This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Wednesday, August 28, 1935.
Andrew Mayer, 11, living near the intersection of Packard road and US 23 is credited with saving the lives of his temporarily deranged mother and two small sisters at 7:30 this morning when he prevented the parent from thrusting the children into a cistern and leaping in herself.
His sisters are, Anna and Helen, 6 and 7 years old, and his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Mayer, 44, who became despondent over domestic difficulties.
Frustrated in her attempt to throw any of the three children in the reservoir at the rear of the home, Mrs. Mayer endeavored to take her own life, but screams of the children attracted Carl Gundrum, a neighbor, and he arrived in time to prevent the mother from disappearing in the cistern.
Mrs. Mayer had slipped in the well to her waist when Mr. Gundrum grabbed her and despite her determined efforts succeeded in pulling her from the hole.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Horse Doctor Sews Beer Brawl Victim’s Gashes with Success
This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Tuesday, August 27, 1935.
Fiction writers are being bested by some of the true stories that liquor brawls develop and Ypsilanti youths seem to be doing pretty well with local contributions. Several instances in point have been related and now comes the story of a farmer boy living west of the city.
The setting is said to have been an illicit beer and gambling joint in his neighborhood. As morning hours wore on and liquor continued plentiful, trouble started. Involved was a colored boy, fast on the draw and skilful with his razor. They mixed, circulated noisily and somewhat destructively about the place for a while, then came the blood.
With vicious right swings the farmer boy was caught on the left leg and across the left side of his abdomen. It was clear to onlookers that he needed surgical attention and needed it quick. Being better acquainted with horse doctors than with others, and knowing one who is both skilful and obliging, they called him.
With darning needle the veterinary went to work. Proof of his skill today rests with the patient. He is up and around; feeling fit, he says and will soon be in shape to renew negotiations with the possibility of evening scores and perhaps giving the horse doctor another patient.
Fiction writers are being bested by some of the true stories that liquor brawls develop and Ypsilanti youths seem to be doing pretty well with local contributions. Several instances in point have been related and now comes the story of a farmer boy living west of the city.
The setting is said to have been an illicit beer and gambling joint in his neighborhood. As morning hours wore on and liquor continued plentiful, trouble started. Involved was a colored boy, fast on the draw and skilful with his razor. They mixed, circulated noisily and somewhat destructively about the place for a while, then came the blood.
With vicious right swings the farmer boy was caught on the left leg and across the left side of his abdomen. It was clear to onlookers that he needed surgical attention and needed it quick. Being better acquainted with horse doctors than with others, and knowing one who is both skilful and obliging, they called him.
With darning needle the veterinary went to work. Proof of his skill today rests with the patient. He is up and around; feeling fit, he says and will soon be in shape to renew negotiations with the possibility of evening scores and perhaps giving the horse doctor another patient.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Historic Denton landmark burns, $15,000 damage
This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Friday, August 23, 1935.
Fire this morning destroyed one of the oldest landmarks in Denton causing a loss estimated at approximately $15,000.
Sparks from a passing train or a bonfire at the back of the building are believed to have been the cause of the blaze which razed the two story spacious brick building on the north side of the Michigan Central tracks owned by Everett A. Newton. The blaze which started on the roof of the structure was noticed about 11 o’clock and neighbors formed a bucket brigade in an attempt to extinguish the flames. When it became apparent the building could not be saved the volunteer fighters turned their efforts to removing the contents.
All of the household furnishings of the Nicholas Ferdacus family and most of the stock of the general store located in the front part of the building were saved. A supply of fertilizer valued at $500 was destroyed.
The loss was partially covered by insurance.
The building which is one of Denton’s historic landmarks was built about 80 years ago by Samuel Denton. The building at that time served as a hotel for employees of the lumber mill located in Denton.
Later it was used as a ticket office by the railroad company and then as a Post Office until about two years ago when it was discontinued and Denton put on a rural route from Belleville.
T. Z. Moon was one of the first to use the building as a residence. Later the house was purchased by Samuel Joslyn who was postmaster for a number of years. Lee Newton, father of the present owner, brought the house after Mr. Joslyn.
Fire this morning destroyed one of the oldest landmarks in Denton causing a loss estimated at approximately $15,000.
Sparks from a passing train or a bonfire at the back of the building are believed to have been the cause of the blaze which razed the two story spacious brick building on the north side of the Michigan Central tracks owned by Everett A. Newton. The blaze which started on the roof of the structure was noticed about 11 o’clock and neighbors formed a bucket brigade in an attempt to extinguish the flames. When it became apparent the building could not be saved the volunteer fighters turned their efforts to removing the contents.
All of the household furnishings of the Nicholas Ferdacus family and most of the stock of the general store located in the front part of the building were saved. A supply of fertilizer valued at $500 was destroyed.
The loss was partially covered by insurance.
The building which is one of Denton’s historic landmarks was built about 80 years ago by Samuel Denton. The building at that time served as a hotel for employees of the lumber mill located in Denton.
Later it was used as a ticket office by the railroad company and then as a Post Office until about two years ago when it was discontinued and Denton put on a rural route from Belleville.
T. Z. Moon was one of the first to use the building as a residence. Later the house was purchased by Samuel Joslyn who was postmaster for a number of years. Lee Newton, father of the present owner, brought the house after Mr. Joslyn.
Former banker at Milan plays horses, sick wife tries to regain fortune
This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Friday, August 22, 1930.
