LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River, St. Francois County, Missouri, Friday, January 13, 1933 FLAT RIVER MAN DIED OF INJURIES RECEIVED WED. _________ Lost Control Of Car On Curve And Crashed Into Christian Church on Taylor Ave. _________ Lester Francis of Flat River, a World War veteran, died yesterday morning at 8:30 o'clock in the Bonne Terre Hospital, of injuries received Wednesday afternoon, when his car, a Whippet coupe, crashed into the Christian Church building on Taylor Avenue. A spoke from the steering wheel pierced his throat, severing the juglar vein. The injured man was given medical attention by two local physicians, and later removed to the Bonne Terre Hospital. Although greatly weakened by loss of blood he was conscious for several hours, but stated he could give no reason for the accident, only that he lost control of the car while making the curve near the Christian Church. He was enroute home from Desloge when the accident happened. The body was removed to the Caldwell Funeral Home for preparation for burial, but funeral arrangements had not been made when we went to press. Lester Francis was born in Bedford, Iowa, March 25, 1900, the son of the late Harry Francis and Mrs. Elizabeth Francis. When seventeen years of age, he enlisted with the U.S. Marine at Denver, Colo. He saw thirteen months service during the World War, and was wounded in action in the left knee, during the battle of the Argonne. On June 6, 1929, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Bannister of Doe Run, who with their two children, Lester, Jr., aged 2 years and Buford Lee, 1 year, survive; also his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Francis of Flat River; three sisters, Mrs. Tressa Hodge and Miss Lulu Francis of Flat River; and Mrs. Ruth Bowman of Bonne Terre; and one brother, Harry Francis, Norfolk, Ark.; and two nieces, Betty Jean Hodge and Ina Sue Francis. His father preceded him in death by five years. To the bereaved ones The News offers sincere sympathy.