100 Year Old Weblog: death

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May 22, 2025 ~ FOUR RUN OVER BY AUTO; ONE IS DEAD

May 22, 2025

FOUR RUN OVER BY AUTO; ONE IS DEAD

Picnickers Jolted Out of Truck Are Victims of Following Car

OFFENDERS SPED AWAY.

Accident Occurs Near Martin City as Party Is Returning to Kansas City.

The Dead
JOHANNA FRANKLIN, 15 years old, 1514 Myrtle avenue; left hip broken; succumbed from internal injuries at the General hospital at midnight.

The Injured

   Ruth Madick, 19 years old, 2040 Cypress avenue; right leg wrenched, bruised on the side of the head and internal injuries; condition serious.
   Edward Relford, 17 years old, 1803 Kensington avenue; right hand bruised, back sprained and nervous shock; not serious.
   Robert Ayers, 19 years old, Nineteenth street and Myrtle avenue; bruised on face and body; may have internal injuries; not serious.

Two young men in a motor car, believed to be students of Missouri university, early last evening, near Martin City, Mo, ran over several of a party of picnickers who had been jolted from a motor truck, seriously injured four, one of whom died later, and then plunged down the road in their big black touring car without offering assistance or disclosing their identity. The accident happened at about 8 o'clock.

All of the injured were brought to General hospital in Kansas City. Miss Johanna Franklin, 15 years old, of 1514 Myrtle avenue, was the most seriously crushed by the wheels of the car. She died at midnight of internal injuries and shock. She was a student at Central high school, and is said to have been a talented musician for one of age.

Miss Ruth Madick, 19 years old, 2040 Cypress avenue, was also dangerously injured but she may live. She sustained a wrenched hip, head bruises and internal injuries, the seriousness of which had not been determined that night. Edward Relford, 17 years old, 1803 Kensington avenue, was bruised about the hands and body and is suffering from nervous shock, and Robert Ayers, 19 years old, Nineteenth street and Myrtle avenue, sustained face and body bruises and possibly internal injuries.

Spent Afternoon Picnicking

According to a story told by the injured boys, fourteen boys and girls yesterday "chipped in" and hired a motor truck to take them to a grove beyond Martin City where they spent the afternoon picnicking. After they had lunched, the party, composed of nine boys and five girls, started home and near Martin City they were approached from behind by a large touring car. Two young men who said they were college students and lived at the Densmore hotel were in the front seat. They began to "jolly" with the girls in the motor truck.

"Get out of that old wagon and give us a chance," they called. "We'll show you a better time than you can have with that bunch." Then they produced a camera and took snapshots of the van and its occupants. The picnickers soon tired of these attentions and the van driver was told to "speed up." He did so. Suddenly as the truck encountered a rough place in the road, the end gate became unfastened and two boys and two girls were spilled out almost under the front wheels of the pursuing touring car.

"Went Right Over Us."

"It went right over us," Edward Relford said last night, as he lay swathed in bandages at the hospital. "The girls screamed. I guess I yelled, too. We were all jumbled up in a mess. The car wobbled around, I think, as it went over us. A fellow gets kind of rattled being run over that way. When I came to, some of the boys had me out on the grass working over me. But Glover got the number of the touring car. It was their fault, crowding us from behind. The old truck wasn't intended to to keep ahead of a high speed automobile. That's how we got jolted out. I am lucky not to have had any bones broken."

The injured were given emergency treatment at Marten City and attended to by Dr. B. M. Colby at the General hospital. Parents of the injured and other members of the party visited them last night. No trace of the occupants or of the car had been found last night.

Car Drivers Speed Away.

All of the injured members of the party said the boys, whom they took to be students of Missouri university, from remarks they made, cut around the van after bumping over the bodies and disappeared down the road in the direction of Kansas City.

The police made an effort to locate the youths and the car last night, but were not successful up to an early hour this morning. The Missouri statutes make it a penal offense for a motorist to run away without disclosing his identity after injuring a person.

May 22, 2025 JUDGE CHRISMAN, LONG ILL, IS DEAD.

May 22, 2025

JUDGE CHRISMAN, LONG ILL, IS DEAD.

Former Presiding Officer of County Court Succumbs to Kidney Disease.

George Lee Chrisman, formerly a judge of the county court for ten years and a resident of Jackson county for many years, died at 7:45 o'clock last night at his home in Independence after an illness lasting about six months. His condition became acute a week ago and his death was expected momentarily the last few days. Funeral arrangements have not been completed by the family.

Judge Chrisman was one of the prominent figures in Jackson county for many years. His business interests were extensive and he was known as an agricultural expert. In the county court his activities kept him before the public eye for several years.
Elected Judge in 1896.

