The Slayton Gazette. Murray Co., MN 12-11-1941
TWO CHILDREN CRUSHED TO DEATH
Fun was turned into heart-rending sorrow in Lake Wilson Sunday afternoon, when two little five year-old children, Karla Godfrey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Godfrey, and Donald Grogan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Grogan, were killed when a three and a half ton gasoline tank rolled on them, crushing them beneath its great weight
It was the second great tragedy to visit Murray County in less than a week, the first being the accidental shooting and death of Mrs. Arthur VandeVelde of this city on Monday of last week. The two ill-fated youngsters with five other children of the neighborhood were playing around the Phillips 66 station, in Lake Wilson, owned by Mahlon Clauson, of this city. Some two months ago the tank had been removed from a truck chassis which needed repairs. The tank had been propped against two steel gasoline barrels, one end of it resting on the ground. Without warning the tank suddenly rolled to the side. The two children were too close to jump out of danger and were caught by the rolling tank, the manhole extensions apparently hitting them and crushing them. The injured children were rushed to Dr. Larson's office, but examination revealed that death in both cases was instantaneous. Both suffered skull fractures and internal injuries. Little Karla also sustained a broken neck and severe face lacerations. Playing with the children at the time were five other youngsters, Lois Grogan, Charles and Rose Marie Hoffman and Keith and Dolores Godfrey. Fortunately they were farther away and out of the track of the falling and rolling tank. What caused the tank to suddenly break loose will, of course, never be known. It is thought that the action of frost might have tipped the barrels and that the wind which reached a thirty mile an hour gale on Sunday might have rocked the tank back and forth until it finally went off ba lance. An inquest was conducted by Coroner Leebens Monday afternoon and it was the jury's verdict that death was accidental. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at Lake Wilson. Rites for Karla Godfrey were held at 1: 30 in the Methodist Ch urch with Dr. J. R. Kapp officiating and at 3: 30 services were held for Donald Grogan in the Lutheran Church with Rev. A. M. Nelson officiating. Both Children were buried in the Lake Wilson Cemetery.
TWO CHILDREN CRUSHED TO DEATH
Fun was turned into heart-rending sorrow in Lake Wilson Sunday afternoon, when two little five year-old children, Karla Godfrey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Godfrey, and Donald Grogan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Grogan, were killed when a three and a half ton gasoline tank rolled on them, crushing them beneath its great weight
It was the second great tragedy to visit Murray County in less than a week, the first being the accidental shooting and death of Mrs. Arthur VandeVelde of this city on Monday of last week. The two ill-fated youngsters with five other children of the neighborhood were playing around the Phillips 66 station, in Lake Wilson, owned by Mahlon Clauson, of this city. Some two months ago the tank had been removed from a truck chassis which needed repairs. The tank had been propped against two steel gasoline barrels, one end of it resting on the ground. Without warning the tank suddenly rolled to the side. The two children were too close to jump out of danger and were caught by the rolling tank, the manhole extensions apparently hitting them and crushing them. The injured children were rushed to Dr. Larson's office, but examination revealed that death in both cases was instantaneous. Both suffered skull fractures and internal injuries. Little Karla also sustained a broken neck and severe face lacerations. Playing with the children at the time were five other youngsters, Lois Grogan, Charles and Rose Marie Hoffman and Keith and Dolores Godfrey. Fortunately they were farther away and out of the track of the falling and rolling tank. What caused the tank to suddenly break loose will, of course, never be known. It is thought that the action of frost might have tipped the barrels and that the wind which reached a thirty mile an hour gale on Sunday might have rocked the tank back and forth until it finally went off ba lance. An inquest was conducted by Coroner Leebens Monday afternoon and it was the jury's verdict that death was accidental. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at Lake Wilson. Rites for Karla Godfrey were held at 1: 30 in the Methodist Ch urch with Dr. J. R. Kapp officiating and at 3: 30 services were held for Donald Grogan in the Lutheran Church with Rev. A. M. Nelson officiating. Both Children were buried in the Lake Wilson Cemetery.
