Obituary

Kansan, March 12, 1936, Thursday

Dave winger, well known Santa Fe engineer, shot himself about 8:15 this morning at his home, 205 West Broadway, and was dead when found, according to investigations made by officers.

He had used a .22 calibre Springfield rifle, that he had purchased from the Montgomery Ward store here Thursday, March 5, according to a check of the records of sales, stating he wanted the gun for a boy. He used a long cartridge, and undoubtedly sat down on a chair, held the muzzle of the gun in his mouth. The bullet had not been located, no point of egress being found. Mr. Winger had despondent to a desperate degree, and had said, after recently being taken out of service, that he might as well take his life.

Mr. Winger began his service as an engineer on the Santa Fe in 1905, having entered the railroad service some years before that date. He operated a locomotive on the Western division, running between Newton and Dodge City for about 30 years.

Besides his wife, he leaves two daughters by a former marriage, Mrs. Carl[Vella] Benn and Mrs. Lee[Lillian]Bartley, both of this city. He also leaves four sisters, and a brother, Monroe Wenger, of California; Mrs. J. W. Hoffman, Mrs. D. D. Dillman of Hesston and Mrs. Fred Howard of Ness City. His mother Mary Wenger, passed away about two months ago.

The family name was spelled "Wenger," but when Dave entered the Santa Fe service it was stated his name was entered "Winger," and he became accustomed to that spelling. He grew to manhood in the vicinity of Hesston, belonging to a highly respected pioneer family. He was a good engineer, and his death, especially coming in this distressing manner, is a source of much sorrow among a wide circle of friends and fellow rail road men.