EDWIN PECH (d. 1929)

ONE DEAD AS AUTO HITS COUPLE
YOUNG HUSBAND KILELD AND WIFE IS INJURED
Appalling Tragedy Claims Life of Edwin Pech on Washington street Saturday Night
In one of the most appalling traffic accidents of years, in the downtown section
Saturday night, Edwin Pech, 21, was fatally injured and his wife, Florence, 19,
a bride of but a few months, sustained serious bruises, when they were run down
by an automobile occupied by six Oshkosh high school students on Washington
street. Mr. Pech died at the Holy Family hospital three hours after the accident
from internal injuries and skull fracture. Mrs. Pech, who escaped with slight
injuries, was able to leave the hospital today.
The accident happened on Washington street, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets,
shortly after 9 o’clock and was witnessed by many automobilists and pedestrians
on the street. Mr. and Mrs. Pech were taken to the hospital where the husband died
at 11:45.
(snip)
Were En Route to Movie
Mr. and Mrs. Pech were on their way to attend a picture showing at the Mikadow theatre,
the young husband driving out into the country during the early evening, so that his
wife could accompany him to witness the performance. They parked their light coupe
about 40 feet west of the intersection of Eleventh and Washington streets shortly after
9 o’clock and were walking across the street when the accident occurred. The two were
crossing in traffic, which at that time is heavy on Washington street and had halted
in the lane, when struck. Mr. Pech was carried fifty feet by the impact while his wife
was thrown ten feet by impact of his body.
It was said that the boys had been observed by a number of people about the city as
they paraded about the city streets with their collegiate flivver during the day, were
driving east on Washington street and were passing cars at the time of the accident.
The street was crowded with cars as many persons were returning to their homes after
witnessing first performance at downtown show houses. Owing to the fact that rain was
falling at the time, the reflection on the black preparation placed on the street to
cover the holes made when the street car tracks were removed, prevented the driver from
seeing the young couple as they stood in the center of the street, it was claimed.
Wife Thrown to Side
Immediately after striking the husband, the car struck Mrs. Pech and hurled her through
the air for a distance of about eight or ten feet. Principal C.E. Bray of the Valders
high school, who witnessed the accident, declared. Bray was entering his car, parked in
front of the Park View Tavern, and said that after hearing the sound of the collision
he turned about to see Mrs. Pech thrown in his direction. He picked her up and removed
her to an automobile near the scene and she was taken to the hospital.
After the husband was extricated from the bottom of the machine at the intersection, he
was removed to the waiting ambulance and rushed to the hospital. An examination revealed
that he was suffering from internal hurts and from skull fracture and death occurred at
11:45 o’clock.
Is Kossuth Youth
Edwin Pech, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Pech of the town of Kossuth, was born in Kossuth
on January 21, 1908 and made his home with his parents until coming to Manitowoc to secure
employment at the White House Condensery here. On June 8 of this year he married Miss
Fierst and the couple recently took up their home in an apartment at 917 S. Twenty-fourth
street, this city. In addition to his widow, he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Emil Pech and one brother, Querin, at home.
Funeral services are to be held from the Wattawa & Urbanek chapel at 2 o’clock on Tuesday
afternoon with interment taking place at Evergreen cemetery.
Friends viewed the remains at the chapel during today and the chapel is to be open from
7 until 8 o’clock tonight to permit others to visit there.
(snip)
Manitowoc Herald News, September 30, 1929 P. 2
********
[cause: fracture base of skull auto accident]