Surnames: Markus, Jentzsch, Kristy, Amacher

----Sources: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 09/07/1950

Markus, Tommy (1932? - 6 Sept. 1950)

Medford - A trip to the Marshfield Fair turned into tragedy early Wednesday when one youth died and three others were hospitalized as the result of injuries sustained in a traffic accident.

The youths, all 18 years old and members of last year’s Medford High School senior class, were returning from an outing at the Central Wisconsin State Fair when the tragedy occurred.

Dead is Tommy Markus, son of Taylor County Veterans’ Service Officer and Mrs. O. N. Markus, and a nephew of R. H. Markus of Colby, The youth died of chest and head injuries at the Medford Hospital at 6 A.M.

Still unconscious later that morning was Don Jentzsch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jentzsch. Conrad Amacher, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Amacher, sustained various injuries and the fourth youth, Don Kristy, driver of the car, was rendered unconscious but regained his senses sufficiently later to tell investigating officers how the mishap occurred.

The latter is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kristy.

The accident took place at 1:50 A.M. just south of the Taylor County line in Marathon County on Highway 13. At the scene of the mishap new blacktop is being laid, leaving a drop from 6 to 8 inches to the shoulder.

Officers believe that Kristy, who said that he was blinded by the lights of an oncoming car, pulled over too far to the right, dropped his wheel to the shoulder, and upset in the ditch.

Markus and Jentzsch were thrown out of the car, across the ditch, and into a field.