Walter Cullen (1860 - 1891)

CULLEN, JUDGE, THURSTON, CRANE, BALLARD, LEONARD, BOGAERTS, SCIESZINSKI, SCIESINSKI

Posted By: DJ Scieszinski
Date: 11/11/2019 at 18:52:18

The Afton Enterprise

Afton, Iowa, Sept. 3, 1891

An accident resulting in the death of Walter Cullen, of the firm Cullen & Ballard, Creston, occurred at Villisca Wednesday night of last week.

The delegation from South Omaha left Creston that evening for home and were accompanied as far as Villisca by a number of Creston gentlemen, among whom was Mr. Cullen.

They intended to take No 12 at Villisca and return to Creston.

Just before reaching the Villisca depot the special stopped and they prepared to alight. The train started again, and thinking they were being carried past, they all stepped off. The cars were moving very slowly, but Mr. Cullen in alighting did so with his back to the engine and was thrown under the wheels, two cars passing over him. The wheels passed over his right leg diagonally severing it, and crushed his left foot.

Physicians were summoned and relatives telegraphed who went to him on No 1 that night.

He was brought home on a special Thursday morning.

The injured limb could not be amputated until he recovered from the shock. He failed to rally, and mortification having set in, the operation had to be performed.

He lingered until Saturday morning, dying about 7 o'clock.

The accident is deeply deplored as it removes one of Creston's prominent businessmen, and more so from the sad way in which it occurred.

NOTE: Walter Cullen: Born 1860, County Waterford, Ireland; Died: August 29, 1891, Villisca, IA; Burial: Calvary Cemetery, Creston, IA.

Husband of Bridget "Delia" (Judge) Cullen Thurston (1859 - 1933), daughter of Michael Judge and Ellen (Moran) Judge Crane & brother-in-law of Michael C. Judge (1862 - 1917) husband of Annie (Scieszinski) Judge Leonard Bogaerts (1875 - 1973).