Roseltha May Pullen 1874-1929

PULLEN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 7/25/2010 at 19:39:28

Rose Pullen Loses Life in Barn Flames
Rose Pullen, 55, lost her life Monday morning when her body was consumed in flames that destroyed the barn at the rear of her property on north Sixth street, a short distance pat the corporate limits of the city.

Her body was found at 9:45 Monday morning after the barn had completely collapsed and tumbled in a heap of smoldering timbers. It was not known that she was in the fire until that time.

The flames had charred the body beyond recognition, only the torso remaining to give evidence that she had lost her life in the fire.

The fire was discovered at 9:20 by John J. Petchow, a neighbor, who turned in the fire alarm. He then attempted to remove a corn sheller from the barn but the flames had spread and did not permit him to get the machinery out.

Firemen watched the barn burn to the ground, attempts to save it being thought useless. It was while they were examining the wreckage that the charred body of Miss Pullen was found.

Coroner O. H. Miller called an inquest and the jurors, B. O. Wolden, J. T. Johnston, and George Schryver, pronounced that death was the result of suicide. No witnesses were called as they felt it was not necessary.

A kerosene can that ordinarily had been kept under the house steps was found near the barn after the fire and it is thought that Miss Pullen after soaking pieces of clothing and rags in kerosene then went to the oft of the barn. A piece of table cloth was found about her body after it was taken from the fire and it is the supposition that she wrapped herself in oil soaked rags and then touched a match to them. No outcries were heard by those who arrived at the scene of the fire.

It is certain that the fire started in the loft of the barns and the flames broke through the roof before help could be summoned.

Glenn Pullen, her brother, states that he could see no reason why Rose would wish to take her life as she had enjoyed good health, was not pressed by financial conditions, and on the day before, Sunday, she had been in especially good spirits.

“We were together practically all day Sunday,” said Glenn, “and she had almost decided to stay with Mrs. Pullen and myself all night Sunday but she remembered about her chickens and thought it best to stay at her home so that she could be up early the next morning to care for them.”

“After having supper I drove her to her home and lighting the lamps for her I left. It was the last that I saw of her,” he added.

A letter that she had written was picked up by the mail carrier the next morning and the morning mail was found in the living room. Neighbors reported seeing her about the house early in the forenoon, but no one saw her go to the barn.

She was not missed until a neighbor attempted to find her to tell her that the fire had been extinguished and that there would be no danger. He failed to find her in the home and had just called the Glenn Pullen house when firemen discovered the body.

Roseltha May Pullen was born May 8, 1874, on a farm near Sparta, Wis. and died Oct. 14, at Estherville, Iowa. When she was 4 years old she moved with her parents to a farm south of Estherville and later moved with them into town where she attended the schools and was graduated with the class of 1897.

After graduating she taught in the rural schools of Emmet county for 29 years. On account of her mother’s poor health she gave up her teaching and spent her time caring for her. Since her mother’s death in 1927 she has lived practically alone on the place that had been her home for more than 30 years.

She is survived by her four brothers, Charles, Glenn, and Frank of this city and Thomas who lives on a farm near Harris. She was always happy in the service of her friends and greatly loved by all who knew her. The funeral will be held this afternoon at 2 o’clock at the house and burial will be made in the East side cemetery. (Estherville News, Estherville, IA, October 17, 1929)