Frank Bullis 1848-1901

BULLIS, HAYMOND

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 9/19/2010 at 01:20:21

Frank Bullis Killed
Accidentally Stepped in Front of a B.C.R.&N. Engine Saturday Afternoon and Was
Thrown Under the Wheels
And Terribly Mangled, Both Legs Had to Be Amputated. He Died Sunday Morning at 9:30
This community was greatly shocked Saturday afternoon by the announcement that Frank Bullis had been run over by a B.C.R.&N. switch engine and his limbs severed from his body. It did not seem possible to many who had seen him on the street not ten minutes before and they began to investigate and found much to their regret that it was a fact and that he had already been carried to the hospital where the amputation of one limb near the hip and the other just below the knee would be necessary as soon as reaction had set in. On further inquiry a more detailed account of the accident was learned. He has been associated in the stock business with Wesley Robb for nearly a year and his part of the business kept him on the street as a buyer. He bought a load of hogs of a farmer about two o’clock that afternoon and climbed onto the wagon to ride to the stockyards, which are situated west of the B.C.R.& N. tracks and south of the depot. About this time Mr. Cory, a horse buyer, called him to walk across the yards with him as he was going there on some horse business. Mr. Bullis complied with the request and the two walked down to the Iowa House and then went towards the track. They had crossed several of the side tracks and were about to cross the last one when Mr. Cory saw the switch engine coming down the same track. He stopped and called to Mr. Bullis but it seems that he did not hear the injunction and just as he was about to step over the first rail one of the switchmen called to him and motioned him back but in some manner he stumbled and fell across the opposite rail and before he could get up, the trucks of the engine had passed over him almost severing his limbs from his body. The engine was running at a very low speed and the engineer stopped the engine in less than a ten foot space after he had received the signal. If the engine had been the regular switch engine instead of a road locomotive Mr. Bullis would have come out uninjured as the switch engine has no trucks in front and these are the only wheels that passed over him. As soon as help could arrive he was placed in an ambulance and taken to the hospital and four doctors performed the operation at 6:30. He did not lose consciousness after being taken to the hospital and called for his family and his partner Mr. Robb. He arranged all business matters satisfactorily and exhibited the utmost coolness when he knew that the end was near. He rallied from the operation and was perfectly rational until five o’clock Sunday morning. He spoke cheerfully to his wife and daughter who were at his bedside and commended them to not sorrow for they could stand it better than he. At five o’clock he seemed to have lost consciousness and at 9:35, his bedside surrounded by tearful relatives and friends; his features composed as if in peaceful slumber, he died; and with his death was lost from this earth a loving husband, a good father and an honest man.

Before he died he entirely exonerated the B.C.R.&N. Ry company for any blame whatever for the accident. He said that it was his own carelessness as he had business matters on his mind when he started across the track and although he saw the approaching engine he did not realize the danger.

Frank Bullis knew of no such thing as dishonesty. A falsehood did not exist in his nature. In all his dealings with his fellow man he was truthful honest and straightforward. His word was his bond and his bond was gold; he was a man without whom society could but ill exist. Like all mankind he had his faults, but they are not for man to judge. His acts of virtue, kindness and honor towards all men weigh far in the balance, and if there is a reward for the just in the hereafter, the soul of Frank Bullis will certainly rest in heavenly peace forever. As a Christian and a churchman he was a devout follower but not a member of any denomination. In all the works and acts of Christian charity he was foremost. As a man he was respected for his honorable qualities; as a Christian he was loved and honored for his many acts of Christian fellowship. With his relatives and friends, the entire community grieves the loss of the man, the Christian; and a prayer arises from the hearts of the many for the soul of an honest man and his bereaved relatives. Noble Christian brother – good-bye.

Deceased was past fifty-three years of age at the time of his death and had been a resident for the last ten years. He is a man that will be greatly missed from the community. Funeral services were held in the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon and the remains followed to their last resting place by a large concourse of sympathizing friends. The family have the heartfelt sympathy of the people of this community in their hour of profound sorrow. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, November 27, 1901)

Frank Bullis was born in Michigan in 1848 [June 6, 1848] and moved to Grundy county, Illinois, in 1857, where he married Mary Haymond in 1871, and resided there till the spring of 1892, when, with his family he removed to Estherville, Iowa. His death occurred November 24, 1901.

In his young manhood he was converted and united with the Baptist church. He died trusting in Jesus.

He leaves a wife, daughter, father, and three sisters to mourn his death. (Emmet County Republican, Estherville, IA, December 5, 1901)