MARCELINE — At the end of a road just off Main Street in Marceline, clusters of purple flowers surround a memorial on the side of the Clay family home.
The engraving on the memorial stone reads, "Katawna and Snoopy 02/19/2018."
×
Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
kAm%96 >6>@C:2= :D 7@C z2E2H?2 r=2J[ h[ H9@ 5:65 :? u63CF2CJ 27E6C D96 H2D 9:E 3J 2 q}$u EC2:? — ;FDE 2 76H 9F?5C65 J2C5D 7C@> 96C 7C@?E 5@@C]k^Am
kAmp44@C5:?8 E@ E96 72>:=J’D =2HJ6C[ z2E2H?2 D6E @FE @? 2 >:DEJ 6G6?:?8 7@C 2 H2=< H:E9 96C 5@8[ $?@@AJ]k^Am
kAm$?@@AJ 8@E =@@D6 2?5 52D965 24C@DD E96 E96?\BF:6E EC2:? EC24<D] z2E2H?2 492D65 E96 AFAAJ[ 42F89E 9:> 2?5 DE2CE65 H2=<:?8 324< 24C@DD E96 EC24<D E@ 96C 9@FD6]k^Am
kAmpE E92E >@>6?E[ E96 =2HJ6C D2:5[ 2 EC2:? 7=6H 24C@DD E96 EC24<D[ DEC:<:?8 z2E2H?2 2?5 $?@@AJ 2?5 <:==:?8 E96> 3@E9 @? :>A24E]k^Am
kAm$:IE66? >@?E9D =2E6C[ E96 72>:=J :D :? E96 AC@46DD @7 7:=:?8 2 =2HDF:E 282:?DE E96 EC2:? 4@>A2?J[ qFC=:?8E@? }@CE96C? $2?E2 u6 #2:=H2J[ 7@C 96C 562E9]k^Am
The Clay family home sits adjacent to the tracks in Marceline. A thin patch of grass and an assortment of dead shrubbery act as the only barrier between their doorstep and the rail yard.
Morgan Keith
An overpass directs vehicles over the train tracks a handful of paces from the Clay’s backyard. The night Katawna died, it obstructed both Katawna and the train crew’s ability to see each other, according to the family’s lawyer. It was moving south through the town, passed through the overpass and struck Katawna seconds after.
Morgan Keith
k9bm%C2:? 72E2=:E:6Dk^9bm
kAms62E9D =:<6 z2E2H?2’D 92AA6? 2=>@DE 6G6CJ 52J :? 6G6CJ DE2E6 24C@DD p>6C:42]k^Am
kAmw:DE@C:42==J[ E96 >@DE 4@>>@? EJA6 @7 C2:=\C6=2E65 562E9 @44FCC65 2E 8C256 4C@DD:?8D[ E96 :?E6CD64E:@? @7 C@25 2?5 EC24<[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 2 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^72D]@C8^D8A^4CD^>:D4^x}`_fdb]A57Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qma_`g C6A@CE 3J E96 r@?8C6DD:@?2= #6D62C49 $6CG:46k^2m]k^Am
kAms62E9D 2E 8C256 4C@DD:?8D 2=>@DE 2=H2JD :?G@=G6 G69:4=6D[ H:E9 A656DEC:2? 72E2=:E:6D 2E 4C@DD:?8D 244@F?E:?8 7@C =6DD E92? k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^D276EJ]79H2]5@E]8@G^9D:A^I:?8D^4@>0C@25FD6C^_f_`_^D64_a]47>Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmfTk^2m]k^Am
kAmq6EH66? `hh_ 2?5 a_`e[ 677@CED 3J C2:=C@25D 2?5 8@G6C?>6?E 286?4:6D C65F465 E96 ?F>36C @7 562E9D 2E 8C256 4C@DD:?8D 3J ebT[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 52E2 7C@> ~A6C2E:@? {:76D2G6C[ 2 C2:= D276EJ 65F42E:@? 8C@FA]k^Am
