Part 7 of the Lucas Family obits. ************************************************************************************ Central City Republican - Central City, Nebraska - Thursday, February 24, 1938 TRAGIC CRASH COST LIFE OF JUDGE LUCAS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Auto Struck by Union Pacific Train No. 6 -- Mrs Lucas Still in Critical Condition ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marring an otherwise uneventful day in Central City, a tragic accident occurred at the Union Pacific railroad crossing just west of the freight depot Saturday afternoon, February 19, when Union Pacific train No. 6 crashed into an auto in which County Judge T. M. Lucas, his wife and Mrs. Frank McConnell were riding. Both Mrs. Lucas and Mrs. McConnell were critically injured and Judge Lucas' injuries were fatal, as he passed away early that evening after being taken to the local hospital. Judge Lucas, 57, died a few hours after the mishap from a crushed chest, broken arm and multiple cuts and lacerations. He had been hurled some distance from the wreckage of the auto by the terrific impact of the train. Mrs. Lucas, who is still in critical condition at the local hospital suffering from a broken back, fractured ankle and chest injuries, and Mrs. McConnell, who suffered severe cuts about the head and shoulders, were still in the wreckage after the crash. The auto in which the three were riding, driven by Judge Lucas, was hurled approximately 100 feet from the spot where the train struck it. The car had apparently stalled on the tracks, since trainmen stated that it was absolutely motionless when first seen. The car a five passenger machine, was demolished beyond identification. P. Prasse of Omaha was the engineer of the train and G. C. Cover of Omaha was conductor, railroad officials state. Those who first reached the scene of the crash Saturday, found Mrs. Lucas and Mrs. McConnell in the wreckage, with parts of the car strewn about and over them. Judge Lucas was found a short distance from the demolished auto in a snow bank. Mrs. Lucas and Mrs. McConnell were semi-conscious when reached, while Mr. Lucas was unconscious for a time. Before being taken to the hospital, he regained consciousness, but did not know what had happened. It was not until shortly before his death that he related how the accident had occurred. The injured people were cared for immediately after the tragic crash, as many townspeople lent helping hands to the task of extracting them from the wreckage and assisting in getting them into the ambulance to be taken to the hospital . Two local physicians administered every aid to the critically injured people after they were taken to the hospital. Their efforts in Judge Lucas' behalf were in vain. Mrs. Lucas' chances are slim, but Mrs. McConnell will recover, it is thought. The auto-train crash was one of those extremely unfortunate happenings that so often break in upon the tranquility of a community when least expected. In the tragic death of Judge Lucas, the city and county has lost a fine man, an upright citizen and a fair and impartial magistrate. **************************************************************************** Central City Republican - Central City, Nebraska - Thursday, February 24, 1938 FUNERAL RITES TODAY FOR JUDGE THOMAS M. LUCAS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The entire community was shocked and grieved to learn of the tragic accident Saturday afternoon, February 19, which resulted in the death of County Judge T. M. Lucas. He passed away at 9:15 o'clock at the Community Hospital where he had been taken. Every effort was made by friends and attendants, but his injuries were internal and death claimed him four hours after the accident. Tom was an unassuming, kindly man with a host of friends. Thomas Martin Lucas was born October 5, 1880, at Rice's Landing, Penn., and came in 1884 with his parents to Merrick County, and lived on a farm in Mead Township. He received his early education in our county schools, later attending Nebraska Central College. He graduated with the class of 1903. He and Atty. William Earl Hill, now of Grandy, Nebr., were the only members of the class. He studied law at the University of Nebraska where he completed his course. He was elected County Judge in November, 1905, and served two years, 1905-1907. He was Deputy County Clerk in 1910-1911. He was again elected 34 years later to the office of County Judge, and served 13 months of his term. On August 1, 1912, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Wetterer and to this union six children were born. Immediately following their marriage they left for Thomas County, Nebr., where they home-steaded, making their home in that locality for ten years. From there they moved to Missouri Valley where he owned and operated a variety store. On July 28, 1926, he suffered an accident at Missouri Valley, losing both legs. With the aid of artificial limbs he has carried on doing the work of any able bodied citizen. In 1928 he and his family returned to Central City where they have since resided. He was employed at the Omaha Cold Storage until his last election, November, 1936. Mr. Lucas is survived by his wife, and four children, Mrs Elizabeth Overturf, Ruth Jean, Thomas Jr., and Robert Charles. Also four half-sisters, two living in Pennsylvania, one in Vermont and Mrs Charles Gregg in Fullerton, Nebr., one half-brother, Charles Lucas residing in Central City. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Lucas, two sisters and two children, Billy, a twin brother of Elizabeth, who passed away in infancy and Mary Lu lived until she was four years of age. Funeral services were held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Solt Funeral Home with Rev. O. W. Carrell in charge, assisted by Rev. J. Henry Stitt. Music was furnished by a male quartet composed of L. C. Coolidge, L. A. Erickson, Herman Blank and M. L. Crandell, accompanied by Mrs. E. W. Eaton. The following selections were sung; "Crossing the Bar," "The Old Rugged Cross" and "Rock of Ages." Honorary pallbearers at the services were: C. F. Newmyer, County Clerk Herbert Lock, County Treasurer A. C. Nicholas, Clerk of the District Court L. C. Coolidge, Deputy Sheriff C. H. Sayers and Deputy Clerk Park Young. Internment was made in the Central City cemetery. -- Steven W. Hornaday 783 Westfield Ct. Sumter SC, 29154 (803) 494-3027