The Evening Star
Independence, Kansas
Monday, April 16, 1917
Page 1
Boy Killed By Auto
Stepped Off of Moving Street Car.
Hit by Automobile Driven by L.C. Lukes, About ten o'clock Yesterday Morning at Seventeenth and Sycamore.
Yesterday morning about ten o'clock Mrs. Anna Gross, and her son Hugh left their home at 1001 East Johnson street, to attend services at the Holiness Church. They took the 9:45 o'clock city street car to go to the church, which is located at 13th and Cottonwood streets, but found that they were too early. Mrs. Gross told her son he could go on to his brother's, Charles Gross, and stay until it was church time.
Mrs. Gross then got off of the street car at Thirteenth and Sycamore streets while Hugh went on to Seventeenth street, where he was to get off to go to this brother's home.
Before the car slowed down Hugh jumped off and as he did so an automobile, driven by L.C. Lukes of 705 South Fifteenth street came along about five miles an hour, striking him and knocking him unconscious.
After knocking the boy down Mr. Luke stopped his car within ten feet from the scene of the accident and picked him up and took him to the Montgomery county hospital where he was given medical attention immediately.
Ten minutes after being taken to the hospital he died. Dr. Coffman who attended him stated that death was probably due to internal hemorrhages caused by the accident.
After taking young Cross to the hospital, Mr. Luke immediately went to the home and brought the mother and other relatives to the hospital.
Dr. Hudiburg, county coroner, first thought that he would hold an inquest but after conferring with County Attorney Thurman Hill he decided that an inquest was unnecessary.
Mrs. Ann Gross entirely exonerated Mr. Luke and when asked if she wished for an inquest to be held said that she did not, because some blame might be attached to him. Other witnesses of the accident said that it was absolutely unavoidable.
Hugh Gross was ten years, nine months and twenty-two days of age. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Anna Gross who is a widow.
Funeral services was held this afternoon from the Holiness church at the corner of 13th and Cottonwood streets. Interment was made in the Mount Hope cemetery.
