Person Page - 2133

AUTO KILLED TWO MEN
     JULIUS MARHENKE AND John WILLIS OF EUREKA, THE VICTIMS
     CAR TAKES HEADER OFF BRIDGE
     Charles Marhenke Painfully Injured Injured But Will Recover--Otto Marhenke's Heroic Work--Accident Occurred Sunday Near Yates Center
     John Willis and Julius Marhenke are dead and Chas. Marhenke was seriously injured as the result of an automobile accident which occurred six miles east of Yates Center Sunday morning. August 14, at 9:15 o'clock. Julius Marhenke was killed instantly; John Willis lived 48 hours, but never fully regained consciousness, and Charles Marhenke although seriously injured and for many hours in great pain, will recover. Otto Marhenke, who was in the car when the accident occurred was but slightly injured and it was through his timely efforts that John Willis was rescued from almost instant death, and to him his brother, Charles owes his life.
     Julius Marhenke and his brothers, Charles and Otto, and John Willis, father-in-law of Julius Marhenke, were coming from Kansas City to their homes near Eureka in an Overland car which Julius Marhenke had purchased and was bringing home. Charles Marhenke, who owns an automobile, accompanied his brother to drive the new car to Eureka. Julius Marhenke had taken the wheel to drive the car only about five minutes before the terrible accident occurred. In approaching the bridge which spans the little stream known as Cherry creek, about six miles east of Yates Center, it is necessary to round a curve in the road and to come upon the bridge at an angle. The machine was moving at a rate of speed of probably not more than six or eight miles an hour when it struck the east end of the bridge and Mr. Marhenke either was not able to turn the steering wheel quickly enough to direct it into the right course or else through inexperience in the excitement of the moment turned the wheel the wrong way, and the car struck the rotten rail of the bridge and plunged down into the mud and water twenty feet below. All four occupants of the car struck faces downward in the mud and shallow water. Otto Marhenke was partially under the car and nearly buried in the soft mud and water, but being but slightly injured he was soon able to extricate himself and immediately went to the rescue of the other members of the party. He found his brother. Charles and Mr. Willis stunned and lying face downward in the water. He carried them to the edge of the stream and began the search for his brother, Julius, whom he finally found pinned under the car and completely burled in the mud. The weight of the car was on him and all his tugging and straining failed to move the great machine. He worked frantically but in vain and finally climbed the enbankament (sic) and ran up the road calling wildly for aid. About a quarter of a mile west of the Cherry creek bridge is the farm home of John Eisenbart. The members of the Eisenbart household heard Mr. Marhenke's outcries and ran to meet him. He told them of the accident. They sent out a general alarm in the neighborhood, took a team to the scene of the disaster and after twenty or thirty minutes succeeded in dragging the car off its victim. He was found lying face down in the mud and water, dead. It is believed that he had been killed instantly in the fall or at least was unconscious and never knew how he came to his death.
     Mr. Marhenke's body was taken to Yates Center and John Willis and Charles Marhenke were carried to the Eisenbart home where they were given every care and attention. Three doctors from Yates Center and one from lola were called and arrived a few minutes after the accident occurred. Mrs. Eisenbart turned her home into a hospital and gave her personal attention to the care of the injured men. There was not a minute from the time that Mr. Willis was carried in to the Eisenbart home until he died that a physician was not at hand but human skill and science and the best of care were unavailing and at 10:1(1 a. m. Tuesday, August 16, John Willis passed away.
