Helen Phillips Died 1944

PHILLIPS, MARLEY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/15/2016 at 16:11:45

Sioux City Journal
4 April 1944

Girl, 6, Leaving School, Killed

Struck by Car on Highway 75 Near Blencoe

Onawa, Iowa—Special: Helen Phillips, 6 year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Phillips, Lincoln, Nebr., who had been living at the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Marley, south of Blencoe, was killed instantly Monday afternoon when struck by a car on highway 75 near the Shannon rural school, four miles south of Blencoe. The girl, accompanied by schoolmates, was crossing the highway on her way home from school. After striking the child, the car was stopped and she was taken by its occupants to an Onawa hospital.

Dr. E.E. Jingles, Monona County coroner, ordered a man giving his name as Dr. Frederick Karr, about 60, driver of the car, and his companion, who gave his name as George Blumenshier, about 30, both of New York City retained in custody pending an inquest which was being held Tuesday at Blencoe. Sheriff Melvin S. Peterson held the men in jail over night.

The car, stated the Monona County officials, is a 1936 sedan with Oregon license, Dr. Kerr, they said, is a traveling magician and Blumenshier his assistant. They were on their way from Omaha to Cherokee, Iowa, where they were booked for a performance Monday night. The car, officials said, was not registered in the name of either of the men.

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Wednesday, April 5, 1944

Magician Held In Girl’s Death

New Yorker in Onawa Jail, Unable to Give $3,000 Bond

Onawa, Iowa—Special; A coroner’s jury after an inquest at Blencoe Tuesday, recommended that Dr. Frederick Karr, 60, a traveling magician, be held for action of a grand jury as the result of the death of Helen Phillips, 6-year old daughter of Arthur Phillips, Lincoln, Nebraska, who was struck and instantly killed Monday afternoon on highway 75 by an automobile said to have been driven by Karr.

Testimony at the inquest according to Dr. E.E. Gingles, Monona County coroner, indicated that Karr’s automobile was on the left side of the highway, four miles south of Blencoe, when it struck the child and hurled the body 70 feet. She and her school-mates were homeward bound from the Shannon rural school, and were crossing the highway. She was making her home with her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. M.W. Marley.

Karr was held to the grand jury under $3,000 bond. Unable to furnish that amount he was taken to jail. His associate, George Blumensheon, 30, who was with Karr at the time of the accident, was released but remained here Tuesday night. Both men gave their addresses as New York City. The car was registered in Oregon, according to Melvin S. Peterson, Monona County sheriff.

Funeral services for the Phillips girl will be held Wednesday morning at the St. Bernard Church in Blencoe.