John L. Wilson
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - August 28, 1942
Auto Accident Takes Life of Pando Worker
JOHN WILSON KILLED SUNDAY NIGHT WHEN THROWN FROM PICKUP NEAR WEST ENTRANCE OF CAMP
Since the beginning of construction of Camp Hale at Pando, Eagle county has been visited with more crime, accidents, and death than the county has experienced in years. Seldom a day goes by that does not give forth a fight, theft, accidental death or automobile accidents.
Sunday night one more Pando worker met death, where last year wasw the scene of a typical rural summer night.
John Wilson, plumber of Grand Junction, employed at Pando, was killed instantly, and two others seriously injured when the pickup in which they were riding left U.S. Highway 24 and turned over an embankment. The injured, Jerome Keifer, 27, and Gene Hixson, 18, were taken to a Leadville hospital.
The pickup was driven by Carl Hixson, father of Gene Hixson, with three others riding in the vehicle, G.O. LaNite, Harold Hidy, and Fred McKinney. The accident happened when the driver of the pickup was forced to make a quick turnout to avoid hitting a car driven by L. P. Phillips, who was making a left hand turn into Lee Brothers camp at Homestake and the west entrance to the construction camp. With Mr. Phillips was Miss Viola King and employee at Camp Hale.
Mrs. Wilson and small child, who make their home in Grand Junction, were visiting her mother in Denver at the time, and did not learn of the tragedy until 5 o'clock Monday evening. The Denver address where she was visiting was unknown and she was reached by radio, when County Coroner Paul Andre sent out an appeal by radio broadcast for Ms. Wilson to get in touch with him. It was by long distance telephone that Mrs. Wilson learned Monday evening of the death of her husband.
The body was shipped from Andre Mortuary to Denver Tuesday morning and services were held in Denver Wednesday.
John L. Wilson was born in Hollandburg, Kan., in 1904, and had been employed at Camp Hale, Pando, for a short time when the accident occurred.
He is survived by his parents, his widow and small child.
