FRANKENBARGER, Thomas F. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Thomas J. Fankenbarger, age 75 years a prominent farmer residing northeast of Covington was killed in a peculiar accident on last Thursday afternoon at the home of his son-in-law, Max Bodine south of Covington. A force of men were engaged in filling a silo at the Bodine home and Mr. Frankenbarger called during the afternoon to visit with his daughter and watch the work. He was standing on a short platform looking

directly into the cutter when something went wrong with the machinery and it exploded, completely wrecking the cutter. The full force of the blast struck Mr. Frankebarger in the face and chest, hurling him to the

ground.  He was picked up and carried into the house and a physician summoned. In short time he regained consciousness and asked about what had happened and an ambulance was called to take him to the hospital in Danville. He passed away in the ambulance before reaching the hospital.  Ted Hardy, George Graham, Max Bodine and Jess Bodine were in __ those who witnessed the accident. It was impossible to determine just exactly what happened. One theory was that a rock had gotten into the cutter but the most probably theory was that some part of the machinery inside the cutter broke and the terrific speed with which it was running, simply tore it to pieces. The victim was a brother of Mrs. M.L. VanDorn who with her husband met a tragic death several months ago when their automobile over turned and caught fire near their home in Wabash

Township.  Mr. Frankenbarger lived practically his entire life on the farm in the community where he died. He and his wife recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The widow, four daghters and one son

survive. They are: Mrs. OR Kerr, Sidney, Ohio; Mrs. Virgil Maltsbarger, Mrs. Max Bodine and Mrs. Ealy Hoyt all of Covington and vicinity and Burgess Frankebarger also of this vicinity. One sister, Mrs. Emma Clark,

Covington survives. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon from the Virgil Maltsbarger home, Rev. OW McGaughey officiating and interment was made in Mt. Hope Cemetery.   --- transcribed by kbz