John Bulis, 1855-1892

BULIS, BULLIS

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 1/25/2009 at 16:39:29

Killed By The Cars!

J. W. Bulis a Victim of the Deadly Car Wheels

One of the most distressing accidents that ever happened on this division of the B. C. R. & N. overtook brakeman J. W. Bulis, of this place Thursday night, while on duty in the yards at Iowa Falls. The crew was engaged in making up a train and Bulis was running on the tops of the cars, loosening brakes. The glare from one of the headlights must have blinded him and he stepped off the end of a car and fell to the ground. The train was backing at the time and before he could recover himself the deadly wheels had struck him, crushing one leg above the knee and the other midway beteen (between) the knee and ankle. The shock was more than his system could stand and he died at six o'clock Sunday morning. He was conscious to the last and talked rationally with his wife and children. The railroad officials had furnished a train to take Mrs. Bulis and the children to him and they were at his bedside to the last. The company did everything in their power to make his last hours comfortable and the blow to the family as light as possible.

J. W. Bulis was well known in Estherville where he has lived seven or eight years past. For five years he had been in the employ of the company, most of the time as a car repairer, but went on as a brakeman several months ago. He was an ambitious, energetic man, and was as big hearted and genial a fellow as one could ever meet. He had many friends among both employees of the road and citizens of the town. He leaves a wife and five small children but in fair circumstances, as he had wisley secured them from such an event by carrying life insurance. He was in the Northwestern Masonic Aid for $2,500 and had $2,000 each in two other companies, a total of $6,500.

The funeral services were held at the M. E. church Monday afternoon and the remains laid to rest in the West Hill cemetery. A very large concourse of friends were present to pay a parting tribute to their departed fellow workman and neighbor. The fullest measure of sympathy is extended by all the people of Estherville to the widow and the little children in their great affliction.

Contributed by: Doreene Hanson. Source: Estherville Emmet County Republican, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, February 25, 1892.