The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania) • Sun, Jul 5, 1925, Pg 20:

Former Bethlehem Fireman Takes Poison. Hurt Two Years Ago While Responding to Alarm on Fire Truck. George W. Frankenfield, a well-known resident of Bethlehem, for fourteen years a truck driver for the Central Fire Company of Bethlehem, died suddenly at his late home, 425 Heckewelder street, Bethlehem, from the effects of drinking some undetermined poisonous fluid at about 2:45 o’clock on the afternoon of July Fourth. Mr. Frankenfield had been in ill health for some time, following an injury to his head sustained two years ago when, while responding to duties call, he was thrown from a fire truck. He landed on his head, a blood clot resulting. Since that time he has suffered two epileptic strokes. Following his recovery he has been engaged as a janitor at the Moravian Preparatory School.

Mr. Frankenfield was alone at his home on the afternoon of July Fourth and he was observed by neighbors returning from his daily calls at the school and entered his home. A short time later he appeared at the door of his home, and called to a neighbor he was dying as he had drank poison. Dr. A.B. Hamilton was quickly summoned and on his arrival he found Mr. Frankenfield lying on a couch, breathing his last. No vial or bottle of any kind was found which would lead to a clue as to what he had drank.
Coroner Walter J. Cathrall was notified and he gave permission to Undertakers Laramy and Riegel to take charge of the remains. Mr. Frankenfield was regarded as one of the cities’ most faithful employees. He bore an excellent reputation in the community. He was born in Bethlehem, October 13, 1872, and was 52 years, 8 months and 2 days of age. He was a son of the late Jacob and Christian Keim Frankenfield. He was a member of the Salem Lutheran church.

Besides the wife there survive five sons, Clarence, P.D., the latter a member of the Bethlehem City Police Department; Jacob, Charles and William; three daughters, Edna and Eva, all of Bethlehem, and Mrs. Roy W. Dentler, of Pottstown; also two brothers, Herbert of Bethlehem, and Preston, of Cleveland, Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. Asher von Steuben, of Bethlehem, and Mrs. John Mentzell, of East Allentown; also ten grandchildren. The funeral arrangements will be completed on Sunday.

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The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania) • Mon, Jul 6, 1925, Pg 8: Doubt Exists in Mr. Frankenfield’s Death. Funeral of Former Bethlehem Fireman Will Be Held on Tuesday. The funeral of George W. Frankenfield, the well known resident of Bethlehem, who died suddenly at his home at 425 Heckewelder street, at 2:45 o’clock on the afternoon of July fourth, from the e3ffects of what was believed and officially reported as being a poisonous drug, will be held on Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the late home. Services will be held at the house and interment will be made in Union cemetery.

Despite the fact as stated in Sunday’s Morning Call that nothing remained to corroborate Mr. Frankenfield’s statement, that he had drunk poison, doubt exists whether or not he had committed suicide. Mr. Frankenfield was for fourteen years a faithful and trusted member of the Old Bethlehem Borough and city fire departments. Two years ago he fell from a fire truck and suffered a blood clot on the brain. Since then he suffered two strokes. Lately he had been employed as a janitor at the Moravian Preparatory School.