Winchester Journal- Herald,
Tuesday July 9, 1940
Arthur Overmyer and John Lykins, most seriously injured of the survivors of the auto wreck near Muncie early Sunday in which Miss Roberta Meyer was killed, remained in a grave condition at Ball hospital last night, with the former still listed as "critical" and Lykins as "poor."
Miss Virginia Irish, who suffered a fractured ankle, was dismissed from the hospital at 3 p.m. yesterday and was brought by her mother, Mrs. Ben F. Rison, to their home at 503 West South street.
Remaining in the hospital and reported in "fair condition" are three others of the seven Winchester young people hurt in the fatal birthday party accident. They are Thelma Foutz, Theresa Fortner and Joe Miller.
Because of their injuries none of those who were with her when she met death can attend the funeral of Miss Myer today. The services will be held at the Main Street Church of Christ with burial in Fountain Park cemetery.
From her bed at her home on Greenville Avenue yesterday afternoon, Miss Elizabeth Lee, (The future Elizabeth Gardner, longtime Home Ec teacher at WHS) least injured of the eight youngsters hurt in the accident, told of the forming of the happy little party that was to end in tragedy and what she could recall of the horror that followed after the machine bearing the ten slid from the pavement at the unexpected curve and rolled over and over through a ditch and wire fence into a field.
"We all just happened to get together at 'Pop' Edwards ice cream parlor," she said, talking with difficulty through cut lips patched with adhesive and her pretty face marred by a great bruise where her nose was fractured, blackened eyes and scratches across her forehead.
It was Theresa Fortner's birthday and we said we would help her celebrate it. I said it could celebrate my birthday too, for I'll be 19 next Saturday. Arthur had his folk's car and we decided to go to Muncie and dance. It's too bad there's no place in Winchester where young people can go to have a good time. If there had of been, this terrible affair wouldn't have happened.
"At about 10:30 we all piled into the car. You know how kids are-just jam in and sit anywhere they can. Next to Arthur was Thelma Foutz and I sat on Earnest Tidlow's lap-He's the New Casstle boy that joined the party with Herb Wantz of Mooresville-and that made four of us in the front seat. In the back were the other six, with Wantz, Joe Miller and John Lykins on the seat and Virginia Irish, Theresa and Roberta on their laps.
"After we got to Muncie we cruised around a while debating where to go and eat and dance. Then someone suggested Yorktown and we started for there.
"Where I was sitting was right up against the windshield and I was looking ahead at the road. I guess I'm a backseat driver-my daddy will tell you that-and am always giving advice and directions. But, although I thought we were going the wrong way I didn't say anything. We weren't going fast, that is not very fast; if we had of been I certainly would have warned Arthur. Suddenly I felt the car sway and saw there wasn't any road in front of us at all-just an open space. Then we began whirling and I remember some of the girls screaming. I don't recall any crash but I do remember spinning about and drawing my legs up away from something.
"The next thing I knew-I must have been unconscious a little while-I was lying on the ground outside the car. I struggled to my feet and almost at once fell over a boy's body, got up again and tripped over a girl's leg. I could see bodies all around me but it was too dark to recognize anyone. Then I heard Joe Miller's voice, asking someone to go with him for help. I called out that I'd go and we went to a farm house that had lights shining from the windows. Whether we ran or walked I don't know. I could hardly see from the pain across my eyes and the blood. Joe asked the farmer to telephone for ambulances and the police and we stayed there. The farmer turned on water at a tap and I dashed some over my face and eyes and then tried to help Joe who was badly cut. The ambulances came a few minutes later and took us all to the hospital.
Miss Lee remained at the hospital only long enough to receive first aid treatment and when her parents, high school custodian and Mrs. John Lee arrived from Winchester she was taken to a nasal specialist and was brought home Sunday afternoon. In addition to the facial injuries she has a hole in her right arm above the elbow. She will be confined to her bed for at least a week. Miss Lee graduated from the Winchester high school in 1939 and finished her freshman year at Ball State Teacher's College last spring.
Wednesday, July 10.
Six young men, former schoolmates of Miss Roberta Meyer, bore her body to the grave at Fountain Park cemetery yesterday following services at the Main Street Church of Christ. The pallbearers were Harry Reno, Robert Reno, Elvin Rector, Robert Overmyer, Paul Beachler and Don Spear.
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| Miss Roberta Meyer headstone at Fountain Park Cemetery, Winchester, Indiana |
Thursday, July 11.
Pneumonia, developing from injuries received early Sunday morning in the automobile crash in which a girl companion was killed and eight other young persons were injured, caused the death of John P. Lykins, 25, of Winchester.
The popular Winchester young man, who was head of the designing department of the Overmyer Mould company, was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Lykins, 402 Residence street.
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| Headstone of John P. Lykins, Fountain Park Cemetery, Winchester, Indiana |
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