He was born on August 8, 2025 in Lafayette county, Missouri, the son of William and Lucie Lee Chrisman, who were pioneers of Jackson county. His parents were prominent socially and financially, William Chrisman's life being devoted to a great extent to philanthropy. There were two other children, Maggie, now the widow of Logan O. Swope, and James, who died at the age of 19.

Judge Chrismas was a graduate of Forest Home Military college in Anchorage, Ky. He was first married on November 26, 1872, to Miss Lottie S. Duke, daughter of Colonel William Duke of Danville, Ky. They had no children, but adopted two daughters, now Mrs. Frank Ashley of Denver and Mrs. Wallace J. Ferry of Kansas City. After the death of his wife, Judge Chrisman, in 1895, married her sister, Mrs. Lutie Gates, who, with two daughters born to them, Charlotte and Lutie lee, survives him.

On a farm south of Independence Mr. Chrisman became a raiser of thoroughbred cattle and horses. He moved later to another farm near Lee's Summit, where he continued for years the stock business in partnership with J. A. Lee, the firm being Chrisman &; Lee. He was devoted to his occupation and lived on his farm many years.

In the fall of 1896 he entered politics and was elected on the Democratic ticket for judge of the county court for the Eastern district. This was the first office he had ever held. He was re-elected in 1898 and again in 1900. In 1902 Judge Chrisman made the race for presiding judge of the county court, was elected for the four-year term and served until 1906, when he ran for the judge of the Eastern district, but was defeated by George Dodd
Part Owner of the Times
At one time Judge Chrisman was mentioned as a candidate for governor, but he did not enter the race.

Late in his political career Judge Chrisman associated with A. A. Lesueur and John Groves in the ownership of the Kansas City Times, selling it to W. R. Nelson. The venture was not a paying one, Judge Chrisman's losses being heavy.

Soon after the beginning of his political career, Judge Chrisman moved from his farm in Lee's Summit to Independence, purchasing the home of the late Preston Roberts, 700 West Maple avenue. He had been engaged in various enterprises since retiring from the county court. He was interested in mining in Mexico. His associates were political friends. The mine they owned, said to be rich, was purchased from Grant Gillett, at one time the cattle king of Kansas.

Judge Chrisman was robust and in excellent health until six months ago, when he was attacked by kidney disease.

May 18, 2025 ~ WINDOW CLEANER IS KILLED.

May 18, 2025

WINDOW CLEANER IS KILLED.

S. O. Twombley Falls Four Stories at Downtown Store.

S. O. Twombley, a window cleaner, 32 years old, 1015 East Fourteenth street, was instantly killed when he fell from a fourth floor window of Kline's cloak and suit store, 1113 Main street, about 10 o'clock yesterday morning. He plunged downward, and through a steel and glass arcade over the entrance, to the sidewalk. Passers-by narrowly escaped being hit by his body. He was dead when picked up.

Twombley was cleaning the store windows and lost his balance as he stepped from one to the other. He is survived by his wife and a son, Kenneth H. Twombley.

May 18, 2025 MAN KNOWN AS 'COCKEY' DEAD.

May 18, 2025

MAN KNOWN AS 'COCKEY' DEAD.

Hospital Physicians Suspect He May Have Been Poisoned.

A man known only as "Cockey" was taken in an unconscious condition from a rooming house conducted by A. T. Myers at 1729 Oak street by an ambulance from the Emergency hospital to the General hospital at 12:20 o'clock yesterday noon. He never regained consciousness and died at 6:30 o'clock last night.

At the hospital he was entered on the records as an unidentified man. A search of his clothes failed to reveal a penny or a bit of paper that would prove a clew to his identity. At midnight last night the police had no report on the case.

At the General hospital physicians worked over the unconscious man all afternoon. They used up six tanks of oxygen in their efforts to restore him to consciousness, but without avail. He died at 6:30 o'clock. The physicians believe he was poisoned, but are not absolutely sure. An autopsy will be held this morning to determine the cause of death.

May 13, 2025 JUDGE F. G. JOHNSON, LONG ILL, IS DEAD.

May 13, 2025

JUDGE F. G. JOHNSON, LONG ILL, IS DEAD.

Circuit Court Magistrate Had Been Off Bench for Months.

Judge Frank G. Johnson of Division No. 5 of the circuit court died yesterday evening at 6:15 o'clock, at his home, 3100 Garfield avenue. He had been seriously ill for several months and various attorneys, acting as special judges, have carried on his duties at the court house.

