Frank Brockhaus
Feb. 6, 1881-July 9, 1912

Niles Daily Sun, Tuesday, July 9, 1912 page 1, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

HIGH POWER WIRE BROKE AND FRANK BROCKHAUS MEETS INSTANT DEATH

Well known restaurant had turned in a fire alarm

JUMPING FROM WAGON

He landed on pavement charged with 39,000 volts

Frank Brockhaus, the well known caterer and reatauranteur was instantly killed about 11:45 today when upwards of 39,000 volts of electricity from a broken Chapin high tension service wire passed through his body.

Mr. Brockhaus had just run to the central fire station on Sycamore street to sound an alarm of fire, flames having been observed shooting several feet above the interurban station on Second street immediately following several terrific claps of thunder.

The fire department emerged from the sation a moment after Mr. Brockhaus had given the alarm and he rode out on the running board at the end of the wagon.

Arriving in front of the interurban station Mr. Brockhaus jumped to the ground and almost instantly he crumpled up and dropped to the pavement and it is believed death was instantaneous.

The cause of his sudden death became at once apparent tot he firemen and by-standers, for in the street near by lay the sputtering end of a high tension wire which had dropped to the pavement which was flooded with water and there fore was charged with high voltage turned loose by the broken wire.

None of the firemen were affected by the powerful current that meted out instant death to Brockhous.[sic]

But "Spot" the white bull dog owned by former Fire Chief Lester J. Barbour, was less fortunate.

"Spot" always reported instinctively at fires and he was on hand as usual.

He got within the danger zone also and dropped dead to the pavement just a few feet from where Mr. Brockhaus had been electrocuted.

The danger of the situation was realized by all eyed witnessed of the tragedy, but the body of Mr. Brockhaus was rescued as quickly as possible and efforts were make[sic] to resuscitate him but it was in vain, as life was extinct.

Drs. Ullery and Giddings were soon on hand but they could do nothing.

A jury was impanelled this afternoon by Chief Francis composed of George Brown, Frank Bowles, David Waltz, Dave Unruh, H.C. Beswich and Herman Roebeck.

Justice Hillman had charge of the inquest the jury meeting at Price's morgue to view the body.

The facts of the tragedy are quite plain, however.

The fierce electric storm and the terrific lightning bolts that supercharged and burnt out the high tension wire causing the loose ends to drop to the street were the primary causes.

Mr. Brockhaus was about 32 years of age.  He is survived by a widow and two daughters, 2 and 5 years old respectively.

The made their home with Chas. Rossman on north Sixth street, Mrs. Brockhaus being a daughter of Mr. Rossman.

Mr. Brockhaus was a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and only recently took out a policy in the New Era.

He has conducted a restaurant on north Second street for a year past succeeding John Yauchstetter.  Previous to that he was chef at the Niles Club and had catered in local restaurants.  He was considered one of the best of local chefs.

Niles Daily Sun, Friday, July 12, 1912 page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

FUNERAL WAS HELD TODAY

Remains of Frank Brockhaus laid to rest. Other victims of tragedies to be buried tomorrow

The funeral of the late Frank Brockhaus, who met his death by electrocution on Tuesday, was held this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the late residence on north Sixth street.

Rev. F. Rahn of St. John's German church conducted the services in the presence of a large gathering of friends.

Among the beautiful floral tributes was one from the fire department whom Mr. Brockhaus went to assist when he met his death.  The bouquet was of sweet peas and nasturtiums which were taken from the garden the firemen have cultivated  in front of the fire station and which Mr. Brockhaus had often admired. 

The remains were laid to rest at Silver Brook cemetery.

Funerals Tomorrow

The funeral of the late Fred Rau, who also met his death by electrouction [sic], will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the home of his mother in West Niles. Rev. G. Huntington of Trinity Episcopal church will officiate. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

Rev. F. Rahn will conduct the funeral of the late Albert Steimley, who met a tragic death in the Michigan Central yards yesterday, tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock from the residence on north Fifth street. Interment will occur at Silver Brook cemetery.

The funeral of the late D.W. Sitts will be held tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock. The remains will be brought to Niles for burial.

Note:  DOB from Michigan Death Record

Fred Rau
July 19, 1888-July 10, 1912

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, July 11, 1912 page 1, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library

DIED IN A FEW MINUTES

Modern device used in vain effort at resuscitation

Fred Rau, a single man aged 23, was electrocuted at the city hall yesterday afternoon about 4:30 o'clock, making the second victim of the deadly high tension electric current in two days.

The news of Rau's electrocution quickly spread and a large crowd gathered at the city hall to view the ghastly work of the deadly electric current.

Rau's lifeless body lay stretched upon chairs in the lobby of the council room.

He was a stalwart young man and his untimely death was commented on with regret and sadness by those who did not know him.

Rau was a painter in the employ of Phillip Strauss and was engaged in painting the city hall under the contract which was awarded to his employer at the last council meeting.

The work was nearing completion and Rau was engaged at a window in the south side of the building on the lower floor. This room is used for a stock room as well as a test room for transformers and other electrical appliances used by the board of public works, and the power lines carrying the current from the city  plant, enter the building in the vicinity of the window at which Rau was working.

