21 Dec 1886 – 8 Jun 1934
Husband of Mary Anna Shaw
Train-Motor Crash Fatal
Charles P. Bjorkman Instantly Killed at Crossing on Cutoff Road
Logan – Charles p. Bjorkman, 46, of 148 South Third East street, Logan, was instantly killed about 1:45 p.m. Friday when the automobile he was driving collided with the gasoline coach of the Oregon Short Line Railroad company at a crossing on the new cutoff road between Logan and Wellsville, about a quarter of a mile south of Green’s corner. The body was brought to the Lindquist & Sons mortuary, where an examination showed Mr. Bjorkman suffered a broken neck, fractured skull and both legs were broken.
Eyewitnesses to the crash were Oliver Birch of Logan, who was driving directly behind Mr. Bjorkman; Maurice Parkinson, Warren Bassett and Roy Green of Wellsville, who were working a short distance from the crossing.
Mr. Birch told Sheriff Jeff Stowell and County Attorney George D. Preston that Mr. Bjorkman, en route north, had just passed him and evidently failed to hear the bell and whistle of the approaching train. Mr. Birch said that Mr. Bjorkman applied his brakes, but ran into the left front of the train, completely demolishing the automobile. Mr. Bjorkman was lifted from the wreckage by Mr. Birch and other witnesses.
All of the witnesses stated the train’s whistle was blowing and the bell was ringing before the accident. The crossing, which is on the new cutoff road opened this week for traffic, is in a cut and the train approach is blocked from view, officers said.
No inquest will be held, County Attorney Preston stated following investigation of the accident.
This is the second fatal accident in three months in which the gasoline engine has been involved near this point. On March 2, just a short distance west from this crossing, on the old road, two persons, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Curtis Hall and Ivern Franklin Livingston of Pocatello, Idaho, were killed when their automobile collided with the train.
On this old crossing five other persons have been killed in automobile train collisions.
J. R. Slater was conductor of the train in the accident Friday, and the name of the motorman was not learned.
Mr. Bjorkman was born in Heber December 21, 1887, a son of Swen and Esther Wahlquist Bjorkman. He came to Logan from Heber several years ago. While at Heber he taught school. He was a graduate of the Utah State Agricultural college.
Mr. Bjorkman married Mary Shaw, who survives him, and is a sister of former Sheriff William H. Shaw of Cache county.
Besides his widow, he is survived by a son and daughter, Lavell and Delray Bjorkman, Logan.
-The Salt Lake Tribune Saturday, June 9, 1934, Page 23
Funeral Set For Crash Victim
Funeral services for Charles P. Bjorkman, who was killed yesterday afternoon when his car was struck by the O.S.L. train on the new double crossroad north of WEllsville, will be held Sunday at 2 p. m. in the Seventh ward chapel. Friends may call at the home at 148 South Third East from 11 a. m. Sunday until time for the services.
Mr. Bjorkman had lived in Logan for four years having come here with his wife and child from California, where he was employed as a carpenter. While in California, Mr. Bjorkman was active in L.D.S. church affairs. He was superintendent of the Elysian ward Sunday school and he also served as M.I.A. superintendent in a Los Angeles stake ward.
Mr. Bjorkman taught school in Heber for one year.
His wife and two children survive, Mary Shaw Bjorkman, and Lovell, 6, and Del Rey, 2 years old.
-The Herald-Journal, Saturday, June 9, 1934, Page 1
Logan City Cemetery, Logan, Cache County, Utah, Plot: E-160-8-8
