1 KILLED, ANOTHER INJURED IN CRASH EARLY SUNDAY

Accident Completely Demolishes Auto, Pinning Driver Under Wreck

DEATH IS INSTANT

At about five o’clock last Sunday morning an automobile driven by Chris Paulsen of Blair, and accompanied by Arne Espersen of Omaha, was overturned, completely wrecking the automobile and killing the driver and injuring his companion seriously.

Mr. Paulson, who farms on the Bench north of Blair, had gone to Omaha the previous night and was returning with his friend, Arne Espersen. When opposite the Dr. Stanley farm he had apparently become drowsy, and at this point the car left the road hitting a telephone pole and upsetting in the ditch with the result mentioned.

The accident was discovered by Mrs. Stanley who was driving the cows to the pasture. She immediately gave the alarm, and a physician was called who gave it as his opinion that Paulsen had been dead at least forty minutes. Espersen was at once brought to Blair where he was cared for, and while no bones were discovered broken, he was badly bruised and shaken up, and it will be some time before he is able to return to his duties in Omaha. The car, a hopeless wreck, was brought to the Chevrolet garage.

Mr. Paulsen is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Paulsen of this vicinity, and had for a number of years been farming what is known as the Powers farm on the Bench. He was an industrious, hard working young man, and he has many friends who will grieve with the relatives over his tragic death.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the First Lutheran church in Blair, and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

The Enterprise extends sincere sympathy to the bereaved parents and relatives in their grief.

#2-Pilot Tribune 27 Sep 1934

CHRIS PAULSEN KILLED AS AUTO LEAVES PAVING

Blair Farmer Dies In Wreckage Southeast Of Blair Sunday

Omaha Man Also Hurt In Accident

Believe Paulsen Went To Sleep While Driving; Accident Occurred at the Wilds Farm on Omaha Highway Southeast of Blair

Pinned to the wreckage of his automobile when it crashed through a fence, struck a telephone pole and shot thirty feet through the air before landing the lifeless body of Chris Paulsen, 29, farmer residing north of Blair, was found almost an hour after the accident early Sunday morning. The accident occurred at the J. M. Wilds farm on highway several miles southeast of Blair and it is believed that Paulsen, who was driving, fell asleep just before reaching a slight curve on the paved highway at the Wilde farm.

Arne Espersen, 27, of Omaha who was riding in the car with Paulsen, was thrown clear of the car when it struck the fence, and suffered a bad head injury and severe bruises.

Espersen later said that he regained consciousness to find the car overturned nearby, with Paulsen inside. He started down the road to get help, but meanwhile Mrs. G.E. Stanley, who with her husband resides in the Wilds home, saw the overturned car and went to investigate.

Mrs. Stanley telephoned Sheriff Marion Sutherland, who soon arrived on the scene and ordered an ambulance.

The Paulsen car was completely demolished, having been crumpled on all sides by the terrific impact. Parts of the auto were found scattered for several score feet about the telephone pole. Bits of the upholstering were found clinging to the pole, indicating that the door next to the steering wheel has come open before the car hit the pole.

Espersen, who was well-known in Blair, having been a frequent visitor here, came to the home of T.A. Bohs before receiving medical treatment.

Funeral services for Paulsen were held Tuesday afternoon at the First Lutheran Church, with Rev. James N. Lund officiating. Interment was in the Blair cemetery.

Paulsen was born April 7, 1905, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Paulsen. During the past eight years he had been taking care of his own farm north of Blair.

Left to mourn his sudden death are his parents, two sisters, Eda and Dorothy; and five brothers, Fred, Harold, Raymond, Clarence and Clifford.

Note: His proper name, according to Vig, was Lars Christian Paulsen but he went by "Chris"

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

FindaGrave # 22002455