The theory of the unfortunate young man's death is that Rau while engaged in working at the window leaned against the highly charged primary wire carrying a 2200 volts, and that this wire, stripped of insulation, for an inch or so come in contact with a buckle or button on his clothing and instantly the current was diverted from the wire to his body and he received the death charge.

The current entered the body near the point of the hip which supports the theory.

The clothing was burned at the point of contact showing where the current had entered the body.

M.T. White of the Clark Meter Co. of Chicago, who is in the city engaged in overhauling the meters, which is done once a year, was in the room at the time and he saw Rau fall upon the work bench that stands in front of the window where Rau was at work.

When Rau got up into the window to work he asked Mr. White if he would be in the way and the latter said gNo.h There was nothing said about danger.

Rau place one foot outside the window on the arm carrying the high tension wires and with one hand on the window frame he started to work and it is supposed he leaned back form support against another arm about the height of his hip which carried additional live wires.

Mr. White was working with his back to Rau and a moment later he heard a groan from Rau and looking around saw that Rau had fallen inside the window and lay partly on the work bench.

Supt. Fogus and City Clerk Wetherby who were in their offices, came to Whites' assistance and Rau's body was lifted tenderly down and carried into the council chamber, and physicians were summoned.

Protect Wires Now

The death of this young man by electrocution as soon after the death of Frank Brockhaus the day before, has aroused the public to the dangers of the deadly electric current as nothing else could, and it is likely now that no means will be neglected to place proper safeguards to human life about all exposed electric wires in the city.

Frank Brockhaus was electrocuted by the breaking during an electric storm of the overhead high tension service wire of the Indiana and Michigan Electric Co., which fell upon guy wires and thus the current descended to the earth which was surcharged at the moment that Brockhaus jumped from the fire wagon to his death.  

The Indiana and Michigan Electric Co. was held responsible by a coroner's jury for Brockhaus' death, because of failure to provide proper baskets that are required under the terms of their franchise.

Is City Liable

Now is the question of the city's liability for the death of Fred Rau by electrocution will arise and it is considered as rather significant that two members of the coroner's jury that rendered the verdict holding the Indiana & Michigan Electric Co., responsible for the Brockhaus death are also on the jury called to investigate the death by electrocution of the second victim. These two are Ex-City Clerk Herman Roebeck and H.C. Beswick.

The Brockhaus jury questioned City Supt. Fogus regarding this responsibility for not seeing that the high tension wires of the Chapin Co., were protected by baskets.

Now that a death has occurred through the city power lines from which insulation had been stripped the investigation takes a new direction.

The Rau jury is composed of Sim Belknap, Lewis Miller, Fred Cornwall, Hermann Roebeck, Henry Beswick and Dell Marston.

Note:  DOB from Michigan Death Certificate.

Albert  W. Steimley
May 3, 1885-July 11, 1912

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, July 11, 1912 page 1, col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library

ALBERT STEIMLEY,  A CAR REPAIRER, KILLED TODAY IN MICH. CENT. YARDS

Was caught between freight cars while in peromance[sic] of duty

A CAREFUL WORKMAN

Fourth fatal accident in this vicinity in two days

Albert Steimley, a car repairer employed by the Michigan Central railroad company in John Nagle's department, was killed this morning while in the performance of his duties.

The fatal accident occurred about 7:30 a.m. Just west of the Fifth Street viaduct.

Just how the accident occurred is not definitely known, but as near as con be ascertained Steimley stepped in between two freight cars to but in a new counterpin in the coupler.

At the moment that Steimley stepped between the cars a switch engine backing down in the yards struck the line of freight cars on which Mr. Steimley was working and it is thought the was pinched and crushed between the bumpers and fell upon the tracks between the cars.

Both of Steimley's arm were found to be crushed and also his left leg below the knee, where the trucks of the car had run over him.

The only eye witness of the tragedy was John Helmick, also a car repairer, who was with Steimley as a helper.

This was Helmick's first day's employment as a car repairer and the horrible tragedy enacted before his eyes when he saw his fellow employe knocked down and crushed to death under the wheels so completely unnerved him that he suffered a complete nervous collapse and has been under the doctor's care ever since at the home of Mrs. J. A. Mark, his step sister, at 313 Pokagon.

Helmick was able to tell a little of the accident to Steimley's brother but his own condition became so bad that he had to be placed under the influence of opiates and his condition is considered serious.

The body of Steimley was removed to Price's undertaking rooms and was laid beside that of Fred Rau, the last electrocution victim of yesterday, and the morgue presented a grewsome[sic] sight with the bodies of two young mend whose lives were taken so quickly and tragically by accidents of an entirely different nature.

Mr. Steimley was 26 years old. He was married and is survived by a young wife and an infant child.  Mrs. Steimley was Miss Emma Gottschalk of Michigan City Oaks before marriage.

The young man was born in Niles and is survived by his father, Boswell Steimley and two brothers, Edward and Charles Steimley, their home being at 899 north Fifth street.

