ONE KILLED ONE INJURED AS CAR HITS ENGINE

Elmon West, 40, of Herman, Killed, Gerald Reid Injured

ENGINE IS DISABLED

Elmon West, 40 of Herman, well know resident of this county, died as the result of injuries received early Saturday morning when his car struck an idle switch engine standing on the tracks at Third street in Blair.

Riding with West was Gerald Reid, also of Herman, who sustained a broken leg when thrown from the seat by the impact. He is said to be on the road to recovery.

The accident occurred about 4:30 a.m. and West died in the Covenant hospital in Omaha at 7:30 a.m. the same day. He was badly crushed about the chest by the impact of the steering wheel.

The car, a heavy Buick sedan, was badly wrecked and the switch engine was damaged to the extent that it had to be towed to Fremont for repairs.

West and Reid, in company with friends, had been in attendance at a party. The friends had been let out of the car in Blair but a few minutes before the accident occurred. It is apparent that the car was not traveling with excessive speed as they had turned onto the highway but a few hundred feet from the scene of the accident.

Elmon West, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. West of Herman, was born in Herman February 1, 1895, and died at the age of 40 years 7 months and 13 days. He lived and grew to manhood in Herman, having spent his entire life in the Herman community. He attended the Herman schools. For a number of years he operated a cafe, having previously had charge of the West hotel. At the time of his death, Mr. West was engaged in the distribution of beer, having a contract for several counties.

Mr. West was known far and wide, having many friends who, with the bereaved family, mourn his loss. He was an active and faithful member of the Herman post of the American Legion, which organization honored him at his funeral Monday.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife and young son, Monte, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. West, six brothers and five sisters. The surviving brothers are: Jesse M., Ben, Fern, Jannings and Glen of Herman and Everett of Lincoln. The remaining sisters are Mrs. Lela Leach and Mrs. Gail Drayer, both of Hooper; Mrs. Ruby Rose of Omaha; Mrs. Opal Jansen of North Bend; and Mrs. Ellender Adams of Tekamah.

Funeral services were held at the Herman American Legion hall Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock with Rev. T. J. Reese of Blair officiating. Music was furnished by Mrs. C. E. Johnson, Mrs. Ivan Helms, Fred Robertson, C. R. Gray with Mrs. T. B. Shrader at the piano. The Jackson Post of the American Legion took charge of the memorial part of the service.

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

FindaGrave # 58167972