Wm. Gericke/Sheriff Bulman & Related News Story
BULMAN, GERICKE, MEYER, SANDER, MORCH, SEBASTIAN, BARTHELL, HARTLEY
Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 12/12/2002 at 22:05:10
SHERIFF BULMAN, WILLIAM GERICKE SHOOTING VICTIMS
Officer Sought to Serve Warrant on Local Man Barricaded in Apartment
While attempting to apprehend William Gericke in the apartment over the Baltz tavern Saturday night at about 7:45 o'clock, Sheriff Leonard J. Bulman of Waukon was shot and killed by Gericke. Accompanying the sheriff were his deputy, Peter Hendrickson of Waukon and Eldo Gericke, Postville town marshal, with whom a complaint had been filed that Gericke was threatening other people in the building.
Some of the shot from the gun struck both Hendrickson and Eldo, the latter getting two pellets in the cheek and neck from the blast from his uncle's gun.
Peace Officers Summoned.
A call for help was issued to peace officers and the following responded: State Highway Patrolmen Emery Galloway and Arthur Longstedt of Manchester, Special State Agent Glenn Mueller of Guttenberg, Sheriff Arthur Kutschat and his deputies, Hanson and Blockhus of West Union, Sheriff Murray and his deputy of New Hampton.
While awaiting the arrival of the officers, Postville firemen set up their ladders and brought Mr. and Mrs. Louis Hangartner and five children, who occupy another apartment in the building, down to safety, the regular exit from the building being in the path of Gericke's rooms.
Tear gas bombs were used in an effort to bring Gericke outdoors, but to no avail. Finally rifle and small arm fire was resorted to and Gericke was killed when he approached the exit carrying his loaded shotgun. It was not until near midnight before the bodies of the dead men could be brought out of the building and during the four hour siege an estimated crowd of two thousand people watched the proceedings.
Gericke Funeral Tuesday.
Private funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Schutte Funeral home in this city for William Gericke and burial was in Postville cemetery. The Rev. Frederick R. Ludwig officiated.
Mr. Gericke was born at Clayton Center September 29, 1871, as the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gericke. He came to this community when a young man of 18 or 19 years and followed farming in Post township until about 13 years ago, when he came to Postville to make his home. For about 50 years he was a thresherman, operating his machine on many farms here.
About 35 years ago he won considerable fame as an inventor, a mechanical farm gate and cattle stanchions being among his best selling inventions.
In recent years he has been employed at various jobs, and most recently he was employed by Lorence Meyer of Castalia in the stone quarries near where the new rendering works will be erected.
Mr. Gericke is survived by three brothers and five sisters, John, Fred and Henry Gericke, Mrs. Christ Meyer, Mrs. Otto Sander, Mrs. Ben Morch, Mrs. William Sebastian and Mathilda Gericke, all of this community. He was unmarried.
Sheriff's Funeral Held.
Leonard J. Bulman was born 52 years ago as the son of Mr. and Mrs. James T. Bulman in Union City township. He was a farmer when elected as sheriff for the first time some years ago. In 1940 he again sought the office and was elected to take office in January, 1941. At the time of his death he was starting on the last year of his present term in office.
Mr. Bulman is survived by his wife, the former Martha Barthell of Waukon, two daughters, one son, his mother, a sister and two brothers, all in this county. He was a cousin of George P. Hartley of this city.
Funeral services were held at Waukon Wednesday afternoon, with a number of Postville people going to attend the funeral. They bore with them a tribute from local business men which was presented to Mrs. Bulman in token of the high regard for the sheriff who gave his life in the performance of his duty.
Postville Herald newspaper clipping, hand dated Jan. 19, 1946, from my mother's obituary collection.
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