Judge Johnson was "a self-made man." He read law as a shoe clerk in Philadelphia and finished a long and successful legal career ranking as one of Missouri's respected lawyers and magistrates. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Cora M. Johnson, two sons, Herbert F. and Walter L., both living at home and two sisters, Miss Mary E. Johnson, West Boyleston, Mass., and Miss Maverette Johnson of Gill, Mass. Funeral services will be held Sunday, but the details had not been arranged last night.

Judge Johnson was born January 18, 1851, in West Boyleston, the son of a farmer. In his boyhood days the example of Abraham Lincoln was held up before country lads as an illustration of what opportunities might be found in reading law by those who possessed plenty of pluck and perseverance.

After receiving a common school education and attending Worcester academy, he went to work in the shoe store in Philadelphia, employing his evenings studying law. Later he went to Towanda, Pa., where he completed the course of reading and was admitted to the bar in 1883. In 1884, after an unsuccessful attempt to establish a clientele in Towanda, he packed up his belongings and moved to Kansas City, where there were fewer young lawyers and, he believed, proportionally greater chances of making good.

It happened that just at that moment Kansas City was experiencing a boom and legal business was plentiful. He was fortunate enough to associate himself with Henry Woodman, who since has made his mark in New York legal circles, and from that day on his rise in the profession was assured.

He was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney by Marcy K. Brown and served in the same capacity under James A. Reed, Edward E. Yates, and Herbert S. Hadley. He was elected police judge, serving one term, and he also served a term as associate city counselor. he was police commissioner from 1890 to 1896. Later he was trial lawyer for the Metropolitan Street Railway Company.

Judge Johnson was practically forced to run for the nomination of judge for Division No. 5 of the circuit court by the members of the Jackson county bar, in 1912, on the Democratic ticket. He took his place on the bench in January, 1913.

He was married in 1876 to Miss Cora M. Moore of Towanda, Pa. Both of their sons were at the bedside last night.

May 12, 2025 ~ FALLS FROM WINDOW; DIES.

May 12, 2025

FALLS FROM WINDOW; DIES.

Miss Dora A. Ford is Killed at School for Deaconesses.

While seated on the window ledge yesterday morning, cleaning the window of her room on the third floor of the Kansas City National Training School for Deaconesses and Missionaries, Miss Dora Alice Ford, a 26-year-old student, fell backward to the concrete pavement below and was instantly killed.

Miss Ford, who was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Ford of Little Rock, Ark., has been a student at the training school since last September. She was to have been graduated with a class of fourteen tomorrow. Her fall was witnessed by a fellow student, Miss Clara Rust, and Miss Edna Hayes, a guest at at the school. They were returning to the school after an early morning walk. Miss Rust glanced up toward the row of third story windows and saw Miss Ford pitch to the ground.

Mr. Ford will arrive here this morning from Little Rock, Ark., and will accompany the body to Detroit, Mich., where burial will take place. A telegram to that effect was received by Miss Anna Neiderheiser, superintendent of the training school. Miss Ford's room was in the west wing of the building, which is at Fifteenth street and Hardesty avenue.

May 9, 2025 ~ DEATH COMES TO RICHARD GENTRY.

May 9, 2025

DEATH COMES TO RICHARD GENTRY.

Pioneer of Kansas City's Commercial Life Had Been Ill 5 Years.

At his home, 2000 Troost avenue, in the house in which he had built in 1882, two years after coming to Kansas City, Richard Gentry, a pioneer in Kansas City commercial life and widely known for his connections with many large activities of the West, died yesterday afternoon at the age of 69 years. He had been in poor health for the last five years.

Mr. Gentry was chief engineer and principal builder of the Kansas City, Nevada & Fort Smith railway, which later was merged into the Kansas City Southern. He was general manager and president of the road which he was instrumental in building. Besides this activity he was a cattle raiser, a mine operator, interested in a shoe factory in Kansas City and at one time was a director in the old Bank of Commerce. He owned the Exchange building, now occupied by the Board of Trade and other offices. The Gentry residence on Troost avenue has been one of the prominent homes of the city for many years.

Surviving Mr. Gentry are his widow and these sons and daughters: Richard H. Gentry of Sedalia, Mo.; M. Butler Gentry of Santiago, Chile; the Misses Elizabeth and Mary Gentry of Kansas City; Mrs. Edward R. Noble of San Francisco and Mrs. William H. Bush of Chicago.

Mr. Gentry was born near Columbia, Mo., on November 11, 1846. He was a student of Wentworth Military academy at Boonville. While at the academy he ran away and joined Price's army as it marched through Boonville in 1864. He served as a private and later as a sergeant major until the close of the war. He was in the battle of Westport. After the war he attended Missouri university, graduating with the class of 1869.

