South Kansas Avenue at 4th Street, Newton /
Auto Accident Proves Fatal To Philip Hand. Santa Fe Engineer Inspector Dies Without Regaining Consciousness. Victim Was Driving South on Kansas Avenue When Motor Car Overturned. Phillip Hand, 50 years old, outside engine inspector at the Santa Fe round house here, who has been in the employ of the Santa Fe here for 25 years, died shortly after five o’clock Friday evening at Axtell Christian hospital, as a result of injuries he sustained when his automobile turned over on Kansas avenue just south of Fourth street. Mr. Hand had taken his brother Bob home, it was stated, and started out for a little spin in his Buick by himself, about 4:30. Parties who saw the accident say he was driving rather fast, and a short distance south of Southeast Fourth street, the car struck a patch of sand, which seemed to cause the driver to lose control. The car skidded badly, then turned over, rolling across the ditch, finally headed north and stood on its wheels. In some manner Mr. Hand was thrown clear of the machine, either through the top as it turned over and was smashed, or through the windshield. Parties in the neighborhood hurried to the scene and Hand was picked up by L. O. Becker and others and the Duff ambulance immediately called. He was covered with shattered glass, with blood gushing from his mouth and nostrils. His chest was crushed and a collar bone broken. He was unconscious and did not recover consciousness, passing away soon after reaching the hospital. The top of the car was demolished, the windshield smashed and one wheel torn off. Phillip Hand was the son of S. P. Hand of this city. He was unmarried and lived with his mother at 433 West Third. He leaves also five brothers and three sisters. The brothers are Albert of Herrington; Emmett, an engineer on a steamship company vessel, the Rochester, whose address is in New Jersey; E.M., a conductor running out of Emporia; Robert and Dewey of this city. The sisters are Mrs. John Herron of Wichita; Mrs. Claude Linnens of this city and Miss Bessie who is at the home on West Third. There is also a niece, Miss Louise Hand, at the home. Phillip came here preceding the others of the family in 1900. The Sprinker Mortuary has charge of arrangements for the funeral, which will be conducted by Rev. A. R. Hardy, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, the time to be announced later, after word has been received from the brother Emmett. The fatal accident is a source of great sorrow to the friends of Phillip and of deepest sympathy to the family. This afternoon it was announced that the funeral services would be held in the First Presbyterian Church Monday afternoon at 2:30, because of the fact that the Baptist Church is not yet completed. Rev. A. R. Hardy, Pastor of the Baptist Church will conduct the services and interment will be in Greenwood cemetery. Friends may see Mr. Hand at the Sprinker Mortuary Sunday afternoon from two to five o’clock. The brother Emmett, of New Jersey, who is an engineer on board a steamship, has not as yet been heard from. A Santa Fe official stated today that Phillip Hand was one of the most valuable mechanics ever in the employ of the company at this point, and that he was a number 1, dependable man and an expert engine inspector. (February 12, 1926).
