Charles Spahr 1935-1945

SPAHR

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/10/2021 at 08:34:34

13 September 1945 - The Anamosa Journal

Charles Edward Spahr, 10, son of Mr. and Mrs. Austin Spahr, who live two miles west of Monticello, died Monday night enroute to a Monticello hospital after he was struck by a car driven by Joseph Hogan, a farmer living eight miles west of Monticello.

Deputy Sheriff Roy D. Cooley, who visited the scene of the accident, said the lad was crossing the road opposite the Spahr home, accompanied by his brother, Joseph, 5. Reports to Mr. Cooley alleged that the boys ran into the path of the Hogan machine. Joseph suffered a deep scalp wound, which was dressed at the hospital.

County authorities canceled an inquest into the boy's death set for Tuesday at the request of his father, who said he didn't believe Hogan was to blame.

13 September 1945 - Monticello Express

Charles Edward Spahr, 10, son of Mr. and Mrs. Austin Spahr, living on the Kehoe farm in Castle Grove, was instantly killed on county road A west of Monticello shortly after five o'clock Monday evening. The child was accidently hit by a car driven by Joe Hogan, 30, a Castle Grove farmer. A brother, Joseph, five, suffered a four inch scalp wound on the back of his neck which was dressed at the hospital. He was taken home Tuesday.

A hearing was held on the accident Tuesday morning at 10:00 in the community building by County Atty. Glenn McLaughlin, Coroner Harrington and Sheriff Henry Eichhorn. It was determined that no inquest was necessary as no crime had been committed.

Hogan had been in Monticello shopping and had started home shortly after 5:00 o'clock. The sun was in his eyes and due to a strong wind the road was dusty. It was determined that he was not driving more than 35 to 37 miles an hour. Charles Spahr apparently did not see the on coming car and ran out into the road. Hogan did not see the boy until it was too late to avoid hitting him. In trying to avoid the child he swung into the ditch on the right hand side of the road and stopped within 50 feet. He narrowly missed hitting a telephone pole and a post in the fence. The Spahr family do not place blame upon Hogan and hold that the accident was unavoidable.

Austin Spahr and his boys had gone to a field across the road to bring the cattle home for milking and feeding. The cattle were being held back in the field, until the father had given the word to let them come across the road.

Charles Edward Spahr is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Austin Spahr, two brothers, Robert and Joseph, and a sister Ruth. Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock at the Penial Presbyterian church in Castle Grove. Services were in charge of Rev. Hodgson, pastor. Miss Helen McLaughlin sang, accompanied by Mrs. Wilbur Cartano.

Charles Edward Spahr is survived by his parents Austin and Helen Spahr, two brothers, Robert and Joseph, and a sister, Ruth. He was born Sept. 3, 1935 at Wayne, Nebr. He came with his family in 1940 to Iowa. He had started to school last week in the 5th grade and was a regular attendent at the Peniel Sunday school and church.

Funeral services were held yesterday afternoon at 2:00 at the Peniel Presbyterian church in Castle Grove. They were in charge of Rev. Hodgsen, Cedar Rapids, pastor and Rev. C. E. Burdine of Anamosa. Mrs. Helen McLaughlin sang accompanied by Mrs. Wilbur Cartano. The active pallbearers were Delmar King, Paul Black, Charles Tuttle and Eugene Hall; and the honorary pallbearers were Howard Hall, David Cartano, Wayne King, Glenn King, Joseph Tuttle and Joseph Dayne.