kAmp=E9@F89 562E9D 2E 8C256 4C@DD:?8D 92G6 D92CA=J 564=:?65[ E96 ?F>36C @7 A656DEC:2? 562E9D @? C2:=C@25 AC@A6CEJ 92D :?4C62D65 :? C646?E J62CD] k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^6IA=@C6]5@E]8@G^E^u#p^G:6HD^%C6DA2DD2?5$F:4:56s2D93@2C5^%C6DA2DD~G6CG:6Hni::5l`U2>Aji:DvF6DE#65:C64EuC@>':KA@CE2=lJU2>Aji6>365lJQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qms2E2 7C@> E96 u656C2= #2:=C@25 p5>:?:DEC2E:@?k^2m D9@HD E92E A656DEC:2? 562E9D H6?E FA `aT 36EH66? a_`f 2?5 a_`g 2=@?6]k^Am
kAmx? E96 4@?8C6DD:@?2= C6A@CE[ A656DEC:2? 562E9D 92G6 244@F?E65 7@C E96 >2;@C:EJ @7 C2:=\C6=2E65 562E9D D:?46 `hhf[ H:E9 ?@ AC@8C6DD >256 E@ C65F46 E96>] %96 52E2 :?5:42E65 E92E c[dhe A656DEC:2?D H6C6 <:==65 @? C2:=C@25 AC@A6CEJ :? E96 =2DE 564256]k^Am
kAmx? |:DD@FC:[ A656DEC:2? 562E9D >@C6 E92? 5@F3=65 36EH66? a_`e 2?5 a_`g] %96D6 :?4:56?ED @44FC AC:>2C:=J[ 2=E9@F89 ?@E 6I4=FD:G6=J[ :? 962G:=J A@AF=2E65 FC32? 2C62D =:<6 z2?D2D r:EJ 2?5 $E] {@F:D]k^Am
kAmu@C 6:89E @7 E96 =2DE `_ J62CD[ q}$u 92D =65 @C E:65 @?6 @E96C C2:=C@25 4@>A2?J :? |:DD@FC: 7@C E96 9:896DE ?F>36C @7 A656DEC:2? 562E9D] k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]3?D7]4@>^23@FE\3?D7^A57^724E0D966E]A57Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qmp44@C5:?8 E@ :ED H63D:E6k^2m[ q}$u :D @?6 @7 E96 =2C86DE 7C6:89E EC2:? 4@>A2?:6D :? }@CE9 p>6C:42 H:E9 2 C2:= ?6EH@C< DA2??:?8 ag DE2E6D 2?5 E9C66 r2?25:2? AC@G:?46D]k^Am
kAmx? |:DD@FC:[ caT @7 E96 >:=6D @7 C2:=C@25 EC24< 2C6 @H?65 2?5 @A6C2E65 3J q}$u[ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]>@5@E]@C8^D:E6D^5672F=E^7:=6D^5@4F>6?ED^>F=E:>@52=^>:DD@FC:0DE2E60C2:=0A=2?07:?2=]A57Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm244@C5:?8 E@ E96 a_`a |:DD@FC: $E2E6 #2:= !=2?k^2m[ H9:49 @FE=:?6D E96 56G6=@A>6?E A=2?D 7@C C2:= D6CG:46 :? |:DD@FC: E9C@F89 a_ba]k^Am
k9bm!656DEC:2? G] EC6DA2DD6Ck^9bm
kAm%96 C2:=C@25 :?5FDECJ 42==D E96 A656DEC:2?D <:==65 :? C2:= 244:56?ED “EC6DA2DD6CD]”k^Am
kAm“%96 AFCA@D6 E@ 4=2DD:7J E96> 2D EC6DA2DD6CD :D E@ 4=2DD:7J E96> 2D 5@:?8 D@>6E9:?8 :==682=[” D2:5 }2E92? z2C=:?[ 2? 2EE@C?6J H:E9 !@EEC@77 U2>Aj z2C=:?[ 2 EC2:? 244:56?E\7@4FD65 =2H 7:C> :? |2?92EE2?[ z2?D2D] “xE’D 2 AF3=:4 A6C46AE:@? C62D@?]”k^Am
kAmrC:>:?2= DE2EFE6D H6C6 6?24E65[ >@DE=J 5FC:?8 E96 `hf_D[ E92E H@F=5 2==@H C2:=C@25 4@>A2?:6D E@ 4@?D:56C 2?J@?6 @? C2:=C@25 AC@A6CEJ E@ 36 2 “EC6DA2DD6C]”k^Am
kAm(:E9 9:D A2CE?6C’D a` J62CD @7 6IA6C:6?46 :? C2:= =2H 2?5 D6G6? @7 9:D @H?[ z2C=:? D2:5 2 >2;@C:EJ @7 E96 A656DEC:2? :?;FC:6D @C 562E9D @44FC H96? D@>6@?6 4C@DD6D EC24<D :? E96 A2E9 @7 2 EC2:?]k^Am
