Joe D. Hill
Nov. 22, 1914-Aug. 6, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, August 6, 1936, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

7 KILLED IN AUTO CRASH

SIX MEN AND GIRL DIE IN TERRIFIC SMASH ON US-31, 3 MILES SOUTH

Joe Hill, of Niles, and 3 Soldiers Riding With Him Among Dead;

Indiana Car in Third Lane on 40-Foot Super-Highway 3

 Miles South of Town Causes Head-on Collision

DRIVER TRIES PASSING THREE ABREAST

Eye Witnesses Say Both Cars Going at High Speed When They

Were Smashed to Bits by Impact; Motor of Hill Car Thrown

 25 Feet Away; Both Vehicles Were Coupes

 

Seven torn and mangled bodies—one that of Joseph Hill, 21, Niles—lay in Niles and South Bend mortuaries today, grim evidence of the awful toll in Berrien county's worst highway crash, which brought two light coupes together in a terrific head-on collision at 1:05 o'clock this morning on US-31, a quarter-mile north of Bertrand road.

“And Sudden Death,” topic of county safety, lessons and campaigns, had the last laugh as he surveyed his ghastly work of wiping out two motoring parties.

The dead:

JOSEPH HILL, 21 years old, 540 Oak street, driver of one of the cars.  He is a son of Mrs. and Mrs. Henry Hill.

ROY WARNER, 22, Culver, Ind., the second driver.

MISS LORENE BARR, 19 South Bend.

RICHARD A. PETERSON, 22, South Bend.

PVT. HERBERT J. HIZER, 18, St. Louis, Mo.

PVT. HOWARD C. KELLEY, 22, St. Louis.

PVT. EUGENE NEWBY, 23, St. Louis.

All except Newby died almost instantly in the crash which raised the county's highway accident toll to 17 so far this year.  He was taken to Pawating hospital, where he died two hours late, at 3:19 o'clock—without regaining consciousness.

One other victim of the collision was rushed to the hospital, but was dead upon arrival.

Hill Driving North

Hill, driving north, was returning from South Bend  with Hizer, Kelley and Newby, who arrived in Niles late Wednesday with the detachment of troops en route to the army war maneuvers in Allegan county.  All were riding on the driver's seat.

Miss Barr and Peterson were with Warner en route to South Bend, where all were employed.

The two cars collided head-on, apparently at terrific speed, as Warner swung far over into the third lane to pass two other southbound cars running almost abreast at the time.

The impact hurled Warner's body through the back of the one seat. He was found crumpled in the rumble seat. His car came to a stop just off the concrete on the west side of the road.

Hill's body was jammed behind his steering wheel, while his three erstwhile companions were thrown from the car onto the pavement. The Hill car was knocked to the east side of the concrete.

Eyes Witnesses Talk

Two eyewitnesses told officers of the four-car “jam” that was held responsible for the wreck. The were William Miller, 1107 Lincoln Way East, Mishawaka, and his companion, Medford Hingham, 414 Lincoln Way West, Mishawaka.

The said Miller, who was driving south, was in the second lane, passing another south -bound car. They told officers the other car being driven south, by Warner, pulled around them, into the third lane—far to the left of the center line.

Hill, according to their account, (Continued on page Two.) reached the spot at the same time.  The Mishawaka youth said they could not tell if Hill were in the first or second lane. Miller immediately after the crash, turned his car about to play the lights on the scene.

Time of the accident was fixed by officers who found a watch at the scene.  It had stopped at 1:05 o'clock.

The bodies were removed in three ambulances and officers began contacting parents or relatives of the victims, along with officers of the army unit encamped at the municipal airport.

Bodies Mangled

Dr. L.M. Rutz, city health officer, who reached the scene while driving home from South Bend, examined the bodies before their removal, and declared they were in “as bad a condition as any he had ever seen” as a result of an accident.  All seven had been badly crushed and bruised, and death in practically every case was due to skull fracture.

Both cars were coverted[sic] into virtual junk heaps by the force of the collision. The engine was torn from each machine, the one from the Hill car being tossed full 25 feet from the car body.

Both cars were towed to the LaPointe garage here, where hundreds who examined them described them as “the worst” they had seen in the line of wrecked machines.

City police joined Sheriff Charles L. Mill, Deputy Claude Huff and Coroner Kerlikowske in their investigations.

No Inquest

It was decided an inquest would not be necessary. The cause of the crash was apparent.

A special car was dispatched to Camp Custer, Battle creek, early this morning to obtain  suitable clothing for the soldiers.  Army authorities pressed arrangements for full military services.

