Joseph M. Bunker (1825-1887)

BUNKER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/13/2011 at 00:37:12

From Story County Watchman December 9, 1887

Zearing.

A very sad accident occured Monday afternoon.

In the absence of all hands, from some unknown cause, the boiler of Barne's elevator exploded, utterly destroying the engineroom, a wagon and killing a horse of Ad. Guthrie's, and one of our old and respected settlers, Mr. Bunker, besides greatly injuring the fron of Johnson and Patton's hardware store. Mr. Bunker and Guthrie had just driven in, and were in the act of tying their horses, when the main part of the boiler struck them. Mr. Guthrie sustained slight injuries but Mr. Bunker was killed instantly.

Pieces of iron, timbers, stones and brick were scattered over the principal part of town. All who witnessed the scene wonder that the loss of life was not greater.

Mr. Bunker was removed to the carpenter shop, and remained there until after the coronors inquest, held that evening, when he was taken charge of by the Odd Fellows and carried to their hall to await the funeral services Wednesday 12:30 o'clock.

The funeral services were held in the church under the auspices of the Odd Fellows, the sermon being preached by Rev. Sibbits.

Business houses and the schools were closed, and a very large concourse of people paid their last respects to their highly esteemed fellow citizen.

The stricken wife and relatives have the deepest sympathy of the entire commmunity.