Wilton Vander Plaats

Tragic Auto Accident at Sheldon Takes 3 Lives

An automobile collision near Sheldon claimed it third life early Sunday when Arie Vander Plaats, forty four year old farmer, living two miles south of Sheldon, succumbed to internal injuries.

Mrs. Vander Plaats, 40, and the couple's 4 year old son, Milton, died in the hospital Saturday night. The mother suffered internal injuries while the child's skull was fractured and one leg broken.

Another child of the Vander Plaats, Gerrit, 8 years old, was in critical condition, suffering from a fractured skull and broken lower jaw. He is unconscious most of the time.

The automobiles driven by Mr. Vander Plaats and Frank Vortiherms of Granville, collided as the Sheldon farmer reportedly was driving his car onto the highway which passes his farm, early Saturday evening.

Mr. Vortiherms, 50, and his daughter Isabel, 24, also were injured in the tragic crash and are in the Sheldon hospital. The father has several fractured ribs and cuts about the head while the girl is suffering from shock. A young son of Mr. Vortiherms, Sylvester, 13 years old, sustained a gash over his eye which required several stitches to close.

Funeral services for those three who were fatally injured were held Tuesday afternoon.

Sioux County Index 1939-07-21.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jul 3 2019, 18:53:07 UTC