Rock Springs Rocket, Jul 19, 1929
AUTO ACCIDENT KILLS THREE
Car Drops Fifty Feet After Leaving Road And Crushes Victims
Charles P. Wassung And Wife And Charles Durham Instantly Killed When Machine Rolls Off Road At Superior Hill
Apparently the hand of destiny guided the automobile which sent three beloved old residents of Rock Springs to sudden death Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The accident occurred on what is known as Superior hill, on the Lincoln Highway 21 miles east of this city. The car, a roadster, headed through a protection railing and fell fifty feet, pinning the occupants beneath.
All were instantly killed, each of them sustaining a broken neck in addition to other fatal injuries.
Durham At Wheel
Charles Durham was driving the car which was his own. He was known as a cautious and careful driver. Why the machine got beyond control and lunged off the highway to deal death to its three occupants will always remain a mystery as the only eye witness to the tragedy could not accurately say. A Mrs. Delquardt of Casper reports to have seen the accident. She states that the car suddenly began to wobble as though the steering were impaired and then bolted off the road.
Traveling East
The party was taking a drive and it is believed they were headed east, going up the hill, at the time of the accident although officers who investigated the tragedy are not thoroughly convinced that this was the case. There is evidence that the car struck the rocky side of the embankment on the opposite side of the road before plunging over the hillside.
Mrs. Durham, widow of the decedent, states that very often she and her husband would drive to Thayer Junction. There they would visit with Joe Zambai, proprietor of the store, take refreshments and return home. Just the Sunday before Mrs. Durham left here for California, where she was visiting when word came of her husband's sudden death, they had made such a trip. At that time Mr. Zambai requested that sometime they bring Charles Wassung with them and Mrs. Durham is convinced that they had planned such a visit and were enroute there when death overtook them.
Many Near
Altho many cars were in the immediate vicinity of the ill-fated roadster, only Mrs. Delquardt reports to have actually seen the accident. Lon Davis, the prohibition officer was one of the first to reach the scene as was Robert Stretz, of Superior. These men, assisted by others who reached the scene shortly after them, removed the wrecked automobile which pinned the occupants underneath.
Instant Death
When the car was moved it was at once apparent that all were dead and had been instantly killed. Their bodies were found just as they had been seated in the car, that of Mr. Durham at the wheel, Mr. Wassung on the other side and Mrs. Wassung in the middle. Each was found to have sustained a broken neck. Mr. Wassung was also badly cut about the neck and face and his chest crushed. Mr. Durham's chest was crushed as was Mrs. Wassung's and the latter's jaw was broken.
Shocking News
When news of the awful tragedy reached Rock Springs a gloom was cast over the whole community. All were respected, pioneer residents of this city. Their friends were numbered by the hundreds and all had played important roles in the history of Rock Springs.
OBITUARY
CHARLES PHILLIP WASSUNG
Charles Phillip Wassung was born September 4, 1862, at Springfield, Massachusetts, and was nearly 67 years old when he met death on Sunday, July 16, in an automobile accident on the Lincoln highway 21 miles east of this city.
Mr. Wassung came to Rock Springs as a young man in 1883 two years previous to the Chinese Riot of '85; from that time until his sudden death he had been closely identified with the history of Rock Springs. Upon coming here he immediately began work as a bookkeeper and clerk for the famous old Beckwith & Quinn store. When its successor, the Beckwith Commercial company was sold in 1892, the decedent went east where he spent one year returning to enter the employ of the Union Pacific Coal company.
Made Postmaster
Mr. Wassung was an active political worker, associated with the Democratic party. He served his party as committeeman and the city as city clerk. In 1913 he was appointed postmaster and served in this post for nine years, after which he returned to his position as payroll clerk for the Union Pacific Coal company. He was secretary of the Union Pacific Old Timer's association at the time of his death.
Married 1886
In 1886 Charles P. Wassung was married to Miss Nellie Menough, the daughter of a Union Pacific employee of this city. His wife met death beside him in the horrible accident of July 14.
Had Many Friends
Few men of this district had more friends and acquaintances than Charles P. Wassung. His was a cheerful, sunny disposition and he always had words of greeting for his friends. In this issue of The Rocket is a picture of the decedent which is characteristic of the man. It shows him exchanging pleasantries with an old friend.
Survivors
The survivors are three sons, Harry, George and Charles Jr., all of Los Angeles, and one daughter, Mrs. A.P. Flora of Nampa, Idaho. There are four grandchildren, Preston, Howard, Phyllis, Calvin and Flora. The decedent's brother, A.B. Wassung, lives at Johnstown, N.Y. and one sister, Mrs. A.W. Francis, lives at Atlanta, Georgia. All were here for the funeral services yesterday with the exception of A.B. Wassung.
