Thomas Whelan

WHELAN, MCMANNUS, BURNS

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 12/19/2020 at 12:19:06

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa Wednesday, September 13, 1893 page 1

Our people were shocked to learn of the accidental death of Thomas Whelan last Friday afternoon. He and his men were near old Clifotn on their hand car headed toward Columbus Junction when and east bound freight running at a high rate of speed came around the curve after them at a distance of less than 500 feet. The car was stopped at once and an effort made to remove it from the track. In the struggle young Burnett slipped and fell in some way and it was in his attempt to rescue him that Mr. Whelan was struck by the train and hurled a distance of nearly a hundred feet. His death was instantaneous, both arms and one leg being broken and his skull crushed. The cars did not over his body. Mr. Whelan was born in county Langford, Ireland, 1831. Came to America in '47. Was employed as a glass blower in New Jersey a few years, but in 1853 came to Dunleith, now East Dubuque, Illinois, where in 1852 he was married to Miss Mary Ann McMannus, who with nine children survive him. The children living are Mrs. Jennie Burns of Washington, Iowa, Ed of Minneapolis, George of Minnesota, James of Waterloo, Will of West Liberty, and misses Katie and Teresa and Robert and Richard who are at the parental home. Mr. Whelan came to Iowa in 1862 and entered at once into the employ of the Rock Island road a section foreman at this place and was continuously employed in that capacity up to his death. His funeral took place at Washington and was attended by an immense throng of people. The Rock Island furnished transportation for about seventy-five of the immediate friends from this place. He was a quiet, unobtrusive and trusty man, liked by his employers as well as by those under his charge. Much sympathy is felt for his family in their affliction.