The following jury was impanelled by Chief Francis to investigate this latest tragedy: George A. Forler, August Asmus, Jos Pettit, Lawrence Boler, Carl Hosfelt and Gus Pammel.

After viewing the body they adjourned to Saturday morning at 9 o'clock when they will meet at the council room to take testimony of witnesses.

Mr. Steimley had been employed by the Michigan Central for over six years and all but about six months of that time, when he went to Michigan City, he has worked in the Niles yards.

He was considered a good workman, careful and competent, and was an industrious young man, and highly thought of by his friends and fellow workmen.

Mrs. Esther Parkinson of Buchanan, an aunt of Mrs. F.W. Knott of this city, was walking over the viaduct and was an eye witness of the tragic death.

The switch engine which kicked the cars resulting int eh death of Steimley was in charge of Ex-Ald. John Walker.

Note:  DOB from Michigan Death Certificate

Deniston W. Sitts
May 26, 1854-July 11, 1912

Niles Daily Sun, Thursday, July 11, 1912 page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library

D.W. SITTS DIED TODAY

Masons will conduct burial service here on Saturday

D.W. Sitts passed away this morning at his home nine miles northeast of Niles after a prolonged illness.  He is survived by a widow, who is a sister of Mrs. Tyler Swain of Niles.

The funeral will be held Saturday at 9 o'clock from the late residence.

The remains will be brought to Niles for burial at Silver Brook. The Masonic Lodge of Niles will conduct the committal services.

Note: DOB from Michigan Death Certificate

Gertrude Blanchard
Sept. 23, 1911-Nov. 6, 1954

Niles Daily Star, Monday, November 8, 1954, page 1, col. 3-4, microfilm Niles District Library

Niles Man Waivers Exam on Charge of Murder

Wilbur Blanchard, 47, this morning waived examination on a murder charge and was bound over to Berrien County Circuit Court when arraigned by Niles City police before Justice Thomas W. Cain.

Blanchard is charged with fatally shooting his wife with a 12 gauge shotgun at their home, 116 Howard street, Saturday morning.

No bond was set at the arraignment this morning.  Only a circuit judge may set bond in a murder case.

Police Chief Arthur N. Pears this morning related Blanchard's version of the shooting.

He told police he had gotten out the single-shot gun and was thinking of getting a license to go hunting. He asked his wife to get the ramrod for him. She got the ramrod out of the bathroom and set it down near the desk where Blanchard was sitting. She said something would have to be done about Blanchard's nervous condition.

Mrs. Blanchard sat down on the davenport and read a paper for a few minutes. She got up and walked toward the kitchen and Blanchard shot her in the back of the neck.

Blanchard said his wife had threatened to take their daughter and leave him since he suffered a nervous breakdown about six months ago.  She also had talked about having him sent to an institution for treatment.

Blanchard told police that he loved his wife but since his breakdown and unemployment she had either nagged him or refused to talk to him.

He gave no reason for the shooting, just said that he had the gun in his hand and the shells nearby and when she walked away he shot her.

Blanchard broke down and sobbed repeatedly whenever police talked to him about the shooting. He daughter, Carol Ann, visited him at the jail on Sunday night.

Dr. Franklyn Rice, Berrien County coroner, performed an autopsy on  the body Saturday afternoon. He determined the shot severed the second and third vertebra and came out at the left eye.  No inquest will be held.

Beside her husband and daughter, Mrs. Blanchard is survived by her father, Martin Schol of Morrison, Ill.; a brother, Gary Schol, also of Morrison, and three sisters, Mrs. Edward Geerts, Coleta, Ill.; Mrs. George VanKampen, Fulton, Ill., and Mrs. John Boelkins, Mt. Carroll, Ill.

She was born in Patterson, N.J., Sept. 28, 1911, and came to Niles from Morrison 18 years ago. She was a member of the New Apostolic Church.

Friends may call at the Kiger Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the New Apostolic Church by the Rev. Leo Stebner of South Bend. Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Note:  Additional news story appeared in Niles Daily Star, Saturday, November 6, 1954, page 1, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

Julia Adams
June 24, 1909-March 31, 2001

Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, April 4, 2001, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

Julia Adams, 91, of Niles, did at 3:25 a.m. Saturday, March 31, 2001 at the Dowagiac Nursing Home of natural causes.

She was born on June 24, 1909 in Yalobusha, Miss. and has lived here since 1946. She was a homemaker and member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Niles.

On August 4, 1928, she married Henry Adams in Coahoma, Miss. He preceded her in death in 1961.

She is survived by three sons: Phil Adams, Niles; Charlie Adams, Chicago, Ill., and Miller Adams, Canton, Mich.; and one daughter, Catherine Adams, Chicago, Ill. Two sons preceded her in death; Willie Adams, on December 1, 1989 and David Adams in 1997.  She is also survived by one sister, Artha Lee Wimberly, Muskegon Heights, Mich.; 12 grandchildren, and 26 great grandchildren.

Services will be at 12 p.m. on Friday, April 6, 2001 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Niles with the Reverend W.L. Daniel officiating.  Burial will be at Silverbrook Cemetery, Niles. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until the time of  service at the church. Memorials may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church , 601 Ferry Street, Niles, MI 49120.