AUTO ACCIDENT KILLS THREE
Car Drops Fifty Feet After Leaving Road And Crushes Victims
Charles P. Wassung And Wife And Charles Durham Instantly Killed When Machine Rolls Off Road At Superior Hill
Apparently the hand of destiny guided the automobile which sent three beloved old residents of Rock Springs to sudden death Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The accident occurred on what is known as Superior hill, on the Lincoln Highway 21 miles east of this city. The car, a roadster, headed through a protection railing and fell fifty feet, pinning the occupants beneath.
All were instantly killed, each of them sustaining a broken neck in addition to other fatal injuries.
Durham At Wheel
Charles Durham was driving the car which was his own. He was known as a cautious and careful driver. Why the machine got beyond control and lunged off the highway to deal death to its three occupants will always remain a mystery as the only eye witness to the tragedy could not accurately say. A Mrs. Delquardt of Casper reports to have seen the accident. She states that the car suddenly began to wobble as though the steering were impaired and then bolted off the road.
Traveling East
The party was taking a drive and it is believed they were headed east, going up the hill, at the time of the accident although officers who investigated the tragedy are not thoroughly convinced that this was the case. There is evidence that the car struck the rocky side of the embankment on the opposite side of the road before plunging over the hillside.
Mrs. Durham, widow of the decedent, states that very often she and her husband would drive to Thayer Junction. There they would visit with Joe Zambai, proprietor of the store, take refreshments and return home. Just the Sunday before Mrs. Durham left here for California, where she was visiting when word came of her husband's sudden death, they had made such a trip. At that time Mr. Zambai requested that sometime they bring Charles Wassung with them and Mrs. Durham is convinced that they had planned such a visit and were enroute there when death overtook them.
Many Near
Altho many cars were in the immediate vicinity of the ill-fated roadster, only Mrs. Delquardt reports to have actually seen the accident. Lon Davis, the prohibition officer was one of the first to reach the scene as was Robert Stretz, of Superior. These men, assisted by others who reached the scene shortly after them, removed the wrecked automobile which pinned the occupants underneath.
Instant Death
When the car was moved it was at once apparent that all were dead and had been instantly killed. Their bodies were found just as they had been seated in the car, that of Mr. Durham at the wheel, Mr. Wassung on the other side and Mrs. Wassung in the middle. Each was found to have sustained a broken neck. Mr. Wassung was also badly cut about the neck and face and his chest crushed. Mr. Durham's chest was crushed as was Mrs. Wassung's and the latter's jaw was broken.
Shocking News
When news of the awful tragedy reached Rock Springs a gloom was cast over the whole community. All were respected, pioneer residents of this city. Their friends were numbered by the hundreds and all had played important roles in the history of Rock Springs.
OBITUARY
CHARLES PHILLIP WASSUNG
Charles Phillip Wassung was born September 4, 1862, at Springfield, Massachusetts, and was nearly 67 years old when he met death on Sunday, July 16, in an automobile accident on the Lincoln highway 21 miles east of this city.
Mr. Wassung came to Rock Springs as a young man in 1883 two years previous to the Chinese Riot of '85; from that time until his sudden death he had been closely identified with the history of Rock Springs. Upon coming here he immediately began work as a bookkeeper and clerk for the famous old Beckwith & Quinn store. When its successor, the Beckwith Commercial company was sold in 1892, the decedent went east where he spent one year returning to enter the employ of the Union Pacific Coal company.
Made Postmaster
Mr. Wassung was an active political worker, associated with the Democratic party. He served his party as committeeman and the city as city clerk. In 1913 he was appointed postmaster and served in this post for nine years, after which he returned to his position as payroll clerk for the Union Pacific Coal company. He was secretary of the Union Pacific Old Timer's association at the time of his death.
Married 1886
In 1886 Charles P. Wassung was married to Miss Nellie Menough, the daughter of a Union Pacific employee of this city. His wife met death beside him in the horrible accident of July 14.
Had Many Friends
Few men of this district had more friends and acquaintances than Charles P. Wassung. His was a cheerful, sunny disposition and he always had words of greeting for his friends. In this issue of The Rocket is a picture of the decedent which is characteristic of the man. It shows him exchanging pleasantries with an old friend.
Survivors
The survivors are three sons, Harry, George and Charles Jr., all of Los Angeles, and one daughter, Mrs. A.P. Flora of Nampa, Idaho. There are four grandchildren, Preston, Howard, Phyllis, Calvin and Flora. The decedent's brother, A.B. Wassung, lives at Johnstown, N.Y. and one sister, Mrs. A.W. Francis, lives at Atlanta, Georgia. All were here for the funeral services yesterday with the exception of A.B. Wassung.
