Paul John Payne

Notes:

1920 - Living in the Parks Township of Stephens County, with Paul listed as 18 and his wife Grace A. as 17. He was shown as a Farmer. They lived next to Paul's half brother, Thomas H Payne. Their son, Paul Jr. was born in July of that year, five months after the census was taken.

Duncan Daily Banner
Sunday, July 23, 1922 - Pg. 1
Family of Five Killed When Train Strikes Auto
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Payne, Two Children and Niece Killed

El Reno, July 22---(Associated Press) ---A family of four was killed when a Rock Island passenger train struck the auto in which they were riding this afternoon, at a crossing one mile south of Union City.
The dead are:
PAUL PAYNE --25 farmer, Duncan
HIS WIFE,
TWO CHILDREN--a girl 4 years old and a boy 2 years old.
LILLIAN DECK--13, the only daughter of R. A. Deck of El Reno.
The gasoline tank of the automobile exploded and set fire to the wreckage. The bodies of all except Payne were badly burned. Payne, who was driving, was thrown clear of the wreckage and killed instantly. The Payne Family had been visiting in El Reno and was returning to their home in Duncan when the tragedy occurred.

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Payne and two babies of this city and Miss Lillian Deck of El Reno, about 13 years old, a niece of Mr. and Mrs. Payne, were instantly killed Saturday afternoon when the automobile in which they were riding was struck by Rock Island northbound passenger train No. 24, a short distance south of Union City, a few miles south of El Reno.Miss Deck had been a guest of the Payne family in Duncan for some time and (---faded print---) party was on the way to her home in El Reno when the accident happened. Miss Deck's father is a Rock Island conductor and has a passenger run. The tragedy happened at the same dangerous crossing that about two months ago occurred a similar smash and which took the lives of four occupants of an automobile. At this place the road and railroad track parallel for some distance before reaching the crossing. At the crossing the auto road takes a sudden turn and dip to cross the railroad. It is impossible to see a train at this place because of the high embankments. Mr. Payne is a nephew of W. W. Payne and Mrs. Payne is a niece of Mrs. Mack Vandergriff, of this city.
The bodies of the victims were brought as far as Marlow where met by relatives with conveyances and brought to Duncan for burial.

The Marlow Review
Thursday, July 27, 1922
FAMILY KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT
Paul Payne, Wife and Two Small Children Killed Near El Reno Saturday--Were Buried Here Monday
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Payne and two small children, 1 year and 3 months of age, and Lillian Deck, 13 year old daughter of Conductor and Mrs. Deck of El Reno, were instantly killed Saturday afternoon when the auto in which they were riding was struck by a train at a crossing south of Union City. Mr. Payne was thrown clear of the car and killed instantly while Mrs. Payne, the children and Miss Deck were burned to death when the gasoline tank on the car exploded and consumed the car.
The remains of the Payne family were brought here for funeral services and burial Monday afternoon.
The services were conducted by Rev. E. L. Kirtley and the Idlett Click Post of the American Legion.
Paul Payne was born in Marlow, some twenty-one years ago and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Payne, well known pioneers of this locality. He grew to manhood here but later moved to Duncan from which place he moved to his farm on Wild Horse after marrying a Duncan girl. It was on this farm that he was residing at the time he met his death. The deceased served in the late war and was an active member of the American Legion. The deceased family leave a large number of relatives and many friends who are deeply grieved over such a sad demise.

The Marlow Review
Thursday, July 27, 1922 - Pg. 1

FAMILY KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT
Paul Payne, Wife and Two Small Children Killed Near El Reno Saturday--Were Buried Here Monday

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Payne and two small children, 1 year and 3 months of age, and Lillian Deck, 13 year old daughter of Conductor and Mrs. Deck of El Reno, were instantly killed Saturday afternoon when the auto in which they were riding was struck by a train at a crossing south of Union City. Mr. Payne was thrown clear of the car and killed instantly while Mrs. Payne, the children and Miss Deck were burned to death when the gasoline tank on the car exploded and consumed the car. The remains of the Payne family were brought here for funeral services and burial Monday afternoon. The services were conducted by Rev. E. L. Kirtley and the Idlett Click Post of the American Legion. Paul Payne was born in Marlow, some twenty-one years ago and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Payne, well known pioneers of this locality. He grew to manhood here but later moved to Duncan from which place he moved to his farm on Wild Horse after marrying a Duncan girl. It was on this farm that he was residing at the time he met his death. The deceased served in the late war and was an active member of the American Legion. The deceased family leave a large number of relatives and many friends who are deeply grieved over such a sad demise.

(All articles above are courtesty of Lyn Cordell)

Paul J. Payne was buried, with his namesake son, on 24 Jul 1922, in Section 9, Block 15, Plot 2, Marlow Cemetery, Oklahoma.

Paul married Grace A. Creel on 1 Oct 1919 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Grace was born about 1902 in Cruce, Stephens County, Indian Territory; died on 22 Jul 1922 in Union City, Canadian County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Not to be confused with his second cousin of approximately the same age, Paul James Payne, the son of Harry Carl Payne.

It was recorded that P.J., as he was called, died at the age of 2 years and 7 days.

Notes:

She is recorded as having died at the age of eight months and six days by Ken Harvey. Lyn Cordell reports the funeral home records actually show her age as 8 months and four days old.