“He wanted cold cash instead of a permanent income. But the bookmakers took it all.”
This was the comment of an intimate friend of Milton H. Hack, former cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank whose wife, Mrs. Lucy Hack is suing a Toledo bookmaking establishment for $150,000 which she claims her husband squandered on horse races. Mrs. Hack is living with her sister-in-law, Mrs. G. A. Dennison, here, and is ill; while her husband, who was here Tuesday, had to borrow money for gasoline to return to Toledo where he is living alone in a cheap lodging house.
Benjamin Aranoff is named as defendant in the suit.
Mr. Hack, once considered one of the most promising business men in Milan, belongs to a pioneer Washtenaw County family. He played the horses’ first for amusement and then went into it as a business. He resigned his position here five years ago “for the good of the bank” and his fortune melted away until last year he sold his last block of stock. Last April a 43,500 mortgage on the home here was foreclosed by the Monroe County Savings Bank of Dundee. Arthur C. Stevens, Milan business man purchased it for $5,500.
“His father, who founded the bank, left an estate of nearly a million. Milt sold out his share to James, his brother, who lives on the outskirts of town, and to Mrs. Dennison. He wanted cold cash instead of a permanent income. But the bookmakers too it all,” a former associate said.
Miss Hack who filed her suit in common pleas court in Toledo, O., through W. W. Campbell, Milan attorney, seeks a judgment under the Ohio law which provides that six months after the last loss is suffered, the wife or heirs may seek a judgment against the gambling house proprietor if the loser himself has not filed suit. Hack has not made any attempt to collect by means of the courts.
The suit names Aranoff, the Security-Home Trust Co., and the Reuben Realty Co., all of Toledo, as co-defendants. The law specifies that the property owner is accountable along with the gambling house proprietor.
“We will charge that the bookmaking establishment worked Hack as a greenhorn—deliberately swindled him of the major part of his fortune,” declared Campbell. “They had cleaned him by the first of this year. We have checks indorsed by Aranoff showing that the losses reached as high as $3,000 daily.
“We’re not willing at this time to reveal what the frauds were, but it may be said that Hack didn’t have a chance, and that his money was as good as gone when he put it up on the races. We don’t know where he is today, or what he is doing.”
“He wanted cold cash instead of a permanent income. But the bookmakers took it all.”
This was the comment of an intimate friend of Milton H. Hack, former cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank whose wife, Mrs. Lucy Hack is suing a Toledo bookmaking establishment for $150,000 which she claims her husband squandered on horse races. Mrs. Hack is living with her sister-in-law, Mrs. G. A. Dennison, here, and is ill; while her husband, who was here Tuesday, had to borrow money for gasoline to return to Toledo where he is living alone in a cheap lodging house.
Benjamin Aranoff is named as defendant in the suit.
Mr. Hack, once considered one of the most promising business men in Milan, belongs to a pioneer Washtenaw County family. He played the horses’ first for amusement and then went into it as a business. He resigned his position here five years ago “for the good of the bank” and his fortune melted away until last year he sold his last block of stock. Last April a 43,500 mortgage on the home here was foreclosed by the Monroe County Savings Bank of Dundee. Arthur C. Stevens, Milan business man purchased it for $5,500.
“His father, who founded the bank, left an estate of nearly a million. Milt sold out his share to James, his brother, who lives on the outskirts of town, and to Mrs. Dennison. He wanted cold cash instead of a permanent income. But the bookmakers too it all,” a former associate said.
Miss Hack who filed her suit in common pleas court in Toledo, O., through W. W. Campbell, Milan attorney, seeks a judgment under the Ohio law which provides that six months after the last loss is suffered, the wife or heirs may seek a judgment against the gambling house proprietor if the loser himself has not filed suit. Hack has not made any attempt to collect by means of the courts.
The suit names Aranoff, the Security-Home Trust Co., and the Reuben Realty Co., all of Toledo, as co-defendants. The law specifies that the property owner is accountable along with the gambling house proprietor.
“We will charge that the bookmaking establishment worked Hack as a greenhorn—deliberately swindled him of the major part of his fortune,” declared Campbell. “They had cleaned him by the first of this year. We have checks indorsed by Aranoff showing that the losses reached as high as $3,000 daily.
“We’re not willing at this time to reveal what the frauds were, but it may be said that Hack didn’t have a chance, and that his money was as good as gone when he put it up on the races. We don’t know where he is today, or what he is doing.”
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Gaudrau boy, 8, drowned, body found at bridge
This story was published by the Ypsilanti Daily Press on Tuesday, August, 5, 1930.
Armond Gaudrau, eight year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Gaudrau, 102 N. Huron St., was drowned Monday evening in the Huron River, at the rear of his home. The child’s body was not found until 12:30 this morning, after he had been missing since 3:30 in the afternoon.
No one saw Armond go into the river, but he had been accustomed to playing alone, and often waded in the river. His clothing was found on the bank, not far from the home, after Police Officers Emil Susterka and Cyril Ray discovered the body near the Michigan Ave. bridge.
When Armond did not return home at supper time the family thought he was with the children of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Bason who live at the same address, but at 8:30 when he failed to arrive and was not found in the neighborhood, the parents became alarmed and notified police. The theater was searched, as it was thought he might have gone to the movies and fallen asleep; later search of the river bank revealed the body, and the little pile of clothing only a short distance away. It is thought the child stepped into one the deep holes between Cross St. and Michigan Ave., and was drowned before he could make an outcry. The body had been in the water about five hours, according to Coroner E. C. Ganzhorn, who was called. There will be no inquest, as no witnesses could be found.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning, at St. John’s Church, at 8 o’clock, with interment in the Catholic Cemetery.