Rock Springs Rocket, Jul 19, 1929
AUTO ACCIDENT KILLS THREE
Car Drops Fifty Feet After Leaving Road And Crushes Victims
Charles P. Wassung And Wife And Charles Durham Instantly Killed When Machine Rolls Off Road At Superior Hill
Apparently the hand of destiny guided the automobile which sent three beloved old residents of Rock Springs to sudden death Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The accident occurred on what is known as Superior hill, on the Lincoln Highway 21 miles east of this city. The car, a roadster, headed through a protection railing and fell fifty feet, pinning the occupants beneath.
All were instantly killed, each of them sustaining a broken neck in addition to other fatal injuries.
Durham At Wheel
Charles Durham was driving the car which was his own. He was known as a cautious and careful driver. Why the machine got beyond control and lunged off the highway to deal death to its three occupants will always remain a mystery as the only eye witness to the tragedy could not accurately say. A Mrs. Delquardt of Casper reports to have seen the accident. She states that the car suddenly began to wobble as though the steering were impaired and then bolted off the road.
Traveling East
The party was taking a drive and it is believed they were headed east, going up the hill, at the time of the accident although officers who investigated the tragedy are not thoroughly convinced that this was the case. There is evidence that the car struck the rocky side of the embankment on the opposite side of the road before plunging over the hillside.
Mrs. Durham, widow of the decedent, states that very often she and her husband would drive to Thayer Junction. There they would visit with Joe Zambai, proprietor of the store, take refreshments and return home. Just the Sunday before Mrs. Durham left here for California, where she was visiting when word came of her husband's sudden death, they had made such a trip. At that time Mr. Zambai requested that sometime they bring Charles Wassung with them and Mrs. Durham is convinced that they had planned such a visit and were enroute there when death overtook them.
Many Near
Altho many cars were in the immediate vicinity of the ill-fated roadster, only Mrs. Delquardt reports to have actually seen the accident. Lon Davis, the prohibition officer was one of the first to reach the scene as was Robert Stretz, of Superior. These men, assisted by others who reached the scene shortly after them, removed the wrecked automobile which pinned the occupants underneath.
Instant Death
When the car was moved it was at once apparent that all were dead and had been instantly killed. Their bodies were found just as they had been seated in the car, that of Mr. Durham at the wheel, Mr. Wassung on the other side and Mrs. Wassung in the middle. Each was found to have sustained a broken neck. Mr. Wassung was also badly cut about the neck and face and his chest crushed. Mr. Durham's chest was crushed as was Mrs. Wassung's and the latter's jaw was broken.
Shocking News
When news of the awful tragedy reached Rock Springs a gloom was cast over the whole community. All were respected, pioneer residents of this city. Their friends were numbered by the hundreds and all had played important roles in the history of Rock Springs.
OBITUARY
CHARLES PHILLIP WASSUNG
Charles Phillip Wassung was born September 4, 1862, at Springfield, Massachusetts, and was nearly 67 years old when he met death on Sunday, July 16, in an automobile accident on the Lincoln highway 21 miles east of this city.
Mr. Wassung came to Rock Springs as a young man in 1883 two years previous to the Chinese Riot of '85; from that time until his sudden death he had been closely identified with the history of Rock Springs. Upon coming here he immediately began work as a bookkeeper and clerk for the famous old Beckwith & Quinn store. When its successor, the Beckwith Commercial company was sold in 1892, the decedent went east where he spent one year returning to enter the employ of the Union Pacific Coal company.
Made Postmaster
Mr. Wassung was an active political worker, associated with the Democratic party. He served his party as committeeman and the city as city clerk. In 1913 he was appointed postmaster and served in this post for nine years, after which he returned to his position as payroll clerk for the Union Pacific Coal company. He was secretary of the Union Pacific Old Timer's association at the time of his death.
Married 1886
In 1886 Charles P. Wassung was married to Miss Nellie Menough, the daughter of a Union Pacific employee of this city. His wife met death beside him in the horrible accident of July 14.
Had Many Friends
Few men of this district had more friends and acquaintances than Charles P. Wassung. His was a cheerful, sunny disposition and he always had words of greeting for his friends. In this issue of The Rocket is a picture of the decedent which is characteristic of the man. It shows him exchanging pleasantries with an old friend.
Survivors
The survivors are three sons, Harry, George and Charles Jr., all of Los Angeles, and one daughter, Mrs. A.P. Flora of Nampa, Idaho. There are four grandchildren, Preston, Howard, Phyllis, Calvin and Flora. The decedent's brother, A.B. Wassung, lives at Johnstown, N.Y. and one sister, Mrs. A.W. Francis, lives at Atlanta, Georgia. All were here for the funeral services yesterday with the exception of A.B. Wassung.
