| Obit For | James Lawson Jeffries |
|---|---|
| Headline | LAWSON JEFFRIES DIES IN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT His Car Collides With Truck Near Rolla Early Wednesday Morning, When in Heavy Fog |
| Text | J. Lawson Jeffries, well known coal dealer and owner of a fleet of freight trucks, was killed about 6 o’clock Wednesday morning, when his car collided with an Ozark Truck Line truck from Springfield. The accident occurred on highway No. 63, about twenty miles from Rolla. There was a heavy fog and the drivers of the two vehicles could not see far enough ahead to avoid the collision. The Jeffries Fuel and Truck Service, of which Mr. Jeffries was the head, had a contract to haul the equipment of the Gulf Pipe Line from Wheaton to Edgar Springs, south of Rolla, and left with his fleet of trucks on Tuesday morning. Early Wednesday morning he drove from Rolla to Edgar Springs, taking some workmen there. He was returning to Rolla when the fatal accident occurred and had four men with him. A man, whose name is Alcorn, who sat in the front seat with Mr. Jeffries, was seriously injured and was taken to the hospital at Rolla. The other three men were not injured. On being hurt Mr. Jeffries called for his chief truck driver, Charlie Doennig of this place, but had died before Mr. Doennig reached him five minutes later. An inquest was held at Rolla at 1 o’clock Wednesday afternoon. The body was brought to Monett by the Callaway Undertakers. The funeral will be held at 2:30 o’clock Friday afternoon at the Methodist church. Mr. Jeffries was a large man, vigorous in body and enjoying life to the full. He had a great kind heart and cold always be depended upon for sympathy and help whenever anyone of his acquaintance was in trouble. He was devoted to his family and friends and always ready to give his help when needed. He was a familiar figure in Monett. Having lived here since he was nine year old, he knew everyone and was known by all. He took an interest in all the town’s affairs and was an ardent Republican in politics. J. Lawson Jeffries, the son of T. H. and Mary Jane Jeffries, was born at Corsicana, Barry county, August 11, 1871. He went with his parents to Washburn where they lived a short time, then came to Monett when he was nine years old, when the place was known as Plymouth Junction. Mr. Jeffries went into the grocery business in 1901. He was married April 30, 1901, to Mary Woolsey of Monett. They were the parents of one daughter, Mrs. Gladys McKinney, wife of Lloyd V. McKinney, both of whom helped Mr. Jeffries in the business. He sold his grocery store and became associated with the late Clark Kellogg in the coal business. He bought the business October 11, 1911, after Mr. Kellogg died, and has conducted it ever since. Mr. Jeffries was Monett’s fire chief for eighteen years and took much pride in his position. In the days of hook and ladder companies he attended all the fire tournaments and learned the best methods of fighting fire. He retired from this position when he could no longer take time from his business. He was a lover of sports, particularly baseball and was manager of the best baseball team Monett ever had, when big games were played at Monett, attracting people from all over the district. He at one time secured Johnny Kling, the great catcher, to play with the Monett team in exhibition games. He joined the Methodist church at Monett a number of years ago and was an earnest Christian. He was a member of the Masonic bodies at Monett. Besides his wife and daughter he leaves four sisters, Mrs. J. H. Wormington, Mrs. F. N. Reese, and Miss Bertha Jeffries of Monett, and Mrs. Lloyd B. Jones of Neosho, and one brother Leroy Jeffries, of Monett. |
| Newspaper or Funeral Home | Monett Times |
| Date | November 12, 1930 |
| Death Cert Link | - |
| Resource | - |
| Submitted by | Heather Blair |
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