The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-12-24
ABSOLVE DRIVER
OF DEATH BLAME
Coroner Frees r. Stretch
of Blame in Death Of
Mrs. Depner.
DIED OF BROKEN NECK
Wife of Hotel Owner Dies at
Hospital After Being Struck
On the Lake Shore Road.


Mrs. Katherine Depner, "a, wife Of
Michael Depner, president Of the Ke-
nosha Hotel company, died at st,
GATHERINGS hospital at 9 o'clock
Wednesday evening from injuries re-
ceived when she was struck by an au-
tomobile driven by Ray Stretch, 266
Wisconsin street. The accident oc-
Cured on the Lake Shore road about
two miles north Of the city limits at
6:55 o'clock as Ray Stretch, accom-
panied by Eddie Haag, was returning
from Milwaukee.
According to the story given to
Sheriff Frank Willems and Coroner
Joseph Friend, Mrs. Depner was
standing on the west side Of the con-
crete near her home on the Lake
Shore road. Stretch was driving
south to his home at Kenosha when
he noticed Mrs. Depner walk slowly
to the center of the highway where
she stopped. Cars were coming TO-
ward her from both directions. Evil
IDENTIFY confused by the lights Mrs.
Depner hesitated moment and then
started to dart back just as the Stretch
car was within Ave feet from the
place where she was standing.
Car Turns Over Completely.
In trying to avoid striking the wonl-
an Stretch swerved his car sharply
to the left, but it was too late. The
woman was struck with the right
front fender of the car and thrown
20 feet ahead on the highway. Stretch
car went off the highway to the left,
crossed The interurban tracks and
turned completely over in the ditch
east of the tracks. Neither Stretch
nor Haag were hurt, and the, car, be-
cause of it's steel body construction
was damaged only slightly.
AS soon as Stretch realized that
his car had struck someone, he leaped
out of the car then lying on its side,
an was plying. He noticed that she
was breathing heavily and was un-
conscious. He called to passing mo-
torist who was coming from the
south and Haag and the motorist
rushed the woman to St. GATHERINGS
hospital.
Stretch Reports Matter to Sheriff.
Stretch, with the help of others,
turned the car back on it's wheels and
drove it directly to the sheriff's office
on its own power He reported the
matter to Sheriff Williams and dep.
uties were sent out to the scene for
report.
Coroner Joseph Friend was called
and after his investigation he an
nounced that Stretch was completely
exonorated from any blame for the
accident. 1T was unavoidable" he
said.
In the meantime DR.. Charles DAWN
had been called to the hospital and
he pronounced the condition of the
woman as serious. Stretch went to
the hospital in an effort to offer any
help within his power, but physicians
declared that there was little hope
that she would live. Mrs. Depner died
at 9 o'clock - two and half hours
after the accident, without regain
ing consciousness.
Katherine Depner was born in
Hungary on February 16, 1891, the
daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs. Stephen
Today. She came to America at the
age Of 16 and had lived in Chicago
until two years ago when she came
to Kenosha with her husband, Michael
Depner.
The deceased is survived by one
son, Michael Jr., and two daughters,
Catherine and Virginia Elizabeth.
There also survive one brother and
three sisters.
Arrangement have not yet been
completed for the funeral services,
but these will probably be held on
Saturday. The remains are now at
the Hansen Funeral home. Announce
ment of the time of the funeral serv-
ices will be made on Friday.