Frank J. McManus

Ely Daily Times

April 21, 1941

TWO DIE IN AUTO UPSET

F. McManus, C. Theobald Killed as Police Car Goes Into Spin

Thirty-one year old Frank McManus, private of the Nevada State Police, and CLayborn H. Theobald, 42 year old Ruth carpenter for Nevada Consolidated Copper Corporation, were killed in an automobile accident seven miles northeast of Ely on the McGill highway at 5:30 o’clock Saturday night when the police car which McManus was driving, skidded from the roadway and turned over five times.

Theobald was killed instantly, being thrown from the car on the third loop as it catapulted from the highway. McManus, who was tossed through an open door of the machine as it righted itself after a 287 foot roll, was rushed to White Pine hospital where he died 3 1/2 hours later. Dr. Irvin Mortgenroth said he suffered a basal skull fracture and numerous broken bones

A light sleet was falling at the time of the accident, and friends said they believed McManus was chasing a truck toward McGill. As a police officer he collected truck license fees in this section for the Nevada Public Service Commission. Theobald was a passenger in the car.

Coroner William Willis set the inquest for five o’clock this evening. The jury inspected the accident scene shortly after six o’clock Saturday night.

McManus, who lived here most of his life, entered the state police employment 16 months age, and recently returned here after being stationed in various parts of the state. Theobald was a well known resident of the community, having worked in both McGill and Ruth. He was the father of six children.

McManus was born in April 7, 1910, in Victor, Colorado and was brought to McGill by his parents when a baby. The family resided in McGill for several years and when he was about three years old moved to a ranch near Hercules Gap where they made their home for a number of years.

…he accepted an appointment with the State Police in January, 1940 and had been stationed in Carson City and Reno until about ten days ago when he was transferred to Ely.

Left to morn his death are his mother, Mrs. Alice McManus, four sisters, Mrs. Carl Hebrew of Ely, Mrs. Floyd Ely of Monterey, California, Mrs. Harry Upton of Marysville, Washington, all of whom are expected to arrive here for the services, and four nephews and nieces.

April 22, 1941

Fatal Mishap Unavoidable Says Coroner’s Jury In Verdict

A coroner’s jury composed of Max Behrman, A.G. Workman and Mike Simpson returned an “unavoidable accident” verdict yesterday evening following an inquest into the fatal automobile mishap which claimed the lives of Frank McManus and C.H. Theobald Saturday night.

The jury viewed the accident scene Saturday night shortly after the accident and yesterday afternoon they heard the testimony of the first motorist to stop at the point of the upset…

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