Surnames: HANSEN

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 08/30/1923

Hansen, William (? - 29 Augl 1923)

Speeding to cross the track in front of a fast moving passenger train, caused the death of two prominent farmers at Withee, Clark County, Wis., Wednesday forenoon, and injury to another, when the Ford car in which they were riding was struck by passenger train No. 1 of the Soo Line, due to arrive there at 10:59 a.m. William Hansen, driver of the car was instantly killed and Edward Bergstrom, riding in the front seat with Hansen was fatally injured, so that he died this evening at the hospital at Chippewa Falls. Jens Beck, the other occupant of the car received a scalp wound, but was not otherwise seriously injured, and will recover.

Hansen, Bergstrom and Beck were coming to town from the Hansen farm, where they had been at work filling silo, to purchase a new belt, and when Hansen saw the train approaching began speeding to get across the tracks. Just as they approached the tracks the train bore down on them, the head of the engine striking the front of their car. Hansen was thrown against the engine and then a distance of several feet into the village park. Their car striking a switch, wrecking it beyond repair. Bergstrom was also thrown several feet and when picked up was found to be injured about the upper spine, a deep gash in the forehead and on the chin. His injuries were so serious that he was taken on the train at once to the hospital at Chippewa Falls for examination and treatment. Hansen's arms and leg were broken and his head crushed, so that he died instantly.

William Hansen is the father of a large family, leaving a wife and seven children, the oldest being twelve years of age and the youngest only a little over a year. Mr. Bergstrom is the father of three children, two daughters and one son, all of who are in their teens.

Funeral services for William Hansen will be held Saturday afternoon from the Danish Lutheran Church at Withee at 3:30 o'clock, Rev. J. L. J. Dixon officiating. The funeral of Mr. Bergstrom is thought will be held Sunday afternoon from the same church and burial made in the church cemetery.

Pictured below is Bill Hansens' car where he was killed instantly when hit by train. Edward Bergstrom Sr. lived a day and a half and Jens Beck survived.