     Sunday morning about 10 o'clock the first word reporting the accident was received in Eureka over the telephone, C. W. Hale and E. N. Ladd started immediately for Yates Center with their automobile taking with them Mrs. Charles Marhenke and Mrs. Orr Henderson, daughter of Mr. Willis, and other friends of the injured men. Misses Mary and Hannah and Harry Willis, children of Mr. Willis, several relatives and six members of Ossian Lodge No. 58 Knights of Pythias of which Mr. Willis and Julius Marhenke were members went to Yates Center on the afternoon train Sunday. Two of the children and other relatives and friends were with Mr. Willis when he died. Mrs. Willis, who is an invalid, could not go to her husband's bedside, and it was necessary thai some of her daughters should remain with her. Mr. Willis recognized relatives and friends but never fully regained consciousness and the end came to him peacefully. His injuries were so severe that little hope was entertained at any time for his recovery,
     The body of Julius Marhenke was brought to Eureka Monday morning and funeral services were held from the home of Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Wyant in Eureka Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock conducted by Rev. G. G. Home. pastor of the Church of Christ, and interment was in Greenwood cemetery. It was one of the largest funerals that has been held in Eureka. The services at the grave were in charge j cf Ossian Lodge No. 58. and the ritualistic ceremony was used. The lodge turned out in a body to pay their respects to their brother. Julius Marhenke was a prosperous farmer of Pleasant Grove and one of the most popular and likeable young men in Greenwood county. He was manly and honorable in all his dealings, lie enjoyed the respect of his fellows at all times and held the love and esteem of all with whom he was closely associated. In the full strength of his young manhood, with a bright future before him, had he lived; from a happy home and a loving wife and sweet little children he was called without warning, but those who had known him best, who knew his clean life, his fine character, his great, tender heart, hi kind deeds, will feel confident that he was ready for the summons. Julius Marhenke was born at Louisburg, Kansas, June 1, 1874. With his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Marhenke, he came to Greenwood county when but a small boy. He was married to Ollie Willis April 21, 1808. and to them were born three children. Ira, Dorothy and Marie who survive him and mourn his sad death. Mr. Willis' body was brought to Eureka Wednesday and funeral services were held at the home on Bachelor Creek at 2 p. m. yesterday, conducted by Rev. G. G. Home. John Willis wag born in Edwards county, Illinois, June 2, 1849. With his parents, Mr. and Mr. Harrison .1. Willis, he came to Kansas in 1859 and in August of that year located in Greenwood county. He received the education that the common schools of the early day could offer and was a man of broad experience, rare intelligence and sound judgment. On March 28, 1871i he was married to Ida Crookham and to them eight children were born. The wife and all of the children and one sister, Mrs. Edwin Tucker, and one brother. Ezra Willis, survive him. The children are: Mrs. Julius Marhenke, Mrs. Ira S. Whipple, Mrs. Orr Henderson, Mrs. Guy Hall, Misses Mary and Hannah Willis and Harry Willis, all of this county, and Mrs. W. O. Walker, of Hoquiam, Wash.**For just 51 years John Willis lived in Bachelor township and during all that time he was an honored and respected citizen, a good neighbor and a true friend. For half a century he was .privileged to watch tho evolution of this county from its wildest state to its present high development and in all these changes that have taken place lie had a part, lie was one of the builders of this great state and he was always loyal to the land of his adoption, ever concerned with everything that affected the growth of this county along right lines, and at nil times interested in the welfare of its people. He was an affectionate husband, a loving father, liberal to his family, devoted to his children and grandchildren who will ever hold him in tender remembrance.**A large delegation from Ossian Lodge No. 58 K. of P. went to the cemetery and the ritualistic services of the order were read at the grave.**To Mr. and Mrs. John Eisenbart and their household, the families and the friends of Julius, Charles and Otto Marhenke and John Willis feel a debt of gratitude that they can never pay. Not only did this good man and noble woman take these unfortunate ones into their home and give to them every care and attention, but they took the affliction of these and the burden of those who were dear to them on their own hearts and gave to them the sort of sympathy and ministration that is rare. It is seldom that the writer has been privileged to see a manifestation of that great heartedness and sympathy which makes the whole world kin such as was evident in Yates Center during the first days of the present week. It seemed to be the desire of everybody to be of some service to the strangers who were within their gates on a sad mission. If this paper ever felt inclined to say unkind words about the county seat town of Woodson county that inclination is forever gone. Yates Center is a mighty good town for no town can have so many good people and not be a good place in which to live.¹

Predeceased: Carolyn Gailer.¹