kAmw:D 7:C>[ H9:49 :D ?@E :?G@=G65 :? z2E2H2?2’D 42D6[ 4@?D:56CD E96D6 A6@A=6 A656DEC:2?D[ C2E96C E92? “EC6DA2DD6CD]”k^Am
kAm%96 >2;@C:EJ @7 42D6D 9:D =2H 7:C> =:E:82E6D 2C6 8C256\4C@DD:?8 244:56?ED[ 6G6? E9@F89 z2C=:? D2:5 E96 7:C> 86ED >2?J >@C6 C6BF6DED E@ E2<6 A656DEC:2? 42D6D]k^Am
kAm“%96J’C6 G6CJ 5:77:4F=E E@ =:E:82E6 3642FD6 @7 E96 =2HD 2?5 3642FD6 @7 E92E 4=2DD:7:42E:@? @7 E96> 2D EC6DA2DD6CD[” z2C=:? 25565]k^Am
kAm%96D6 562E9D 4@F=5 36 AC6G6?E65 3J AC@G:5:?8 D276C A656DEC:2? 4C@DD:?8D H:E9 6?92?46>6?ED DF49 2D =:89ED 2?5 82E6D[ 96 D2:5[ 2?5 76?4:?8 E96 EC2:?’D C:89E\@7\H2J :? FC32? 2C62D H:E9 9:89 A656DEC:2? EC277:4]k^Am
kAm“(92E E96 C2:=C@25D 92G6 ?@E 5@?6 2?5 H92E E96J 92G6 C6D:DE65 :D 2?J 7@C> @7 AF3=:4 D276EJ 76?4:?8 @C C62D@?23=6 A656DEC:2? 4C@DD:?8D 2E C62D@?23=6 :?E6CG2=D[” z2C=:? D2:5]k^Am
kAmq}$u :D @?6 @7 E96 =2C86DE C2:=C@25 4@>A2?:6D :? E96 4@F?ECJ[ H:E9 2 ?6E :?4@>6 @7 S`]ad 3:==:@? :? E96 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]3?D7]4@>^23@FE\3?D7^7:?2?4:2=\:?7@C>2E:@?^A57^A6C7@C>2?46\FA52E6\`B\a_`h]A57Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm7:CDE 7:?2?4:2= BF2CE6C @7 a_`hk^2m[ 244@C5:?8 E@ 7:?2?4:2= A6C7@C>2?46 FA52E6D @? :ED H63D:E6]k^Am
kAm%96 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]FA]4@>^4D^8C@FAD^AF3=:4^5@4F>6?ED^5@4F>6?E^A570CC08C2560D6A0AC@;64ED]A57Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm8F:56=:?6D 7@C D6A2C2E:@? AC@;64EDk^2m DE2E6 E92E 76?4:?8 H:== 36 AFE FA :? 2C62D 566>65 ?646DD2CJ 3J E96 4@>A2?J]k^Am
kAm%96 DE2E6>6?E C625Di “u6?4:?8 D92== 36 AC@G:565 E@ D2768F2C5 E96 86?6C2= AF3=:4 2?5 AC6G6?E EC6DA2DD6CD 7C@> 6?E6C:?8 E96 #2:=C@25 C:89E\@7\H2J 2?5 2446DD:?8 E96 EC24< @C @E96C #2:=C@25 DECF4EFC6D] t249 AC@;64E H:== 36 6G2=F2E65 @? 2 42D6 3J 42D6 32D:D]”k^Am
k9bm$276EJ >62DFC6Dk^9bm
kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^D276EJ52E2]7C2]5@E]8@G^~77:46@7$276EJ^AF3=:4D:E6^BF6CJ^42DCAEC6DF=E]2DAIn=:?<Dl0AC@8C2>l^qxTa_|2?286C^u#p$%!^!F3=:4$:E6^c]_eTa_rp$st%{]D2DTae0D6CG:46lD276EJTae0563F8l_TaeC@@El^42CJTaeDJ62Cla_`gTaeD>@?E9l_`Tae6J62Cla_`hTae6>@?E9l_`TaeCClTaeE7l*Tae:5l_Tae8C@FAEJA6lp{{Tae:?45Elq}$ua_`g_arw_a`g`a`Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm~77:4:2= 244:56?E 7@C>Dk^2m 4@>A=6E65 3J q}$u #2:=C@25 r@>A2?J 4=2DD:7J z2E2H?2 r=2J 2D 2 “EC6DA2DD6C[” 3F:=5:?8 2? 2C8F>6?E E92E E96 4@>A2?J :D ?@E =:23=6 7@C 96C 562E9]k^Am
Data obtained on Katawna’s death from the Federal Railroad Administration’s safety data website.
