Patterson Cemetery District, Stanislaus County, CA 

Submitted by Gale Stroud and Burta Herger 26 Aug 2007

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Olson Nels 310522 p1  (missing last part (c)
Nels Olson Victim of Crash; Mysteriously struck down, Nels Olson, local contractor, was instantly killed Sunday evening
almost in front of his Colony home on Las Palmas avenue between Sycamore and Elm. The mishap took place at dusk,
shortly before eight o'clock, and although a number of persons wore close by and were on the scene within a few
moments, none actually saw the crash nor had a good view of the car involved, nor were any broken fragments left as
clues. Olson was drawing a child's express wagon when he was struck, returning from the W. T. Denton place diagonally
across the avenue and a short distance east of the Olson home, where be had taken some eggs, the two families being in
the custom of joining in shipments to a hatchery. Mrs. Olson had accompanied him and they had chatted with the
Dentons for a time but his wife had gone on ahead and Mrs. Denton had also turned away as Olson started back for his
house. As she went in the driveway, however, Mrs. Denton noted two cars approaching from the east, she stated.  The
front car had no lights while the car behind had its lights on.  While not closely noting, the front car appeared to be dark
in color and the second car she recognized as the business car driven by C. R. Meacham. Meacham. his wife, and
nephew, Howard of San Francisco, were returning from the river, the two later being further behind in the Meacham
sedan. A moment later the crash was heard, in the James Kvech place, immediately opposite Olson's the family declared
it sounded like two cars colliding, while Mrs. Olson. who had reached the house by that time, recognized the sound
caused by hitting the express wagon, and ran out and so the first to reach her husband. In the meantime, Meacham stated
that he had a flash of something by the side of the road as he passed and had stopped as quickly as possible and returned,
arriving almost at the same time as Mrs. Olson.  Others were shortly behind and Meacham, his nephew, and Kvech
carried the remains into the Olson home. Hurled 33 Feet; Reconstruction of the accident by traffic officers later showed
that Olson had been walking on the surfaced highway facing eastbound traffic, the correct side for a pedestrian.  Marks
left by the wheels of the express wagon as it was run over fixed the spot, a foot or so inside the paved surface, although it
could not be determined what Olson's relative position was.  The body was hurled 33 feet from the marks left by the
wagon.  A gaping hole in the skull had caused instant death, other injuries not being critical. Widespread combing of the
Colony and vicinity was started by the Traffic Department officers under Captain Al Morrison Monday, but although
several were under suspicion they were proved guilty of only minor offenses, and no developments occurred until
Meacham was haled to Modesto Monday evening by Morrison and his car impounded. Here a thorough quiz was given
him by representatives of the coroner's sheriff's and district attorney's office, but nothing developed to change
Meacham's story.  Intensive investigation continued, however, culminating in the dramatic revelations made at last
night's inquest.


Olson Nels 310522 p2
Funeral Services Field Yesterday for Olson; Funeral services for the late Nels Olson were held yesterday afternoon from
the Davis and Evans Funeral Chapel and were very largely attended.  Dr. T. J. Preston handled the service, which was
followed by interment in Del Puerto cemetery. The deceased was held in high esteem in the community which has been
his home for thirteen years past and his tragic death has occasioned general expressions of regret. A native of Denmark,
Olson was almost 66 years of age.  He came to this country at the age of 17 and resided in the Middle West the major part
of his life, coming to Patterson in 1918. He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mrs. A. Martinson of Oildale and Mrs.
?? Park of Lincoln, Nebraska; one son Harold of Patterson; and two grandchildren, James Glotfety and Kathryn Park.
Three brothers residing in Denmark and one sister in Nebraska also survive him. Mr. And Mrs. Martinson and Mrs. Park
came here for the funeral, as did a niece, Mrs. Charles Carrol of Los Angeles.