Catoctin clarion., 1923-05-31
STATE POLICE OFFICER KILLED

oltz, Thurmont, was fatally injured
and Mrs. Jessie A. Stoner, wife of
Samuel M. Stoner,> Hagerstown. was
badly hurt when the automobile in
which Mrs. Stoner was riding and the
motorcycle of the officer crashed to-
gether on the state road five miles
west of Hagerstown Sunday after
noon. Eicholtz, unconscious, was TAX
en- to the Washington county Hospi-
tai, Hagerstown, where he died with
out regaining consciousness at 1870
o'clock Sunday night. Mrs. Stoner
suffering from severe cuts about her
face, head and body, was also taken
to the hospital.
Eicholtz was patrolling the road, a
short distance from the scene of the
accident, when a West Virginia car
going at terrific speed, it is said, pass
ed. He Immediately started in pur-
suit going east. Mr.. and Mrs. Stoner
and their three children, in an auto
mobile were coming in an opposite di-
rection. At cross road Stoner turn
ed south. Eicholtz, who was on the
other side of the hill, could not be
seen by Mr.. Stoner and an instant la
ter the motorcycle crashed into the
car. The officer saw the automobile
too late to prevent the crash, and al
though he made every effort to avoid
an accident the machines collided.
Tracks in the road showed that the
motorcycle skidded distance of
twenty feet before the impact.
The collision threw Eicholtz from
his machine and his leg became wedg-
ed beneath the automobile. Mr.. Stoner
at once notified Sheriff Kline who dis
patched Deputies Kaylor and Deets to
the scene. Two physicians were i'm
mediately summoned and Eicholtz and
Mrs. Stoner were taken to the hos
pital. His skull was fractured, his
leg mashed and he was otherwise in
jured about the body. Mr.. Stoner and
the three children escaped injury.
While the identity of the speeding
West Virginia car was not established
an effort is being made to locate it.
Officer Eicholtz was about % years
old and was well-known in this county.
He was regarded as a good officer.
Besides his wife he is survived by a
young child. The body was brought
to Thurmont on Monday and taken to
the home of his parents.
Funeral services were held at the
home of his father at l o'clock on
Wednesday afternoon, conducted by
Rev. C. A. Shilke of Walkersville, and
Rev. J. A. Brosius of Thurmont. In
terment was made in Mt. Hope Gem
etery at Woodsboro. M. L. ,Creager &
Son funeral directors.
He was a member of Columbia
Council, Jr. o. U. A. M, and Good
Samaritan Lodge I. o. o. F., Thur
mont, the burial service of each being
read at the grave. Floral tributes
were many and most beautiful.
Col. E. Austin Baughman State
Automobile Commissioner, under
whom officer Eicholtz worked; Capt.
R. H. Wilhaus, Lieut.. M. A. PEPPER
sack, Sergt. Carlson, Sergt. Phillips,
Sergt. Leutbecker, and Officers Ru-
land, Daily and Scanlon, of the State
Police Force, were present at the fu-
neral services, the first six mentioned
acting as pail bearers.
Eicholtz's home was at Thurmont
and he had been detailed to duty in
Hagerstown for about three months.
His wife has been living with him in
that city. Sunday he was informed
that he had been granted furlough
of several days and that it would be
effective Sunday night. He was over
joyed at the prospect of a vacation
and had planned to visit his parents
here.
He is survived by his parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Anderson Eicholtz; three
brothers, John, at Frederick and Cal
vim and Elmer at home; four sisters,
Mrs. Ada Hoffman, Creagerstown,
Mrs. Grace Liday, Thurmont, and Lii
lian and Lulu at home.