Frank Phillips 1872 - 1925

PHILLIPS

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 10/13/2012 at 22:54:03

Emmetsburg Palo Alto Tribune
Emmetsburg, Iowa
14 Oct 1925
Page 1

Frank Phillips Dies After Being Struck By Car

Accident Near Mallard

Phillips Stopped His Car on Paving -- Got Out to Make Repair and Fort Dodge Man, Close Behind, Hit Him -- Died Immediately With a Broken Neck -- Happened Sunday Evening -- No Inquest Held.

As the result of being struck by an automobile owned and driven by W. S. Merryman of Fort Dodge, Frank Phillips, a farmer living one mile west of this city, was almost instantly killed Sunday night about 10 o'clock. Mr. Phillips, who was a man about 60 years old, had his neck broken and he was injured internally, according to the report of the medical examination received from Emmetsburg.

Mr. and Mrs. Merryman went to Okoboji Saturday evening to spend Sunday at the lake. They were returning home when the accident occurred. At a point three or four miles south of Mallard the Phillips car, headed north, had been stopped and Mr. Phillips got out, presumably for the purpose of making repairs. He was seen too late to avoid hitting him. Mr. Merryman stopped his car after the accident and assisted in getting the man, who was still breathing, into another card which had come up in the meanwhile and they all went back to Mallard. Mr. Phillips was dead by that time and the coroner, who had been summoned, considered the circumstances were plain enough without further inquest.

Mrs. Phillips was riding in their automobile with her husband and was in the car when he was struck. They were driving toward home, until the halt was made as has been stated, having been visiting at Fort Dodge during the day with Mr. Phillips' sister, Mrs. C. A. Hardesty.

Francis Marian Phillips was born in Butler county, Nebr., in 1865. He grew up there and lived on a farm. On July 12, 1903 he united in marriage with Miss Bertha Frink in Butler county. To this union 12 children were born, ten of whom survive their father. They came to Emmetsburg four years ago and have since resided here.

The suddenness of this death and coming as it did, and to a man with the responsibility of a large family, makes it an exceedingly sad one. The case has aroused the sympathy of the entire community. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. today at the Methodist church. Rev. M. L. Sunderlin will conduct the service.

Mr. Phillips is survived by his wife and ten children, four sons and six daughters. The sons are Art Phillips of Valentine, Nebr.; N. C. Phillips of Lehigh, Ivan and Walter, of this city. The daughters are Mrs. B. Ryan of Lewiston, Ill.; Mrs. T. J. Smith of Lakeview, S. D.; Mrs. Ed. O'Neil and Misses Mildred, Myrtle and Ruth Phillips of this city. To them the Tribune extends sincere sympathy.

Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
14 Oct 1925
Page 1 & 5

Frank Phillips Killed by Auto Sunday Evening

Sad Accident Occurred South of Mallard. He Lived Only a Short Time After He Was Hit. Leaves Large Family.

Sunday evening, about 10 o'clock, Francis M. Phillips, a farmer living one-half mile southwest of this city, was killed on the graveled road five miles south of Mallard when a Cadillac car, driven by W. S. Merryman of Fort Dodge, struck him, throwing him for a distance of perhaps 50 feet. The Phillips car, a Dodge, which contained Mr. and Mrs. Phillips and Theodore Billings of this place, was on its way home from southern Iowa where the men were looking after some business matters. Mrs. Phillips visited at Des Moines for a few days but joined them again and was with the party when the sad accident occurred. About five miles south of Mallard Mr. Phillips noticed that the rim and tire of the left wheel had rolled off, the lugs having in some way worked loose. They stopped their car and, not having a jack, succeeded in borrowing one from a driver who shortly afterwards came from Pocahontas. Mr. Billings proceeded to jack up the rear end of the Dodge and Mr. Phillips was presumably at the left side of the car preparing to replace the rim and tire. About this time the Cadillac, which carried Mr. and Mrs. Merryman and a large quantity of baggage, happened along, striking Phillips and throwing him the distance mentioned above. He landed face down. The Cadillac stopped after the collision, but owing to the many articles of baggage in the car Merryman was unable to bring the dying victim to Mallard. Jake Rabel of this place drove up shortly after the accident and rushed Phillips to Mallard but he died on the way.

The funeral was held in this city this afternoon at 2:00 o'clock. Rev. M. L. Sunderlin, pastor of the Methodist church officiating. Interment was in Evergreen cemetery. A large number of friends and relatives of the family were present at the obsequies.

Francis Marian Phillips was born in Butler county, Nebraska, fifty-three years ago. He grew to young manhood in that locality. On July 21, 1903, he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Frink who lived in a neighboring county -- Colfax. They farmed in that locality for many years and moved to this county four years ago, three years of which were spent on the farm one-half mile southwest of this city.

Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, ten of whom survive their father. They are Art Phillips of Valentine, Nebraska; N. E. Phillips of Lehigh, this state; Mrs. Blanche Ryan of Lewiston, Illinois; Mrs. T. J. Smith of Lake View, South Dakota, Mrs. Ed O'Neil of Emmetsburg, Ivan Phillips of Emmetsburg and Walter, Mildred, Myrtle and Ruth who are at home.

The tragedy was most unfortunate. Mrs. Phillips and the members of the family have the heartfelt sympathy of a wide circle of friends in their bereavement. Mr. Merryman has also the sympathy of our citizens, for he no doubt regrets keenly the awful accident.