The boy is survived by his parents and a sister Pauline, six and three aunts in Sparta.
The drowning is doubly tragic as the father has been ill and unable to work for three years, while the mother, who during that time has been supporting the family, is now recovering from an illness which proved almost fatal three weeks ago.
Armond Gaudrau, eight year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Gaudrau, 102 N. Huron St., was drowned Monday evening in the Huron River, at the rear of his home. The child’s body was not found until 12:30 this morning, after he had been missing since 3:30 in the afternoon.
No one saw Armond go into the river, but he had been accustomed to playing alone, and often waded in the river. His clothing was found on the bank, not far from the home, after Police Officers Emil Susterka and Cyril Ray discovered the body near the Michigan Ave. bridge.
When Armond did not return home at supper time the family thought he was with the children of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Bason who live at the same address, but at 8:30 when he failed to arrive and was not found in the neighborhood, the parents became alarmed and notified police. The theater was searched, as it was thought he might have gone to the movies and fallen asleep; later search of the river bank revealed the body, and the little pile of clothing only a short distance away. It is thought the child stepped into one the deep holes between Cross St. and Michigan Ave., and was drowned before he could make an outcry. The body had been in the water about five hours, according to Coroner E. C. Ganzhorn, who was called. There will be no inquest, as no witnesses could be found.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday morning, at St. John’s Church, at 8 o’clock, with interment in the Catholic Cemetery.
The boy is survived by his parents and a sister Pauline, six and three aunts in Sparta.
The drowning is doubly tragic as the father has been ill and unable to work for three years, while the mother, who during that time has been supporting the family, is now recovering from an illness which proved almost fatal three weeks ago.
Driver of death car put on bond
This story was published by the Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, August 5, 1935.
Talbert Ribble, 29, Detroit, driver of the truck that struck and fatally inured Horace Edmund Manzer, 52, Platt, on Michigan Ave. at Park St. Saturday afternoon demanded examination when arraigned before Justice A. M. Vandersall in municipal court, on a charge negligent homicide.
Bond of $5,000 was provided for Ribble by his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. John Brown, Detroit, and he was released to appear for August 14, at 9 a. m.
Ribble was ordered held on negligent homicide charge by Chief of Police Ralph Southard after the brakes on the truck he was driving to Chicago failed. He was going westward down the E. Michigan Ave. hill and struck Mr. Manzer and a machine operated by Prof. Frederick B McKay at Park St. investigation revealed that a steel pin dropped out of the brakes. It has not been recovered.
Funeral services for Mr. Manzer were to be held this afternoon at the J. E. Moore Funeral Home with interment in Highland Cemetery. Rev. William Shaw was to conduct the rites.
An inquest will be held into the death of Mr. Manzer but the date has not been set according to Dr. David N. Robb, coroner, who will confer with Prosecuting Attorney Albert J. Rapp before a time is determined.
Talbert Ribble, 29, Detroit, driver of the truck that struck and fatally inured Horace Edmund Manzer, 52, Platt, on Michigan Ave. at Park St. Saturday afternoon demanded examination when arraigned before Justice A. M. Vandersall in municipal court, on a charge negligent homicide.
Bond of $5,000 was provided for Ribble by his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. John Brown, Detroit, and he was released to appear for August 14, at 9 a. m.
Ribble was ordered held on negligent homicide charge by Chief of Police Ralph Southard after the brakes on the truck he was driving to Chicago failed. He was going westward down the E. Michigan Ave. hill and struck Mr. Manzer and a machine operated by Prof. Frederick B McKay at Park St. investigation revealed that a steel pin dropped out of the brakes. It has not been recovered.
Funeral services for Mr. Manzer were to be held this afternoon at the J. E. Moore Funeral Home with interment in Highland Cemetery. Rev. William Shaw was to conduct the rites.
An inquest will be held into the death of Mr. Manzer but the date has not been set according to Dr. David N. Robb, coroner, who will confer with Prosecuting Attorney Albert J. Rapp before a time is determined.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Ypsilanti home struck, damage to crops heavy
This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Saturday, August 3, 1935.
Enormous quantities of water fell on Ypsilanti and vicinity Friday accompanied by electrical disturbances in the intermittent storms which swept the city. Lightning, which had tragically visited the family of Joseph Bock Friday morning, was again felt in homes here to a lesser degree.
Neighbors observed an object resembling a ball of fire which seemed to enter the Alfred Augustus home at 501 N. Hamilton St. An enveloping cloud of smoke followed. The bolt tore off boards at the southeast corner of the house, melted an aerial, shredded a radio extension cord and destroyed all the electric fuses.
Mrs. Augustus was alone in the house at the time and a pan she was holding, was torn from her hand. A number of light bulbs were blown from the sockets and pictures were knocked askew.
The house which belongs to A. E. Lewis is covered by insurance.
Sewers were taxed and there were minor catch basin obstructions but no damage resulted.
Farmers’ outlook on the rye crop is very disheartening as but little had been cut and much of it was down in the fields. It is possible that the continued damp weather will cause the wheat in the shocks to sprout. It is estimated by Frank B. Wilson of the Ypsilanti Farm Bureau that but 10 per cent of the wheat had been harvested and that the grain is mostly of poor quality.
