William Paul Matthews

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Obituary- Matthews, William

DIES IN AUTO-TRAIN CRASH
William Paul Mathews, 23, of 412 Kansas avenue, Topeka, is dead and John Kelly, of 317 Klein street, is in serious condition in St. Francis hospital as the result of an accident Tuesday night at the Union Pacific crossing at Kiro. Both men were relief workers.

The two men were riding in a model T Ford sedan, which struck a freight train at the crossing, demolishing the car, about 9:30 Tuesday night.

Both were taken to the hospital. Matthews suffered a head injury and died at 1:50 o’clock Wednesday. Kelly has deep lacerations and a concussion, cuts and bruises on his body.

N. E. Mains, of Topeka, was sitting at the depot at Kiro when the crash occurred. The westbound train had just passed., he said, and looking up the track he remarked to Ed Reynolds, signal maintainer, that the engine apparently had started a small roadway fire.

They soon saw that it was an auto burning, and rushing up the right-of-way, found the demolished car. They extinguished the fire, and gave aid to the two passengers, who were lying on the ground, until an ambulance arrived.

Kelly apparently was driving, and asked Mains what had happened. Mains told him.

Fishing poles and tackle indicated the men were returning from a fishing trip.

Matthews was born in Topeka January 24. 1914, and had lived there all his life. He attended Parkdale and Blacksmith schools and was a graduate of Washburn rural high school.

Funeral services for Matthews were held today at 10:30 o’clock from Penwell’s chapel, burial in Memorial Park cemetery.

Surviving him are his widow, Mrs. Rosa Matthews, of the home address; his mother and stepfather. Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Johnson, and a brother, Gail Matthews, route 1, Topeka; his father, F. L. Matthews, Thayer, Kans., one sister, Mrs. R. J. Hall, Topeka; and his grandparents, Mrs. L. A. Elliott of Thayer, and W.D. Dalton, of Topeka.

Mrs. Matthews is the daughter of Ed Failer of this community.