Frank and Lillie Rentfrow - Nov/Dec 1906

Frank and Lillie (Colna) Rentfrow were the 4th great grandparents of my child. It appears in November of 1906 Lillie left her husband, refusing to return. Was she fleeing emotional or physical abuse? Unknown. In December, Frank, after filing for divorce, and having his insurance policy beneficiary changed from his wife to their kids, died in an ‘accident’ at work. He was found hanging from belting in a water tower shaft, neck broken. It could have been an accident that coincidentally occurred the day after being notified the insurance beneficiary was changed. 

In the 1910 census Lillie is remarried with all three children. 

Below is a transcription of the two newspaper articles I base the above on. I've included an image of the second article to show some of the transcription is my best guess of what is missing from the online image.

Mattoon Morning Star
Mattoon, Illinois
11 Nov 1906, Sun  
Page 1

MOTHER PARTS WITH CHILDREN RATHER THAN RETURN HOME

“You can take my children, but you cannot compel me to go back and live with Frank," were the remarks addressed to Chief of Police Myers, of Effingham, by Mrs. Lillie Rentfrow, who ran away from home Friday night and was located in this city at an early hour Saturday morning.

Take the Children.

About four o'clock Saturday morning the chief and Frank Rentfrow, husband of the woman, located her and the three children in the home of a friend in a house near the Illinois Central shops. The men, after arousing the family, went into the house and the officer tried to effect a compromise between the pair on account of the young children, but it was to no avail, and the husband commenced to dress the little ones in preparation for their journey home.

All offers on the part of Mr. Rentfrow had no effect on his wife, who, seeing she would have to part with the children, started in to give her partner a thrashing, and would have succeeded had It not been for the interference of the officer. The father, however, secured the children and took them home, the mother refusing to go.

On Mission of Peace.

Chief Myers returned to this city Saturday afternoon and visited Mrs. Rentfrow In an effort to bring about a reconciliation, but she refused to listen to his pleadings and decided to remain with friends here.

Mattoon Morning Star
Mattoon, Illinois
25 Dec 1906, Tue
Page 1

MAN IS KILLED IN PECULIAR MANNER 

Clothes Catch in Belt Dragging Him Into Pulley Wheel

NECK HAD BEEN BROKEN

Accident Occurred While at Work Alone in Water Tower —Lifeless Body Discovered Hanging in Midair.

Frank Rentfrow, employed in the water softening tower of the Vadalia railroad at Effingham, met death some time during Sunday night while at work alone, in a most horrible manner. The man who relieves him every morning, on entering the tower Monday discovered Rentfrow's lifeless body suspended in midair, neck caught in the belting around the main shaft.

Neck Had Been Broken.

How the accident really occurred will never be known, but it is supposed that when Rentfrow was oiling the main shaft his clothes were caught in the belting and he was dragged in head-flrst. When his body was removed an examination was made and it was found that his neck had been broken. The body also was cold, tending to show that the accident must have happened shortly after he went on duty.

Wife Had Recently Left Him.

About Thanksgiving time Mrs Rentfrow, while her husband was at work, took their three children [and] came to this ciy. He followed [her] here and tried to persuade her to return home, but she refused. Taking the children he returned to Efflngham. Recently he decided to commence a suit for divorce. Friday of last week Attorney [] of Effingham, was in this city seeking evidence on which to base action.

Insurance for His Children.

Rentfrow was a member of Modern Woodmen of America, a fraternal insurance order, In which he carried a policy on his life for $[]000, payable to his wife. When Mrs. Rentfrow refused to return home he sent the policy to the headquarters of the order and had the beneficiaries changed, making it payable to his children. He received the policy with the change made Saturday morning, and the following' day met his death.

Leaves Three Small Children.

The sad accident leaves three very small children fatherless and homeless. Their mother forsook them to lead a life of shame in this city. It is expected that some of Mr. Rentfrow’s people will adopt them.

The funeral will be held from the family residence at Effingham on Wednesday.