DAVIS, Stella May Accident Account & Obit > Woman, 76, Struck By UP Train; Fatally Hurt > Taking a short-cut path, which she assertedly used frequently to > cross the Union Pacific railroad tracks, Mrs. Stella May Davis, 76, 304 > South Laurel avenue, was killed instantly at 7:23 a.m. today when she was > struck by a westbound 70-car freight train and her body was thrown and > crushed against a telephone pole 22 feet distant. > According to Ed Shultz, 401 West State street, who witnessed the > tragedy, Mrs. Davis was walking rapidly and looking in the opposite > direction from the approaching westbound train apparently oblivious to the > engineer's repeated sharp whistle blasts. > Engineer C. J. Newell said he observed the woman crossing the > tracks diagonally in a westerly direction, apparently shading her eyes with > her hand peering to the west. He said she did not appear to hear his series > of warning whistles. > Nearly Across > Traffic Sgt. Harley Smith said that the victim probably would have > been clear of the train with one more step, as the front shield of the > three-unit Diesel engine bore the mark of the impact just about a foot in > from the south side. Brakes and sanding brought the heavily loaded train to > a stop with the engine about 1000 feet west of the scene. > The path, which is said to have been used several times daily by > Mrs. Davis to go to the home of her son, Thomas W. Davis, Jr., 329 West > State street, is between Laurel and Vine avenues about 562 feet east of the > latter. She was believed to be on her way to the son's home at the time. > The accident occurred within sight of the latter's home. > Stunned by the early-morning tragedy, the victim's son sobbingly > identified her when he reached the scene within a few minutes. > Advised by police radio regarding the accidental circumstances of > the fatality, the coroner's office gave authorization for the train to > proceed after a 40-minute delay and for the body to be removed to J. B. > Draper Co. mortuary, pending arrival of Deputy Coroner Harry Evans. > Funeral arrangements await completion of the official investigation. > The Daily Report, Ontario, California August 30, 1949 > > Funeral services for Stella May Davis, 78, 304 South Laurel > avenue, widow of Thomas Jefferson Davis, who was killed yesterday when > struck by a locomotive while taking a short cut across the Union Pacific > railroad, will be conducted Thursday, 10:30 a.m., at the J. B. Draper > company chapel, 127 West C street. > Deputy coroner F. H. Evans, in charge of the investigation, said > it was probable there would be no inquest. > A native of Illinois, Mrs. Davis came to Ontario 10 years ago from > Missouri, where Mr. Davis died in 1927. She is survived by three sons, > Thomas, of Ontario; Ray, of Oakland, and Dutton, of Galena, Mo.; four > brothers, W. H. Sprague, Willows; F. L. and C. J. Sprague, Pruitville, > Tex.; and O. M. Sprague, Willspoint, Tex.; eight grandchildren and one > great grandchild. > The chapel rites will be followed by interment at Bellevue cemetery. > The Daily Report, Ontario, California August 30, 1949