Dick Van Slyke of Ward Funeral Home talks with surf ballroom mamager Carolll Anderson (foreground) while Cerro Gordo County Corner Ralph Smiley begins his investigation of the accident on February 3, 1959
Elwin Musser/Mason City Globe-Gazette
Winter Dance Party Crash Scene Photos
Dick Van Slyke of Ward Funeral Home talks with surf ballroom
mamager Carolll Anderson (foreground) while Cerro Gordo County
Corner Ralph Smiley begins his investigation of the accident on
February 3, 1959
Elwin Musser/Mason City Globe-Gazette
Officials and news media survey the aircraft wreckage on February
3, 1959. Cerro Gordo County Deputy Sheriff Lowell Sanquist kneels
over a wheel while Corner Ralph Smiley points to Deputy Bill
McGill right behind him. Mason City Globe-Gazette reporter Jim
Collison is in the dark coat with light fur collar in the center
of the photo. Dick Van Slyke of Ward Funeral Home is to the right
of Collison and Wendell Wilcox of the is walking right in front
of the wreckage. Surf Ballroom Manager Carroll Anderson is
walking toward the wing of the demolished Bonanza and John
"Andy" Anderson, editor of the Clear Lake
Mirror-Reporter, is at the far right.
Elwin Musser/Mason City Globe/Gazette
Cerro Gordo County Corener Ralph Smiley looks at Buddy Holly's
suitcase during his investigation of the crash scene. The body of
J.P. Richardson can be seen between Smiley and the wreckage,
across the barbed wire fence.
Elwin Musser/ Mason City Globe-Gazette
Cerro Gordo County Deputy Sheriff Lowell Sanquist faces the
wreckage as ambulances approach the crash scene. The bodies of
Buddy Holly (wearing light coat) and Ritchie Valens are to the
right of the wreckage.
Elwin Musser/Mason City Gobe Gazette
The bodies of Buddy Holly (left) and Ritchie Valens flank the
demolished Bonanza.
Elwin Musser/Mason City Globe-Gazette.
Federal Aviation Administration investigators Eugene Anderson and
Fred Bechetti begin combing through the wreckage of the Bonanza
on Wednesday morning, February 1959, for clues to the cause of
the accident.
Edwin Musser/Mason City Globe-Gazette
Deputy Bill McGill stands over the body of Buddy Holly (left)
While Deputy Lowell Sanquist continues his examination (center).
The body of Ritchie Valens is to right, in front of the wing and
in front of the unidentified man who appears to be carrying a
motion picture camera
photo courtesy Kevin Terry