The Slayton Gazette. Murray Co., MN 12-11-1941
TWO CHILDREN CRUSHED TO DEATH
Fun was turned into heart-rending sorrow in Lake Wilson Sunday afternoon, when two little five year-old children, Karla Godfrey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Godfrey, and Donald Grogan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Grogan, were killed when a three and a half ton gasoline tank rolled on them, crushing them beneath its great weight
It was the second great tragedy to visit Murray County in less than a week, the first being the accidental shooting and death of Mrs. Arthur VandeVelde of this city on Monday of last week. The two ill-fated youngsters with five other children of the neighborhood were playing around the Phillips 66 station, in Lake Wilson, owned by Mahlon Clauson, of this city. Some two months ago the tank had been removed from a truck chassis which needed repairs. The tank had been propped against two steel gasoline barrels, one end of it resting on the ground. Without warning the tank suddenly rolled to the side. The two children were too close to jump out of danger and were caught by the rolling tank, the manhole extensions apparently hitting them and crushing them. The injured children were rushed to Dr. Larson's office, but examination revealed that death in both cases was instantaneous. Both suffered skull fractures and internal injuries. Little Karla also sustained a broken neck and severe face lacerations. Playing with the children at the time were five other youngsters, Lois Grogan, Charles and Rose Marie Hoffman and Keith and Dolores Godfrey. Fortunately they were farther away and out of the track of the falling and rolling tank. What caused the tank to suddenly break loose will, of course, never be known. It is thought that the action of frost might have tipped the barrels and that the wind which reached a thirty mile an hour gale on Sunday might have rocked the tank back and forth until it finally went off ba lance. An inquest was conducted by Coroner Leebens Monday afternoon and it was the jury's verdict that death was accidental. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at Lake Wilson. Rites for Karla Godfrey were held at 1: 30 in the Methodist Ch urch with Dr. J. R. Kapp officiating and at 3: 30 services were held for Donald Grogan in the Lutheran Church with Rev. A. M. Nelson officiating. Both Children were buried in the Lake Wilson Cemetery.
TWO CHILDREN CRUSHED TO DEATH
Fun was turned into heart-rending sorrow in Lake Wilson Sunday afternoon, when two little five year-old children, Karla Godfrey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willis Godfrey, and Donald Grogan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Grogan, were killed when a three and a half ton gasoline tank rolled on them, crushing them beneath its great weight
It was the second great tragedy to visit Murray County in less than a week, the first being the accidental shooting and death of Mrs. Arthur VandeVelde of this city on Monday of last week. The two ill-fated youngsters with five other children of the neighborhood were playing around the Phillips 66 station, in Lake Wilson, owned by Mahlon Clauson, of this city. Some two months ago the tank had been removed from a truck chassis which needed repairs. The tank had been propped against two steel gasoline barrels, one end of it resting on the ground. Without warning the tank suddenly rolled to the side. The two children were too close to jump out of danger and were caught by the rolling tank, the manhole extensions apparently hitting them and crushing them. The injured children were rushed to Dr. Larson's office, but examination revealed that death in both cases was instantaneous. Both suffered skull fractures and internal injuries. Little Karla also sustained a broken neck and severe face lacerations. Playing with the children at the time were five other youngsters, Lois Grogan, Charles and Rose Marie Hoffman and Keith and Dolores Godfrey. Fortunately they were farther away and out of the track of the falling and rolling tank. What caused the tank to suddenly break loose will, of course, never be known. It is thought that the action of frost might have tipped the barrels and that the wind which reached a thirty mile an hour gale on Sunday might have rocked the tank back and forth until it finally went off ba lance. An inquest was conducted by Coroner Leebens Monday afternoon and it was the jury's verdict that death was accidental. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at Lake Wilson. Rites for Karla Godfrey were held at 1: 30 in the Methodist Ch urch with Dr. J. R. Kapp officiating and at 3: 30 services were held for Donald Grogan in the Lutheran Church with Rev. A. M. Nelson officiating. Both Children were buried in the Lake Wilson Cemetery.
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