Home > United States of America > Nebraska > Platte County > Columbus > Saint Bonaventure Cemetery > Frances Korger

Frances Korger

Birth	:	1885 Czech Republic
Death	:	25 Dec 1896 Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Saint Bonaventure Cemetery, Columbus, Platte County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.4301630, -97.3406640
Description	:	Also known as Frances Will. _____________ The Columbus Journal, December 30, 1896, p. 3, col. 2 Miss Frances Will (daughter of Wm. Will, who resides near Oconee), died December 25th at the hospital in this city, and was buried December 26th, in the Catholic cemetery. Funeral services were held at the church. ______________ Columbus Telegram, December 31, 1896 p. 1, col. 1 & 2 WAS IT A CRIME? ____ DEATH OF LITTLE FRANCES WILL AT THE HOSPITAL. ____ Her Malady Said to Have Been the Result of Heartless Abuse and Neglect – An Investigation... Read More	Also known as Frances Will. _____________ The Columbus Journal, December 30, 1896, p. 3, col. 2 Miss Frances Will (daughter of Wm. Will, who resides near Oconee), died December 25th at the hospital in this city, and was buried December 26th, in the Catholic cemetery. Funeral services were held at the church. ______________ Columbus Telegram, December 31, 1896 p. 1, col. 1 & 2 WAS IT A CRIME? ____ DEATH OF LITTLE FRANCES WILL AT THE HOSPITAL. ____ Her Malady Said to Have Been the Result of Heartless Abuse and Neglect – An Investigation Called for – Other News. ____ On Christmas day little Frances Will, 10-year-pld daughter of William Will, of Oconee, died at the hospital in this city after five long months of suffering, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery on December 26. If one half of what we have heard about the cause of the illness of this child is true, her death was the result of most inhuman and heartless cruelty. The editor of the TELEGRAM never saw the unhappy child, and never saw either her father or mother. We know only what has been told to us by honorable and trustworthy people. We purpose to tell the story as it was told to us for the reason that we believe it to be true, and that we believe that an investigation by the proper authorities should be had. In brief then, the tale is that little Frances Will, fair of face, fragile of form, and who while in the hospital exhibited wonderful sweetness of disposition while enduring great suffering, was doubly cursed in having not only a stepfather but also a stepmother as her only protectors. Her father died first; then her mother married another man; then her mother died, and soon after her stepfather married again. There were several in the family and the story is that this child of tender years was made the drudge of the household. She was made to herd cattle; she was required to milk, to churn, and to do all kinds of menial labor far beyond her strength, and when her strength failed her the little one was beaten and starved as punishment. She was beaten with a strap with a buckle on it, and the tender skin of her back so lacerated thereby that that portion of her weak frame became covered with sores and ulcers. Then it was that she was taken to the hospital, some five months ago, and finally died of her injuries on Christmas day. A month before the death of little Frances the attention of County Attorney Gondring was called to her case. The county attorney informed the TELEGRAM on Tuesday, on being asked about the matter, that he had, on being informed that this child had been the victim of cruel treatment, gone to her bedside in the hospital and questioned her, and that her answers were not of such a nature as to justify him in bringing a criminal prosecution, and for that reason he did not do so. He believed that the charges had been exaggerated. On the other hand, we are informed that about two weeks before her death little Frances, made a statement which was taken down by a stenographer, and which is in existence today. As a preliminary the child was asked if she thought she was very sick and if she knew anything about her death. The little sufferer replied that she knew she was very sick; that she had seen her mother die, and she knew she could not get well. Then Frances was admonished to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. Then the little victim told a tale of abuse and suffering and horror that is almost past belief, and that, as our informant said, “was enough to make a man’s hair stand on end!” It is no more than just to say that County Attorney Gondring did not see this statement, and that it was made after his interview with the little one. Several Columbus ladies visited little Frances while in the hospital, and all say they found her to have been a child of rare intelligence for one so young, and that they had perfect confidence in her truthfulness. They believe her death was the result of brutal treatment, and they believe the cruel people who beat and maimed this tender child should be punished for it. The TELEGRAPH is of the same opinion, and asks the proper authorities to at once institute an investigation. This is due not only to the memory of the unfortunate child, but also to the accused, who should have an opportunity to show if they can – and we hope they will be able to do so – that they are innocent, and that the reports circulated are false and unfounded.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Frances Korger's memorial?
Frances Korger's memorial is located at: Saint Bonaventure Cemetery, Columbus, Platte County, USA.
When did Frances Korger death?
Frances Korger death on 25 Dec 1896 in Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Frances Korger's memorial?
Latitude: 41.4301630
Longitude: -97.3406640

Family Members:

Parent

Theresa Teals Will

(1854 - 1895)

Siblings

(1888 - 1941)

(1890 - 1965)

(1891 - 1966)

(1893 - 1894)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Columbus Cemetery
Columbus, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4267883, -97.3406677

2. All Saints Catholic Cemetery
Columbus, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4346800, -97.3331200

3. Roselawn Memorial Park
Columbus, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4371986, -97.3317032

4. Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery
Columbus, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4362000, -97.3551500

5. Old Saint Joseph Cemetery
Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3738800, -97.3519300

6. Saint Joseph Cemetery
Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3508800, -97.3407100

7. Calvary Cemetery
Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5106010, -97.2624969

8. Richland Cemetery
Richland, Colfax County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4599991, -97.2138977

9. Bellwood Cemetery
Bellwood, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3450012, -97.2549973

10. Saint Patricks Cemetery
Platte Center, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5032997, -97.4452972

11. Jackson Cemetery
Duncan, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3946991, -97.4822006

12. Saint Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery
Duncan, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3926000, -97.4962000

13. Pleasant View Cemetery
Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3093987, -97.3118973

14. Christ Lutheran Cemetery
Columbus, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5544000, -97.2825000

15. Shell Creek Baptist Cemetery
Platte Center, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5692000, -97.3887000

16. Saint Pauls Lutheran Cemetery
Columbus, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5728200, -97.3062500

17. Catholic Cemetery of Presentation Church and Saint
Bellwood, Butler County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3369000, -97.1683000

18. Saint Mary Cemetery
Osceola, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3233580, -97.5124280

19. Saint Johns Lutheran Church Cemetery
Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.3427940, -97.5421140

20. Streeter Cemetery
Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5988998, -97.4085999

21. Saint Andrews Catholic Church Cemetery #1
Osceola, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2923500, -97.4891000

22. Gruetli Cemetery
Monroe, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.4290000, -97.5810000

23. Saint Andrews Catholic Cemetery #2
Osceola, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.2787000, -97.4822000

24. Saint Johns Lutheran Church Cemetery
Columbus, Platte County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6225000, -97.3873000