STORM2K

The Daily Chronicle, Friday, September 6, 1946, pg. 1

Killed When Hit by Train

Fatal Accident Occurs on Main Line Half-Mile North of Napavine Depot

An unidentified middle-aged woman was fatally injured at 11:50 a.m. Friday when struck by a north-bound train one-half mile north of the Napavine depot while running on the track in front of the speeding locomotive.

Rushed to the Chehalis hospital by K. L. Marvin, ambulance driver, she was pronounced dead on arrival, and Coroner Joe Chytil was called to conduct an investigation.

Bud Nacht, Who accompanied Marvin on the ambulance call, reported the conductor of the train said "the woman was running down the track apparently trying to flee from the engine, and we were unable to stop the train in time to prevent hitting her."

The Daily Chronicle, Saturday, September 7, 1946, pg. 1

Train Victim Is Identified

Funeral Arrangements Pending For Mrs. Linda Marie Wallace of Napavine

A woman killed Friday by north-bound Union Pacific train No. 457 a mile north of Napavine in what may have been a suicide was identified Friday night as Mrs. Linda Marie Wallace, resident of that community.

Unable to stop the train, which railroad officials in Chehalis described as going downhill at that point in its run, Guy Leavens, the conductor, reported Mrs. Wallace’s body was taken aboard and rushed to Chehalis, where Joe Chytil, Lewis county coroner, pronounced her dead upon arrival.

Deputy Sheriff Arthur E. Roswell, who cunducted series of tests at mile post 63, scene of the accident, in an effort to better understand the baffling death, clung to a pole six feet from the railroad tracks while a train rushed by in similated circumstances. Roswell said that even had Mrs. Wallace stepped from the tracks, she would have been sucked under the wheels of the "monster" if she had been that close to the engine.

"That's the most terrifying experience I’ve ever had," said Roswell. "That train loomed out of the dark in an overpowering manner. It towered upon the spot as it roared down upon me, and I believe no woman could have hung onto that post with the suction that was caused by the air currents."

Sighted by Engineer

Mrs. Wallace was sighted by the engineer as she ran down the track, and reportedly made no effort to get off the path of the heavily-laden locomotive.

Mrs. Margaret J. Holtberg, Napavine telephone operator, told a Daily Chronicle reporter Mrs. Wallace was known locally as a "very cheery person." "I served with her on election boards," the operator said, "and found as did many people, she was always cheerful and smiling."

Neighbors in Napavine were shocked at the news of her death and could recall no reason.

Mrs. Wallace is survived by her husband B. B. Wallace and three children, Ivan, Vader; Burton, Napavine, and Frances Farmer, Portland (not the Hollywood actress).

The body is at the Sticklin mortuary in Chehalis, where it was idlentified by Burton and funeral arrangements are pending.

Coroner Chytil declined to be quoted as saying the death was suicide, but said further investigation into the circumstances was being made, although Indications pointed to suicide.

The Daily Chronicle, Monday, September 9, 1946, pg. 6

Services Are Held For Train Victim

Funeral services for Mrs. Linda Maria Wallace, 57, Napavine resident all her life, who was killed by a train near there Friday, were to be held Monday afternoon at the Napavine cemetery.

Mrs. Wallace was born February 18, 1889, in Napavine, and was a member of the Rebekah lodge there. She is survived by her husband, Burton D. Wallace, Napavine; daughter, Frances Farmer, Portland; two sons, Ivan C., Vader, and Burton L. Wallace, Napavine; brother, C. F. Anderson, Pullman; sister, Mrs. J. A. Goertzen, Gold Beach, Ore., and three grandchildren.