kAmy@Dé q2FE:DE2[ E96 r=2JD’ 2EE@C?6J H9@ :D 32D65 :? z2?D2D r:EJ[ D2:5 96 :D :? E96 AC@46DD @7 7:=:?8 2 =2HDF:E 282:?DE q}$u 7@C z2E2H?2’D 562E9]k^Am
kAmq2FE:DE2 2?5 9:D A2CE?6C E@@< @? E96 42D6 27E6C 2 G:D:E E@ |2C46=:?6[ H96C6 E96J ?@E:465 E92E E96 E@H? 925 “>@C6 E92? :ED 72:C D92C6 @7 9:89\DA665 EC2:?D 8@:?8 24C@DD >F=E:A=6 EC24<D[ 8@:?8 C:89E E9C@F89 E96 >:55=6 @7 E@H?]” w@>6D 2?5 D49@@=D =:6 5:C64E=J ?6IE E@ E96 EC24<D]k^Am
kAm“%9C@F89 >@DE @7 E96 E@H?[ E96C6 :D?’E 2 D:?8=6 76?46 :? D:89E[” q2FE:DE2 25565]k^Am
kAm(92E 2=2C>D q2FE:DE2 >@DE :D E92E :E’D ?@E E96 7:CDE E:>6 D@>6@?6 92D 366? <:==65 :? |2C46=:?6[ 2?5 :7 D@>6E9:?8 :D?’E 5@?6 E@ 255C6DD E96 AC@3=6>[ “:E’D 46CE2:?=J ?@E E96 =2DE]”k^Am
kAm%96 @?=J 76?4:?8 3J E96 EC24<D :? E@H? :D @? 2 7@FC\3=@4< DEC6E49 36EH66? E96 (2=E s:D?6J w@>6E@H? |FD6F> 2?5 2? @G6CA2DD] xE H2D :?DE2==65 27E6C 2 H@>2? H2D <:==65 :? a___ @? E96 @AA@D:E6 D:56 @7 E96 @G6CA2DD H96C6 z2E2H?2 H2D 9:E[ 244@C5:?8 E@ |2C46=:?6 =@42= 2?5 7@C>6C $2?E2 u6 #2:=H2J 4@?5F4E@C $2> q2:=6J]k^Am
kAm%96 C2:=H2J 96 H@C<65 7@C >6C865 H:E9 qFC=:?8E@? }@CE96C? #2:=C@25 :? `hhd E@ 4C62E6 q}$u]k^Am
On the opposite side of the overpass, there is fencing by the tracks near the town center. It ends just a few hundred feet from where Katawna was hit and killed by a train in a residential area.
Morgan Keith
This photo was taken by Sam Bailey in 2000 when he was working on a train crew headed through Marceline. This shows the area before the fencing was put in. The Walt Disney Museum is the large, red brick building in the background. Bailey is an administrator for a closed Facebook group where he shares old photos from his time as a conductor, updates on the locomotive he is refurbishing in the heart of the town and more.
Sam Bailey
kAmw:D D@?[ r9F4< q2:=6J[ H9@ H2D 2 4@?5F4E@C 7@C p>EC2< 7@C @G6C 2 564256[ :D :? E96 AC@46DD @7 >@G:?8 9:D 72>:=J 7C@> z2?D2D r:EJ 324< E@ 9:D 9@>6E@H? @7 |2C46=:?6]k^Am
kAmz2E2H?2’D 562E9 DECF4< E96 4@>>F?:EJ 566A=J[ 244@C5:?8 E@ r9F4< q2:=6J] xE >256 9:> E9:?< 23@FE 9:D @H? E9C66 49:=5C6?[ H9@ =:G6 H:E9 9:D 72E96C[ $2>[ H9:=6 96 =@@<D 7@C H@C< :? E96 2C62]k^Am
kAm“(6 4@F=5 5@ W76?4:?8X =:<6 E96J 5@ :? E96 3:8 4:E:6D[ 2?5 H6 4@F=5 76?46 :E @77] x? z2?D2D r:EJ[ H6’G6 8@E >:=6D @7 76?4:?8] ]]] u@C E96 >@DE A2CE[ :E’D C65F465 2 =@E @7 A656DEC:2? :?4:56?ED E@ 92G6 E92E :?:E:2= 32CC:6C E@ <66A J@F 7C@> 86EE:?8 E96C6[” q2:=6J D2:5]k^Am
kAm“p?5 E92E’D A6CD@?2= C6DA@?D:3:=:EJ @? E96 W4@>A2?JX]”k^Am
