Thomas H. Mullin
MULLIN
Posted By: Carrie Robertson (email)
Date: 3/6/2017 at 10:41:05
Wednesday April 15, 1914 Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette
DEATH OF LOYAL TOM MULLIN IS MUCH MOURNED
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VETERAN MORTORMAN [sic] WAS POPULAR WITH EVERYONE
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MANY CEDAR RAPIDS RESIDENTS RECALL DAYS WHEN HE DROVE OLD FASHIONED MULE CARS -- FUNERAL FRIDAY AFTERNOON AT MULLIN HOME IN MARION.On the steps in front of the little red brick house in the block just west of the courthouse in Marion, Willie and Wesley, the two little children of Tom Mullin, the dead motorman, played this morning. The boys, but six and three years of age, had been accustomed to wave their hands at "daddy" as his car passed by between Cedar Rapids and Marion. This morning all their time was taken up telling a constant stream o callers "this is the Mullin's home." Mrs. Mullin, prostrated by the shock of her husband's death, is confined to her bed, too ill to see visitors.
In the city of Marion, the accident of last night and the death of Tom Mullin are the sole topics of conversation. Many are the tributes and kind words for the veteran street railway man. Mr. Mullin had lived in Marion for eight or more years and when not on duty he spent his leisure time with his family, being of a home loving nature. Everybody knew Tom Mullin for he was invariable pointed out as the oldest man in the service and his familiar figure and cheery greeting made him perhaps the best known of all the list of employes[sic]. Mullin drove the old mule cars long before the electric car was given even a remote thought. That was thirty-three years ago. The mule car went as far out as Sixteenth street. When the electric car replaced the mule-driven vehicle Mr. Mullin transferred his attention to electric motors and bid good bye to the reins and whip. Many a Cedar Rapids resident recalls riding with Tom Mullin on the old mule cars.
Always on the Job.
County Recorder Hendrys was for five or six years on the same car with Mullin, the former being conductor. "I never knew a more faithful, conscientious man," said Mr. Hendrys. "We had some narrow escapes but Tom would always stay at his post of duty. I recall on one occasion a wagon crossing in front of the car and it looked like a bad mixup was about to take place but Tom reversed the brakes and stayed right there. Some one at the time remarked, ''Tom you'll die one of these times holding the brakes.' It just goes to show what a loyal man he was in his line of duty."
A Marion man who talked with Mr. Mullin one day this week stated that he had told him, "I'm going down to see Newt tonight." By Newt, Mr. Mullin meant his conductor, who is in St. Luke's hospital having submitted to an operation for appendicitis. Mr. Mullin had been going to see him every evening. The veteran motorman was pardonably proud of his record and pointed with pride to the many stripes of braid on the cuff of his coat, showing the many years of service, one stripe being added each year.
Was 61 Years Old.
Thomas Mullin was born December 21, 1852, being at the time of his death 61 years, 3 months and 2 days old. He was twice married, his second marriage being solemnized December 20, 1904, at Iowa City, Miss Elsie Ryerson of Cedar Rapids being the bride. To this union two children were born, Willie and Wesley. A half-brother, Peter Black, lives in Cedar Rapids. Mrs. Sara Lang of Williamsburg is a full sister and Mrs. P.J. Beiger at Parnell a half sister, both of whom arrived last night at the Mullin home. Several children by his first marriage reside in California. One of the boys is now prominent in union labor circles in San Francisco.
The decedent was a member of the Fraternal Bankers' Reserve association and of the street car men's union. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church in Marion. The funeral will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home.
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