Frank J. Pullen 1888-1935

PULLEN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/27/2012 at 23:29:17

Frank Pullen, 48, Long Time Resident Found Dead Sunday
Frank Pullen, 46, was found dead in his home on south Eleventh street last Thursday [May 30, 1935] morning by Chet Ryder who went there to close a deal with Mr. Pullen for a truck. Mr. Pullen was a gravel hauler and on Saturday he had told some of the men he intended purchasing a new truck. When he did not come they thought nothing of the matter as they supposed he was completing his deal.

Mr. Ryder went to the home early Thursday morning and found Mr. Pullen dead on the floor. Officials were notified and Coroner Sternborg with the officers from the sheriff’s office took the remains to the Sternborg funeral home. The indications were he placed a shot gun in his mouth and discharged it.

Mr. Pullen had been in poor health for some time but seemed to be cheerful and doing well financially. He was born in Estherville in 1888 and has always resided here.

The appearances were according the coroner that he died on Sunday [May 26, 1935] but was not found until Thursday morning.

Funeral services were held on Friday the Rev. F.W. Ortmeyer officiating, the remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill [East Side] cemetery.

The deceased leaves two brothers, both residing in this city. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, June 5, 1935)

Frank Pullen Takes Life
Despondency Cause of Act; Local Man Lived Alone; Funeral Friday
Thursday morning the lifeless body of Frank Pullen, 46, was found in his bachelor home by Chet Ryder, who had gone there to sell him a truck. Death, according to Coroner Fred Sternborg, had occurred 24 hours before and was caused by a bullet wound self inflicted through the head.

Funeral services were held Friday afternoon at the Sternborg Funeral home with the Rev. F.W. Ortmeyer officiating. Burial was in the East Side cemetery.

When Chet Ryder knocked on the Pullen door and no one answered he called to Henry Long, Sr. who was working in his garage across the road and asked him if he knew whether or not Pullen was home. Mr. Long said that maybe Pullen was sleeping and suggested that he open the door and walk in. When Mr. Ryder found the body of Mr. Pullen on the floor he called Mr. Long and the two men notified the officers immediately.

As no note was found officers said despondency was probably what caused the act.

Frank Pullen was born Sept. 6, 1888, in Estherville and has been a resident of this city practically all his life. After receiving his schooling in local schools he became engaged in farming. However for the past few years he has been trucking.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Pullen, one sister, Roseltha, and one brother, Charles. He is survived by two brothers, Glenn and Tom, both of Estherville. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, June 4, 1935)