Hahn Family
New Plymouth Sentinel
Thursday, August 09, 1917
FRANK HAHN FAMILY KILLED IN ACCIDENT
Train Hits Automobile Near Payette
One of the most terrible accidents that ever happened to a family in Idaho was that which befell the Hahns Monday morning at Wood's spur crossing near Payette.
An automoble containing six members of the Frank Hahn family of Council was hit by the pony train on the Oregon Short Line. The dead are F. Hahn, Mrs. Hahn, Joe Hahn, Elsie Hahn and Frank Hahn, Jr., Alice Hahn is the only survivor of the fatal ride.
They were on their way from Boise where they had been visiting relatives to their home in Cambridge. The auto was hit squarely by the locomotive and some of the victims were hurled more than 50 feet. The engineer thinks the auto engine went dead as the car was crossing and stopped on the track.
Mr. Hahn was a well known stockman of the Council valley, where he had resided for many years.
New Plymouth Sentinel (August 16, 1917)
Funeral of Hahn Family
The funeral of the five members of the Hahn family who were killed in an automobile accident near Wood's spur crossing was held Wednesday afternoon, at Payette.
The services were held in the Methodist church and conducted by Rev. Barnes. The county and city offices, and many of the business houses closed during the funeral. The five bodies of the father, mother, daughter and two sons were buried in a single grave in Riverside cemetery.
Fruitland Banner (Friday, August 10, 1917)
Train Hits Auto and Kills Five
Victims Were Prominent Council Valley Residents - Had Visited in Payette
Frank Hahn, a wealthy Stockman of Council, his wife, two sons and a daughter were killed at Lattig's Crossing, two miles west of Payette, last Monday morning about 8:30, when the car in which they were riding was struck by the east bound "pony." Another daughter, Alice, aged 13 was badly injured, but it is said she now has good chances for recovery.
The Hahn family drove down to Payette last Friday for a visit with Mrs. Hahn's mother, Mrs. A. Eifer and a sister, Mrs. Beckstead. On Saturday Mr. Hahn and two sons drove to Boise where the eldest took the examination for service in the army returning to Payette in the evening.
Monday morning the family started for their home near Council and had only driven about two miles when hit by the train. Just how the accident occurred will probably never be known, but it is supposed the engine of the car was killed on the crossing. The car was hit square in the center and carried about 150 feet, totally wrecking the car and instantly killing Mr. Hahn and the oldest boy, Frank, who was driving. Mrs. Hahn died while being taken from the train, Miss Elsie died an hour after reaching Payette and Joseph died about 1:30 p.m. Frank Hahn, Sr. was 60 years of age, Mrs. Alice Hahn, 54, Frank Hahn, Jr. 26; Joseph Hahn, 20; Miss Elsie, 17.
Mrs. Hahn was a sister of Mr. Fifer, the Ontario, proprietor of the Fifer confectionery store.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. G. W. Barnes in the Payette Methodist church Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock, most of the business and county offices closing during the funeral hour.
Interment was made in Riverside Cemetery and the five bodies laid to rest side by side in a single grave.
Payette Enterprise (Thursday, August 09, 1917)
FIVE KILLED BY TRAIN SMASHING INTO AUTO
Father, Mother, Two Brothers, Sister death, One Sister Still Lives and Doctors Have Hopes for Recovery.
Five in one family killed when O. S. L. train crashes into auto.
One of the most fatal accidents that ever occurred in the history of Payette was that on Monday morning when the east bound Pony crashed into an auto carrying Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hahn and their four children, just beyond the cut about two miles north of Payette.
The Hahn family who live on a stock ranch near Council drove down to Payette last Friday to visit at the home of Mrs. Hahn’s mother, Mrs. A. Fifer, and sister, Mrs. A. Beckstead, and on Saturday Mr. Hahn and two sons Frank and Joe drove to Boise where Frank was examined for service in the army, returning to Payette in the evening, and on Monday morning the family after eating breakfast with Mrs. Fifer, started for their home near Council, and arriving at the crossing about two miles from Payette was struck by the Pony going east.
Just how the accident occurred will perhaps never be known, but is thot that through excitement some way, the engine was of the car was killed on the track. It was struck square in the center and carried a distance of about one hundred and fifty feet, totally demolishing the car, and killing instantly Mr. Hahn and son Frank, who was driving the care, the train was stopped after passing the crossing about three hundred and fifty feet. It was a heart rendering sight that met the eyes of the train crew and passengers.
The dead and mangled were strewn along the west side of the track for two hundred feet, Joe the younger son, was pinned under the fragments of the auto. The dead and wounded were put on the train and brought to Payette, where every care possible was given to the wounded, at the Woodward building, by Doctors Woodward & Woodward and others who rendered assistance. Mrs. Hahn and the eldest daughter Elsie, passed away shortly after being brought to town. Joe, the younger son died shortly after noon.
Alice age 13, is still living her injuries are body bruised and several cuts on the head but no bones are broken. Dr. Stewart of Boise, was called in consultation with Drs. Woodward and Woodward, and it is thought she will recover. The six people in this car were the entire family living at home. Two older sons Harry Hahn and William Hahn, are married and both live near Council, who were notified and arrived Monday evening. A sister of Mrs. Hahn who lives in Butte, Montana, arrived Tuesday.
Mr. Hahn, Sr., was 60 years of age, his wife, Mrs. Alice Hahn, 45; Frank Hahn, Jr., 25; Joe Hahn, 20; Elsie 17.
The five white caskets containing the bodies of the unfortunate victims were taken to the Methodist church at one o’clock Wednesday afternoon where the funeral services were conducted by Rev. G. W. Barnes at two o’clock. After the reading of a chapter from the Bible and prayer, two of the bodies were taken to the cemetery, one hearse returning for the third, while the funeral sermon was being preached over the remains of the father and mother.
After which a large procession of sorrowing friends followed to the last resting place of what was but a few days ago five out of six of a happy family, while little Alice age 13, the only survivor of this unfortunate family lay semi-conscious yet to learn the fate that has befallen the rest of the family, and that if she is spared to live, must take up the battles of life without the guiding hand of a father or the tender care of a mother. She will have the guard and protection of two stalwart brothers and other relatives, but no one can take the place of mother. Words can not express our heartfelt sympathy for this child in her tender years and other relatives who will mourn the loss of their dear ones who were dashed into eternity without a moments notice.
Payette Enterprise (Thursday, August 09, 1917)
CORONER HOLDS INQUEST
Coroner McDonald held an inquest Monday and Tuesday to determine the cause of the death of five members of the Hahn family which occurred last Monday morning at the road crossing two miles north of Payette. The jurors summoned were Calvin Keller, Geo. Rezac, Dr. R. I. Hurd, O. A. Walling, J. H. Howard, and Will Wells. The verdict rendered was to the effect that death was caused by an unavoidable accident and the blame placed on no one.
