Hanke, Harry Elwood 1889-1907

HANKEY, CROW

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 6/28/2005 at 21:21:23

Accident May Prove Fatal.

A sad accident occurred on last Sunday evening at about half past nine o’clock. Harry Elwood Hanke and Roy Livingston went to Scarborough’s barn secured a fine black team and drove to the country after two girl friends, Lyda Short and Grace Vladyka. While they were driving the team became frightened and started to run. Hanke had hold of the lines and Livingston tool hold to help him but neither of them could get the horses under control. They ran to the corner of East and South streets where all four of the occupants were thrown out; Hanke being thrown so that his head struck with a terrible force against a tree. Four deep gashes were cut in his head and the attending physician thinks that one penetrated the skull. He was carried immediately to the home of Dr. L. O. Rogers where he has been unconscious ever since the accident. He rallies sufficient to speak a few words but relapses back into unconsciousness. He is in a very critical condition and but little hope is entertained for his recovery. He is the son of John Hanke and wife who live two miles north of Newton.

The others who were in the buggy were uninjured except receiving a few scratches and bruises. The carriage was demolished and parts of it were found along the road.

The boy’s parents are with him a great share of the time and he is receiving the best attention from a nurse, so that all that lies in the power of medical skill and loved ones is being done for him.

P.S. The boy was reported as dying this morning at 8:00 o’clock. ~ The Newton Journal, June 9, 1907.

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Harry Hankey, whose death, the result of a run-a-way accident, occurred Wednesday at 12:45 p.m., was buried yesterday afternoon. The funeral was held at the Methodist Church and was attended by a large number who were interested in the sad event.

Rev. O. S. Baker, who officiated, spoke of the uncertainty of life, of making best possible use of the time given and of the sadness, which always, by death of one so young, who might have lived to have been of great usefulness in the world.

The flowers were very beautiful and so many expressed their sympathy in that way, that here were blossoms to cover deep the casket, in which the silent form lay, that less than a week ago was full of life.

Several hymns were sung by a quartette composed of Bernice and Fanny Jackson, G. M. Allen and George Hall. Miss Ethel Dixon presided at the organ. Six of Harry’s boy friends were the pallbearers, Roy Dickerson, Elmer Rood, Roy Charlesworth and Allen Krob.

Harry was almost eighteen years of age, July 2nd being his birthday. He began his school life here in the Newton public schools, but did not attend school for many years, for when only a young boy he had to begin to battle for himself. This fact and also that his environments from infancy were far from the best, makes it all the more remarkable that the universal expression of those who knew him well is, that he was a good boy, industrious, had no bad habits and wanted to do the right thing by the people with whom he lived.

His death, which occurred on Wednesday, June 19, was just four years from the day of his maternal grandmother’s death.

His mother, Mrs. Alvina Crow, of Grand Island, Neb., was here to attend the funeral. ~ Newton Daily News, Saturday, June 22, 1907

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Harry Hanke’s Sad Death

Harry Elwood Hanke who was injured in the runaway on Sunday, June 16th, passed away on last Wednesday afternoon at one o’clock at the home of Dr. L. O. Rogers. His death is particularly sad; his young life is over and just in the bloom of manhood he has been taken from all those so near and dear to him. Had he lived until next July he would have been eighteen years old.

He was the son of John Hanke, who lives two miles north of town. Harry was a self-made boy, having had to make his own living since very young. All his friends with whom he has been associated, either in business or social ways, have spoken well of Harry, saying that he ws a good industrious boy, kind and considerate of others, and always wanting to do what was right. At the time of his death he was employed on the Will Carrier farm.

The sad news of the accident was sent to the boy’s mother, Mrs. Alvina Crow, who has been spending the past several years in Grand Island, Neb., but she did not reach him until he had passed away, but had she reached him he would probably never have known her for he was unconscious most of the time, the terrible shock being too great for him. The bereaved mother has the sincere sympathy of many as his death comes as a sad blow to her.

The funeral was held on last Friday afternoon at half after two o’clock in the Methodist church, Rev. O. S. Baker officiating. His remarks were very touching and full of good words for the boy. A large concourse of friends were in attendance and the floral decorations were very beautiful. Many bouquets, flower pillows and other floral pieces were strewn over the casket and about the pulpit, tokens from friends which bespoke the sentiments of their hearts. Comforting hymns were sung by Messrs. George Allen, George Hall, and the Misses Bernice and Fannie Jackson, accompanied on the organ by Miss Ethel Dickson.

The pallbearers were six young men, friends of the deceased; James Gardner, Roy Charlesworth, Ray Dickerson, Allen Kroh, Roy Livingston and Elmer Rude. Interment was made in the Newton cemetery. ~ The Newton Journal, June 26, 1907.
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Funeral of Harry Hankey.

The sad funeral rites for Harry Hankey, the victim of the terrible accident on Sunday evening, June 16th, which resulted in his death about noon on the Wednesday following of which we gave the sad particulars last week, were held in the First M. E. Church on Friday afternoon, there being a large attendance of sympathizing friends, who were deeply touched by the terrible circumstances of the young man’s death. The altar was a beautiful bower of flowers, and the casket in which the ill-fated boy lay, was covered with the choicest blooms of all kinds. If more flowers had been strewn along his pathway during his short life, so marked with discouragement and disappointment from his infancy, how different it would have been for poor Harry.

Rev. O. S. Baker’s brief remarks were very beautiful and appropriate, and sweet music was rendered by Misses Bernice and Fannie Jackson and Messrs. Geo. M. Allen and George Hall, with Miss Ethel Dixon as organist. The pallbearers were selected from his young associates, and were Roy Livingston, James Gardner, Roy Dickerson, Elmer Rood, Roy Charlesworth and Allen Kroh.

Harry was a son of John Hankey who resides on the Gray farm one mile east of town. He was born here and would have been 18 years of age on the 2nd of July. His school life was but very limited, having made his own way from the time he was a small boy. His employers and all with whom he has ever been associated, speak only in terms of praise of his manliness of disposition and his upright character. His own mother, Mrs. Alvina Crow of Grand Island, Nebraska, was here to attend the funeral. ~ Newspaper and date unknown.