss Ballard, who was a life long friend, failed to see a Great Western passenger train approaching. It struck their automobile between the wheels and carried it a quarter of a mile. Keith, who was born in 1870, had lived in Eagle Grove for 19 years and was one of the most successful jewelers and opticians in the state. Miss Ballard had lived here about 20 years ago.

Des Moines Daily News -- Des Moines, Iowa
December 17, 1916

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Karl K. Keith and Miss Kate Ballard were instantly killed on the McVicker crossing on the Great Western Sunday afternoon about 3:55 o’clock. They were going south in Mr. Keith's Chandler Roadster with all the side curtains on, which undoubtedly prevented Mr. Keith from seeing or hearing the approaching train. The train was the west bound afternoon passenger on the Great Western due in Eagle Grove at 3:42. It was a few minutes late.

Engineer Only Witness

The only real eyewitness of the accident was the engineer. The auto approaching the crossing from his side of the cab. He whistled for the crossing at the proper time but did not see the auto at all until within two car lengths from the crossing. He says he hit the car squarely in the center. He immediately shut off the throttle and applied the air, bringing the train to a stop about 1100 feet from the grossing, or about 1-4 of a mile away.

Passengers on the train saw the car approaching including Attorney J. R. Files of Fort Dodge. He said the car was approaching the crossing at a speed of about 30 miles per hour. Other passengers saw wheels and other parts of the auto fly past the coach windows and knew they were on the scene of a tragedy.

Mr. Keith's body was picked up a few yards from the rear of the train, the entire train having passed over it. It had been carried along on the pilot with a part of the car almost the entire distance from the crossing to the place where the train was brought to a stop.

Miss Ballard's body was but a few rods farther away on the south side of the track. Both were dead when examined by the trainmen and others at the scene of the accident.

Identification by Passengers

A number of Eagle Grove people were on the train and soon identified the bodies. They were Arthur Deibler, Jesse Banks, Phi Beal and Milas Pooley. Mr. Keith's body was so badly mangled identification was only made by his large diamond ring, diamond tie pin, lodge cards, etc. Miss Ballard's identity was more easily established.

Bodies Held for Coroner

The conductor of the train left a Great Western conductor who happened to be a passenger on the train, in charge of the bodies with orders to keep them there until the coroner was notified and instructions received. Dr. Sams was notified by telephone and he said he would come over at once and to leave the bodies where they were until he arrived. About 40 minutes after he was notified, he arrived and made a careful examination of everything in connection with the accident. Took the testimony of Cassius McVicker, Henry Larson and Mr. Christensen who were near the scene of the tragedy, and then had the bodies brought to town to the Kastler Undertaking parlors where a more thorough examination was made and the valuables found on the bodies sent to the proper persons. Miss Ballard wore several diamond rings, a diamond broach and Mr. Keith wore a large diamond ring and a diamond stickpin. All were found intact. The crystal on Mr. Keith's watch was broken and the watch was not running. It had stopped at 3:44 but the hand had been moved back a trifle as the trainmen agreed that they reached the crossing about 3:55 p.m. After filling out the death certificates Dr. Sams ordered Miss Ballard's body taken to the Kubitschek Undertaking parlors in accordance with the wishes of her relatives and said no inquest was necessary. The Great Western's claim agent who lives in Clarion accompanied Dr. Sams and assisted in examination as did Marshals Warren, Fisher and Onerem.

Both Prominent Here

Both victims of the tragedy were prominent in Eagle Grove. Miss Ballard moved here with her parents about 18 years ago and for several years she was a popular and efficient employee of the Baker dry goods store. At one time she had entire charge of the dry goods department and later was in charge of the bookkeeping work. She was prominent in club and social circles, serving two years as matron of the Eastern Star, at the same time Mr. Keith was patron. She was a member of the Congregational church, and was a lady of large acquaintance and a host of warm, personal friends feel her tragic death with the most profound sorrow, and they feel a bereavement kindred to that of the stricken mother, sister and brothers.

Double Funeral

The funeral exercises were held together in the Methodist church, Thursday afternoon and the burial was in the same grave in Rose Hill cemetery. Rev. L. M. Pierce of the Congregational church was in charge of the service. The Masonic funeral ceremony was also exemplified at the church and grave.

Those Who Survive

Miss Ballard is survived by her mother, two brothers and one sister. Miss Anna Ballard lives at home with her mother, Ed Ballard at Berlin, Iowa, and James Ballard in St. Louis. All were here for the funeral.

Mr. Keith is survived by his step-mother, Mrs. S. E. Keith of Ramona, South Dakota, two brothers; Leo B. Keith of Colman, South Dakota, and Victor W. Keith of Los Angeles, Calif., two sisters, Mrs. G. W. Farmer of Chicago and Mrs. G. E. Funston of Ramona, South Dakota. All were here for the funeral. The relatives were notified Sunday evening and Leo Keith of Colman, South Dakota left at once in his car and caught a train at Sioux Falls for Fort Dodge arriving here at 1:30 Monday afternoon, and a message was received from Victor Keith from Los Angeles saying he would arrive Thursday morning so the funeral was postponed until Thursday afternoon.

Mr. Keith came to Eagle Grove 18 years ago next spring. He has been identified with all movements for the upbuilding and betterment of our city. He was president of the opera house association and supervised the entire construction of the new building. When he came to Eagle Grove he put in an entire new stock of jewelry and later bought the Ed B. Leckey jewelry store and consolidated it with his own. He was also prominent in the jewelry and optometrically circles of the state, having been president of the state association, a director in the organization and also a delegate to the national jeweler’s association. He was also president of the First National Bank at Colman, South Dakota of which his brother Leo is cashier.

He took great interest in his optometry work devoting years of study into the science and won the degree of Fellow of Optometric Science. He was also an active worker in the Knights of Pythias order and was an 82nd degree Mason. For many years he was the local C. N. & W. watch inspector. He was 46 years of age.

Mr. Keith was a citizen of unusual public spirit taking a personal interest in everything pertaining to the city's welfare and was always ready to give time or money to every Enterprise for the betterment of the city in any way. He was a good singer and for years was a member of the Congregational choir and was a member of the Eagle Grove male quartet. He will be sorely missed in all the social, fraternal, and businesses of the city. He was active and prominent in all.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, December 14, 1916

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[born in Andalusia, Rock Island, Illinois; daughter of James W. Ballard and Anne (O'Mara) Ballard; interred in Rose Hill Cemetery in Eagle Grove;]