Two other soldiers, Corporals Jay Guss and George Francis, were given orders to appear today before a military board to answer charges of disorderly conduct as a result of the crash.

Riding with Paul Kirk, 1248 Ferry street, and two more soldiers, they reached the accident scene while en route to the airport from a beer tavern near the state line.

Guss and Francis aided in removing Newby and another victim to the hospital. Later, when it was found both were dead, they posted themselves “on guard” and created a disturbance when officers south to continue their investigation.  It was said they had been drinking.

They were held a short time by officials before being place int eh custody of a military guard. Their hearings today may mean demotion to private rank.

Hill Funeral Friday

Hill's body was removed to the Rutherford mortuary, where funeral services will be held at 3 o'clock Friday afternoon. The Christian Science service will be read by Mrs. Durlin Wheeler,and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

He was associated with his father, Henry Hill, in the latter's furniture and radio business here.  He was born Nov. 22, 1914, at Albion, Ind.

He is survived by his parents; a brother, Louis, and two sister, Isabelle Hill and Mrs. Vernon Anderson, all of Niles. . . .[remainder is obituary information for other victims] . . .

 

Niles Daily Star, Friday, August 7, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

JOSEPH HILL RITES HELD; BODIES OF 3 SOLDIERS GO HOME

Local Youth, who was Killed With Six Others in Crash, Buried in Silverbrook

Funeral services for Joseph Hill, 21 year old, victim of the car crash on UW-31 early Thursday morning were held this afternoon at 3 o'clock in the Rutherford chapel.

Mrs. Durlin Wheeler read the Christan Science service and pallbearers were Woodrow Aldrich, Chester Everman, Donald Prince, John Perkins, Jr., Hack Pethick and Malcolm Collins. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

The bodies of the three privates in the Sixth Infantry were shipped early this morning to their homes in St. Louis, Pvt. Howard C. Kelley and Pvt. Eugene Newby from the Rutherford mortuary and Pvt. Herbert J. Hizer from the Turner and Pifer funeral home.

. . . . [details of services for other 3 victims] . . .

 

Lucille Bernhardt
March 24, 1885-Aug. 1, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Monday, August 3, 1936, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library

Inquest in Gas Death of Woman Set Late Today

Husband Finds Mrs. Lucille Bernhardt Slumped Over Gas Range; Believes Her Asphyxiation Due to Heart Attack

Official verdict in the  death of Mrs. Lucille Bernhardt, 51, whose death by gas asphyxiation was discovered late Saturday afternoon when her husband, Eugene, returned to their home at 925 North Fourth street, will be reached at the inquest this afternoon, according to Justice Thomas m. Farrell, acting coroner.

The hearing will be opened at 3 o'clock at the Rutherford mortuary, where Mrs. Bernhardt's body was taken after preliminary investigation by officers.  The jury will be impaneled at the time of the inquest.

Dr. Robert Henderson, who examined the body, said Mrs. Bernhardt' had apparently been dead about five hours before her husband returned.

Mr. Bernhardt told officers he found her slumped over a gas range in the kitchen shortly after 4 o'clock and expressed a belief she had suffered an other attack of dizziness.  Mrs. Bernhardt, it was said had been under treatment for six years for high blood pressure.

Carries Wife Out

The position of the  body, as reported to officers by the husband, indicated Mrs. Bernhardt had possibly suffered an attack and knocked open one of the gas valves with her hand as she slumped into a chair before the range. Her body was leaning over the stove, the left arm doubled and her head resting on her hand.

Mr. Bernhardt said he carried his wife's body to the front porch, where he made a futile attempt at resuscitation before notifying police.

Both the front and rear doors of the house were closed, but neither was locked. Two kitchen windows were open.

Mrs. Bernhardt, who was born March 24, 1885, at Knoxville, Ind., had lived in Niles the last 30 years.  She was married to Mr. Bernhardt Oct. 28, 1908. The only other survivor is an aunt, Mrs. William McGarver, Peoria, Ill.

The body will be at the home until Tuesday morning. The funeral will be conducted at 3:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the Rutherford mortuary by the Rev. Louis Kling, Three Oaks.  Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, August 4, 1936, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

WOMAN'S GAS DEATH CALLED ACCIDENTAL BY CORONER'S JURY

Physician Testifies to Spells of Dizziness Suffered by Mrs. Barnhardt

“Death by accidental asphyxiation.”

That verdict, reached late Monday by a jury impaneled by Justice Thomas M. Farrell, acting coroner, ended official inquiry into the death of Mrs. Lucille Barnhardt, 51, whose lifeless body was found Saturday in her gas-filled home at 925 North Fourth street.

