Accidental Shooting of John D. Sullivan

SULLIVAN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/3/2010 at 22:07:25

Dubuque Herald, April 4, 1865

Accidental shooting of John D. Sullivan

Again we are called upon to announce the sudden death of another of Dubuque’s oldest and most respected citizens. It was but a few days since that our community was startled by the sudden demise of James L. Langworthy and now the same melancholy announcement is made of the unexpected death of Mr. John D. Sullivan. Truly the words of the Gospel, “That in the midst of life we are in death,” are being verified in our midst, and soon our oldest citizens will live only in the remembrance of friends and relatives left to mourn their loss.

The circumstances attendant on Mr. Sullivan’s death are as melancholy in the extreme and well calculated to elicit our deepest sympathies in behalf of himself and his bereaved family. On Saturday last in accompany with Mr. Edward Smith, a relative, we believe, he started on a business tour for Ozark, Jackson County. Supposing he might have an opportunity of shooting some game on the way, he carried with him his double barreled shot gun. Arrived at their destination, and after having enjoyed themselves for some time in shooting, the party ate a hearty dinner preparatory to starting homeward. After dinner Mr. Smith proceeded to the stable to harness the horses, while Mr. Sullivan went to the wagon, which was standing some yards from the stable, for the purpose of rendering it more comfortable for the ride. He had placed the gun on the bottom of the wagon, and it is supposed while in the act of driving a nail or removing the gun, the hammer accidentally caught in a splinter and discharged its entire contents into his right breast.

Mr. Smith heard the discharge while harnessing the horses, but supposed that he had shot a bird, while a Mr. Brown, who also was in company, started for the wagon, where he found Mr. Sullivan lying in front and between the wheels. At first Mr. Brown did not observe that he was shot, and jocosely that he was taking it easy, but in a moment after discovered his mistake and ran to give the alarm to Smith. Mr. Smith then hastened to the spot and found him lying as above described. He caught him up and endeavored to stop the flow of blood and called upon him to answer or recognize him by word or sign, but all in vain. Although he was breathing when taken up, in less than twenty-five minutes he was a corpse.

Word was given to the neighbors and in the course of an hour or so a number of them had collected, a Justice of the Peace and jury summoned and an inquest held. This over, the corpse was placed in another wagon, and accompanied by several of the neighbors was brought home to his afflicted and disconsolate family.

Mr. Sullivan was a native of Ireland and in his fifty-first year. He came from Troy, New York, in company with his mother and several brothers and sisters and settled in Dubuque, in 1838. He was one of the most competent and energetic master bricklayers and plasterers Dubuque ever had. In 1850 he built the Court House and the following year the Julien House (then the Waples House), the Peosta House (then called Democratic Row), and from that time up to 1849 was concerned in the erection of the most prominent buildings which now adorn Dubuque. He was an exceedingly industrious and energetic man; and notwithstanding he had accumulated a handsome competence, his untiring energy would not permit him to retire from business until about six years ago. Since that time he has not been actively engaged in business. In his habits he was a model man; he was not given to excess of any kind; drinking and gambling saloons were strangers to him, and to all his business transactions he was prompt, honest and true. He never aspired to office and took but little interest in politics and politicians. He was an excellent husband and parent; he provided liberally for all the wants of his family, and was ever solicitous for and attentive to the education of his children. He leaves a wife and five children to mourn his loss and a host of sorrowing friends, who will cherish his memory to the last. May he rest in peace, and his afflicted family receive those consolations which an All-wise and Over-ruling Providence never fails to bestow.