k9bmvC256\4C@DD:?8 562E9Dk^9bm
kAmvC256\4C@DD:?8 562E9D 92G6 AC@G65 62D:6C 7@C E96 C2:=C@25 :?5FDECJ E@ 255C6DD E92? A656DEC:2? 562E9D]k^Am
kAm%96 r@?8C6DD:@?2= #6D62C49 $6CG:46 C6A@CE A@:?E65 @FE E92E EC2:? 56C2:=>6?ED 2?5 4@==:D:@?D E6?5 E@ >2<6 9625=:?6D[ 3FE =6DD 2EE6?E:@? 92D 366? 8:G6? E@ A656DEC:2? 562E9D[ 6G6? E9@F89 E96 =2EE6C C6AC6D6?ED 2 8C62E6C A@CE:@? @7 C2:=\C6=2E65 562E9D E92? 56C2:=>6?ED 2?5 4@==:D:@?D 4@>3:?65]k^Am
kAm“t77@CED E@ C65F46 8C256\4C@DD:?8 562E9D 7@4FD @? 65F42E:@? @7 2? :56?E:7:23=6 A@AF=2E:@? — 2FE@>@3:=6 5C:G6CD[ A2CE:4F=2C=J J@F?8 5C:G6CD[” E96 C6A@CE ?@E65] “%9@D6 <:==65 H9:=6 EC6DA2DD:?8[ @? E96 @E96C 92?5[ 2C6 ?@E 2? 62D:=J :56?E:7:23=6 A@AF=2E:@? DF3D6E]”k^Am
kAm%96 C2:= :?5FDECJ 92D 7@4FD65 >F49 @7 :ED 677@CED @? ~A6C2E:@? {:76D2G6C[ 2 ?2E:@?2= ?@?AC@7:E 7F?565 AC:>2C:=J 3J E96 7656C2= 8@G6C?>6?E] p44@C5:?8 E@ E96 C6A@CE[ ~A6C2E:@? {:76D2G6C 92D 366? “AC@G6?” E@ C65F46 C2:=\8C256 562E9D[ 3FE “?@ AC@8C6DD” 92D 366? >256 @? EC6DA2DD6C 562E9D]k^Am
kAm%96 u656C2= #2:=C@25 p5>:?:DEC2E:@? AC@G:56D D276EJ k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^6IA=@C6]5@E]8@G^E^u#p^G:6HD^%C6DA2DD2?5$F:4:56s2D93@2C5^%C6DA2DD~G6CG:6Hni::5l`U2>Aji:DvF6DE#65:C64EuC@>':KA@CE2=lJU2>Aji6>365lJQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm52E2 @? A656DEC:2? 562E9Dk^2m 3C@<6? 5@H? 3J J62C[ DE2E6 2?5 C2:=C@25] %96 E9C66 C2:=C@25D H:E9 E96 9:896DE A656DEC:2? 562E9D :? |:DD@FC: — q}$u[ &?:@? !24:7:4 2?5 p>EC2< — H6C6 2== 2D<65 23@FE A656DEC:2? D276EJ 7@C E9:D ?6HD C6A@CE]k^Am
kAm“%96 D276EJ @7 @FC 4FDE@>6CD[ 6>A=@J66D 2?5 AF3=:4 :D @FC E@A AC:@C:EJ[” p>EC2< AF3=:4 C6=2E:@?D >2?286C |2C4 |28=:2C: D2:5 :? 6>2:=] “p>EC2< 92D 2 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^A@=:46]2>EC2<]4@>^Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmA@=:46 56A2CE>6?Ek^2m H:E9 2 ?2E:@?2= D276EJ >:DD:@? 2?5 2 A2CE?6CD9:A H:E9 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^@=:]@C8^23@FE\FD^?6HD^>65:2Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm~A6C2E:@? {:76D2G6Ck^2m]”k^Am
kAm%96 6>2:= 2=D@ :?4=F565 :?7@C>2E:@? 23@FE E96 p>EC2< A@=:46 56A2CE>6?E’D D276EJ 42>A2:8? 42==65 k2 9C67lQ9EEAi^^DE2J@77E96EC24<D]@C8Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm$E2J~77%96%C24<D]@C8k^2m] x? 255:E:@?[ C2:= D276EJ E:AD H6C6 =:DE65 :? E96 6>2:=]k^Am
