Pulliam, Shelar Natalia 1836-1917

PULLIAM, DELEPLANE, MCNEIL, ALBERTSON, GREIF

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 8/11/2016 at 14:27:20

Jefferson Bee - Wednesday, January 10, 1917 - Jefferson was shocked and grieved beyond measure shortly after noon last Sunday to learn of a terrible accident which befell Mrs. Albert Pulliam, aged mother of Ray, William and Alpha Pulliam, at her home in the north part of town.

For some years Mrs. Pulliam had been blind, and, shortly after dinner on Sunday, while her sons were absent from the house on brief errands, her clothing caught fire from a hot stove and she was burned to death.

Her son William was at the barn feeding his horses, when he heard a cry for help. The children of Alpha Pulliam, in a neighboring house, had gone over to see their grandmother, and as they entered the house, she came staggering from the front room with her clothing ablaze. Unable to help her they rushed out of the door and called William, but when he reached the house the terrible tragedy had been finished. Her clothing had been entirely burned from her body, and the inhalation of the flame brought death in a very few minutes.

She had evidently striven to reach a pail of water, and, in the effort, had partially upset the dining table, breaking dishes thereon. Dr. Ben Hamilton was summoned immediately but death had taken place ere his arrival. Mr. Ray Pulliam, who sells Sunday papers, was down town and did not reach home in time to see his mother alive.

It is thought by the family that Mrs. Pulliam, noticing that the stove in the front room was quite hot, had used her apron as a holder to turn off the pipe damper. Whether it caught from the heat of the pipe, or her dress was ignited in getting against the stove, will never be known. The tragedy is one of the most sorrowful and heart-breaking ever occurring in Jefferson.

Mrs. Pulliam celebrated her eightieth birthday on the 15th of last November, she having been born at Marshall, Ohio in 1836. Her maiden name was Shelar Natalia Delaplane. When a young woman she moved to Fairfax, Ohio, where she was wedded to Albert Pulliam, and they lived there for some years. Later they moved to Tipton, Iowa, then to Council Grove, Kansas, coming to Jefferson in 1877.

To their marriage nine children were born, five of whom are now living as follows: Ray, William and Alpha Pulliam, of Jefferson, Mrs. J.M. McNeill, of South Dakota, and Mrs. Ella Greif, of Manilla, Iowa.

Mrs. McNeill was so overcome by the sad story of her mother's death that she was too ill to come to the last sad rites. Mrs. Grief arrived Monday, as did also the grandchildren, Mrs. Grace Albertson, and Mr. Arthur Pulliam, both of Carroll.

Funeral services were conducted at her late home yesterday afternoon, the service being in charge of Rev. Wright. Mrs. Pulliam was converted in early life and was a member of the Christian church until her death. She was a kind and loving mother, always taking a great interest in her children, all of whom, in this deep sorrow, have unbounded sympathy of friends.

Mr. Pulliam died four years ago, and her body was tenderly laid to rest beside him in the local cemetery.