Corn benefited in places where it was not blown down and the rain aided the second crop of hay.
Instruments at the Normal College Science building show that a temperature of 80 degrees was reached at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon and since 7 o’clock this morning the temperature has ranged around 76 degrees.
There was little electrical service interruption on the whole and few customers were affected. Repairmen were finishing temporary jobs west of Saline where a pole was broken by the wind, and near New Boston where one was struck by lightning.
Fewer than 20 cases of telephone trouble were reported, all of which were caused by trees and lightning. There was no cable trouble.
Enormous quantities of water fell on Ypsilanti and vicinity Friday accompanied by electrical disturbances in the intermittent storms which swept the city. Lightning, which had tragically visited the family of Joseph Bock Friday morning, was again felt in homes here to a lesser degree.
Neighbors observed an object resembling a ball of fire which seemed to enter the Alfred Augustus home at 501 N. Hamilton St. An enveloping cloud of smoke followed. The bolt tore off boards at the southeast corner of the house, melted an aerial, shredded a radio extension cord and destroyed all the electric fuses.
Mrs. Augustus was alone in the house at the time and a pan she was holding, was torn from her hand. A number of light bulbs were blown from the sockets and pictures were knocked askew.
The house which belongs to A. E. Lewis is covered by insurance.
Sewers were taxed and there were minor catch basin obstructions but no damage resulted.
Farmers’ outlook on the rye crop is very disheartening as but little had been cut and much of it was down in the fields. It is possible that the continued damp weather will cause the wheat in the shocks to sprout. It is estimated by Frank B. Wilson of the Ypsilanti Farm Bureau that but 10 per cent of the wheat had been harvested and that the grain is mostly of poor quality.
Corn benefited in places where it was not blown down and the rain aided the second crop of hay.
Instruments at the Normal College Science building show that a temperature of 80 degrees was reached at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon and since 7 o’clock this morning the temperature has ranged around 76 degrees.
There was little electrical service interruption on the whole and few customers were affected. Repairmen were finishing temporary jobs west of Saline where a pole was broken by the wind, and near New Boston where one was struck by lightning.
Fewer than 20 cases of telephone trouble were reported, all of which were caused by trees and lightning. There was no cable trouble.
Pedestrian killed as brakes of truck fail
This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Saturday, August 3, 1935.
A charge of negligent homicide was today placed against Talbert Ribble, Detroit, driver of the truck that struck and fatally injured Horace Edmund Manzer of Michigan Ave. at Park St. Friday afternoon. Justice a. M. Vanderall of Municipal Court fixed bond at $5,000.
The first fatal traffic accident within the city limits during 1935 claimed the life of H. Edmund Manzer, 55 year old Platt resident, who was struck by a truck while walking across E. Michigan Ave. at Park St. about 4 o’clock Thursday afternoon. Three other accidents within one and one half hours following the tragic crash injured another man and damaged automobiles.
Mr. Manzer, carpenter and roofer by trade, died in Beyer Hospital a few minutes after he had been struck by the 10 ton truck driven by Talbert Riddle, 29, 8094 Witt Ave., Detroit. He was crossing north on E. Michigan Ave. with the green light, witnesses state, when he was run down. He died of head, chest, and internal injuries.
The truck also struck a car belonging to Prof. and Mrs. Frederick B. McKay, but neither Professor nor Mrs. McKay, who were in the car, were injured.
The truck was operated by the Detroit-Chicago Motor Freight Company and was westward bound. According to statement of the driver and his helper, George Kurdts, 24, Chicago, to Chief of Police Ralph Southard, the accident was due to damaged brakes.
As he approached the light, Mr. Ribble said, he saw it change, but when he attempted to apply his breaks, the foot pedal went loosely down to the floor boards, indicating that something had happened to render his brakes useless. He applied emergency brakes, but they were of little use.
Ahead of him were the Manzer truck parked at the curb, the McKay car standing nearby as Prof. and Mrs. McKay, driving on Michigan Ave., waited for the light, and Mr. Manzer crossing toward his truck which he had parked while he walked across Michigan Ave. to a store.
Mr. Ribble did his best, he said, to avert an accident. He struggled to miss the parked machines and avoided the Manzer truck, but swerved directly onto Mr. Manzer, stricking the side of the McKay car as he turned.
Amos Kline, 28, roofing companion of Mr. Manzer, was seated in the Manzer truck. He saw the freight truck approaching and realizing as he noted its speed, that it could not stop, got out. He was the first to reach Mr. Manzer and summoned aid.
Mr. Manzer was rushed to Beyer Hospital, but he was so badly injured that physicians could do nothing for him and he died within a few minutes, without regaining consciousness.
Whether he had failed to see the approaching truck, or merely disregarded it, assuming that it would stop because of the light, remains, of course, unexplained. Mr. Kline is of the opinion that he did not see it till it was too close to avoid.
The truck was heavily loaded with wheels and ran on past the scene of the accident approximately 1,000 feet before it was brought to a stop.
Under direction of Chief Southard it was examined at the Silkworth service station in an effort to determine what had happened. Workmen found that a steel pin had been lost, and that this missing part would account for failure of the brakes to operate.
An inquest will be held to officially determine cause of the death, and search in being made along the highway for the missing pin in an effort to determine how long the truck had been running in crippled condition. Ribble said his last stop was made in Wayne and the brakes were satisfactory at that time.
