HERMAN MAN KILLED BY HIT AND RUN DRIVER

Chris Hahn Victim of Hit and Run Auto Driver Wednesday

BODY ON HIGHWAy

Tragedy ushered in the new year at Herman when shortly after twelve o’clock Wednesday morning an unidentified hit and run motorist struck and killed Chris Hahn, 49 year old farm hand employed at the William J. Hynes ranch, as he was walking along Highway 73 on his way home after spending the evening in Herman.

The body of Hahn, lying almost in the center of the pavement, was found about 12:30 o’clock by the Metzler brothers, Herman farmers, whose car struck the prostrate figure which was seen in the road too late to be avoided. Physicians said, after an examination however, that it was almost certain that Hahn had been almost instantly killed when struck by the first car. The body was cold, indicating the accident had occurred about half an hour previously.

Examination disclosed that both Hahn’s arms were broken and his chest was crushed in. The body was removed to the Truhlsen undertaking concern at Herman, and attempts were being made Wednesday to get in touch with outstate relatives. Hahn had never married according to James Finnerty, Hynes' ranch foreman. He has a brother at Davey, Nebraska and a brother-in-law, Henry Kablitz, at Dale, Nebraska.

Finnerty had known Hahn for several years, the accident victim having worked for him in a dairy at Lincoln for about seven years. He had been employed at the ranch since last October. According to Finnerty, Hahn had gone into Herman Tuesday evening to make purchases of clothing, and he was carrying a bundle under his arm when he was struck.

Sheriff Marion Sutherland was notified immediately, and he made investigations at once, but thus far he has been unable to locate any clue that might lead to the identity of the driver. The accident occurred just a half mile south of Herman, and the sheriff points out that the driver could have been many miles away before the discovery of the body.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~