The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Compiled and Edited by Virginia Ross
Stronghurst Graphic: Oct. 23, 1924
KILLED IN AUTO ACCIDENT: W. C. Annegers, son of G. Henry Annegers of this vicinity and who has been cashier of the Farmers' State Bank of Princeville, Ill. since its organization 19 years ago, was instantly killed last Thursday evening, Oct. 16th, when the car in which he and John Oertley of Princeville were returning from a trip to Peoria was overturned in the road about five miles from Princeville.
Through the courtesy of the Princeville Telephone, we are enabled to give our readers the following account of the accident. "The most tragic event in years occurred last Thursday evening when W. C. Annegers, cashier of the Farmers State Bank, met death instantly when his car overturned on the Dunlap road, five and one-quarter miles southeast of Princeville. John Oertley, vice-president of the bank who was riding with him, was thought to be fatally injured but latest reports from the hospital say that he will recover.
How the accident occurred will probably never be known as there were no eye witnesses. Investigation of the car and road and surroundings has led to several theories. According to the testimony of Mr. Bender of Peoria, he found the car crossways of the road with the engine still running which he stopped by means of the choker. The headlights were still burning and the emergency brake was set up tight. Later, it was discovered that the right rear tire was flat. Whether this blew out when the car turned over or whether it blew out and caused the accident is a matter of conjecture.
J. J. Bender of Peoria was the first to reach the scene of the accident; he was on his way from Peoria to Princeville and reached that point before the dust had settled although he did not see the car over turned. He found Mr. Annegers hanging over the left door of his car and later found Mr. Oertley at the right side of the road in the ditch. He attempted to straighten Mr. Annegers back into the seat, but was unable to do so. He placed a cushion near the car and placed Mr. Oertley on it. About this time other cars from both directions arrived. Mr. Oertley was removed to Emil Streitmatter's home near whose place the accident occurred and medical aid summoned. Within a short time three doctors responded. Mr. Annegers body was examined by one of the doctors and the injuries disclosed that he must have been killed instantly. He was removed to undertaking parlors in Princeville.
The opinion is that Mr. Annegers heard the tire blow out and while traveling at a high rate of speed, let the emergency brake too tight which resulted in the car turning over several times. A report gained wide circulation Thursday evening that faulty steering gear might have caused the disaster. But F. J. Sloan of the Sloan garage testified at the inquest that the car had been in his garage and new parts installed for those which had been out of order. This work had been done fifteen days prior to the accident.
Those who were at the scene within a short time after the fatality thought Mr. Annegers might have failed to see the abutments under culvert about 150 feet from where the car came to rest, but there were no tracks or marks to indicate that this had happened although he might have failed to see the abutments until he was almost on them and then turned quickly to avoid a crash and so doing lost control of the car. The condition of the car when rescued fails to substantiate this theory as well as others. Mr. Annegers' car was a Marmon. The top and windshield were demolished and the left front fender flat. After the deflated tire had been replaced with a spare, the car was taken to Princeville under its own power.
Mr. Annegers and Mr. Oertley left Princeville about 11 o'clock Thursday for Peoria where they spent the remainder of the day transacting business. It was on the return trip that the accident occurred at approximately 7 o'clock in the evening.
Relatives in Burlington, Iowa and Stronghurst, Illinois were immediately notified. Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Artz, brother-in-law and sister, arrived Friday morning for the coroner's inquest and funeral services held Saturday.
Mr. Annegers had been in business here for 19 years. He had in that time built up for himself an impeachable reputation as a man of honesty and integrity. His counsel was sought by many local people and he was the friend of the working man and the individual of small means. He leaves to mourn his untimely death, his father, G. Henry Annegers of Stronghurst; three sisters, Mrs. C. J. Artz of Burlington, Iowa; Mrs. Frank R. Smith of Stronghurst and Mrs. E. E. Marks of Stronghurst. Mr. Annegers had never married.
Mr. Annegers was born at Stronghurst and was 44 years of age. He spent his boyhood days near that place and for a few years before coming to Princeville had worked in banks at Somonauk and Alexis, Ill.
Funeral services were held from the Methodist church here Saturday afternoon. There was a large concourse of associates and sympathizing friends present to pay their last respect to one held in high esteem throughout the community. Immediately after the services, relatives shipped the remains to Stronghurst where services were held Sunday afternoon with Rev. J. A. Mahaffey officiating. Interment was in the Stronghurst Cemetery.
Immediately after the accident coroner Elliott was notified in Peoria and he came and viewed the surroundings. The coroner's jury was impaneled Friday morning at 10 o'clock and heard the evidence of five witnesses: C.J. Artz of Burlington, Dr. M.G. Cutler, F. J. Sloan and L.J. Wieland of this place and J. J. Bender of Peoria. Dr. Cutler testified as to the position of the body and stated that death was due to crushing injury of the head. He testified as to the nature and extent of the injuries which Mr. Oertley suffered, most of which were on the left side of the chest. L. J. Wieland was the second person to reach the unfortunate men and in substance, made the same statement that Mr. Bender had made. After considering the evidence, the jury composed of Bert Sloan, J.S. Harmon, J.Y. Mendenhall, William Bouton, Charles Miller and Sam Taylor returned a verdict that Mr. Annegers met his death from a crushing injury on the head in an automobile accident.
Services for Mr. Annegers held at the U. P. church in Stronghurst Sunday afternoon were attended by a large concourse of relatives and acquaintances. A large number of Princeville friends were also here to see the remains deposited in their last resting place. The floral offerings were exceedingly profuse and beautiful, the entire front of the church auditorium being converted into a perfect bower of loveliness in which roses and pure white and yellow chrysanthemums predominated. The casket was also covered with a beautiful floral blanket:Pall bearers were C. J. Artz and F.R. Smith, brothers-in-law; F. A. Annegers and J. H. Annegers, cousins; H. A. Annegers, nephew and H. B. Fort, a schoolmate and boyhood friend.