Transcription of an undated newspaper clipping at the Greenville, Darke County, Ohio Genealogy Garst Museum:
Ira Wolfe was instantly killed by an automobile.
Ira Wolfe of this city was crushed to death under the wheels of an auto which was driven by Dr. Carter of this city. The accident took place at Greenville last night.
Just as the Times went to press last right, we stated that Mr. Ira Wolf, who lives on Division street Ohio Side had been fatally injured by being struck by an automobile. As stated in the article, on account of the lateness of the hour, we were unable to give the full details, which were published as follows in last night's edition of the Greenville Advocate:
Ira Wolf, of Union City, Ohio, who is employed on the section gang of the Ohio Electric Railroad on the division operating between Union City and Dayton, was killed Monday afternoon when he was struck by an automobile driven and owned by Rev W. F. Carter (colored) of Union City.
The accident occurred near the intersection of the Cincinnati Northern and the Ohio Electric Railroad. Mr. Wolf was working about 75 feet from the intersection. He had stepped aside to let an interurban freight car pass, when the auto hit him.
Rev Carter and wife were driving into the city from Union City and had come in Wayne street past the office of the Standard Oil company. In order to make the turn, he slowed down and drove in behind the freight car. Mr. Wolf was standing near the middle of the street when Rev. Carter first saw him. He signaled twice but it is said that Mr. Wolfe seemed bewildered and did not know what to do.
Before he could get out of the road of the auto, it was almost upon him.
Rev Carter made a desperate effort to stop it, but it was useless. He struck Mr. Wolfe squarely, knocking him down. Rev Carter was still making frantic efforts to stop the car. Just as the rear wheels passed over the body of Mr. Wolf the car stopped. Immediately after the car stopped Rev Carter and his wife jumped out and it was seen that the auto was standing on Mr. Wolfs' chest. Rev Carter started the engine again and backed the auto off of Mr. Wolf, when he was picked up from the street and carried into a nearby house.
The injured man was crushed about the chest and died in about fifteen minutes. Medical aid was summoned but it was useless, as he was beyond assistance.
Immediately after the death of Mr. Wolf, Rev Carter and his wife were brought to the police station. A preliminary examination was held and after the evidence was all heard, Rev. Carter and his wife were discharged as the accident was said to be unavoidable.
The story of the accident as told by one of the members of the section gang states that the men had stepped aside to permit the interurban car to go by. Rev. Carter turned off Wayne Street just as the interurban passed. The interurban car had gone but a short distance when the auto came up. Before Mr. Wolf could get out of the way of the approaching automobile, it had hit him and passed over his body. The hind wheels rested on his chest. When asked regarding the speed of the automobile, he stated that he thought he was going about 15 miles an hour.
From the testimony given by these men it seems as if the accident was entirely unavoidable, and no one was to blame for it. Dr. Carter was unable to see Mr. Wolfe, as the interurban car obscured his view as it did for Mr. Wolfe.
Rev Carter is well known in Union City and is almost heartbroken over the affair. In commenting on the accident, he stated that he would not have intentionally killed the man and that he had no further use for his car.
The Coroner was called and ordered the body removed to Turpens undertaking establishment where it wil1 be prepared for burial.
Mr. Wolfe leaves his wife and two or three children. Immediately after the accident Mrs. Wolfe was notified and came to this city and took charge of the remains. Mrs. Wolfe is overcome with grief by the sudden death of her husband, who was her main support.
The above excellent account of the terrible accident is absolutely correct, as was verified by (a Times reporter this morning. Mr. Wolfe and his fellow workman John Hoke who lives on the Ohio side, were standing on the South side of the passing freight car, and when Dr Carter came around, he first struck Mr. Hoke, knocking him toward the car, and then crashed into Mr. Wolf, who made a frantic effort to get away from the auto by grabbing to the fender, but he soon lost his hold and fell prostrate to the pavement below, striking the back of his head, and crushing his skull. It is thought that this blow caused his death, as it knocked him instantly unconscious. The body then rolled under the rear wheels, and was held pinned to the pavement by the right rear wheel when Dr Carter brought the car to a stand still.
An examination of the remains by the coroner disclosed the fact that the skull was crushed, and the ribs torn loose from his vertebra, and that his legs were badly bruised below the knees.
The remains were taken in charge by the Wright & Van Dyke undertakers of this city last evening, who brought the remains to this city and removed them to the home of the deceased, on Division street, Ohio Side.
Mr. Wolf was one of the Ohio Side's most honored citizens, a man who was of a quiet nature and held in the highest respect by all who knew him.
He had always been a life long member of the Christian church of this city where he attended regularly, and up until ten days ago, had been an employee of the Kiser Grocery, having resigned that position to accept a position on the traction, in order that he could be out of doors more. He with his family moved to this city from a farm north-east of this city last March.
He was born at Hampton Penn, sixty- two years ago, and with his parents came to this country, although since that time he has not always lived in our city, having lived from time to time at various points over this country, but during his absence he always claimed Union City as his home.
He was married to Clara Breneizer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Breneizer, at Hadam Kansas in 1885. They afterwards moved to Gainsville, Florida, and other points in Florida, while they remained until they moved back to this country, where they have lived ever since.
He leaves to mourn his death a loving wife and five children, Charles, Grace, Homer, John and Faith who is the youngest, being nine years, and two grandchildren Ranald and Gladys, besides several relatives.
The funeral arrangements at this time had not been completed but will be announced elsewhere.
Janet and Robert Wolfe Genealogy