One motorcyclist was killed, and another was jailed at an early hour this morning after speeding away from Dixon and Illinois State highway police officers.

Warren Deets, 20, who resides southwest of Coleta in Whiteside county was killed as he sped his unlighted machine through the fence of a Sterling Cemetery. According to State police offiers who were pursuing him, he tore down four headstones before he was thrown from his speeding motorcycle. A farmer residing near the cemetery reported the dead man and the wrecked cycle about 6:30 this morning. He was identified as Deets.

The second motorcyclist, Donald Klosterman of Dixon was apprehended by Dixon police officers Woodyatt and Olson at an early hour this morning and lodged in the city jail on a charge of reckless driving. Later he was arraigned before Justice J.O. Shaulis in police court and was assessed a fine of $25.00 and costs.

According the the reports of the Dixon City police and state highway officers, patrolmen Woodyatt and Olson pursued both Klosterman and Deets about 12:30 this morning as they drove through the stop light on First St. and Peoria Ave. then sped across the bridge at an estimated speed of about 80 miles an hour, disregarding traffic signs and continuing west on the Lincoln Highway.

Unable to halt the speeders the officers notified the state police headquarters east of Sterlign and two blockades were established.

State officer Kiner of Prophetstown was stationed at the District headquarters while officers Russell Gentry and Roland Ullrich both of Lee Center, were detailed to proceed toward Dixon in their patrol car in an attempt to halt the speeders. Near Prairieville, Deets sped west on his motorcycle, the officers etimating his speed at about 100 miles per hour. They were unable to intercept him after turning their car around and starting in pursuit.

Continuing at this speed Deets was reported to have evaded State officer Kiner who was stationed at the Police headquarters and continued on into Sterling where he dodged traffic and stopped on 17th St. When officer Kiner again appeared in pursuit, Deets was said to have sped from his hiding place without lights and continued north on 16th st. again evading the officer.

The officers continued to search for Deets until 3 o'clock this morning. At 6:30 the Sterling headquarters were notified of the finding of Deets body and wrecked machine in the cemetery north of Sterling where he crashed through the fence knocking over four marble headstones.

Dixon Evening Telegraph 26 November 1948 ** Warren Deets was born 11 June 1929 - died 19 May 1949 the youngest child of Joseph Bernard & Lizzie (Cornelius) Deets.