Herman Man Killed As Car Plunges Into Creek

James R. Golden, of Herman, was killed when his car went out of control and plunged to the bottom of a 35 foot deep creek. The accident took place about 6:00 p.m. Sunday, September 5th near the Howard Kubie residence two miles north of Blair on Highway 73.

Riding with Golden was Frank Briggs who escaped with only minor injuries.

Briggs related that their car was traveling south. Just before coming to the bridge Briggs said the car hit a deep puddle of water. The water covered the windshield and they could not see where they were going. The next thing he remembers was climbing out of the car in the bottom of the creek.

Briggs climbed up the steep bank and went to the Ben Moore farm to summon help.

The car went off the east side of the bridge and knocked off a power pole and the east guard rail of the bridge. Electricity for the farms in the area were off for several hours while the pole was replaced and new wires hung. Cars wee lined up on either side of the bridge for about a half an hour while the fallen wires wee being removed from the bridge.

The car landed on its top and then rolled back onto its wheels in the shallow water of the creek. Pictured above shows the car resting on its wheels at the bottom of the creek. The car came down the bank beside the bridge in the background.

James R. Golden, son of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Golden, of Herman, was born August 10, 1945, and was just 20 years of age. He graduated from the Herman High School in 1963. On September 22nd he was to report for his physical examination for induction into the service of the U. S. Army.

Besides his parents, he is survived by a brother, Morris Golden, of Sioux City, Iowa, and three nieces.

Funeral services were held at 2 P.M. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church in Tekamah. Interment was in the Tekamah Cemetery with the Hamel & Peck Mortuary in charge of arrangements.