COULTER, Uriah Lee 1868–1941

COULTER, PIPER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/9/2013 at 09:09:30

Conrad Farmer Crushed Under Truck Wheels

U. L. Coulter Meets Instant Death After Chatting With Driver

Grundy Center – (Special)—Grundy county suffered its third motor vehicle fatality of the year Saturday afternoon, when a gasoline truck driven by James Gould of Conrad ran over U. L. Coulter, 72 year old resident of Conrad. The accident occurred at the main Conrad intersection. Gould had stopped his truck at the west stop sign when Mr. Coulter hailed him from the north, came around the front of the truck, opened the right door and engaged in a few moments of conversation.

Gould said that Mr. Coulter then closed the truck door and stepped back. Gould then started the truck in superlow and was changing to low near the middle of the intersection when it felt like he passed over a rock, so he brought the truck to a stop about 10 feet further on.

According to eye witnesses, as told to Coroner L. D. Coffman and Deputy Art Lolwing, Mr. Coulter had placed a sack containing a loaf of bread on the side of the truck while talking to Gould, and after the truck started, he either thought of this or of something further he wanted to say, for he hurried after the slowly moving vehicle, grabbed the right door handle with one hand and tried to step onto the running board. His foot slipped and he fell directly in front of the rear wheel.

Officers found tire marks up the entire left side of Coulter’s clothes and the left side of his face. Death was instantaneous, and was caused by a skull fracture, according to Coroner Coffman, who said no inquest would be held.

The body was taken to the John W. Conner funeral home pending funeral arrangements.

Mr. Coulter was born Dec. 12, 1868, in Marshall county, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Coulter. He had lived in or near Conrad all his life. He farmed most of the time but worked for a brief time as section man on the railroad.

He married Ella Piper, June 6, 1900, and they had no children. Two brothers, Aaron of Marshalltown and J. M. of Independence and three sisters, Mrs. Joe Specht, Mrs. Florence Fetters, both of Conrad, and Mrs. Will Stackhouse of Marshalltown survive.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Methodist church in charge of the pastor, Rev. E. C. Allen, assisted by Rev. C. W. Cleveland of Albion, formerly pastor here. Burial was in the Conrad cemetery.

Source: Unknown newspaper clipping found in scrapbook belonging to my great grandmother.
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Another news article had the same information but with the addition of the following:

Lee Coulter, the son of Samuel and Mira Coulter, was born near Conrad, Iowa, December 1, 1868, and died at Conrad March 29, 1941 at the age of 72 years, three months and 28 days.

He was united in marriage to Ella Pipher on June 6, 1900, and to this union were born two children, both dying in infancy. He became a member of the Methodist church July 2, 1899 and has been a loyal and faithful member ever since. He was a man who liked to be at home and his church and his home have been the main interests of his life.

Mr. Coulter worked for the railroad for a number of years and then engaged in farming until his retirement about 20 years ago when he moved to Conrad. He has lived all of his life in this community.

He is survived by his wife, two brothers, Aaron Coulter of Marshalltown and Mose Coulter of Independence; three sisters, Mrs. Louisa Specht and Mrs. Laura Stackhouse of near Marshalltown and Mrs. Florence Fetters of Conrad. He is also survived by a large number of nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services were held at the Methodist church in Conrad at 2 p.m. Monday with Rev. E. C. Allen, pastor of the church, in charge. He was assisted by Rev. C. W. Cleveland of Albion, a former pastor. Interment was in the Conrad cemetery.

Casket bearers were Fred and Guy Coulter, Joe, Alva and Orville Specht and Wayne Stackhouse. Flowers were cared for by Maxine Dickover, Dorothy Richrodt, Doris Coulter, Dorothy Stackhouse and Mrs. Alta Lister. Music was furnished by Mrs. Alvin Russie, Mrs. Clyde Newton and Russell St. Clair.