George Washington Bulman II

BULMAN

Posted By: LA (email)
Date: 1/7/2008 at 16:09:26

The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican, Tuesday Evening, August 25,1903, p.3

DEATH IN A WELL

George W. Bullman, aged 30 years, was smothered to death while engaged in cleaning a well on his farm seven miles west of Cando Sunday evening.

Mr. Bullman and several companions were engaged in cleaning the well and he was at the bottom. He became affected by the gas and signalled the men at the top to draw him up. This was done, and just as the opening at the top was reached Bullman lost his hold and fell back to the bottom of the well. The alarm was at once given, but an hour had elapsed before the body of Bullman was brought to the surface, and all efforts to resuscitate the man were of no avail.

Bullman was a widower, his wife having died over a year ago, and two children survive, both boys, aged 5 and 3 years, respectively. John Bullman, a brother, and his wife, took the remains to Lansing, Ia. for interment at the old home of the family.

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The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican, Saturday Evening, August 29, 1903, p. 8

KILLED BY GAS

Cando Democrat: George Bulman, whose home is near Hurricane Lake post office, came to his death on the evening of Aug. 23 while attempting to clean out an old well. The well had not been in use for two years, and it was suspected by those present that it might contain gas or fire damp. A lantern was accordingly lowered to the bottom, but as the chimney was not removed, the flame was not extinguished.. Mr. Bulman then proceeded to descend into the well by rungs fastened to the curbing, for the purpose of removing some old boards at the bottom. One of the spectators suggested a rope be fastened about his waist, but he refused to take the precaution. When about half way down, he was apparently overcome by gas, as he lost his hold on the rungs, and plunged head foremost into the water below, nothing but his feet remaining in sight above the surface. A younger brother who was present hastily tied a rope about his waist and climbed down the rungs in an attempt to rescue the dying man, when near the bottom he was also overcome by gas and was immediately pulled to the surface by means of the rope. It took considerable time to revive him. When the unfortunate victim was finally brought to the surface it was found that life was extinct.

George Bulman was a widower, 31 years of age. His wife died about a year ago leaving two small children, since which time one of his sisters has been keeping house for him and caring for the children. The remains were embalmed and shipped on Monday from Leeds to his old home at Lansing, Ia. for burial.

This is said to be the first death in the Bulman family. Those who remain to mourn this first break in the family chain by the sad death of a son and brother, have the heartfelt sympathy of their many friends.

*All spelling and punctuation were transcribed as written.*