Travis Booth was almost instantly killed and his 11 year-old cousin, Wesley Cottle, of near Greensburg, died a few minutes later from injuries resulting from an automobile accident on the State Highway between Wilmore and Coldwater about 8:30 o'clock Thursday night.

The two occupants were thrown clear of the Ford roadster as it turned over twice in the road after colliding on the cement slab bridge near Barnes place with Noah Cheatum's car driven by Mick McIntyre. The latter two escaped uninjured.

Both cars were traveling fast when they met and sideswiped on the slab. The tire tracks in the road indicated that Travis made a vain effort to right his car, but a broken front wheel caused it to cut back across the road.

The bodies were carried to the Barnes home and later taken to the Roberts Undertaking Parlor in Coldwater to be cared for.

The boys' grandfather, Travis Cottle, is coming from California and the funeral will not be completed until the family hears from him.

The tragic death of these popular and worthy young people touched this community as nothing else could. The hearts of all are sad and to the sorrowing relatives deepest sympathy is extended.

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The Wilmore News, September 2, 1927.

BODY OF TRAVIS BOOTH
WAS LAID TO REST MONDAY

We part with the ones we dearly love,
Our sorrow, words can never tell;
But their souls have gone to one above;
To God-who doeth all things well.

Nearly a thousand people paid final tribute to Travis Booth on Monday afternoon.

The funeral services were conducted from the First Christian Church at four o'clock, with the Rev. Mr. Claude Large in charge of the services.

The following selections, "In The Garden," "Saved By Grace," "Jesus Lover of My Soul," and "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," were sung by a mixed quartet consisting of Misses Keren Smith and Laura Carter and Messers. Ralph DeLair and Ray Bigbee. Mrs. Grace Brown assisted at the piano.

Six chums of Travis acting as pall bearers were: Bob and Lester Trummel, Basil Wood, Earle Bigbee, Ivan McCorkle and Merle Dellinger.

At five-thirty a procession of automobles much over a mile in length followed the funeral car which carried the body to its final resting place in the Wilmore Cemetery.

The grave of the community idol was heaped with flowers, bespeaking the love and admiration of a countless number of friends who shared sympathy with a family bewildered by the death of their loved one.

OBITUARY

Travis D. Booth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Booth, was born in Kiowa county, Kansas, October 12, 1908. He attended school at the Booth school house north of Wilmore until ready for high school, then entered Wilmore High School where he attended four years, graduating with the class of '26. While in school he took part in all school activities. he took a leading part in the glee club, played basketball and baseball, being an athlete of no mean ability. He attended Kansas State Agricultural College one semester, in the fall of 1926. Since that time he has been on the farm with his father in Kiowa county.

"Travy" as he was popularly called, was a great favorite among his fellows. He was loved by all, both young and old. He had a friendly greeting for everyone. In short, he was one of the most popular, most loved and most promising young men of our community.

At the age of nine, he united with the Christian Church where all the family have their membership.

He was instantly killed with his cousin, Wesley Cottle, 12 years old, Thursday evening, August 25, about eight o'clock, on the road between Wilmore and Coldwater when his car was struck by another car.

He was eighteen years, 10 months, and 13 days old.

He is survived by his betrothed, Miss Virginia Crawford of Coldwater, his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Booth and sister, Pauline, his grandmother and grandfather, Mr. and Mrs. Travis Cottle, and grandmother Booth, a great number of relatives and a host of friends.

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FUNERAL OF WESLEY COTTLE

The funeral of Wesley Cottle, 12 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Cottle, who, with Travis Booth met death in an automobile accident last Thursday night, was held at the M. E. Church in Greensburg at nine o'clock Monday morning. The Rev. B. H. Davis of Wilmore who a few years ago was pastor of the church he attended, had charge of the services. Six of Wesley's little friends acted as pall bearers. Burial was made in the Greensburg cemetery.

Card of Thanks

We want to express our thanks and appreciation to our friends for their many kindnesses, comforting words and beautiful flowers at the loss of our dear ones, Travis and Wesley.

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Booth,
Pauline Booth,
Virginia Crawford,
Lewis Smith.

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Sam Booth, Jr., father of Travis Day Booth.

Emma (Cottle) Booth, mother of Travis Day Booth.

Georgia Pauline "Polly" (Booth) Bond, sister of Travis Day Booth.

Samuel and Christina (Baird) Booth, paternal grandparents of Travis Booth.

The BOOTH Descendants of The Bairds of Lanarkshire in Comanche and Kiowa Counties, Kansas.

Travis Day & Talitha Belle (Ice) Cottle, maternal grandparents of mother of Travis Booth.

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Burial Information:

BOOTH, Emma: April 21, 1875 - September 16, 1947
Lot #175, Powell Township Cemetery
Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.

BOOTH, Samuel: October 15, 1873 - December 10, 1960
Note: Husband of Emma.
Lot #175, Powell Township Cemetery
Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.

BOOTH, Travis D.: September 12, 1908 - August 25, 1927
Lot #175, Powell Township Cemetery
Wilmore, Comanche County, Kansas.

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Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!

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