NOCKELS, Vivian 1899-1932

NOCKELS, THENO

Posted By: Kathy Gerkins (email)
Date: 9/13/2013 at 16:16:26

Nockels, Vivian
IS KILLED WHEN AUTO OVERTURNS

Vivian Nockels, formerly of Charles City, but more recently of Minneapolis, was killed early Sunday morning when in company with Walter Bartz of this city the Nockels Buick sedan overturned at the end of South Main Street on the turn east.
Bartz, who was cut and bruised, was first taken to the Cedar Valley Hospital for medical treatment and then to jail where he has been repeatedly questioned by local officers and Special State Agent Hi Yackey who reported that they have been unable to get a clear story from Mr. Bartz as to just how the accident occurred. They say that Mr. Bartz has told different stories saying that there were anywhere from two to five in the car at the time of the accident, but last story, according to the offices, was that there were but two, himself and Nockels. Bartz says he was not driving the car at the time of the accident. It is possible that Mr. Bartz is still dazed from the accident and does not remember just what happened.
It is claimed that Bartz and Nockels were seen leaving Charles City before midnight Saturday night with Nockels at the wheel but it was nearly one o'clock before the body of Nockels was found.
It is claimed that after the accident Bartz, bleeding from his cuts, went to a nearby farm house and asked that a doctor be sent to attend him. The farmer asked if there was anyone else in the accident and it is said he reported he, Bartz, was alone. Later the body of Mr. Nockels was discovered and the officers called.
The head of Mr. Nockels had been caught between the door and the car and held there when the car tipped over. It is thought he had opened the right door of the car and attempted to jump when the auto crashed to the ground. He was dead when found.
In running off the road the car struck a log landing on its right side and breaking the glass on this side and in the windshield and Bartz went through the windshield.
Sheriff B. F. Atherton this noon said that although he and State Agent Yackey had questioned him until one o'clock this morning that they are still unable to get what they consider a satisfactory story of the accident as they say it is a mystery how, if Mr. Nockels were driving that he could become jammed in the right front door. The sheriff says that he was not notified of the accident until one forty-five Sunday morning and when he arrived an auto wrecking crew, Coroner Charles Snyder and the undertaker were there. Officers are investigating the possiblity that a third man was in the car.
Mrs. Vivian Nockels, wife of the accident victim, said that she was sure in her own mind that her husband was not driving, that her husband did not drive recklessly but also said that she couldn't understand the accident as her husband never let another person drive his automobile.
Mr. and Mrs. Nockels and two children, Thelma and Ralph, arrived at the home of Mrs. Nockels' parents, Mr. and Mrs. Emil Theno, 906 Grand Avenue, at 6:30 Saturday evening where they were to spend the weekend. After dinner Mr. Nockels went to town and she heard nothing more of him until notified that he had been killed. She states that as far as she knows her husband was not acquainted with Mr. Bartz.
Funeral services were held this morning at nine o'clock at the Immaculate Conception Church with Rev. W. J. Convery officiating, the Lindaman Funeral Home in charge and with burial in Calvary Cemetery. Deceased was the son of Mr. and Mrs. P. P. Nockels of Decorah. He was born and reared near Alta Vista and for a few years just before the war lived on a farm near Charles City. He enlisted in the army during the world war and was married to Thelma Theno, daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Emil Theno and of ate have lived at Minneapolis.
An Uncle, F. T. Nockels, lives at 1003 East Blunt Street, here. Surviving him are his father and mother and sister, Maude Nockels of Minneapolis, as sister, Mrs. James Cotter, Chicago; brothers, Paul of St. Paul; Cletus of Postville and Joseph of Decorah who were in attendance at the funeral besides Mr. and Mrs. Emil Theno, father and mother of Mrs. Nockels; Mr. and Mrs. Irving J. Theno of Minneapolis and Elmer Theno of Lincoln, Nebraska. The pallbearers were Alta Vista friends. Military rites were given at Calvary Cemetery with a firing squad from the Mashall A. Shannon post of the American Legion.
Deceased was 37 years of age last Saturday.