MAINARD H. WACHHOLZ

Maynard (sic) Wachholz Killed as His Car Is Hit by Streamliner
Accident Occurs at Hassemer Crossing
Manitowoc county’s first traffic death occurred Sunday at a railroad
crossing decreed by the Wisconsin public service commission as not in
need of warning signals.
The victim was Maynard Wachholz, 22, of route 2, Manitowoc. He was
killed instantly when his car was struck by the North Western road’s
crack “400” streamliner, southbound to Manitowoc. The accident happened
shortly before 5 p.m.
Hassemer’s crossing, located a half mile north of Francis Creek, was
the scene of the crash. The train, a half hour late, was heading towards
Manitowoc when it struck the Wachholz auto. Wachholz was on his way to
visit his uncle, Louis Hassemer, of Kossuth.
The body of the victim, thrown from the car upon the impact, was found
74 feet away from the crossing. (Personal photo) The car with parts of
it strewn about the entire area was found 112 feet from the point of
impact, according to measurements of county traffic officer William
Falvey.
It was a year ago on April 1 that the North Western road was ordered to
install two automobile flasher light signals and a warning bell at the
grade crossing in Francis Creek, where county trunk V crosses the tracks
of the Green Bay extension.
Second Crossing Fatality
The order resulted from a hearing conducted on Jan. 26, 1949, wherein
the public service commission was petitioned by a group of Kossuth
citizens who requested the signals at both the Francis Creek and Hassemer
crossings.
In regard to the Hassemer crossing, the order said further testimony was
to be taken and there is a possibility that the road may closed off with
an underpass used instead.
(Two lines illegible--underinked) __years. In February, 1948, Markey
Larson, 54, of Francis Creek, was killed when his car was struck by a
train.
Because there were no witnesses to the crash, it is not known exactly how
it happened. However, county officer Falvey gave his version as follows:
Wachholz left the home of his father, Edwin, only a short while before the
crash. The Wachholz home is located on a town road several miles east of
Reifs Mills. The victim was going to visit his uncle.
Tossed Through Air
As he was northbound on the road leading to the crossing, he apparently
noticed the streamliner. The car was braked but because of the snow the
car skidded sideways into the train. It was sideswiped and tossed through
the air, with its driver thrown out.
Harold Hassemer, who resides on a farm near the crossing, was the first to
reach the scene. He found Wachholz already dead. Officer Falvey, receiving
notice of the crash at 5:01 p.m. while he was patrolling on Memorial drive,
was at the scene 11 minutes later, only to learn the victim had been killed
instantly.
Coronary Theodore Teitgen, Sheriff Clarence Baryenbruch and Capt. William
Ladwig arrived at the scene later. The coroner said an inquest will be held.
The streamliner was due to arrive at the Manitowoc station at 4:44 p.m. It
was already running late and the crash prevented it from arriving in
Manitowoc until 5:45 p.m.
Jack J. Hayes of Green Bay was engineer on the train and E. H. Gervais of
Antigo, conductor.
Funeral on Wednesday
Funeral services for Wachholz will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the
Saur funeral home, Kellnersville, and at 10 o’clock at St. Ann Catholic
church, Francis Creek. The Rev. Joseph Rauch will officiate.
He was born on the farm home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Wachholz,
in the town of Kossuth in 1928. He attended St. Ann parochial school and
Rockwood high school. In March, 1947, he enlisted in the U.S. army and
served until the following April, most of the time with army units in
Korea, being discharged with the rank of corporal.
He had been employed as an auto mechanic at the Taube? filling station at
Denmark. He was a member of the Denmark post Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors are his parents; two sisters, (private); two brothers, (private).
Friends may call at the Kellnersville funeral home after 2 p.m. Tuesday
where the rosary will be recited at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Manitowoc Herald Times, Monday, April 3, 1950 P. 1
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(Two photos of the accident scene with captions)