Mr. Manzer was born in Van Buren Township, Wayne County, but had spent practically his entire life in Ypsilanti and vicinity. He was 52 years old, being born April 2, 1883. Mr. Manzer was a carpenter by trade and had been working on county welfare relief projects, recently at the Ann Arbor High School. He had been married on two occasions but was living alone in Platt.
Surviving are two brothers, Melvin Everit, Livingston County near Fenton, and Robert, Detroit. His parents, George and Agnes Manzer have passed.
Funeral arrangements were to be completed this afternoon.
Within one half hour after the fatal accident John Carey, R. F. D. 1 was taken to Beyer Hospital with a deep cut above his right eye, received in another collision on E. Michigan Ave. just east of the bridge and not far from the spot where three persons lost their lives and two others were seriously injured last year. Mr. Carey was taken to Beyer and was able to leave after treatment.
Mr. Carey was a passenger in a machine driven by Fred Stoddard, also R. F. D. 1, who collided with a parked car owned by Dorothy Fuester, Davison, Mich., according to police report. The accident occurred during the heavy rain storm and Mr. Stoddard told police he did not see the Fuester machine in time to avoid the accident. Sides of both machines were badly damaged.
One man is suspected in two cases of reckless driving reported to police. Complaint was first received from Mrs. May C. Johnson, 520 First Ave., that a machine containing two men was driven into her yard and smashed two wash tubs.
It is believed the same two men crashed into the barricade on Washtenaw Ave. where the pavement is being repaired, broke three lanterns, but failed to stop. Both mishaps occurred shortly after 5 o’clock. Police were given a license number, and are investigating tody to learn the name of the driver.
Small damage also resulted during the rain storm when machines driven by Pro. Carl Lindergren and Samuel G. Smith collided in the business section. There were no injuries.
A charge of negligent homicide was today placed against Talbert Ribble, Detroit, driver of the truck that struck and fatally injured Horace Edmund Manzer of Michigan Ave. at Park St. Friday afternoon. Justice a. M. Vanderall of Municipal Court fixed bond at $5,000.
The first fatal traffic accident within the city limits during 1935 claimed the life of H. Edmund Manzer, 55 year old Platt resident, who was struck by a truck while walking across E. Michigan Ave. at Park St. about 4 o’clock Thursday afternoon. Three other accidents within one and one half hours following the tragic crash injured another man and damaged automobiles.
Mr. Manzer, carpenter and roofer by trade, died in Beyer Hospital a few minutes after he had been struck by the 10 ton truck driven by Talbert Riddle, 29, 8094 Witt Ave., Detroit. He was crossing north on E. Michigan Ave. with the green light, witnesses state, when he was run down. He died of head, chest, and internal injuries.
The truck also struck a car belonging to Prof. and Mrs. Frederick B. McKay, but neither Professor nor Mrs. McKay, who were in the car, were injured.
The truck was operated by the Detroit-Chicago Motor Freight Company and was westward bound. According to statement of the driver and his helper, George Kurdts, 24, Chicago, to Chief of Police Ralph Southard, the accident was due to damaged brakes.
As he approached the light, Mr. Ribble said, he saw it change, but when he attempted to apply his breaks, the foot pedal went loosely down to the floor boards, indicating that something had happened to render his brakes useless. He applied emergency brakes, but they were of little use.
Ahead of him were the Manzer truck parked at the curb, the McKay car standing nearby as Prof. and Mrs. McKay, driving on Michigan Ave., waited for the light, and Mr. Manzer crossing toward his truck which he had parked while he walked across Michigan Ave. to a store.
Mr. Ribble did his best, he said, to avert an accident. He struggled to miss the parked machines and avoided the Manzer truck, but swerved directly onto Mr. Manzer, stricking the side of the McKay car as he turned.
Amos Kline, 28, roofing companion of Mr. Manzer, was seated in the Manzer truck. He saw the freight truck approaching and realizing as he noted its speed, that it could not stop, got out. He was the first to reach Mr. Manzer and summoned aid.
Mr. Manzer was rushed to Beyer Hospital, but he was so badly injured that physicians could do nothing for him and he died within a few minutes, without regaining consciousness.
Whether he had failed to see the approaching truck, or merely disregarded it, assuming that it would stop because of the light, remains, of course, unexplained. Mr. Kline is of the opinion that he did not see it till it was too close to avoid.
The truck was heavily loaded with wheels and ran on past the scene of the accident approximately 1,000 feet before it was brought to a stop.
Under direction of Chief Southard it was examined at the Silkworth service station in an effort to determine what had happened. Workmen found that a steel pin had been lost, and that this missing part would account for failure of the brakes to operate.
An inquest will be held to officially determine cause of the death, and search in being made along the highway for the missing pin in an effort to determine how long the truck had been running in crippled condition. Ribble said his last stop was made in Wayne and the brakes were satisfactory at that time.
Mr. Manzer was born in Van Buren Township, Wayne County, but had spent practically his entire life in Ypsilanti and vicinity. He was 52 years old, being born April 2, 1883. Mr. Manzer was a carpenter by trade and had been working on county welfare relief projects, recently at the Ann Arbor High School. He had been married on two occasions but was living alone in Platt.
Surviving are two brothers, Melvin Everit, Livingston County near Fenton, and Robert, Detroit. His parents, George and Agnes Manzer have passed.
Funeral arrangements were to be completed this afternoon.
