Anton W “Tony” Betz

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Anton W “Tony” Betz

Birth
Saint Helena, Cedar County, Nebraska, USA
Death
9 Aug 1923 (aged 22)
Saint Helena, Cedar County, Nebraska, USA
Burial
Saint Helena, Cedar County, Nebraska, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Hartington Paper, NE, August 1923

LIVED BUT SHORT TIME AFTER INJURY
Accident Occurred at St. Helena Picnic, When He Made Too Short Turn In His Car, Which Turned Over Several Times.

Tony Betz, well known young man of St. Helena, was almost instantly killed last Thursday afternoon in an auto accident at the harvest picnic there, when the car he was driving turned over several times, throwing him to the ground with terrific force.

Just what caused the accident is not known. Lester Samelson happened to be driving directly behind young Betz at the time, and he testifies that the latter was not speeding at all. He started to turn around, and may have turned too short, or the wheels may have locked. Whatever happened, the car made two complete somersaults, throwing Betz clear of it as it whirled over.

Lester immediately went to Betz' aid, and picked him up almost as soon as he struck the ground. The young man was unconscious at the time, as his skull was cracked in two places on the forehead, and the scalp was torn loose at the back of his head. He lived but two or three minutes after the accident, and never regained consciousness.

For some time the body of the dead man was allowed to remain where it had fallen, while County Sheriff Clarence and County Attorney Millard were summoned. Before they arrived, however, it had been removed, as the circumstances of his death were so evident that an inquest was not necessary.

Despite its wild spins, the car which Betz was driving was not badly damaged. At the end of its flight, it landed upright, although facing in the direction from which he was coming. He had bought the car that morning from a Hartington garage.

Anton Betz was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Betz, and was 23 years of age at the time of his death. He was born in this county, and had lived here all his life. He is survived by his parents, a brother and several sisters.

Funeral services were held from the St. Helena church last Sunday morning, and were conducted by Rev. Stratman. The body was interred at St. Helena.
Hartington Paper, NE, August 1923

LIVED BUT SHORT TIME AFTER INJURY
Accident Occurred at St. Helena Picnic, When He Made Too Short Turn In His Car, Which Turned Over Several Times.

Tony Betz, well known young man of St. Helena, was almost instantly killed last Thursday afternoon in an auto accident at the harvest picnic there, when the car he was driving turned over several times, throwing him to the ground with terrific force.

Just what caused the accident is not known. Lester Samelson happened to be driving directly behind young Betz at the time, and he testifies that the latter was not speeding at all. He started to turn around, and may have turned too short, or the wheels may have locked. Whatever happened, the car made two complete somersaults, throwing Betz clear of it as it whirled over.

Lester immediately went to Betz' aid, and picked him up almost as soon as he struck the ground. The young man was unconscious at the time, as his skull was cracked in two places on the forehead, and the scalp was torn loose at the back of his head. He lived but two or three minutes after the accident, and never regained consciousness.

For some time the body of the dead man was allowed to remain where it had fallen, while County Sheriff Clarence and County Attorney Millard were summoned. Before they arrived, however, it had been removed, as the circumstances of his death were so evident that an inquest was not necessary.

Despite its wild spins, the car which Betz was driving was not badly damaged. At the end of its flight, it landed upright, although facing in the direction from which he was coming. He had bought the car that morning from a Hartington garage.

Anton Betz was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Betz, and was 23 years of age at the time of his death. He was born in this county, and had lived here all his life. He is survived by his parents, a brother and several sisters.

Funeral services were held from the St. Helena church last Sunday morning, and were conducted by Rev. Stratman. The body was interred at St. Helena.