Obituary Record

Oscar F. (Dr.) Newell
Died on 5/1/1917
Buried in Blair Cemetery

#1-Published in the Pilot May 9, 1917

Dr. Oscar Newell

Word was received Monday evening of the death of Dr. Oscar Newell while crossing the railroad track in an auto between Plainview and Creighton at about five o’clock. He stopped some distance from the track, evidently to listen to hear if the train was coming. He then went on and as it was up grade he didn’t get up much speed and the engine died on the track. The car was knocked fifty feet and utterly ruined, while the occupant was instantly killed. His daughter, Jean, was here visiting John and Mrs. Newell and they left at eight o’clock in a car for Plainview, arriving at 5 yesterday morning. The body is to be brought here on the morning train from the west and the funeral will be held at the home of his parents, at 3 o’clock this afternoon, interment in the Blair cemetery. Oscar was born in Omaha Oct. 30th, 1866, and was therefore nearing his 51st birthday. The family moved to this county when he was a small child and he grew to manhood here. He attended school at Shenandoah, Ia. for a time and also took a course at Kansas City in veterinary work, which profession he has followed for the past ten years. He was married to Miss Alice Bradley, a sister of Mrs. John Newell, jr., in this city Oct. 20th, 1898, and an only daughter, Jean, was born to them. Besides the wife and daughter he leaves his father and mother, one brother, John, and one sister, Mrs. John McKay. The Pilot joins many friends of the sorrowing families in deepest sympathy for them in their sudden bereavement. Oscar was a member of the Masonic lodge and also of the Order of the Eastern Star.

#2-Published in the Blair Democrat May 10, 1917

Dr. Oscar F. Newell Killed At Railroad Crossing

The news of the tragic death of Dr. Oscar F. Newell, of Plainview, reached this city Monday evening and was a distinct shock to his parents and many friends in Blair.

Dr. Newell was instantly killed Monday afternoon at the Chicago & Northwestern railroad crossing five miles northwest of Plainview by being struck by a passenger train. His car was thrown fifty feet and completely wrecked.

His brother, J. W. Newell, Jr., went up to Plainview Monday night and Tuesday telegraphed to his parents that Oscar was making a hurry-up call and, as he neared the railroad, saw the oncoming train and stopped his car almost 100 feet from the crossing but thought he could make the crossing before the train. He started his car, went up a short grade to the tracks and when on the track, the engine in the car stopped. The passenger engine struck him a few seconds later, killing him instantly. His body was terribly cut up and mangled.

Oscar P. Newell, was a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Newell, Sr., of Blair, and was born in Omaha, Nebr., October 30, 1866. He came to Washington County with his parents while in infancy, and was educated in the Blair schools and Shenandoah College. He was married in Blair on Oct.20, 1898, to Miss Alice Bradley. To this union on daughter, Jean, was born. With his family Mr. Newell left Blair sixteen years ago and has been located at Plainview, where he was a practicing veterinarian. He was a member of the Masonic Order and Eastern Star.

He is survived by his wife and daughter, his parents, and one brother, John W. Newell, Jr., and one sister, Mrs. John McKay, of this city.

The funeral was held Wednesday at 3 p.m. from the residence of J. W. Newell, Sr., Rev. Underwood, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, conducting the services. The remains were escorted to Blair Cemetery by members of the Masonic Lodge, where they were laid to their last resting place, with impressive ceremonies.

Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.

Printed in the Blair Pilot on 5/9/1917


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