TRIO KILLED IN AUTO CRASH
Three persons were instantly killed and six others injured in the crash of two cars
at a rural intersection six miles northeast of North Liberty about 5 o’clock Sunday
afternoon.
H. Frank Smith, 59, who operated a grocery in Elkhart and Dora Smith, 56, his
wife, and Norton Bane, 62, of Goshen, were the victims. Albert W. Bemiller, 53, who
lives north of Wakarusa near State road No. 19, was the driver of the car. His back and
side were injured and head bruised. Phoebe Bemiller, his wife, had her left collar bone
broken. Elmina Bane, left collar bone broken.
“At a crossing of two gravel roads, two miles north of North Liberty and four
miles west of U.S. 31,” Mr. Bemiller said Monday morning, “there is a church at the
southwest corner. Driving east at about 35 to 40 miles an hour, I did not see the cap
approaching from the south until I was within about 30 feet of the crossing. I judged it
was 200 feet away, and didn’t think there was any chance of a crash; but it was coming
faster than I judged, and hit the right rear wheel of my car, hurling it over, and when it
stopped it was facing west, on its top, against a barbed wire fence.”
Mr. Smith, a native of Baugo township, was a well known resident of the
community between Elkhart and Wakarusa, having engaged in various activities in that
section over a long period of years. He owned different farms at different periods, and
for 15 or more years operated a garage and later a grocery near the intersection of
Oakland avenue and the Mishawaka road. He also had a grocery at the corner of Oakland
avenue and Mason street some years ago, and two years ago embarked in that business at
929 Garfield avenue.
This business, a relative said Monday, he had arranged to sell, and the sale was to
be consummated Tuesday. Six years ago he was a candidate in the democratic primaries
for the nomination for trustee of Concord township.
Mr. Smith’s mother, Mrs. Samuel J. Smith, lives with her grandson, Howard F.
Christner, 522 Laurel street, Elkhart. A sister, Mrs. Melvin Christner, lives at 610 West
Franklin street, Elkhart.
Mrs. Smith, who was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Stauffer, was born
near Wakarusa. Surviving her beside the sisters, Mrs. Bane and Mrs. Bemiller, are a son
by a former marriage, Forrest Waterman of 1701 Roys avenue, Elkhart; a daughter by
Mr. Smith, Mrs. Harry L. (Beulah) Himebaugh of 1911 Oakland avenue, Elkhart; and
three grandchildren.
Mrs. Smith’s brother, Leander Stauffer of Goshen, died one year ago, suddenly in
a heart attack.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith were members of Blue Grass grange.
A son of Mr. and Mrs. Bane, Norman Bane, died 19 years ago of injuries received
in attempting to load an automobile on a freight car at the Crow Motor Co’s siding.
Mr. and Mrs. Waterman and one of their sons, Gerald, arrived home Sunday night
from a 10-day visit with friends in Oklahoma City.
Mr. Bane, who was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Bane, was born in Goshen,
and lived there all his life. Surviving beside his wife, Elmina, is a grandson, Robert
Bane, of Elkhart. The Bane home is at 319 First street, Goshen.
Funeral services for the Smiths were held this week Wednesday afternoon in
Elkhart.
7-9-1936