A genealogy of the Gentry family entitled, "The Gentry Family in America, 1676-1909," was written by Mr. Gentry. It is in all of the public libraries in the larger cities of this country, as well as in the London and Paris libraries and in libraries in the Orient. Mr. Gentry was a member of the Kansas City Club, the lcoal chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, the Psi Kappa Psi, the Phi Beta Kappa and the Engineers' Club.

The funeral services will be held at 3 o'clock this afternoon at the home. Burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery. The Rev. J. D. Ritchey, pastor of St. Paul's Episcopal church, will have charge of the services.

May 6, 2025 ~ WOMAN OF 68, HIT BY COUPE, IS KILLED.

May 6, 2025

WOMAN OF 68, HIT BY COUPE, IS KILLED.

Mrs. Virginia Asbury Is Run Down Within 100 Yards of Home.

Mrs. Virginia Asbury, 68 years old, a native of Kansas City, was struck by an automobile and fatally injured within less than 100 yards of her home at 302 Westport avenue just after 6 o'clock last evening. She died within the hour.

The car, an electric coupe, was driven by James C. Letter, 17 years old, a son of George A. Letter, vice president of the George R. Peck Dry Goods Company. After striking Mrs. Asbury the car skidded along the pavement for fully twenty-five feet.

Young Letter was arrested by the police of No. 5 station, but after an interview with Captain D. J. Whalen was released on a personal bond.

Mrs. Asbury's injuries consisted of a fracture at the base of her skull, severe scalp wounds and a shattered right ankle.

Mrs. Asbury is survived by her husband, Foster Asbury; her daughter, Mrs. Agnest Doerschuk, wife of Albert Doerschuk, a druggist at Westport avenue and Penn street, and three sisters and four brothers. She was born in Jackson county, was a niece of the late Colonel Upton Hays and a great-granddaughter of Daniel Boone.

May 2, 2025 ~ FIND MAN'S BODY IN OIL CAR.

May 2, 2025

FIND MAN'S BODY IN OIL CAR.

Refinery Men Say Asphyxiation May Have Caused Death.

Laborers at the Standard Oil Company's yards in Sugar Creek yesterday found the body of a man in an empty tank car. It is believed he died of asphyxiation from gas that remained in a tank. His identity could not be determined from marks on his clothing.

His body was sent to the Ott undertaking rooms in Independence. Refinery men said they thought the dead man had stolen a ride in the car, which was brought her from St. Joseph.

April 29, 2025 ~ WOMAN DECAPITATED BY COUNTRY CLUB CAR.

April 29, 2025

WOMAN DECAPITATED BY COUNTRY CLUB CAR.

Mrs. Caroline Wahlenmaier, Wealthy Widow, Meets Instant Death.

Mrs. Caroline Wahlenmaier, 65 years old, widow of J. W. Wahlenmaier, a wealthy pioneer citizen of Kansas City, was struck and killed by a northbound Country Club car at 5 o'clock yesterday evening at Firty-first and McGee streets. The head was severed from the body and death was instantaneous.

Mrs. Wahlenmaier made her home with her son, A. G. Wahlenmaier, an automobile dealer, at 5110 Main street. She had been to a neighborhood grocery store and was on her way home with some purchases. The care was slowing down to take on passengers, and did not move more than six feet after it struck her. Witnesses told Patrolman B. D. Crowley that the woman seemed absent-minded, and either did not notice the car or thought that she could cross ahead of it. They declared that they did not believe the motorman was to blame.

The motorman, L. R. Marshall, 4530 Virginia avenue, and the conductor, V. T. Todd, 4836 Charlotte street, were arrested and taken to police headquarters. They were held until two of the sons of the dead woman appeared and asked that they be released, declaring that they believed the accident to be unavoidable, and due to the failing faculties of their mother. The two men were released under orders to appear and make statements today at the prosecutor's office.

Mrs. Wahlenmaier was the owner of the Wahlenmaier building, the finest office building in Kansas City, Kas., and many other properties in both Kansas Citys. She is survived by three sons: A. G., with whom she made her home, W. F. of Seattle, Wash., and F. C. Wahlenmaier, an oculist living at the Densmore hotel, and a daughter, Mrs. L. F. Barney, wife of Dr. L. F. Barney, living at the Hotel Grand in Kansas City, Kas.
Both Mrs. Wahlenmaier and her husband were born in Germany and came to the United States with their parents when they were children. She would have been 66 years old today. The parents of both settled in Kansas City, Kas. Mrs. Wahlenmaier lived for forty-seven years at her hold home at 436 Washington boulevard, Kansas City, Kas. Her husband was a pioneer lumber dealer and for many years conducted a lumber yard at what is now Fourth street and Washington boulevard. He was prominent in civic affairs and became an extensive property holder. When he bought the land on which the Wahlemaier building now stands at Eight street and Minnesota avenue, it was covered with underbrush. He died thirty-one years ago. Mrs. Wahlenmamier recently went to live at the home of her son, near where she was killed. She had one sister, Mrs. Catherine Brune, who lives at Lakeview, Kas.