Within one half hour after the fatal accident John Carey, R. F. D. 1 was taken to Beyer Hospital with a deep cut above his right eye, received in another collision on E. Michigan Ave. just east of the bridge and not far from the spot where three persons lost their lives and two others were seriously injured last year. Mr. Carey was taken to Beyer and was able to leave after treatment.
Mr. Carey was a passenger in a machine driven by Fred Stoddard, also R. F. D. 1, who collided with a parked car owned by Dorothy Fuester, Davison, Mich., according to police report. The accident occurred during the heavy rain storm and Mr. Stoddard told police he did not see the Fuester machine in time to avoid the accident. Sides of both machines were badly damaged.
One man is suspected in two cases of reckless driving reported to police. Complaint was first received from Mrs. May C. Johnson, 520 First Ave., that a machine containing two men was driven into her yard and smashed two wash tubs.
It is believed the same two men crashed into the barricade on Washtenaw Ave. where the pavement is being repaired, broke three lanterns, but failed to stop. Both mishaps occurred shortly after 5 o’clock. Police were given a license number, and are investigating tody to learn the name of the driver.
Small damage also resulted during the rain storm when machines driven by Pro. Carl Lindergren and Samuel G. Smith collided in the business section. There were no injuries.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Raymond Bock killed by lightening in open field
This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Friday, August 2, 1935.
Death struck in its most dramatic form this morning when a lightning bolt claimed the life of Raymond Bock, 18 year old Stony Creek farm boy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bock. Charles Hammond, 18, his companion was rendered unconscious by the same bolt which struck while the two were in an open field.
They were riding on a stone boat to gather corn from the Bock property when a sudden electric storm struck about 9:30. The carefree conversation was cut short by the lightning bolt which killed Raymond instantly, burning the hair and clothing from his body. It rendered Charles unconscious and caused the horses to run away. They were later found in the barn when Charles staggered up to the Bock home to gasp “Help” before he collapsed. The youth had recovered consciousness to find his chum’s lifeless body and himself suffering from the effects of the same bolt.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hammond, Stony Creek, and has been confined to bed until seriousness of the shock can be determined.
At the Bock residence were the mother, brother and sisters of the dead boy. His father had left earlier in the day to take produce to the Detroit markets. When the Hammond youth made his dramatic appearance at the home, and when the frightened team was found in the barn, alarm was felt for the safety of Raymond. A quick investigation revealed the tragedy.
The death was investigated by Dr. David N. Robb, coroner, but no inquest is planned.
This is the second death with in a week for the Bock family, the boy’s grandfather, Charles Bock, Garden City, having succumbed Tuesday.
Surviving him are his parents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bock: the sisters Marian, Shirley Mae and Virginia; two brothers, Duane and Edward; his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Henry Klatt, Wayne; a grandmother, Mrs. Charles Bock, Garden City.
He was born July 2, 1917, near Dearborn. The family moved here three years ago from Tecumseh.
Death struck in its most dramatic form this morning when a lightning bolt claimed the life of Raymond Bock, 18 year old Stony Creek farm boy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bock. Charles Hammond, 18, his companion was rendered unconscious by the same bolt which struck while the two were in an open field.
They were riding on a stone boat to gather corn from the Bock property when a sudden electric storm struck about 9:30. The carefree conversation was cut short by the lightning bolt which killed Raymond instantly, burning the hair and clothing from his body. It rendered Charles unconscious and caused the horses to run away. They were later found in the barn when Charles staggered up to the Bock home to gasp “Help” before he collapsed. The youth had recovered consciousness to find his chum’s lifeless body and himself suffering from the effects of the same bolt.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hammond, Stony Creek, and has been confined to bed until seriousness of the shock can be determined.
At the Bock residence were the mother, brother and sisters of the dead boy. His father had left earlier in the day to take produce to the Detroit markets. When the Hammond youth made his dramatic appearance at the home, and when the frightened team was found in the barn, alarm was felt for the safety of Raymond. A quick investigation revealed the tragedy.
The death was investigated by Dr. David N. Robb, coroner, but no inquest is planned.
This is the second death with in a week for the Bock family, the boy’s grandfather, Charles Bock, Garden City, having succumbed Tuesday.
Surviving him are his parents Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bock: the sisters Marian, Shirley Mae and Virginia; two brothers, Duane and Edward; his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Henry Klatt, Wayne; a grandmother, Mrs. Charles Bock, Garden City.
He was born July 2, 1917, near Dearborn. The family moved here three years ago from Tecumseh.
Four killed in county line auto accident
This story was published by the Ypsilanti Daily Press on Saturday, August 2, 1930.
Four Ypsilanti residents were killed, one instantly, in a serous automobile crash on E. Michigan Ave., at the Wayne-Washtenaw County Line, about four miles east of Ypsilanti, at 9:30 Friday evening, when a powerful sport coupe driven by William D. Checkaris, 117 N. Huron St., swerved off the pavement crashed into a deep ditch and turned over completely several times.
The dead:
Mrs. Mary Plomarits, 28, 32 S. Normal St., wife of Stephen Plomarits, and mother of a five year old girl and a 14 month son, who was killed instantly when thrown from the rumble seat of the car to the ground 35 feet away receiving a broken neck and a crushed heart. She was dead before witnesses reached her.
Stephen Plomarits, 35, 32 S. Normal St., the husband of Mary, and manager-owner of the Ypsilanti Restaurant for nine years, who died shortly after his arrival at the Beyer Memorial Hospital. Death was caused by a crushed heart and fractured skull received when he was thrown from the rumble seat to the ground approximately five feet away from his wife.