kAm&?:@? !24:7:4 >65:2 4@?E24E %:> |4|292? D2:5 E96 4@>A2?J FD6D AF3=:4 D276EJ 42>A2:8?D 2?5 5:776C6?E 7@C>D @7 >6DD28:?8 E@ 6>A92D:K6 E92E “E96 @?=J D276 A=246 E@ 4C@DD 2 C2:=C@25 EC24< :D 2E 2 WA656DEC:2?X 4C@DD:?8]”k^Am
kAmq}$u AF3=:4 2772:CD 5:C64E@C p?5J (:==:2>D AC@G:565 2 3C@49FC6 7C@> a_`h 23@FE k2 9C67lQ9EEAi^^HHH]3?D7]4@>^:?\E96\4@>>F?:EJ^A57^8C256\4C@DD:?8\D276EJ]A57Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm8C256\4C@DD:?8 D276EJk^2m] x? E96 3C@49FC6[ EC6DA2DD:?8 :D >6?E:@?65 3C:67=J]k^Am
kAm(96? 2D<65 @G6C 6>2:= 23@FE EC6DA2DD:?8 DA64:7:42==J[ (:==:2>D C6DA@?565 3J AC@G:5:?8 =:?<D E@ ~A6C2E:@? {:76D2G6C 2?5 E96 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]7C2]5@E]8@G^6{:3^56E2:=D^{_ae_hQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qmu#p’D C2:=C@25 EC6DA2DD:?8 724E D966Ek^2m]k^Am
k9bmu656C2= DEC2E68Jk^9bm
kAm%9:D 6A:56>:4 :D ?@ D64C6E E@ E96 7656C2= 8@G6C?>6?E]k^Am
kAmp? k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]7C2]5@E]8@G^6{:3^s6E2:=D^{`hg`fQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qmu#p DEC2E68J C6A@CEk^2m @? AC6G6?E:?8 “EC6DA2DD:?8” 56D4C:36D E96 7:?5:?8D @7 2 E62> E92E >62DFC65 E96 64@?@>:4 36?67:ED @7 C65F4:?8 E96D6 244:56?ED]k^Am
kAmxE 7@F?5 E92E 36EH66? a_`a 2?5 a_`e[ “EC6DA2DD:?8” 72E2=:E:6D 2?5 :?;FC:6D 4@DE E96 AF3=:4 Scb 3:==:@? A=FD 2?@E96C Sde >:==:@? 7@C EC2G6= 56=2JD] xE’D :>A@CE2?E E@ ?@E6 E92E E96D6 7:8FC6D 5@ ?@E 244@F?E 7@C F?BF2?E:7:23=6 4@DED DF49 2D =@DE AC@5F4E:G:EJ 2?5 6>@E:@?2= 5:DEC6DD]k^Am
kAm#2:=C@25 p5>:?:DEC2E:@? D6?:@C AF3=:4 2772:CD DA64:2=:DE (2CC6? u=2E2F[ 32D65 :? (2D9:?8E@?[ s]r][ 92D H@C<65 7@C E96 25>:?:DEC2E:@? D:?46 `hhf 2?5 92D D6CG65 :? 9:D 4FCC6?E A@D:E:@? D:?46 a__b] w6 24<?@H=65865 E92E E96 25>:?:DEC2E:@? C64@8?:K6D E96 FAH2C5 EC6?5 @7 E96D6 562E9D]k^Am
kAm“%96 u#p’D C6DA@?D:3:=:EJ[ x E9:?<[ :D E@ E2<6 DE6AD @C 677@CED E@ C65F46 :ED @44FCC6?46[” u=2E2F D2:5]k^Am
kAmu6?4:?8 92D 366? =67E E@ E96 5:D4C6E:@? @7 E96 DE2E6D 2?5 E96 C2:=C@25 4@>A2?:6D] u=2E2F D2:5 :E H@F=5 36 EC:4<J E@ 4C27E 2 7656C2= >2?52E6 @? 76?4:?8 7@C C2:=C@25 4@>A2?:6D E@ 23:56 3J[ 2?5 E96 u#p 92D?’E 5@?6 D@]k^Am
kAmu=2E2F 25565 E92E ?62C=J 2== 564:D:@?D E@ 255 ?6H D:8?D @C 76?4:?8 2C6 2 DE2E6 @C =@42= C6DA@?D:3:=:EJ] p44@C5:?8 E@ E96 DEC2E68J C6A@CE[ “EC6DA2DD:?8 @? C2:=C@25 AC@A6CEJ :D 2 =2H 6?7@C46>6?E :DDF6 8@G6C?65 3J DE2E6 2?5 =@42= =2H[ H9:49 =:>:ED u#p’D 2FE9@C:EJ E@ 255C6DD E96 :DDF6]”k^Am