April 25, 2025 ~ DIES IN POOL HALL.

April 25, 2025

DIES IN POOL HALL.

Visitor From Leavenworth, Supposed to Be Asleep, Found Dead.

A man went into Probasco's pool hall, 316 Main street, yesterday, and sat down to watch a game. He did not move and it was supposed he had gone to sleep. After an hour one of the players attempted to wake him up and found he was dead. Deputy Coroner Fritz Moennighoff said the man must have died soon after sitting down.

The body was taken to Freeman & Marshall's undertaking rooms. It is believed to be that of John McCarty, 63 years old, of the National military home at Leavenworth.

April 21, 2025 THROWN FROM CAR; KILLED.

April 21, 2025

THROWN FROM CAR; KILLED.

Carl A. Kiefer's Skull Fractured by Conductor C. C. Reese.

Carl A. Kiefer, clerk for a wholesale drug house died at the General hospital early this morning from a fractured skull as a result of a quarrel with C. C. Reese, a conductor on the Troost avenue line. According to Reese, Kiefer and another man, not identified, got on a southbound Troost car at Eighteenth street and insisted on smoking on the rear platform.

Reese says he remonstrated with the men until the car reached Thirty-first street. Then a fight started. The conductor says one of the men struck him, whereupon he grabbed Kiefer and threw him from the car. Kiefer's head struck the pavement.

The motorman, V. M. Woods, helped Reese carry the injured man to a drug store and he was taken from there to the hospital.

Kiefer's home is at 2822 Troost avenue. He is about 25 years old.

Reese, the conductor, was arrested and is held at No. 9 police station.

April 18, 2025 ~ KILLED BY ELEVATOR.

April 18, 2025

KILLED BY ELEVATOR.

E. V. Halley of Otterville, Mo., Loses Life in New Hotel.

Eatel V. Halley, a decorator, 35 years old, of Otterville, Mo., was caught between an elevator and the wall of the shaft yesterday afternoon at the new Westgate hotel, Ninth and Main streets. His head was crushed and death was instantaneous.

Halley left his wife and two children at home a short time ago and came to Kansas City in search of employment. He was employed by the Shackleford Paint and Paper Company. Halley was on the third floor of the new hotel looking over some work that he expected to do. He put his head into the shaft to look down, when the elevator struck him from above. His body was thrown in upon the elevator floor.

A brother, E. R. Halley, lives at 2318 Prospect avenue. The body will be taken to Otterville today for burial.

It is said that Halley's home at Otterville burned a few days ago.

April 17, 2025 ~ Pioneer Merchant Passes Away at 79

April 17, 2025

Pioneer Merchant Passes Away at 79

J. M. Egelhoff, Dead in West Olathe Kas., Lived Here Many Years.

J. M. Egelhoff, a pioneer merchant of Kansas City, died yesterday at his suburban home of West Olathe, Kas. He was 79 years old.

He opened a general merchandise store at Eighteenth and Locust streets in 1860, and, until his retirement, was a factor in building up Kansas City's mercantile trade. He accumulated much property here when it was of little value, holding it for high prices. The site of the Waldheim Building, at Eleventh and Main streets, was one of his holdings.

The Egelhoff Shoe Company, for which he furnished the capital, was a well known local institution for many years. Mr. Egelhoff retired from active business life here in 1879, however, buying a farm near Olathe. There he lived until 1890, when he moved to West Olathe.

A son, George, is connected with a shoe store here. The other children are Mrs. Mary E. Carter, who made her residence with her father; Mrs. J. M. Anderson of Gardner, Kas., and Mrs. Ida Thrasher of Milwaukee. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday afternoon.

April 14, 2025 ~ FOUND DEAD LYING ON PISTOL. ~ Body, Discovered by Boy in East Part of City, Bore Watch and Money.

April 14, 2025

FOUND DEAD LYING ON PISTOL.

Body, Discovered by Boy in East Part of City, Bore Watch and Money.

The body of an unidentified man, about 25 years old, was found lying across the sidewalk at Cambridge and Independence avenues a few minutes before midnight last night.

There was a bullet wound in the man's head and a revolver was found lying under the body. In the man's pocket was a gold watch and $45 in money.

