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Show NORMS AVERETT KILLED MEN STRUCK BY TRAIN Fireman Fails In Attempt To Have Engine Stopped Services for Norris Averett, 44, farmer and stockman of this city who was killed instantly Monday night when a northbound Union Pacific freight train struck him, were held Wednesday at 2 p. m. in the Fourth ward. Shortly before the accident, Mr. Averett was seen by pheasant hunters sitting on a projecting tie on the railroad track, apparently having stopped to rest and to wait for a brother, Thomas Averett, who was hunting nearby. According to Sheriff John S. Evans, Deputy Sheriff J. J. Mercer Mer-cer and City Marshal J. H. Thorn, the accident occurred on a curve and the view of the approaching train was obscured by a large growth of weeds, but officers could not understand why Mr. Averett did not hear the heavy freight train approach or feel the rumble of the train on the tracks. As the freight train approached, approach-ed, Fireman J. L. Ryan saw Averett Aver-ett with his head near the rail as if asleep. Upon immediate notification. notifi-cation. Engineer J. W. Backman applied the brakes, but not In time to avoid the accident. Officers advanced a theory that Averett was struck on the head and shoulder by the cowcatcher, killing him instantly. His body was then thrown around in such a manner that two toes were severed sev-ered from his foot. His shotgun was found several feet from the tracks. The train continued 40 car lengths after striking Mr. Averett Aver-ett before being stopped. Besides the engineer and fireman, fire-man, other members of the train crew were John Hancock, conductor con-ductor in charge of the train; J. I. Harvey and M. J. Healy, brake-men, brake-men, all of Salt Lake City. A son of Hardy and Elizabeth Parry Averett, Mr. . Averett was born November 15, 1895, in Springville. He was at one time Springville water supervisor and a member of the Springville Volunteer Vol-unteer Fire department. He was an ex-service man and a former member of the American Legion. He had followed farming and stock raising and was a member mem-ber of the Springville Livestock Association board. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Elva Averett; two daughters, Louise and Marie Averett; a sister, sis-ter, Mrs. Will Child; and his brother, bro-ther, Thomas Awon Averett, all of Springville. Interment was In the City cemetery ceme-tery under the direction of the A. Y. Wheeler Mortuary. |