It was reached after a brief hearing which began at the home when Eugene Barnhardt, husband of the victim, pointed out to the jurors how he found his wife slumped over the gas range when he returned from work about 4:45 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

Later, after the hearing was transferred to the Farrell office, Dr. H.C. Kling testified Mrs. Barnhardt had been subject to attacks of dizziness induced by high blood pressure, for which she had been treated several years. She had given no indication of melancholy, he said.

Rites Today

Barnhardt told the jury he believed his wife, stricken again, had accidentally knocked one of the gas valves open with her hand as she slumped beside the stove.

Three city firemen—Harold Dick, Walter Zimmer and Lawrence Atkinson—who used an inhalator in vain after speeding to the Barnhardt home, testified briefly of finding the woman on the rear porch, where she had been carried by her husband.

The jury was composed of A.E. Buchanan, Calvin Smith, S.A. Cook, John Vogelsang, R.S. Bishop and William crown.

Funeral services for Mrs. Barnhardt were conducted this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Rutherford mortuary by the Rev. Louis Kling, Three Oaks.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Note:  Cemetery records and Michigan Death Record have name “Bernhardt”.

Minnie E. Champion (Coverdale)
Oct. 5, 1862-Sept. 12, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Monday, September 14, 1936, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

MRS. C.H. CHAMPION SERVICES TUESDAY

Resident of Niles Nearly 50 Years Dies at Pawating Saturday

Following a 10-day illness Mrs. Minnie E. Champion, 73,  of 205 South Fifth street, died at Pawating hospital at 5:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon.

Born in Milton township, Cass county on Oct. 5, 1862, Mrs. Champion was married to Charles H. Champion at the home of her parents in Milton township, on Feb. 20, 1889.  After spending the summer of 1889 in Iowa she moved to Niles with her husband where she remained until her death.

Beside her husband, Mrs. Champion is survived by one sister, Mrs. George Wolf, South Bend.

Funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon in the Rutherford mortuary with the Rev. T.O. Lee, pastor of the Methodist church, of which she was an active member, officiating.

Burial will take place at Silverbrook cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home to view the body.

Note:  DOB and Maiden name from Michigan Death Record

Nellie Hess
1882-Sept. 10, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Friday, September 11, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  DIES IN MISSOURI

Mrs. and Mrs. Charles Hess, R. 3, have received word of the death of Mr. Hess' sister-in-law, Mrs. Fred Hess, in St. Joseph, Mo., Thursday night.  Mrs. Hess died suddenly last night while shopping. Both Mr.and Mrs. Fred Hess are well known in Niles, the former having been born and reaised here.  Mrs. Gordon Bachman is a daughter of the deceased worman.  Mr. and Mrs. Bachman are at present en route to Niles from a vaction spent in Florida.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete although it was learned that the body will be brought here for burial.

 

Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, September 15, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief: HESS RITES TODAY

Funeral services for Mrs. Fred Hess, former Niles resident who died at St. Joseph, Mo, Thursday, were conducted at 3:30 o'clock this afternoon at the Turner-Pifer chapel with the Rev. G.W. Simon officiating.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.  Marshall Madlin, John Bunn, Charles Smith, C.E. Drke, Fred bachman and Alfred Johnson served as pallbearers.

 

Michael Collins
Aug. 20, 1852-Sept. 15, 1936*

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 16, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  COLLINS FUNERAL THURSDAY

Funeral rites for Michael Collins, who died at his home, 601 North Fifth street, Tuesday morning, will be held at the residence at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon.  The Rev. G.W. Simon will officiate and burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.

 

Niles Daily Star, Thursday, September 17, 1936, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News In Brief:  COLLINS RITES HELD

Funeral services for Michael Collins, retired conductor on the Michigan Central railroad and a resident of Niles for the last 58 years, were held at his home, 601 North Fifth street, at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon with the Rev. G.W. Simon officiating.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.  Fred Babcock, K.B. Schmidt, Frank Early, Lawrence Elder, Ed Wurz and Chas. Siebert acted as pallbearers.

 

DOB/DOD from Michigan Death Record

Mildred Lee Miller

April 17 1935-Sept. 18, 1936

Niles Daily Star, Saturday, September 19, 1936, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles News in Brief:  MILLER RITES TODAY

Private funeral services for Mildred Miller, one-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clark Miller, Bertrand, who died Friday morning of infantile paralysis, were held at the home at 2 o'clock this afternoon.  Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.