AUTO ACCIDENT KILLS THREE
Car Drops Fifty Feet After Leaving Road And Crushes Victims
Charles P. Wassung And Wife And Charles Durham Instantly Killed When Machine Rolls Off Road At Superior Hill
Apparently the hand of destiny guided the automobile which sent three beloved old residents of Rock Springs to sudden death Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock. The accident occurred on what is known as Superior hill, on the Lincoln Highway 21 miles east of this city. The car, a roadster, headed through a protection railing and fell fifty feet, pinning the occupants beneath.
All were instantly killed, each of them sustaining a broken neck in addition to other fatal injuries.
Durham At Wheel
Charles Durham was driving the car which was his own. He was known as a cautious and careful driver. Why the machine got beyond control and lunged off the highway to deal death to its three occupants will always remain a mystery as the only eye witness to the tragedy could not accurately say. A Mrs. Delquardt of Casper reports to have seen the accident. She states that the car suddenly began to wobble as though the steering were impaired and then bolted off the road.
Traveling East
The party was taking a drive and it is believed they were headed east, going up the hill, at the time of the accident although officers who investigated the tragedy are not thoroughly convinced that this was the case. There is evidence that the car struck the rocky side of the embankment on the opposite side of the road before plunging over the hillside.
Mrs. Durham, widow of the decedent, states that very often she and her husband would drive to Thayer Junction. There they would visit with Joe Zambai, proprietor of the store, take refreshments and return home. Just the Sunday before Mrs. Durham left here for California, where she was visiting when word came of her husband's sudden death, they had made such a trip. At that time Mr. Zambai requested that sometime they bring Charles Wassung with them and Mrs. Durham is convinced that they had planned such a visit and were enroute there when death overtook them.
Many Near
Altho many cars were in the immediate vicinity of the ill-fated roadster, only Mrs. Delquardt reports to have actually seen the accident. Lon Davis, the prohibition officer was one of the first to reach the scene as was Robert Stretz, of Superior. These men, assisted by others who reached the scene shortly after them, removed the wrecked automobile which pinned the occupants underneath.
Instant Death
When the car was moved it was at once apparent that all were dead and had been instantly killed. Their bodies were found just as they had been seated in the car, that of Mr. Durham at the wheel, Mr. Wassung on the other side and Mrs. Wassung in the middle. Each was found to have sustained a broken neck. Mr. Wassung was also badly cut about the neck and face and his chest crushed. Mr. Durham's chest was crushed as was Mrs. Wassung's and the latter's jaw was broken.
Shocking News
When news of the awful tragedy reached Rock Springs a gloom was cast over the whole community. All were respected, pioneer residents of this city. Their friends were numbered by the hundreds and all had played important roles in the history of Rock Springs.
OBITUARY
CHARLES PHILLIP WASSUNG
Charles Phillip Wassung was born September 4, 1862, at Springfield, Massachusetts, and was nearly 67 years old when he met death on Sunday, July 16, in an automobile accident on the Lincoln highway 21 miles east of this city.
Mr. Wassung came to Rock Springs as a young man in 1883 two years previous to the Chinese Riot of '85; from that time until his sudden death he had been closely identified with the history of Rock Springs. Upon coming here he immediately began work as a bookkeeper and clerk for the famous old Beckwith & Quinn store. When its successor, the Beckwith Commercial company was sold in 1892, the decedent went east where he spent one year returning to enter the employ of the Union Pacific Coal company.
Made Postmaster
Mr. Wassung was an active political worker, associated with the Democratic party. He served his party as committeeman and the city as city clerk. In 1913 he was appointed postmaster and served in this post for nine years, after which he returned to his position as payroll clerk for the Union Pacific Coal company. He was secretary of the Union Pacific Old Timer's association at the time of his death.
Married 1886
In 1886 Charles P. Wassung was married to Miss Nellie Menough, the daughter of a Union Pacific employee of this city. His wife met death beside him in the horrible accident of July 14.
Had Many Friends
Few men of this district had more friends and acquaintances than Charles P. Wassung. His was a cheerful, sunny disposition and he always had words of greeting for his friends. In this issue of The Rocket is a picture of the decedent which is characteristic of the man. It shows him exchanging pleasantries with an old friend.
Survivors
The survivors are three sons, Harry, George and Charles Jr., all of Los Angeles, and one daughter, Mrs. A.P. Flora of Nampa, Idaho. There are four grandchildren, Preston, Howard, Phyllis, Calvin and Flora. The decedent's brother, A.B. Wassung, lives at Johnstown, N.Y. and one sister, Mrs. A.W. Francis, lives at Atlanta, Georgia. All were here for the funeral services yesterday with the exception of A.B. Wassung.
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