Statler Family Obituaries
Niswonger, Mary Etta (nee Estes)
Woman Hurt in Auto Wreck at Jackson, Dies
Mrs. Niswonger Injured in Collision of Bus and Auto
First Accident of Bus Driver Is Fatal to Woman
Frank Grant, driver of the Pickwick-Greyhound Lines motor bus which Sunday afternoon collided with an automobile in Jackson resulting in fatal injuries to Mrs. Mary E. Niswonger of that place, was the holder of one of the best safety records in motor bus driving in the state. He had been employed by the bus company for four years and the recent wreck was the first he has had. Several months ago Grant was presented with a medal by the Public Service Commission of Missouri, in recognition of his record.
Mrs. Mary E. Niswonger, 68 years old, of Jackson, died late Wednesday night at the St. Francis Hospital from injuries sustained Sunday afternoon when an automobile in which she was riding collided at a street intersection in Jackson with a motor bus of the Pickwick-Greyhound Lines. Mrs. Niswonger suffered a double fracture of the pelvic bones and complications set in causing her condition to become critical during the past two days.
Mrs. Niswonger was riding in the rear seat of a Ford touring model
automobile with her daughter, Mrs. Jess Baker, her son-in-law being the driver of the car.
They emerged onto Main Street in Jackson from south on the Oak Ridge Road and collided
with an east-bound bus, driven by Frank Grant of this city. The bus struck the rear of the
left side of the car, bending the fender and injuring Mrs. Niswonger, who was removed to
the hospital here.
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Officials of the motor bus company district office here said they obtained a signed affidavit from 17 passengers aboard the bus absolving Grant from blame in the crash. It was the opinion of the bus company officials that the car, without making a stop at the intersection, had driven in front of the approaching bus.
Mrs. Niswonger, whose maiden name was Estes, was born near Millersville and lived in this county during her entire life. She was first married to John Rhyne and of this union three children survive, Curtis Rhyne of Seattle, Washington, Robert Rhyne and Mrs. Anna Statler, both of Cape Girardeau. She was later married to F. M. Niswonger, who died six years ago.
Six children survive this union. They are: Pink and Ode Niswonger and Mrs. Mollie Baker of Jackson; Ernest Niswonger of Cape Girardeau, Mrs. Bertha Welker of Free Water, Oregon, and Mrs. Maggie Crites of Fredericktown. She also leaves a sister, Mrs. Sophia Cobble of Millersville, 15 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Definite funeral arrangements had not been made today, but last rites will be held at the Old Salem Methodist Church of which Mrs. Niswonger was a member.
Printed in the Thursday, April 17, 1930 edition of the Southeast Missourian, Cape
Girardeau, MO.
Obituary found at the Find A Grave website.
©2010 by David Statler of StatlerWeb
Last Updated: November 08, 2010