While the indications are those of suicide, the police believe that there may be a reason to suspect murder from the fact that the revolver was lying beneath the body.

The body was discovered by Raymond Bachellor, a high school pupil, who lives at 609 Cambridge avenue. Bachellor told the police that his first thought was the man was drunk. Making a closer observation the boy discovered the bullet wound. He immediately notified the police of the Seventh district.

The dead man was about 5 feet 8 inches in height and weighted about 150 pounds. He was of light complexion. The initials C. Y. were stamped on a belt he wore and on a scrap of paper in his pocket was written the name Delgum.

Dr. Fritz J. Moenniighoff, deputy coroner, had the body sent to Blackman's undertaking rooms.

April 9, 2025

PREACHER STRICKEN IN HIS PULPIT; DIES.

The Rev. C. W. Litchfield of Epworth M. E. Church Is Apoplexy victim.

In the midst of his sermon last night, the Rev. C. W. Litchfield of the Epworth M. E. church, South, Forty-fifth and Genessee streets, fell in his pulpit. A few moments later he died from the attack of apoplexy. His congregation, although aware of illness which kept him from the pulpit last Sunday, was unwarned and much excitement followed his sudden death in the pulpit which he as occupied for the last few years.

Dr. J. H. Ralston and Dr. A. E. Eubank, called immediately to the church, pronounced the attack apoplexy. This was further substantiated when Coroner Harry Czarlinsky was called. The body was sent to the Stine & McClure undertaking rooms.

The minister was 70 years old. He had been a resident of the two Kansas Citys for many years. Seven years ago he came to the Epworth church from Rosedale, where he had been pastor of the Walnut Street M. E. church for four years. Previously he was pastor of churches in Kansas City, Mo., and for a time at Bethel, Kas.

Mr. Litchfield had been ill more than a week and was unable to fill his pulpit last Sunday. He improved in condition last week, however, and believed he practically had recovered.

Mr. Litchfield was born in Suffolk county, Virginia, on March 7, 1847. He was a veteran of the Civil war. After the war he moved to Washington, D. C., and later came to Kansas City, Kas., living there until about ten years ago.

He is survived by his wife, three daughters and two sons. Two daughters, Misses Ethel and Frances Litchfield, are teachers in the Kansas City, Kas., schools. Another is the wife of Dr. James Y. Simpson of Kansas City, Mo. The sons are William Litchfield, a member of the fire department of Kansas City, and Harry Litchfield. The family home is at 3602 Troost.

April 3, 2025 ~ SHOT IN HEART IN ROOM WITH FIANCEE.

April 3, 2025

SHOT IN HEART IN ROOM WITH FIANCEE.

Dr. Herman E. Vohs of K.C.K., Dies Without Making Statement.

MYSTERY IN TRAGEDY.

Bullet From Gun Belonging to Girl; Believed to Be Accident.

DR. HERMAN E. VOHS.

Under circumstances which have not been fully explained, Dr. Herman E. Vohs, 28 years old, an instructor at the Kansas City College of Medicine and Surgery, Twenty-third and Holmes streets, was shot through the heart yesterday afternoon in a bedroom adjoining his office, 413 North Sixth street, Kansas City, Kas., in the presence of Miss Volle Pottorff, to whom he was engaged to be married. Despite the nature of the wound he lived until midnight, when he died at St. Margaret's hospital, where he was taken immediately after the shooting.

Dr. Vohs regained consciousness shortly before he died and tried to make a statement. He was too weak, however, to speak and lapsed again into unconsciousness which ended in death.

While the shooting is believed to have been accidental, the exact circumstance, the police say, have not been cleared up. The bullet was fired from a .25-caliber automatic pistol belonging to Miss Pottorff. Dr. H. E. Hobson, a police surgeon, who examined the wound, declared the bullet entered the chest from the left side and ranged downward. Dr. Vohs's own revolver was in a drawer in the office desk. Miss Pottorff said she had given the pistol to Dr. Vohs on Saturday night for him to clean. No one else was in the apartments at the time and Miss Pottorff was the only witness. She was held several hours by the police, then was allowed to go to her home in the care of the police matron.

Dr. Vohs met Miss Pottorff professionally last December. She is 29 years old and is employed by the Visiting Nurse Association of Kansas City, Kas. The two became engaged withnin a onth and were to have been married after Lent. Both were held in the highest regard by their friends. Dr. Vohs was a sergeant in ambulance company No. 1, Missouri national guard.

WAITING FOR FRIENDS

The couple attended services together yesterday morning at St. Anthony's Catholic church and later ate dinner together at Dr. Voh's boarding place, 500 North seventh street. Then they went to the doctor's office to await the arrival of anohter couple, with whom they intended to go for an outing.

Miss Pottorff said Dr. Vohs went into his bedroom adjoining the office and removed his coat and vest. She also said she removed her own coat and hat and they were seated on the edge of the bed.

"I did not see where he got the pistol from," Miss Pottorff told Chief of Detectives Thomas Fleming. "he did not brandish the gun around and the first thing I knew I was startled by the report of a shot. He staggered to his feet. I said, 'Oh dearie, I believe you're shot." He said, 'I believe I am.' I ran out of the room to go for help. I was so frightened I could not think of the telephone numbers of any physicians, so I ran to the drug store across the street. Then a couple of men came in and helpted take care of him.

The two men were C. T. Burnett, a druggist, Sixth street and Elizabeth avenue, and Joseph Stewart, his clerk. They told the police they found the doctor lying on the bed with his feet protruding through the ironwork at the foot, almost to the floor. He was unconscious, they said, and writhing in pain. The pistol was lying on the floor at the side of the bed. Dr. Vohs was taken to St. Margaret's hospital. On account of the nature of the wound it was believed that an attempt to probe would cause immediate death.

SCOUTS SUICIDE IDEA.

Miss Pottorff was taken to police headquarters by Patrolmen George Chess and John Mogle. She wept over the injury to her fiance, but gave her version of the shooting to Chief Fleming with the utmost frankness. She told the police that she had never quarreled with Dr. Vohs and that "her love was not of the sentimental type." She also declared that the idea of suicide on his part was preposterous. She said he was of a cheerful disposition and had no cause to be moody.

The point which puzzles the police is the angle at which the bullet entered Dr. Vohs's body. Late lst night Chief Fleming announced he believed the shooting had been accidental. He said he believed the movable barrel of the pistol had jammed and the doctor had held it high across his chest to release it. Chief Fleming said he believed Dr. Vohs did not understand the mechanism of an automatic pistol and had fallen a victim through ignorance.

Miss Pottorff was graduated from the Bethany Nurse's Training school, Kansas City, Kas., in 1913. She has been employed by the visiting Nurse Association since November and officials of that organization said last night she was one of the most efficient workers. Her parents reside at Louisburg, Kas. Dr. Voh's parents reside at Paola, Kas., and he has been a resident of Kansas City for eight years.

Coroner J. A. Davis ordered the body of Vohs sent to the Fairweather undertaking establishment, where a post mortem examination will be held today.

BOY AFRAID OF AUTOS KILLED BY BIG CAR. ~ Frank Smoot, 15, Crushed Under Overturned Delivery Van -- Had Premonition of Disaster.

February 2, 2026

BOY AFRAID OF AUTOS

KILLED BY BIG CAR.

Frank Smoot, 15, Crushed Under

Overturned Delivery Van --

Had Premonition of

Disaster.

FRANK SMOOT.

Frank Smoot, 15 years old, delivery boy for the John Taylor Dry Goods Company, was instantly killed at 7:20 o'clock last night when a new twenty-four horsepower delivery wagon in which he was riding struck a pile of bricks on Baltimore avenue between Thirty-eighth and Thirty-ninth streets and turned over, crushing him.

Frank Limpus, who was driving, works for the company which sold the car and was teaching a man to drive it.

They were just finished making deliveries and were returning when the accident happened. Limpus and J. J. Emmert, who had charge of the deliveries, were on the seat and young Smoot was seated on Emmert's lap.

"We were going north on Baltimore about six or seven miles an hour," said Limpus. "It was rather dark and we did not see the pile of bricks until we were almost upon them. I tried to pull away from them, but did not have time and our right front wheel hit with a crash. The bricks were piled about seven feet high and when the car, which weighs about 3,500 pounds, struck them the corner of the pile was torn away. The force of the collision did not stop us and the wheels on the right side ran up onto the pile until the car was overbalanced and turned over. The three of us were thrown out, young Smoot falling beneath the heavy car, the weight of which crushed his life out, almost instantly.

"It all happened so quickly that we did not realize he was hurt until Emmert and I had picked ourselves up. I saw that the boy was caught under the car and tried to remove him, but was not able to lift the car off him. A crowd of people came up and several men helped me lift the car and we pulled him out."

Dr. Harry Czarlinsky, deputy coroner, had the body removed to the Freeman & Marshall undertaking rooms.

The victim of the accident was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Smoot, 19 East Thirty-first street. Mrs. Smoot was at home preparing supper for her son when she was informed of his death.

"I knew something would happen," she said. "He did not want to go to work this morning. He is not used to automobiles and does not like to be around them. Just before he left for work he said to me, "Mamma, I expect John Taylor's will be getting air ships before long and deliver the packages with a long rope down the chimneys."