George Kautsloumpas, 42, 311 Ferris St., chief cook at the Ypsilanti Restaurant, who died at Beyer Hospital between 11:30 and 112 Friday evening. According To Dr. J. J. Woods, attending physician, Kautsloumpas died fro serious internal injuries received and other body bruises.
William D. Checkaris, 42, 117 N. Huron St., driver of the death car, was reported dead at the hospital this morning at 8 o’clock. Checkaris, part owner of the Ypsi Lunch, received a fractured skull, cut throat artery, and internal injuries.
At the scene of the accident, it was believed that Kautsloumpas was the least injured of the party of four riding in Checkaris’s automobile and shortly after the accident was reported to have the best chance of living through the fatal crash.
Mr. Checkaris, the recent purchaser of a new sport coupe, for an evening of entertainment gathered Mr. and Mrs. Plomarits, and Kautsloumpas for a joy ride to the country at 8 o’clock.
As they were returning to Ypsilanti on E. Michigan Ave., at 9:30 Checkaris driving the coupe, attempted to pass a huge sedan at a high rate of speed, estimated by witnesses from 65 to 75 miles per hour, and in doing so, skidded off the pavement.
The shoulder of the road, loose and dry after weeks of hot weather, held the wheels of the car and played havoc with them. The machine shot on a 45 degree angle, approximately 100 feet through the loose sand and grass damp from falling dew, straight for a six foot ditch which crosses under Michigan Ave.
In the loose turf the brakes were of no avail and the car plunged in the the west side of the bank, turning over several times finally stopping 50 feet from the ditch, throwing Mr. and Mrs. Plomarits approximately 35 feet through the air from the rumble seat to almost instant death.
Checkaris and Kautsloumpas were taken from the wreckage, placed in the ambulance and brought to Beyer Memorial Hospital, immediately after.
The impact of the plunge was so terrific it pulled the back axle and springs from the body of the car, driving the front end at the rear of the chassis.
Two small children, a five year old daughter and a 14 month old boy survive Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Plomarits, who were married seven years ago. Mrs. Plomarits is also survived by an uncle in Detroit while Stephen leaves a brother, George, this city.
George Plomarits Friday evening stated that he would continue with the business and support Stephen’s two small children.
The bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Plomarits and William D. Checkaris are in the funeral home of Stevens and Bush while the body of George Kautsloumpas was taken the Wallace-LaCore funeral home. Funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Plomarits’ will be held from the undertaker’s chapel at 2 o’clock, Monday, with burial in Highland Cemetery. Funeral services for the other two victims have not been arranged.
William D. Checkaris leaves a mother and brother in Greece and it is not known whether the body will be held until they come. Mr. Checkaris has spent nearly ten years managing restaurants, coming to Ypsilanti three years ago from Albion. He was a partner of Gust Polites the Ypsi Lunch, corner of Michigan and Huron.
Little is known of George Kautsloumpas except that he came to the Ypsilanti Restaurant about three years ago and had been with then until his death.
Coroner E. C. Ganzhorn, after viewing the wreck and interviewing witnesses concluded tha the accident was due entirely to the reckless operation of the cat and is not planning an inquest.
Four Ypsilanti residents were killed, one instantly, in a serous automobile crash on E. Michigan Ave., at the Wayne-Washtenaw County Line, about four miles east of Ypsilanti, at 9:30 Friday evening, when a powerful sport coupe driven by William D. Checkaris, 117 N. Huron St., swerved off the pavement crashed into a deep ditch and turned over completely several times.
The dead:
Mrs. Mary Plomarits, 28, 32 S. Normal St., wife of Stephen Plomarits, and mother of a five year old girl and a 14 month son, who was killed instantly when thrown from the rumble seat of the car to the ground 35 feet away receiving a broken neck and a crushed heart. She was dead before witnesses reached her.
Stephen Plomarits, 35, 32 S. Normal St., the husband of Mary, and manager-owner of the Ypsilanti Restaurant for nine years, who died shortly after his arrival at the Beyer Memorial Hospital. Death was caused by a crushed heart and fractured skull received when he was thrown from the rumble seat to the ground approximately five feet away from his wife.
George Kautsloumpas, 42, 311 Ferris St., chief cook at the Ypsilanti Restaurant, who died at Beyer Hospital between 11:30 and 112 Friday evening. According To Dr. J. J. Woods, attending physician, Kautsloumpas died fro serious internal injuries received and other body bruises.
William D. Checkaris, 42, 117 N. Huron St., driver of the death car, was reported dead at the hospital this morning at 8 o’clock. Checkaris, part owner of the Ypsi Lunch, received a fractured skull, cut throat artery, and internal injuries.
At the scene of the accident, it was believed that Kautsloumpas was the least injured of the party of four riding in Checkaris’s automobile and shortly after the accident was reported to have the best chance of living through the fatal crash.
Mr. Checkaris, the recent purchaser of a new sport coupe, for an evening of entertainment gathered Mr. and Mrs. Plomarits, and Kautsloumpas for a joy ride to the country at 8 o’clock.
As they were returning to Ypsilanti on E. Michigan Ave., at 9:30 Checkaris driving the coupe, attempted to pass a huge sedan at a high rate of speed, estimated by witnesses from 65 to 75 miles per hour, and in doing so, skidded off the pavement.