kAmw@H6G6C[ E96 DEC2E68J C6A@CE 2=D@ 24<?@H=6586D E92E E96 25>:?:DEC2E:@? 92D 72:=65 E@ 255C6DD E96 42FD6D @7 E9:D :DDF6 FD:?8 2 “?2E:@?2=[ AC@24E:G6 2AAC@249” 2?5 92D 9:DE@C:42==J 56A6?565 @? C68:@?2= DE277:?8 2?5 C6D@FC46D E@ 92?5=6 D276EJ :DDF6D @? 2 42D6\3J\42D6 32D:D]k^Am
kAm%96 |:DD@FC: s6A2CE>6?E @7 %C2?DA@CE2E:@? H@C<D H:E9 2== =@42= ;FC:D5:4E:@?D E9C@F89@FE E96 DE2E6 E@ :>AC@G6 D276EJ 2E AF3=:4 4C@DD:?8D[ |@s~%’D C2:=C@25 25>:?:DEC2E@C tC:4 rFCE:E D2:5]k^Am
kAm“(6 E2<6 :?E@ 244@F?E EC6DA2DD6C 24E:G:E:6D 2E 6249 4C@DD:?8 2D H6 6G2=F2E6 E96> 2?5 24E 2AAC@AC:2E6=J 27E6CH2C5 E@ ECJ 2?5 C65F46 :E E9C@F89 E9:?8D =:<6 76?4:?8[ D:8?286[ E9@D6 <:?5D @7 E9:?8D[ @C 6?7@C46>6?E 2?5 65F42E:@?[” 96 D2:5]k^Am
kAm|62?H9:=6[ E96 C2:=C@25 :?5FDECJ 92D DA6?E 2E =62DE Sbab >:==:@? =@33J:?8 E96 7656C2= 8@G6C?>6?E 23@FE EC2:?\C6=2E65 :DDF6D D:?46 a_`_[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]@A6?D64C6ED]@C8^:?5FDEC:6D^324<8C@F?5]A9An4J4=6la_`gU2>Aj:?5l|_cQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qmr6?E6C 7@C #6DA@?D:G6 !@=:E:4Dk^2m] $276EJ C68F=2E:@?D 2C6 =:DE65 2D 2? :DDF6 C2:=C@25 4@>A2?:6D 92G6 =@33:65 7@C]k^Am
kAmq}$u 92D C2A:5=J :?4C62D65 E96 2>@F?E :E’D DA6?E @? =@33J:?8[ 7C@> Scbb[bgd :? a___ E@ Sb]b >:==:@? :? a_`g[ 244@C5:?8 E@ E96 46?E6C’D k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]@A6?D64C6ED]@C8^A24D^=@@<FAa]A9AnDECxslr__abdfbhU2>Aj4J4=6la_`gQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm=@33J:?8 52E2k^2m] %96 52E2 2=D@ D9@HD E92E |:DD@FC: =68:D=2E@CD @? 3@E9 D:56D @7 E96 2:D=6 C646:G65 Sbh[___ :? k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]@A6?D64C6ED]@C8^A24D^A248@E]A9An4J4=6la_`gU2>Aj4>E6lr__abdfbhQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm42>A2:8? 4@?EC:3FE:@?D 7C@> q}$u :? a_`gk^2m]k^Am
kAm&]$] #6A] $2> vC2G6D[ #\|:DD@FC:[ H9@ C6AC6D6?ED |2C46=:?6 :? r@?8C6DD[ C646:G65 Sbc[___ 7C@> q6C<D9:C6 w2E92H2J[ E96 4@>A2?J E92E @H?D q}$u[ 5FC:?8 9:D a_`g 42>A2:8?] %96 4@>A2?J H2D 9:D =2C86DE 4@?EC:3FE@C 7@C E92E 42>A2:8? 4J4=6]k^Am
kAmx? a_`g[ vC2G6D 2?5 9:D 42>A2:8? 4@>>:EE66[ vC2G6D 7@C r@?8C6DD[ C646:G65 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]@A6?D64C6ED]@C8^A24D^A248@E]A9An4J4=6la_`gU2>Aj4>E6lr__abdfbhQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmS`_[___k^2m 2?5 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]@A6?D64C6ED]@C8^6IA6?5D^G6?5@C]A9AnJ62Cla_`gU2>AjG6?5@ClvC2G6DZ7@CZr@?8C6DDQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmS`d[d__k^2m[ C6DA64E:G6=J[ 7C@> q}$u[ =:DE65 2D E96 4@>A2?J’D k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^HHH]@A6?D64C6ED]@C8^A24D^6IA6?5:EFC6D]A9An4J4=6la_`gU2>Aj4>E6lr__abdfbhQ E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qm?:?E9\=2C86DE C64:A:6?Ek^2m 5FC:?8 E92E 4J4=6]k^Am
