Grundy County IL Archives Obituaries.....Seversen, Anna 1931 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 3, 2007, 2:31 am Morris Herald, 1931 Morris Herald 1931 Fatal Railroad Accident Resulting in the Death of two Morris Ladies and the Injury of Several People. The city of Morris has surely came to her time of mourning. Aside from death from natural causes mourners are many because of fatality unprecedented has visited us within a few days. Last we we reported on the deadly assault made upon the household of Charles Decker, and on Saturday followed the wrecking of a train on the Rock Island Road accompanied by its slaughter of innocent persons. But, to be brief: The train leaving this place Saturday morning, at 6:43, reached Joliet on time. Passing the river and canal bridges in safety, a switch loosened and threw the passenger car in rear of the smoking car sideling, against the rail support on the viaduct crossing, near the round house, tearing the car badly, carrying death with it. In this car were a number of Morris people on their way to Joliet and Chicago, two of whom were killed and others injured. The killed were Anna Seversen and Mrs. Otis Pratt, while Susan Ambruster, sister of Anna Seversen, Mr. and Mrs. Al. Wiley, Judge Wing, and Adam Werner, were more or less injured, but none seriously. The Joliet News says of the wreck: The Scene of the Casualty was at the Desplaines street viaduct of the C. R. I. & P. R. R., a few rods west of the freight house in this city. It was quickly made known by the large throng of people who hurried along the streets from all directions, drawn to the place with feelings of mingled curiousity and horror. One brief glance sufficed. It was a terrible wreck in every meaning of the term. The central portion of a passenger train was torn, rent asunder, and the debris scattered along the track in promiscuous shape. One coach rested upon its side, and in the floor was a large jagged hole, where the car had collided with the solid, iron trestle of the viaduct. Through this opening had been forced portions of broken seats, cushions, iron beams and broken timbers. It was at this point that the two fatalities of the wreck occurred. Dark Stains of Blood and pieces of human flesh clinging to the lower part of the overturned car marked the spot where the two victims met their death. They were caught in the collision, and as the wrecked car passed over the trestle guard the two women were drawn through the opening and their bodies crushed and mutilated beyond all semblance of human beings. Their remains were scattered over the grounds in bruised and bleeding shreds. It was a sickening sight, and many turned away unable to witness the terrible ordeal. The largest piece of the bodies remaining was a part of one of the limbs - a hand upon which was a band ring. The Heart of One of the Victims was torn wholly from the body, and as it lay on the cinders near the rails a number of the bystanders were horrified to see the organ still performing its functions, the blood gushing forth on the ground. This peculiar pulsation continued for nearly a minute before it ceased. In the meantime the patrol, filled with officers, arrived, and the mangled remains of the the two women were gathered up in two heaps, and conveyed to the undertakers - one to Chamberlin's and one to Riley's - where they were held for identification. The trips of the patrol were made with all possible dispatch, for there was lots of work to perform. Fortunately there were no more dead bodies to be removed, although for a time a rumor prevailed that a man was also among the fatally injured. Mrs. Pratt was a resident of Joliet at the time of the accident. She had been to Morris on a visit to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam'l Jepson, and was returning home at the time of the accident. She had been married to Mr. Pratt about three years. She leaves a child, by a former husband, aged about 6 years. Her remains were brought here on Saturday evening and the funeral service took place from the Baptist church on Sunday morning. Anna Enderson, or as she was better known here, Anna Seversen, was the other victim. She had started for Joliet to visit during the day with Mrs. Wm. Stage, an old friend. She was a widow about 45 years of age, and was one the best women this city possessed. She frequently gave expression to the remark that she was but a poor washerwoman, but she hoped to be able to do some good in this world. Well did she accomplish her work. No christian or philanthropic work was inaugurated in this city but what it received her support. Years before the Scandinavian Lutheran church was established here Anna got together some of the children and organized a Sunday school which was successfully conducted under her administration. Notwithstanding she was always busy with her work at the wash tub she could always find time to visit the sick and administer to the suffering. She was truly one of the best women of our city and the manner of her death caused sorrow in many households. Messrs. O. J. Nelson and Ole Erickson went to Joliet on the Saturday noon train and had the remains brought to this city on the 3:20 train Sunday, when they were taken direct to the Lutheran church where the funeral was held, Rev. Nelsen officiating, followed by remarks in English from Rev. Magner. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/obits/s/seversen761nob.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb