Forney Pair Dead in Crash on New East Fork Bridge
Couple Killed When Automobile Skids Into Banister
Forney Tribune
1941
Forney was saddened early today by the tragic death of Mr. and Mrs. Morris D. Norton, who were killed instantly when their car skidded into the cement banister of the newly completed bridge over the East Fork of the Trinity River, two miles west of Forney.
With Mr. and Mrs. Norton were Robert Daniels, 28, who suffered several bruises and a sprained arm, and Miss Lena Wiser, who was treated at Baylor hospital in Dallas for lacerations and possible concussions.
The accident occurred about 12:15 a.m. Monday. The terrific impact of the skidding 1936 Ford sedan completely demolished the automobile. Neither Daniels nor Miss Wiser was able to account for their miraculous escape from the mass of twisted steel and shattered glass.
Funeral services will be held at the Forney Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Tuesday, wth Rev. L.M. Joines, pastor, conducting, aided by Rev. Frank Johnson of Van Alstyne. Interment will be made at Crandall.
Surviving the couple are their two young daughters, Susanne and Sidna [Sydna] Fern; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. Norton of Forney; her mother, Mrs. N.A. Guynes of Forney; three of Mrs. Norton’s sisters, including Mrs. Hudge Adams and Mrs. Benny Adams of Forney and Mrs. Earl Barnes of Tahoka, and two brothers. Jack Guynes and Calvin Norton’s sisters, including Mrs. Guynes, both of Dallas.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Norton were reared in the Crandall community. For the past six years they had made their home on the James T. Brooks farm, where Norton was employed as farm manager.
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Forney Couple Killed in Car Accident on Highway Near Here
Car Hits Soft Shoulder Goes Out of Control, Crashes Bridge Rail
Unknown Newspaper
1941
Forney and Crandall, as well as the county throughout was greatly shocked and saddened by the tragic deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Morris D. Norton, of Forney, formerly of Crandall. The Nortons met death at the west end of East Fork bridge when the car in which they were riding skidded as it took the approach to the bridge, throwing them into the guard rail. Another couple in the car, Robert Daniel and Miss Lena Weiser, also of Forney, were both injured. Both couples were carried to a hospital in Dallas in Anderson-Clayton Bros. ambulance. Mr. Daniel was able to return to his home though he had numerous cuts and bruises.
Wiser is still in a serious condition. The bodies of the victims, Mr. and Mrs. Norton, were returned to Anderson-Clayton Bros. funeral home here. A double funeral service was held at the First Baptist Church at two o’clock, Tuesday afternoon with Rev. L.M. Joines, pastor of the church, and Rev. Johnson of Van Alstyne, conducting the service. The service was attended by a large crowd, many from other points were here for the funeral. The funeral cortege went overland to Crandall where the interment was made.
Pallbearers were: Paul Clarkson, Mack Daugherty, Perry Whittemore, Richard Pinson, C.C. Crittenden, Lon Yandell, Clyde Dean of Mesquite, C.A. McDoomit and Buck Barnes of Crandall, O.J. Ledbetter, Jack Venner and Dick Criswell.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Norton were born in Crandall, Morris D. Norton on March 23, 1914 and Floy Guynes Norton on July 21, 1912. They were married in 1936 and have two children, Suzanne and Sydna Fern, who survive them, together with Mr. and Mrs. D. Norton of Forney, parents of Mr. Norton, Mrs. N.A. Guynes of Crandall, mother of Mrs. Norton; two brothers, C.M. Guynes of Dallas, G.A. Guynes of Crandall; three sisters, Mrs. Earl Bond of Tokio, Mrs. B.L. Adams of Forney and Mrs. Jessie Adams of Crandall, and other relatives, including a number of nieces and nephews.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Norton were members of the Crandall Baptist Church. They came to Forney from Crandall, some five years ago, Mr. Norton having been secretary to Mr. James Brooks, during this time. They were well and favorably known throughout Forney, the county and this section of the state. They were popular among the younger set and had many friends among the older group as well.
The community has sustained a loss in the passing of this, two of its members. Their deaths become the more tragic in that they leave the two little girls who have the genuine sympathy of all those who have been touched by the lives of this young couple.
Note: Morris Dee Norton and Floy Katherine Guynes Norton are buried at the Crandall Cemetery.
