“Four persons were killed and five injured in three automobile accidents in the tri-state area Saturday night.”
“A youth was killed and three injured in Scioto county and Portsmouth and three children were killed and two injured at Ashland.”
“Virgil Mark Reynolds, 17, former NYA employee and son of Lafe Reynolds of Wolf’s Run in the Dry Run community, lost his life in an accident on the West Side at 9:30 PM.
Car Wrecked on Route 112
“The Reynolds accident was near the Schirrman farm on route 112 less than a mile north of the intersection with route 73.”
“The car owned by Ratcliff’s father, had been borrowed by the trio for the night. It was demolished in hitting a concrete culvert after which the car overturned end over end for about 40 feet on the highway.”
“George Shope, 19, and Eugene Strickland, 20, both of McDermott, were listed as eyewitnesses by Sheriff Earl Brandel and deputies. Shope said he was driving ahead of the other car and thought it was going to pass him. He said that his companion turned around in time to see the car overturn.”
“The sheriff said the car traveled 85 feet on the berm before it struck the culvert.”
Dies Of Broken Neck
“Coroner Virgil Fowler found that Reynolds died of a broken neck and that he died at the scene although the man was taken to Portsmouth General hospital. He also had severe lacerations on his head and body.”
“Because of heavy Saturday night traffic the ambulance experienced difficulty in getting to the hospital.”
“Mr. Conley suffered a severe laceration and bruises while Mr. Ratcliff has lacerations on the head and face and is suffering from shock.”
“The victim was born November 11, 1923. He is survived by his parents and these brothers and sisters: Harry of Wolf’s Run, Mrs. Fannie Adams of Dry Run, Mrs. Anna Rhoden of Ninth street, Oscar of Wolf’s Run, Mrs. Ethel McCoy of Dry Run and Melva Jeanna Reynolds at home.”
“The body was moved to Emrick funeral home and later was moved to Windel-Howland funeral home this afternoon. Funeral services will be Tuesday 2 pm at the home with Reverend Sandy Phillips in charge.”1
Certificate of Death for Virgil Mark Reynolds2
- Four Killed in 2-State Area in Car Mishaps. (1941, August 31). Portsmouth Times, pp. 1–7.
- “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GPTC-VSS?cc=1307272&wc=MD9F-438%3A287600701%2C294617801 : 21 May 2014), 1941 > 49601-52500 > image 3188 of 3251.
