William C Betz
Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 February 1915, page 8
UNDERTAKER KILLED
William C Betz, 56 years old, well known funeral director of
Newport and one of the most influential citizens of that city, was instantly
killed yesterday afternoon when an automobile driven by Cliff Mitchell, 22 years
old, residing on Fifteenth street, backed over the side of the Tug Fork road
that connects the Alexandria pike with the Four Mile pike, about ten miles from
Newport.
The machine turned turtle and Betz and Maxwell were pinioned underneath it. Mr. Betz had charge of the funeral of Mrs. Helen Kraemer of 907 Washington avenue, Newport, that took place yesterday morning. Services were held at St Stephen Church and the remains were interred at the Camp Springs Cemetery.
After the funeral the mourner left for their homes and Mr. Betz and his chauffeur took dinner at the residence of Nic Reichman. At the conclusion of the meal Mr. Betz announced that he intended to make the "cut off" going home, which would shorten the route to Newport by about four miles. Mr. Reichman protested saying that the road was very bad and that he had better return to Alexandria and then home the way he had come.
Mr. Betz laughed and said that he intended to go over the hill by the short route "dead or alive". In a short time the trip home began. Maxwell had proceeded but a short distance up the road, when he became fearful of an accident and so advised Mr. Betz. The latter told the chauffeur to back out and the engine reversed. The machine backed out but a short distance when the hind wheels struck a soft place in the road and before either man could jump it careened over an embankment of almost five feet and on top of both men.
The scene of the accident was on a lonely part of the road and the cries of the two men were unheard. Miss Tillie Woeste, a niece of Father Woeste, in charge of the church where the services had been held, was passed by Mr. Betz on the road just before the accident occurred. She was walking in the same direction and overtook them a short time afterwards. Miss Woeste heard the moans of the two men and summoned assistance.
Several farmers were on the scene in a few minutes. The machine was lifted off the two men. Coroner Digby, who arrived shortly after it happened, is of the opinion that the gas fumes may have caused Mr. Betz's death. An examination showed he had suffered no broken bones, but the pressure of the heavy machine upon his breast, also in the opinion of Coroner Digby, contributed to his death.
Mr. Betz was one of the most prominent men in the Cincinnati district. he conducted undertaking establishments in Newport for the past 25 years. For several years he engaged in business with his brother, the late Peter Betz. Mr. Betz was also a brother of the late Louis Betz, who was also a funeral director. He was a charter member of the Newport Lodge of Elks and the Eagles and a member of the Laughery and Cuvier Press Clubs.
Pall bearers were appointed by the Queen City Livery Company; John J Gilligan, John J Sullivan, Joseph Huth and George Wiltse. Funeral Director John J Gilligan will have charge of Mr. Betz's funeral.