Frank E. Furst, prominent and wealthy Freeport medicine manufacturer, who was killed, and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Charles Furst, also of Freeport, who was injured Sunday when their car collided with a St. Louis, Mo., machine on state route 26, south of Freeport. When cars in which they were riding crashed head-on four miles south of Freeport Sunday evening, two persons, including Frank E. Furst, 63, president of the Furst-McNess company, Freeport, were fatally injured while seven others were seriously hurt, three so seriously that they may die. The automobiles came together, according to state police, when a car driven by peter Brady, 65, St. Louis, Mo., turned out to pass a truck directly in the path of Furst's machine on state highway 26.

Both cars were demolished, eight of the victims being scattered along the roadside. Furst, Prominent in Freeport business and social circles, died at 12, 25 a.m. today as the result of crushing chest injuries and a punctured lung. Mrs. Peter Brady, 65, who also suffered a crushed chest, internal injuries and lacerations, died at 10 p.m. Sunday. Furst died in Deaconess hospital, Mrs. Brady in the St. Francis hospital.

In critical condition today is Mrs., Eleanor McNary,26, of 218 West Clark street, Freeport, who suffered a basal skull fracture and internal injuries She is the wife of David McNary, Jr., son of the Rev. and Mrs. David McNary of the First Presbyterian church, and is a patient in St. Francis hospital. Brady, driver of the second car involved in the crash, is also regarded as near death with fractures of both legs and a possible skull fracture, while the condition of Wilbur Cook, 40, of Bloomington, a passenger in the Furst car, who suffered a wrenched back, a broken nose and numerous cuts and bruises. Mrs. Furst is the former Jeanne Whitman, widely known in Rockford. Brady, who resides at 3416 8th avenue, St. Louis, alone of all the victims was not hurled from the wreckage. His legs, both broken, were jammed so tightly between the frame and transmission of the car that the state police were forced to use crow-bars to release him. Miss Ruth Lippert, 20, 3636 Hartford street, St. Luis, a friend of the Brady family, escaped with severe scalp and face lacerations, while Jessie Hull, 50, St Louis, sister of Mrs. Brady, suffered a fractured right arm, scalp wounds and shock. Her condition is serious. Both women are in the St. Francis hospital. Early Sunday Wilbur Cook, well known traveler and teacher, informed Furst that his car had been in a crash at LaSalle and, although he was uninjured, he had no way of keeping a dinner engagement at the Furst home.

Furst, reached at the Freeport Country club, decided to drive to LaSalle for his guest, taking his daughter-in-law and Mrs. McNary as passengers. They were returning to Freeport, northbound and near the end of their trip, when the crash occurred. Cook, who recently accepted a post of professor of French at a Newport, R. I., college, became acquainted with the Freeport family while conducting a recent European tour. The Bradys, whose car was southbound, were returning to their St Louis home after a vacation trip. First to reach the scene of the collision, which occurred at 6:15 pm., was Roy Matter, a farmer who was working in a nearby field. He found the two large sedans a mass of twisted, torn metal, with the passengers, scatted along the roadway in the vicinity of the cars, shattered and bleeding after the terrific crash. matter occupied himself with attempting to five first aid, after sending an alarm to Freeport police. Victims were taken to the hospital by Albert Schmezle, Freeport, A. V. Silverthorn, Forreston, and in an ambulance. State Policemen Harry Strock and Leo Hill were assigned to the accident investigation. They remained on the scene for hours as traffic congested for more than one mile on either site of the highway, the heavy crowd collecting from holiday travelers and Freeport motorists, who heard of the accident.

An inquest into the two fatalities will be delayed until it is determined what progress other victims are making, according to Dr. E. A. Diestelmeier, Freeport. Reached last night in Estes park, Colo., where she had been spending a vacation, Mrs. Furst returned to Freeport today., She flew from Colorado to Chicago and was met at the Chicago airport by Adelbert Ludolph, Freeport, who drive her to her home. A son harvey, and her father, Charles Wilkens, who were with her in Estes Park, are returning today by plane, Furst was born on a farm two and a half miles north of Freeport. He attended Freeport schools and the University of Michigan, later entering the employee of the W. T. Rawleigh company. He left a post as general manager of the firm and started his won company with F. W. McNess, in 1908 The firm nationally known, has branches in Oakland, Cal., Memphis, Tenn. and Baltimore, Md. Mr. Furst was a member of the Freeport Country club, the Elks club and Rotary club. Surviving, in addition to Mrs. Furst, the former Florence Wilkins, are two sons, Charles and Harry and two sisters.

Contributed by Karen Fyock - undated clipping
Frank E. Furst born Mar. 12, 1874 Freeport - death Sep. 7, 1936 Freeport