Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Roy Dahlman's death

Roy Dahlman was the first husband of Dorothy Umiker, Johannes Umiker's daughter.
His death certificate gives his parents' names as Arthur and May Pell Dahlman. His birthdate is given as 13 May 1904 and death 15 Aug 1955.

CATHLAMET -- Wahkiakum County's first traffic fatality of 1955 was recorded at 6:30 a.m. today when a trailer truck loaded with pilings rolled over Roy Dahlman, about 50, of Silver Lake, the State Patrol reported. The accident took place on Ocean Beach Highway about one mile west of the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum County line.
Dahlman had been following the truck in a pilot car. The driver of the truck, Chester D. Huls, 45, Silver Lake, said the U-bolt plate on his truck snapped and the motor of his truck failed. The truck and trailer began to roll backwards and before he could work up sufficient vacuum in the trailer brakes he felt the truck strike something.
When the trailer finally stopped it hung from the truck down an embankment. The truck remained on the highway.
The State Patrol speculated that Dahlman had left his car to attempt to aid Huls when he was struck and killed.
Traffic on Ocean Beach Highway was brought to a complete halt for almost 2 1/2 hours while attempts were made to free the dead man from beneath the truck. The highway opened for one way traffic about 9 a.m. and the Patrol said it hoped both traffic lanes could be opened by noon.
Both Dahlman and Huls were employed by Exeter Lumber Co., Longview, the patrol reported.
The body was taken to Dowling Funeral Home, Cathlamet.
Wahkiakum County Sheriff Hans Fluckiger, State Patrolmen R.O. Wegsteen and K. W. Hanson and State Patrol Sgt. C.S. Rhines investigated.
The death was the first traffic fatality in the county since April 3, 1953.

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