Leo Chester Plunkett (1894-1943)

ALBRECHT, CASHMORE, OCONNOR, PLUNKETT

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:59

The Eagle Grove Eagle
Eagle Grove, Iowa
Thursday, January 21, 1943
Page 1, Columns 4 & 5

Leo C. Plunkett Dies In Burlington Depot Fire

Leo C. Plunkett, 48, formerly of Eagle Grove, and brother of the late J. H. Plunkett of this city, lost his life in the disastrous fire in the Burlington, Iowa, depot early Wednesday morning. Mr. Plunkett had been working as operator for the Burlington road since last December. He was married and is survived by his wife and two children, a girl, 3, and a boy, 1-year old. One brother and one sister also survive, William who is a railroad conductor in Ontario, Canada, and Mrs. Sam (Mamie) Cashmore of Ft. William, Ontario, Canada. Mrs. Cashmore's husband passed away about two weeks ago. Three, brothers preceded him in death, Frank, Carl and Engineer Henry Plunkett of Eagle Grove, who died about four years ago.

No details of his death were obtainable last evening, except that he was reported missing after the fire was under control and later his body was found. The Eagle was informed by Mrs. Henry Plunkett of Des Moines late Wednesday evening that no funeral arrangements had been made.

Mr. Plunkett's parents and three brothers are buried here in Calvary cemetery.

The Globe-Gazette
Mason City, Iowa
Thursday, January 21, 1943
Page 1, Column 5

FIREMEN STILL HUNT 2 BODIES

Work Through Ruins of Burlington Station

BURLINGTON. (AP) –Firemen worked through the burned ruins of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy passenger station Thursday in an attempt to find the bodies of two persons still missing following a fire which swept through the building early Wednesday.

Two bodies were found in the ruins late Wednesday and were identified by relatives as P. E. Carlin, a conductor waiting to take a train, which was behind schedule, and Leo C. Plunkett, formerly of Mason City, a telegrapher on duty at the station.

Still missing were Miss Doris Kenning, telephone operator, and L. H. Hervey, of Ottumwa, a civil engineer.

All four were last known to have been on the second floor of station when the fire broke out.

The bodies recovered were found near the vault in a second floor section, which remained standing amid the burned ruins.

Service was restored on a make shift basis with the express office and railroad coaches on sidings being used for emergency telegraphic and ticket-selling purposes. The Union hotel lobby was pressed into service as temporary passenger waiting room.

The Globe-Gazette
Mason City, Iowa
Thursday, January 21, 1943
Page 1, Column 4

Funeral Will Be Held Here for Victim

Leo C. Plunkett, one of four victims of the passenger station fire at Burlington, was a former Mason Cityan.

Mrs. Plunkett, formerly Miss Marjorie O’Connor, teacher in the Mason City schools, and two small children, Denice, 2½ years, and John, 9 months, survive.

Mr. Plunkett was telegraph operator for Clark Brothers, stock, bond and grain market offices in the Foresters building, from 1933 to 1935.

The body will arrive Friday morning and will be taken to the Meyer funeral home. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 9 o’clock at the Holy Family church. Burial will take place in the Sacred Heart cemetery at Rockwell, former home of Mrs. Plunkett.

The rosary will be said at the Meyer funeral home Friday evening at 8 o'clock.

The Catholic Daughters of America will meet at the Meyer funeral home for the Rosary Friday evening.

Also surviving Mr. Plunkett are one sister, Mrs. Sam Cashmere [Cashmore], Fort William, Canada; two brothers, William Plunkett, Sioux Lookout, Canada, and James Plunkett. Helena, Mont. Preceding him in death are his parents. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Plunkett, and three brothers, Tom. Henry and Frank Plunkett.

Mr. Plunkett was born in Eagle Grove, March 9, 1894, He was married to Miss O'Connor July 20, I937. Following their marriage they went to Racine. Wis., then Chicago and Victorville, Cal. Three months ago Mr. Plunkett accepted the position of wire chief at Burlington.

The Greene Recorder
Greene, Iowa
Wednesday, January 27, 1943
Page 4, Column 4

Mr. and Mrs. F. S. Albrecht and Bobbie went to Mason City Saturday morning to attend the funeral of Mrs. Albrecht's cousin's husband. Leo Plunkett, who was fatally burned in the Burlington depot fire.

March 9, 1894 - January 20, 1943