Charlie McCorkle, a brother of our townsman, O. H. McCorkle, met an untimely death last Saturday while working oil fields near Augusta. He was working for the Magnolia Petroleum Company on their Anderson lease about six miles northwest of Augusta at the time of the accident. He and another man by the name of Arlie Boucher had gone to the engine room to start the engine when the heavy wind that swept across the fields blew the derrick over well No. 1. down. They were warned by other men outside and started to run but were caught under the falling rig. Both men's skulls were crushed and they died immediately. In each case the back of the head was entirely torn away.O. H. McCorkle received the news of his brother's death Saturday and on Sunday morning he left for Augusta. He brought the body to Wilmore Tuesday evening. the funeral was held from the Christian church, Rev. A. W. Cameron preaching the funeral sermon. Burial was made in the Wilmore cemetery.
Charlie McCorkle was born in Neosho county, Kansas, February 14, 1879, and died at Augusta, Kansas, March 9, 1918, being 39 years and 15 days of age at the time of his death. When he was about two years of age he moved with his parents to southwestern Iowa, where he resided until he reached manhood. Since that time he spent most of his days in the state of Kansas. He was a tool dresser by trade and had worked in the oil fields for several years, having been in the employ of the Magnolia Oil Company for several years, _____ Oil Company for the last ten years.
The deceased leaves one sister, Mrs. Ella Thompson of Doland, South Dakota, and three brothers, O. H. McCorkle of Wilmore, John McCorkle of Baxter Springs, Kansas and Enoch McCorkle of Garden City, Kansas.
Thanks to Shirley Brier for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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