Payette Enterprise
Thursday, June 25, 1914
One Dead Two Injured
Train Strikes Auto Containing Three Children, One Dies as Result of Injuries, Two Will Recover
A distressing accident occurred Sunday afternoon about one thirty at the Seventh Street crossing of the Oregon Short Line in Payette, when an extra passenger train struck an automobile injuring one of the occupants so severely as to cause his death Monday and seriously but not fatally injuring the other two occupants.
Howard Bain aged sixteen, Lena Chapin aged fourteen and Howard Duncan, aged fourteen were the occupants of the car, young Bain being at the wheel driving.
They drove up ninth street and at the corner of Seventh Avenue North turned west to cross the track. At the same time a freight train headed west was coming slowly down the passing track but stopped just in the clear of the main line switch. It is believed that the young people intent upon watching the freight did not know the passenger train was approaching from the west and no doubt presumed that the ringing of the crossing bell was being caused by the freight train.
At any rate they slowed up slightly when the freight train was moving but when it stopped attempted to drive over the crossing and were hit by the passenger train. The car was carried by the pilot of the engine some two blocks before the train could be stopped the occupants all being thrown from the auto onto the platform of the pilot.
Miss Chapin and Harold Bain were severely bruised and unconscious when picked up but regained consciousness shortly afterward and will recover. Howard Duncan had both ankles broken and suffered a fracture of the skull. He died about three o'clock Monday afternoon never regaining consciousness.
Howard Duncan At Rest
The funeral services of Howard Duncan were held at the Methodist church on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30. The church was crowded by those who paid their last respects to the manly little fellow who met his death in so tragic a manner. Many beautiful floral emblems attested the love in which this lad was held. The remains were laid to rest in Riverside cemetery.
Fruitland Banner (Friday, June 26, 1914)
Fatal Automobile Accident Sunday
Excursion Train Hits Auto In Yards At Payette - One Boy Dies of Injuries
A distressing accident occurred Sunday afternoon in Payette at the O. S. L. crossing when the baseball special struck an automobile fatally injuring one of the occupants, Howard Duncan, aged fourteen, who died Monday afternoon about three o'clock and seriously injuring Lena Chapin, fourteen years of age, and Harold Bain, aged sixteen, who was driving the car.
The drove up Ninth St. and started to cross the track. At the same time a westbound freight train was coming down the track, the stopped just clear on the main line switch. It is presumed the young people were so intent upon watching the freight that they did not see the passenger train approaching and no doubt thought the ringing of the crossing bell was caused by the freight. They slowed up slightly while the freight was moving, but when it stopped attempted to drive over the crossing and were hit by the passenger train. The car was carried two blocks by the pilot before the train could be stopped the occupants all being thrown from the auto onto the platform of the (can't read) Miss Chapin and Harold Bain were severely bruised and both unconscious when picked up, but will recover. Harold Duncan had both ankles broken and his skull fractured. He never regained consciousness, dying Monday afternoon.