PETER C. MITTNACHT

PETER MITTNACHT FATALLY INJURED AT CROSSING
VETERAN MAIL CLERK DIES AT HOSPITAL HERE
P.J. Walterbach Was Driver of Death Car; Inquest Is To Be Held
Peter C. Mittnacht, 51??, veteran railway mail clerk, was struck and fatally
injured early last evening at the corner of North Eighth and Park streets while
he was enroute to church services by a car driven by P.J. Walterbach, 26, of
1417 Hamilton street. Rushed to the Holy Family hospital by Mr. Walterbach,
Mittnacht lingered for six hours when a skull fracture which he suffered proved
fatal.
Announcement was made today that an inquest would be held probably after the
funeral, and Sheriff Herman Carstens, on orders of Coroner A.F. Stueck, impaneled
a jury.
Mr. Mittnacht had left his home, 715 North Tenth street, shortly after 5 p.m. to
attend services at the Sacred Heart church. He reached the corner of Park and
North Eighth street and started across the walk to the east side of the street
just as Walterbach, driving a small coupe, came south on Eighth street. Mittnacht
was knocked to the pavement by the force of the impact as Walterbach applied the
brake in a vain effort to avoid striking him.
Taken to Hospital
Walterbach climbed from his car immediately and placed the injured man in it and
started for the Holy Family hospital, where Dr. Meany attended the patient. An
examination disclosed that Mr. Mittnacht had suffered a fractured skull, broken
arm and injuries to his skull. He was conscious most of…(1-2 lines unreadable)…
the first he knew of his danger was when the car was on him and he stretched his
arms out over the radiator of the machine.
Walterbach, who was employed as a salesman and an erector, remained with the
injured man from the time he reached the hospital until Mr. Mittnacht passed away
at midnight. He then proceeded to the police station and gave the officers there
the details of the accident. One of those present at the time of the accident was
Querin C. Delsman, North Tenth street, who was driving his car north on Eighth
street.
Taught School
The death of Mr. Mittnacht was a sad blow in his home here where he was a loving
father and dutiful husband. Born in Branch 51 years ago, he took up teaching at
the age of 17 years, presiding over schools at Mishicot, Reifs Mills and Four
Corners. Later he became a railroad telegrapher, locating at Wausau and then took
the civil service examinations for railway mail clerk, which he passed.
For the last 23 years he had been engaged in these duties, having a run between
Milwaukee and Eland Junction on the North Western road.
The deceased was married in 1911 to Miss Rose Kellner in this city and they made
their home here since. She survives with three sons, Cyril, 17, Daniel, 14, and
Paul, 10, his aged father, George Mittnacht, Sr., aged 79 years, who makes his
home with his son here, and one brother, George, Jr., of Milwaukee.
The deceased was a member of the Sacred Heart church here, and of the Knights of
Columbus and the Holy Name society.
Funeral Thursday
The remains were removed to the Wattawa, Urbanek and Schlei funeral home, and the
funeral will be held Thursday at 9 a.m. from the Sacred Heart church with interment
in Evergreen cemetery.
Sheriff Carstens impaneled a jury composed of Walter Golding, Reuben Spoentgen,
Anton Karnofsky, Otto Kuehne, Frances Scheurell and Joseph Pitsch which viewed the
remains and then adjourned to await announcement at the time of the inquest.
Manitowoc Herald Times, November 1, 1932 P. 2
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[cause: fractured skull left arm and injury to back/bur. on George Mittnacht lot]