Obit: Schmidt, Roger (1952? - 1963)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Stewart, Schmidt

----Source: OWEN ENTERPRISE (Owen, Clark County, Wis.) 08/01/1963

Schmidt, Roger (1952? - JUL 1963)

Frank Stewart, age 72, and Roger Schmidt, 11-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Schmidt, Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.), were killed instantly when the pickup truck driven by Stewart was hit by Soo Line freight train No. 25 at the crossing at Thorp’s east city limits.

The train was traveling 48 miles an hour at the time of the accident.  The truck was thrown 74 feet and the truck rack was scattered along the track.  The two victims remained in the truck and died of head injuries.

Both bodies were taken to the Thorp Funeral Home.

Investigating the accident were county sheriff Ray Kutsche, county coroner Robert Lulloff, District Attorney Everett Gorsegner, traffic officers Richard Needham and David Bertz, and Thorp chief of police Ed Harycki.

Witnessing the accident for a window of his home, located near the crossing, was Art Stewart, son of Frank Stewart.