Sources |
- [S926] Find-A-Grave, (www.findagrave.com).
Frank Christian
Memorial
Photos
Flowers
Edit
Share
Learn about sponsoring this memorial...
Birth: 1858
Death: Aug. 14, 1924
Louisville
Jefferson County
Kentucky, USA
KY Death Certificate #037-18403
Obituary - Headline story, front page
Courier Journal newspaper, Louisville, KY - Saturday 16 August 1924
Missing Baker, 65, Is Found Drowned
Frank W. Christian's Body Recovered in Ohio At Foot of Brook Street
LEFT HIS HOME THURSDAY
Committed Suicide, Widow Believes; Followed Trade Here 46 Years
Floating in the Ohio River near the property of the Ohio River Sand & Gravel Company at the foot of Brook Street, the body of Frank W. Christian, 65 years old, a baker, 214 South Third Street, was found at 7 o'clock Friday night. He disappeared from his home at 6 0'clock Thursday morning.
According to his widow, Mrs. Louise Christian, he committed suicide. She told the police in reporting his disappearance that she feared that he would take his own life as he was suffering from a foot ailment. Thursday night she said he awoke several times and complained of his foot, and said, "I guess it is all over with me now; I can't go any further."
Emil Christian, the victim's half-brother, said he knew of no reason why Mr. Christian should end his life, as his foot trouble was not serious, his family life was happy and his financial condition was excellent. He said that he did not know why Mrs. Christian should hold that belief.
George Millhollan, 208 State Street, Jeffersonville, a night watchman for the sand company, and Hugh Staniford, 959 East Maple Street, Jeffersonville, saw the body in the water. They notified the police and the body was brought ashore, where it was identified by Adolph Wagner, a nephew, and A. M. Beck, a brother-in-law.
In Water 36 Hours
Dr. Roy Carter, Coroner, said there was no evidence of foul play and that Mr.Christian had been drowned either accidentally or through his own intent. He said the body had been in the river approximately thirty-six hours. The baker had been missing for thirty-seven hours.
Mrs. Christian had been unable to sleep Thursday night, after her husband's disappearance, because she was
(Continued on Page 3, Column 4.)
Missing Baker Is Found Drowned
Frank W. Christian's Body Recovered in Ohio At Foot of Brook Street
SUICIDE, WIDOW BELIEVES
(Continued from First Page.)
fearful that he might harm himself, she told police. When informed that his lifeless body had been found she became distracted and said, "I know he committed suicide, I know it, I know it".
Besides his widow and half-brother, Christian is survived by a sister, Mrs. William Amling. Funeral services will be held at 4 o'clock this afternoon at Miller's Chapel.
The tragedy recalled to many of Louisville's business and political leaders daily luncheons that continued through two decades at Mr. Christian's bakery.
First Luncheon Club
They began during William Jennings Bryan's first free silver campaign in 1896, before the introduction of Louisville's first official luncheon club, and they lasted until the World War.
The club had no name. There were no principal speakers or entertainers. The members enjoyed friendly discussions on politics, current news, business and even the weather.
Among those who were the original members of the club were Thomas A. Courtenay, John J. Barret, W. K. Stewart, Capt. Charles F. Huhlein, and the late John Whalen, F. F. Eastwood and Frank McGrath. As the club continued it was joined by Paul Burlingame, Fred Levy, D. B. G. Rose, Ed T. Tierney, P. J. Loevenhart, the late Joseph Short and others.
When the club was formed the bakery was owned by the late Charles Sommars(sic) and Mr. Christian was a baker. It was recalled last night that Mr. Sommers(sic) ruled the meetings with an iron hand. One day someone accidentally set fire to the tablecloth and the next day the members were refused admittance and for two weeks the meetings were discontinued until each member had promised to be more careful.
In 1910 Mr. Sommers(sic) sold the place to Mr. Christian and from then on the meetings were under Mr. Christian's supervision. Mr. Christian started work as a baker in Louisville fifty-six years ago.
Family links:
Spouse:
Louise Haendiges Christian (1866 - 1945)
Burial:
Cave Hill Cemetery
Louisville
Jefferson County
Kentucky, USA
Plot: Section 27, Range 335, Grave 5-A
Created by: Gaye Hill
Record added: Feb 15, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 65696514
|