Lawrence Domer
Aug. 20, 1900-Nov. 24, 1936
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, November 24, 1936, page 1, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Niles Man Killed in Crossing Crash Early Today
LAWRENCE DOMER, 36, DRIVES CAR ON TRACK AT NINTH AND WAYNE
Joseph Douglas, His Companion, Sustains Slight Injuries;
Both Tyler Employes
Lawrence Domer, 36, Niles factory worker and father of four children, was killed instantly at 5:45 o'clock this morning when his light sedan was struck by a south bound Michigan Central freight train at the Ninth and Wayne streets crossing.
The crossing on which the tragedy took place is not protected by crossing signals or barriers. Clear vision of the tracks is also hampered by factory buildings on both sides of the railroad right-of-way.
At the time of the fatal crash Domer was accompanied by his next door neighbor, Joseph Douglas. Douglas escaped the tragedy with only a small laceration on his lip.
Employed at Tyler
Both men were employes of the Tyler Sales-Fixture company and were on their way to work when the accident occurred.
According to Engineer E.T. Rowe and Fireman E.F. Brown, both of Elkhart, the train was travelling[sic] between five and eight miles an hour. The car, which was proceeding east, was about half way across the crossing when struck.
The impact swung the car to the south against the side of the train and it is believed that Domer's head was crushed between the side of the coal car and his how automobile. Whether or not he attempted to jump from this car or was dragged out by the train is not known. His body was dragged about 45 feet south of the crossing.
Lived Here Nine Years
Donner, who lived with his family about one and one-half miles north of Niles on Pucker street, moved her about nine years ago from Baker, N.D., where he was born Aug. 20, 1900.
Besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Domer, Baker, N.D., he leaves his wife, Elsa; four children, Warren, 15, Alpha, 12, Verlin, 10, and Phyllis Ann, 8; also one brother, Ralph of York, N.D. And two sisters, Mrs. Orville Knote, Baker,and Mrs. Okey Norman, Esmond, N.D.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Justice Thomas Farrell will conduct an inquest at 2 o'clock this afternoon at the Turner and Pifer funeral home.
Niles Daily Star, Friday, November 27, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
Niles News In Brief: DOMER SERVICES TODAY
Funeral services for Lawrence Domer, 36, Niles factory worker who was killed Tuesday morning by a Michigan Central freight train at Ninth and Wayne streets, were conducted at 2 o'clock this afternoon in the Turner and Pifer chapel by the Rev. Dewey Rowe, Bryan, O. Alfred Boyer, Joseph Douglas, John Bailey, Wilbur Dickeson, Gerald Tyler and Jacob Boersema served as pallbearers. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery. Fellow employes at Tyler Sales-Fixture plant contributed funds for the purchase of a lot in Silverbrook cemetery.