Crabtree, Ben

Plans were made today to have a double funeral for Reese Maxwell, 27 years old, and Ben Crabtree, 37 years old, Commerce men who were killed in Seneca Missouri, Thursday afternoon when a fast Frisco mail train struck their truck at a Street crossing. Heavy snow falling at the time of the accident was credited with part of the blame for the tragedy. The train, said to have been traveling about 60 miles an hour, tossed the truck 100 feet, demolishing both the truck and a touring car which was being hauled on the truck. Mr. Crabtree is survived by his widow and four children. Mr. Maxwell leaves his widow and one child. The two men were half-brothers. Mr. Maxwell, driver of the truck, was pinned beneath the steering wheel and was dead before rescue workers could free him from the wreckage. Crabtree was thrown clear of the wreckage and lived only a few minutes, dying on the way to a hospital. John Rasbach, engineer of the train, and F. J. Sith, fireman, both testified last night before a Newton county Missouri, coroner's jury, that they did not see the truck until it was on the track ahead of the train. Testimony showed that the train had whistled for the crossing. In addition to the snow, which impaired visibility, there were pieces of cardboard in the truck windows which further prevented the driver from seeing the train, it was pointed out. Funeral service for the half-brothers, will be held at the Crabtree home at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Maxwell is survived by his mother, Mrs. Mary Maxwell of Galena Missouri; his wife at Commerce; one daughter, Elizabeth Maxwell; five brothers [one name is not readable on the microfilm], Fred Maxwell, Tom Maxwell, and George Maxwell of Galena Kansas, and Matthew Maxwell of Commerce and two sisters, Maimie Maxwell and Mrs. Margaret Cowens of Galena. Mr. Crabtree is survived by his wife and his mother, Mrs. Maxwell; three daughters, Ellen Crabtree, Billie Crabtree and Francene Crabtree, and two sons, Ben Crabtree, Jr., and Bobby Crabtree. The Mitchelson undertaking company is in charge.

Funeral services will be held for Reece Maxwell and Ben Crabtree, Commerce men killed in a grade crossing accident at Seneca Missouri, at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist church of Commerce. A Pentecostal minister will conduct the ceremony. Maxwell and Crabtree were half-brothers. Burial will be in the G.A.R. cemetery at Miami, under direction of the Mitchelson undertaking company.