The shoulder of the road, loose and dry after weeks of hot weather, held the wheels of the car and played havoc with them. The machine shot on a 45 degree angle, approximately 100 feet through the loose sand and grass damp from falling dew, straight for a six foot ditch which crosses under Michigan Ave.
In the loose turf the brakes were of no avail and the car plunged in the the west side of the bank, turning over several times finally stopping 50 feet from the ditch, throwing Mr. and Mrs. Plomarits approximately 35 feet through the air from the rumble seat to almost instant death.
Checkaris and Kautsloumpas were taken from the wreckage, placed in the ambulance and brought to Beyer Memorial Hospital, immediately after.
The impact of the plunge was so terrific it pulled the back axle and springs from the body of the car, driving the front end at the rear of the chassis.
Two small children, a five year old daughter and a 14 month old boy survive Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Plomarits, who were married seven years ago. Mrs. Plomarits is also survived by an uncle in Detroit while Stephen leaves a brother, George, this city.
George Plomarits Friday evening stated that he would continue with the business and support Stephen’s two small children.
The bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Plomarits and William D. Checkaris are in the funeral home of Stevens and Bush while the body of George Kautsloumpas was taken the Wallace-LaCore funeral home. Funeral services for Mr. and Mrs. Plomarits’ will be held from the undertaker’s chapel at 2 o’clock, Monday, with burial in Highland Cemetery. Funeral services for the other two victims have not been arranged.
William D. Checkaris leaves a mother and brother in Greece and it is not known whether the body will be held until they come. Mr. Checkaris has spent nearly ten years managing restaurants, coming to Ypsilanti three years ago from Albion. He was a partner of Gust Polites the Ypsi Lunch, corner of Michigan and Huron.
Little is known of George Kautsloumpas except that he came to the Ypsilanti Restaurant about three years ago and had been with then until his death.
Coroner E. C. Ganzhorn, after viewing the wreck and interviewing witnesses concluded tha the accident was due entirely to the reckless operation of the cat and is not planning an inquest.
Auto thieves are captured near Ypsilanti
This story was published by The Ypsilanti Daily Press on Monday, August 1, 1910.
Sunday afternoon Chief of Police Gage received a notice from the Detroit detectives to be on the watch for an auto thief who was thought to be headed for Ypsilanti.
This morning Mr. Gage learned that four young men from Detroit with an auto had stopped at he Anthony Duggan farm four miles south of the city where they had staid all night with some of their friends. Mr. Gage immediately telephoned Deputy Sheriff James Casgrove to hold the young men until he could get there. On reaching there as the boys came out of the house one of them tried to run away but he was quickly handcuffed and all four were brought here to await the arrival of the Detroit officers.
A warrant for the arrest of Ray Campbell is in the hands of the Detroit officers as he is charged with the thief of an auto some time ago but had not been located. It is thought that Campbell is the one who left a red auto at the Beyer farm about three weeks ago. The other three men are being held on suspicion. They claimed that the auto belonged to a Detroit party and that the fellow who took it had left them at Wayne.
The names of the boys given are Howard Brown, 160 Bellevue avenue, Joseph Murphy, 72 Lafayette street, John Brady, 629 Macomb street and Roy Campbell, 293 Harper avenue, all of Detroit.
The Ypsilanti Daily Press printed a follow up story on Tuesday, August 2, 1910.
Boy thieves are taken back to home city
Detectives Parker and Allen of Detroit arrived in this city Monday evening and took the four boys held here on suspicion of stealing a touring car in Detroit Saturday night from Dr. A. J. Winters, back to Detroit on the 5:25 train to await trial. The car which was a fine one was valued at $4,000 and was insured. It was towed in from the Duggan farm Monday afternoon and is now in the Dolson garage awaiting the settling of the insurance claims. The car was found to be in rather bad shape from being run without sufficient water and oil.
Sunday afternoon Chief of Police Gage received a notice from the Detroit detectives to be on the watch for an auto thief who was thought to be headed for Ypsilanti.
This morning Mr. Gage learned that four young men from Detroit with an auto had stopped at he Anthony Duggan farm four miles south of the city where they had staid all night with some of their friends. Mr. Gage immediately telephoned Deputy Sheriff James Casgrove to hold the young men until he could get there. On reaching there as the boys came out of the house one of them tried to run away but he was quickly handcuffed and all four were brought here to await the arrival of the Detroit officers.
A warrant for the arrest of Ray Campbell is in the hands of the Detroit officers as he is charged with the thief of an auto some time ago but had not been located. It is thought that Campbell is the one who left a red auto at the Beyer farm about three weeks ago. The other three men are being held on suspicion. They claimed that the auto belonged to a Detroit party and that the fellow who took it had left them at Wayne.
The names of the boys given are Howard Brown, 160 Bellevue avenue, Joseph Murphy, 72 Lafayette street, John Brady, 629 Macomb street and Roy Campbell, 293 Harper avenue, all of Detroit.
The Ypsilanti Daily Press printed a follow up story on Tuesday, August 2, 1910.
Boy thieves are taken back to home city
Detectives Parker and Allen of Detroit arrived in this city Monday evening and took the four boys held here on suspicion of stealing a touring car in Detroit Saturday night from Dr. A. J. Winters, back to Detroit on the 5:25 train to await trial. The car which was a fine one was valued at $4,000 and was insured. It was towed in from the Duggan farm Monday afternoon and is now in the Dolson garage awaiting the settling of the insurance claims. The car was found to be in rather bad shape from being run without sufficient water and oil.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)