Decatur County Journal Leon, Iowa Thursday, August 31, 1911 EDGAR ROWELL, son of Dr. And Mrs. J.W. Rowell, was severely injured Friday of last week about noon as he and Edgar Ketcham were riding up town from the depot on the wagon hauling the express matter from the southbound trains. The wagon was well loaded several baskets being piled on the vehicle. Edgar Rowell and Edgar Ketcham had clambered to the top of the baskets and were riding there. As the wagon was nearing the crossing at the M.A. Gammill corner on lower Main Street they caught up with a wagon loaded with melons. North of the crossing the express wagon turned around the melon wagon going on the west side and in doing so got on the sloping side of the street. As the wagon struck the downgrade the baskets slipped from the wagon throwing both of the boys out. Edgar Ketcham was not injured but Edgar Rowell struck the hard ground with great force spraining one wrist and bruising his face. Frank Smith, of the Marshall barn, was coming up the hill with a cab and Edgar got up and climbed into that rig. Those near did not realize how badly he was hurt at the time. Mr. Smith drove to the C.M. Ketcham home where the injured lad received necessary attention. A few hours later he was taken to the home of his parents. The sight of his left eye left him as a result of the unfortunate accident but at the present time is gradually returning. He was most painfully bruised and it will be some time before he has entirely recovered. ------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert December 11, 2009 [email protected]