Barber County Kansas
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Barber County Kansas |
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High School in this city was dismissed Wednesday morning and townspeople and country folk discussed in awed and hushed tones the stark grim tragedy that took the lives of three high school students Tuesday night while three others lie in the local hospital with serious injuries.The dead, result of an automobile crash into a cement banister at the side of a small bridge, two miles northeast of town, are Wanda Lee Wilson, 13, a Freshman, Glenna Lee Howard, 15, a Sophomore, and Wayne Strickland, 16, a Junior.
The three injured are Betty Jane Nurse, 16, a Junior, Franklin Fishburn, 15, a Junior and Lee Taylor, 18, a Senior.
The crash occurred Tuesday night about two o'clock as the group of young people were on their way to Isabel after Mr. Glenn Fishburn, father of Franklin. It is understood that Wayne Strickland was driving the Fishburn V-8 car, when it hit the cement wall, mashing the engine back into the front of the car, instantly killing young Strickland, throwing others out of the car, and injuring two others so badly that they died shortly afterwards. Glenna Lee Howard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry K. Howard, died on the way to the hospital, and Wanda Lee Wlson died about fifteen minutes after reaching the hospital, only a few minutes after her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hollis Wilson, reached her side.
Betty Jane Nurse, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Nurse, has a broken arm, a broken hip, and other serious injuries.
Franklin Fishburn, son of Mr. and Mrs., Glenn Fishburn, has a bad scalp wound, and other head injuries. He was expected to be able to leave the hospital Wednesday evening.
Lee Taylor, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Taylor, who live south of Gerlane, has bad head and body bruises.
The three injured students are expected to recover, provided no complications set in.
Clarence Freiden, Barber county sheriff, after investigating the wrecked car, expressed a belief that the car must have been traveling at a rate of 40 to 50 miles, a speed that is not considered excessive.
The first person to arrive at the scene was Wick Reed, in charge of the Lario oil wells two miles northeast of town. He loaded three of them into his car and sped to town.
A joint funeral service is planned for the three young people, Glenna Lee Howard, Wanda Lee Wilson and Wayne Strickland at the high school auditorium in Medicine Lodge this Thursday afternoon, December 23rd, at two o'clock, with the several ministers of the town in charge of the service. Raymond McAllister, instructor in music at the high school will have charge of the music.
The high school auditorium was filled to capacity last Thursday afternoon as hundreds of students and townspeople gathered to pay their last respects to the three high school students, Wanda Lee Wilson, Wayne Strickland and Glenna Lee Howard, who lost their lives in an automobile accident two miles northeast of Medicine Lodge on Tuesday night of last week. The love and esteem in which these three young people were held, and the deep and sincere sympathy of the community for their parents, was expressed in the hugh throng which crowded the auditorium, and by the many beautiful flowers.A group of high school students - Rosemary Elliott, Imogene Irons, Wilma Davis, Geraldine Shaw, John Harrison, James Woodard, Jack Trice, Jr., and Tom Smith, furnished the music, with Dorothy Kimball as accompanist under the direction of Raymond McAllister. The beautiful service was in charge of the Rev. C. K. Byerley, pastor of the Baptist church, Rev. Chester A. Miles, pastor of the Methodist church, Rev. F. H. Hayward, pastor of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. R. C. Scott, pastor of the Christian church, with Rev. Scott preaching the sermon.
Pall bearers were chosen from among the classmates of the three young people.
The Forsyth Funeral Home of this city was in charge, and was assisted by morticians from Kiowa and Anthony. Burial was in Highland cemetery with short burial services at each grave.
WAYNE FREDERICK STRICKLAND Wayne Frederick, son of Fred C. and Alice Strickland, was born February 26, 1921, at Medicine Lodge, Kansas, and departed this life at Medicine Lodge, December 21, 1937, at the age of 16 years, 9 months and 25 days.
Wayne spent all of his life in Barber county having attended the Mingona and Pleasant Valley grade schools and the Medicine Lodge High School. At the time of his death he was a member of the junior class. He was especially interested in the music department of the school.
About seven years ago he confessed his faith in Christ in a revival meeting at the Forest City church.
His grandparents preceded him in his death.
Those who remain to mourn his departure are, his father and mother, one sister, Dorothy, two brothers, Boyd and Dwight, and a number of other relatives and a host of friends.
GLENNA LEE HOWARD Glenna Lee, daughter of H. K. Howard, was born August 8, 1922, at Nash, Oklahoma, and departed this life at Medicine Lodge, Kansas, December 21, 1937, at the age of 15 years, 4 months and 13 days.
She came to Barber county with her parents in 1920 where she lived until her death.
Her school days were spent in the Sharon and Medicine Lodge schools. She as a member of the Sophomore class of the Medicine Lodge High School.
Glenna Lee united with the Medicine Lodge Christian church November 6, 1933. Her membership has been in the Sharon Christian church for the last few years.
She leaves to mourn her departure, her father and foster mother, Mr. and Mrs. Howard, two brothers, Gordon and Wayne, four sisters, Wilma, Alice May, Ruth and Pattie Joan. Three of her grandparents also remain, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Howard and Mrs. J. W. McDerned of Nash, Okla., also her foster grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Pearce of Medicine Lodge. Her grandfather McDerned preceded her in death. She also leaves a number of other relatives and a multitude of friends.
WANDA LEE WILSON Wanda Lee, daughter of Hollis and Laura Wilson, was born near Gerlane, Kansas, February 27, 1924 and departed this life at Medicine Lodge, Kansas, December 21, 1937, at the age of 13 years, 9 months and 24 days.
She spent all of her life in Barber County having attended school at District 97, Dry Creek and Medicine Lodge. She was a member of the Freshman class of the Medicine Lodge High School.
Wanda Lee attend the Bible School of the Medicine Lodge Christian Church and was a member of the Intermediate Christian Endeavor Society.
Those who remain to mourn her departure are, her father and mother, one sister, Mary Elizabeth, her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Page, of Medicine Lodge, Kansas and Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Wilson of Medicine Lodge, Kansas. She also leaves a host of relatives and a multitude of friends.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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