Mr. Taylor was notified of the accident and called at the undertaking rooms last night.

The dead boy had had been working for the dry goods company for the past year. He was born in Chicago, but was brought to Kansas City when he was six months old. The father of the boy runs a dress goods sample room at 406 East Eleventh street. Besides the parents, two little sisters, Addie and Edna, survive.

No one responsible for the bricks being piled in the street could be located last night, but several persons who live in the immediate neighborhood of the accident assert that no warning lights were placed.

POPULAR FIREMAN DIES. ~ "Bob" Hamilton of Kansas City, Kas., Was "Children's Friend."

January 31, 2026

POPULAR FIREMAN DIES.

"Bob" Hamilton of Kansas City,

Kas., Was "Children's Friend."

LIEUTENANT "BOB" HAMILTON.

" 'Bob' Hamilton is dead." This report yesterday in Kansas City, Kas., brought grief to young and old alike in hundreds of homes in that city, for big, good natured "Bob" Hamilton was the most popular member of the Kansas City, Kas., fire department. His death was due to typhoid fever. Officially he was known as Lieutenant Robert Hamilton of No. 1 hose company, but to the "boys" and to his hundreds of friends he was "Bob." Tributes to his personal bravery and efficiency as a fireman were paid yesterday by his superior officers and the men who worked with him.

Robert Hamilton was 31 years old and had been connected with the city fire department since June, 1906. His record as a fireman is unsurpassed, and his engaging manners and Irish wit won for him hundreds of friends. Little children or women calling at the fire station to inspect the apparatus invariably asked to be conducted about by "Bob" Hamilton. He will long be remembered as the children's friend.

Mr. Hamilton died yesterday at Bethany hospital in Kansas City, Kas. His father, John Hamilton, his mother and immediate relatives were present.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed, although it is probable that the burial will take place in Kansas City, Kas.

A HERMIT FORTY-NINE YEARS. ~ Grinter Dies in White Church Cabin; Mourned for Wife.

January 26, 2026

A HERMIT FORTY-NINE YEARS.

Grinter Dies in White Church Cabin;

Mourned for Wife.

Ambrose B. Grinter, known in Wyandotte county as the "Hermit of White Church," died yesterday morning in the little old frame house he built for his bride in 1859. Had he lived until February 23 he would have been 92 years old. He left no near relatives.

He arrived in White Church in 1859 in a wagon, bringing with him a young wife. They built a little cabin of rough logs. Two years later his wife died. Since that time he had lived a life of seclusion, rarely visiting even the village store and shunning society. The little children of the village used to be afraid of the odd old man and at sundown the hermit could be heard calling his chickens. "Come along, little ones; come in, Wyandottes."

The little children's fears were groundless, though for a year or more before his death he at times chatted with the school children as they passed his door.

Early this winter he sat by a cheerful wood fire in his house and told a story of his life to a friend.

"I was born in Logan county, Ky., February 23, 1818," he said. "My daddy was a farmer and a hunter and he early learned me to use a rifle. When I was a lad of 14 he bound me out to a cabinet maker, William McMullen, who was afterward my 'daddy-in-law," and I learned his trade. I married his daughter, Mary Elizabeth, when I was 22. We lived in Kentucky till 1858, when we started out for Kansas in an old linch-pin wagon, which my 'daddy-in-law' had made for us. We drove two sleek oxen. When we reached Wyandotte county I bought fifty-four acres from the government. We built a little cabin and were very happy until Mary died and since then somehow or another, I don't care for the society of others. I spent my time in the woods with my dog and gun until I became too feeble to get about and now I must sit by the fire and smoke and dream."

Mr. Grinter had suffered with a cancer on his face for many years. About two years ago he went to Bethany hospital for treatment, where he remained for more than a year. While he was gone his neighbors cleaned up the house, which no woman's hand had touched since Mrs. Grinter died. One of these rooms was filled almost entirely with copies of old newspapers, neatly folded. Among these were copies of the Kansas City Journal and the Wyandotte Herald of the '50's. Mr. Grinter has been a reader of both papers for many years.

Another room, apparently that of his wife, was found in the condition it was left many years ago. An old sunbonnet hung on the post of the old-fashioned cord bedstead, the covers of the bed were rumpled and a woman's dress hung over the footboard. Mothers in the little village have long told stories to their little ones of how old Mr. Grinter, with a tender remembrance, had never touched the room since her death and never allowed strangers to look into it.

Funeral services ill be conducted by the Rev. J. W. Payne this afternoon at 3 o'clock at the old Grinter chapel. Burial will be in the chapel grounds.