Ellen Manning Whalen

MANNING, WHALEN, FITZGERALD, BOHRER, HURM, BRENNAN, MURPHY, GLEASON, KELLEHER, MANTON, THORNTON, GILLILAND, MULLARKEY

Posted By: M. J. Fitzgerald (email)
Date: 5/26/2008 at 15:33:42

Death notice/article Allamakee County newspaper (date uncertain but death was January 17, 1924 per Allamakee County Death Record. Death Record lists cause of death as 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns)

"WOMAN FATALLY BURNED

Mrs. Wm. Whalen, of Lafayette, Dies as Result of Gasoline Explosion - Her Husband Seriously Burned.

We are called upon this week to chronicle one of the worst and saddest accidents in our history of over forty years as a local reporter, the fatal burning of Mrs. Wm. Whalen, of Lafayette and the serious injury of her husband in attempting to save her, by a gasoline explosion at the home of their son Vincent, the old P. P. Murphy place, where they were taking care of his children while he had taken his wife to a La Crosse hospital for an operation.

The accident happened about 6:30 Thursday, when Mrs. W. arose, against her husband's protest, and went to the kitchen to start a fire. In the dark she got hold of the gasoline instead of the kerosene can and after using it set the can on the back of the range. As soon as she struck a match an explosion followed. This startled the husband and he rushed to the kitchen only to find her a mass of flames. Being unable to stifle them with the bed clothes, he grabbed her in his arms, and barefooted and with only his night shirt on he carried her out and rolled her in the snow. The morning was one of the coldest of the season, 30 degrees below zero, and Mrs. Whalen left her beautiful head of curly grey hair in the snow. In the meantime the kitchen had taken fire and help had to be summoned over the telephone. Mrs. Whalen, though terribly burned from head to foot and suffering excruciating pain, gave her husband their neighbor, Thos. E. Kelleher's call and he was soon on the scene, living but a half mile or so away. Drs. Frederickson and Thornton and Father Costello were called as soon as the flames were subdued and the doctors spent most of the day there. Mrs. Whalen began sinking as a result of internal burns about 2:30 p.m. and at 5:30 she breathed her last. She evidently realized from the start her condition and like the true heroine that she was when the doctors came told them to tend to her husband first. Her motherlove was also manifested for the safety of the two grandchildren in another room. Such unselfish and heroic devotion could only be shown by a true Christian wife and mother.

The heartfelt sympathy of friends and neighbors both near and far goes out to the entire family in this affliction and particularly to the bereaved husband who is in such a serious condition that he was taken to La Crosse yesterday morning. his hands being so badly burned that it is feared he may lose them. "

Obituary from Allamakee County newspaper (date uncertain but death was January 17, 1924 per Allamakee County Death Record. Death Record lists cause of death as 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns)

"Obituary - Mrs. Wm. Whalen

Ella Manning, beloved daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Manning, deceased, was born in Lafayette township in 1866 and there grew to a splendid example of true Christian womanhood. on May 7th, 1889, she was united in marriage to William Whalen. To this union were born the following daughters and sons: Sister M. William of Presentation convent, Dubuque; Mrs. Ed. Fitzgerald, Olivia, Minn; Mrs. Wm. Bohrer and sons Kern, Vincent, Frank and Carl, also two other sons, Thomas and William, who preceded their mother in death.

Her life was a beautiful example of true Christian motherhood. She was ever ready to respond to the call of duty and her motherlove was boundless. It radiated from her very countenance and her quiet, gentle manner and pleasing friendly smile won friends far and near, who will indeed miss her sadly.

She raised her family as she herself was raised, in the fear and love of God, and every one of them is worthy of such a mother.

Her oldest daughter dedicated her life to His service and this alone bespeaks the kind of mother that Mrs. Whalen was.

The funeral took place at Wexford at 10 o'clock Saturday, Jan. 19th. High Mass was celebrated and a splendid sermon was preached by Rev. Father Costello. The Harpers Ferry choir was in attendance and the pallbearers were as follows: Thos. Kelleher, Sam Gilliand, Wm. Manton, Pat Thornton, Matt Hurm and Michael Mullarkey.

Besides her beloved husband and family she leaves the following sisters and brother to mourn the loss of a loving sister: Mrs. Kate Murphy, Mrs. Martin Gleason and Mrs. Thos. Brennan, and two brothers, John and James Manning. Four other brothers, Thos., Jerry, Patrick, and Michael preceded her in death.

Though all that is mortal rests peacefully in God's acre we know that her gentle spirit is surrounded by angels in her heavenly home where she will ever be a guiding star to the loved ones left behind."