k9bm‘$:>A=6’ D@=FE:@?Dk^9bm
kAmz2E2H?2’D >@E96C[ |6=@?J r=2J[ 36=:6G6D C2:=C@25 4@>A2?:6D 4@F=5 62D:=J 255C6DD A656DEC:2? 562E9D @? E96:C EC24<D]k^Am
kAm“%96J 5@?’E H2?E A6@A=6 @? E96:C AC@A6CEJn !FE D@>6E9:?8 E96C6 E@ <66A A6@A=6 @77 J@FC AC@A6CEJ[” D96 D2:5] “xE’D E92E D:>A=6]”k^Am
A train flies past Katawna’s memorial, hand-built by her father, next to the tracks. Clusters of purple flowers that were not there before her passing shot up in that portion of the yard, according to Katawna’s mother, Melony Clay. "Purple and blue were her favorite colors at that time."
Morgan Keith
kAmp44@C5:?8 E@ q2FE:DE2[ :E H@F=5 36 F?C62D@?23=6 E@ C6BF:C6 2 C2:=C@25 E@ AFE FA 76?46D 2=@?8 6G6CJ >:=6 @7 EC24<[ 3FE :E H@F=5 36 C62D@?23=6 E@ E2C86E 9:89\EC277:4 =@42E:@?D]k^Am
kAm“(96C6 :E :D ?66565 2C6 A=246D =:<6 |2C46=:?6[ H96C6 J@F 92G6 >F=E:A=6 EC24<D — ?@E ;FDE @?6 — H:E9 9:89\DA665 EC2:?D … 8@:?8 DEC2:89E E9C@F89 E@H?[” q2FE:DE2 D2:5] “x >62? :E’D C62==J 8@:?8 E9C@F89 E96 324<J2C5 @7 D@>6 @7 E96D6 A6@A=6]”k^Am
kAm|F=E:A=6 2EE6>AED H6C6 >256 E@ C6249 q}$u C6AC6D6?E2E:G6D 3J 6>2:= 2?5 A9@?6 23@FE E96 :DDF6 @7 76?4:?8 :? |2C46=:?6[ 3FE q}$u 5:5 ?@E 255C6DD E9@D6 BF6DE:@?D] |4|292? @7 &?:@? !24:7:4 255C6DD65 2 76H @7 E96 C62D@?D H9J C2:=C@25D 5@ ?@E 92G6 76?4:?8 25;246?E E@ E96:C EC24<D]k^Am
kAm“*@F 4@F=5?’E 76?46 E92E AC@A6CEJ :7 J@F 8@E E92E >2?J >:=6D @7 AC@A6CEJ[” 96 D2:5] “!=FD :E H@F=5 36 56EC:>6?E2= E@ H:=5=:76 2?5 @E96C E9:?8D] $@ H6 4@F=5?’E 76?46 E96 AC@A6CEJ]”k^Am
kAm#682C5=6DD[ |6=@?J r=2J H@CC:6D E92E 2?@E96C 49:=5 :? |2C46=:?6 4@F=5 DF776C E96 D2>6 72E6 2D 96C 52F89E6C :7 2 D@=FE:@? :D?’E :>A=6>6?E65 3J q}$u D@@?]k^Am
kAm“xE’D E96:C 8C665 E92E <66AD E96> 7C@> WAFEE:?8 FA 2 76?46X[” D96 D2:5] “%96J 5@?’E H2?E E@ DA6?5 E96 >@?6J[ 3FE 2E H92E 4@DEn”k^Am
Both Katawna and her dog, Snoopy, were hit and killed by a train on February 19, 2018, in Marceline. The idea for a memorial originated with her father, Michael Clay, who hand-placed the plastic lettering.
Both Katawna and her dog, Snoopy, were hit and killed by a train on February 19, 2018, in Marceline. The idea for a memorial originated with her father, Michael Clay, who hand-placed the plastic lettering.
Morgan Keith/
Morgan Keith
