Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-12-26
A SHOCKING DEATH
alderman John F.. McGoIrick Crush ed
Under the Wheels of a Freight
Train.

The community was startled beyond
measure Monday evening upon learn
ing OF the shocking death which had
befallen John F. McGolrick, alderman
OF the Seventh ward and one of our
prominent business men. The sad
fatality occurred on the siding which
lies to the north of the Milwaukee
roads freight depot and in close
proximity TO the unfortunate mans
place of business. The details of the
accident, or the causes that lead to it.
VII perhaps never be known, as no
living person seems to have been an
eye witness to the heart-rending scene
Therefore. the recounting of the
tragedy is but matter of surmising.
Mr.. McGolrick's son James, who
bad been on trip to Texas, returned
home Monday afternoon at4 o'clock,
ard after visiting with his father in
the latter's office, left him at about
4:i5 o'clock. Mr.. McGolrick at that
time started for his home in the
Seventh ward. A half-hour later his
body was found on the side-track.
ibis was shortly after the arrival of
the Madison freight, which had pulled
up to the freight depot to receive
some freight, cutting the Fifth
street crossing. the head end of the
train with the engine attached lying
east OF the crossing and the rear end
lying west of it. Mr.. McGolrick,
noticing the train was divided, no
doubt deemed it safe to cross under
the 'dead" end, thinking thereby to
save some distance in his walk home,
and it is supposed that while he was
IN the act of doing this, the switch
engine attached itself TO the s.dead''
end and pulled the cars westward.
Mr.. McGolrick was no doubt caught
under the wheels and literally ground
to pieces, his remains when found be-
ing so horribly mangled as to be be-
yond recognition.
coroner's jury was impaneled and
viewed the remains. The inquest has
been postponed until Friday next.
The deceased was native of the
County Kilkenny. Ireland, where he
was born April Is, 1886, being there
fore in the 65th year of his age. He
emigrated to the United States in
1858, living a year in Ohio and then
locating permanently in this city.
He had been for many years engaged
in the wood and coal business, his Of
ice and yards being located at the
fCa,J % Fifth street. near the MiIwau-
kee depot.
Mr.. McGolrick was numbered
among our best known citizens. and
on all sides he was held in the highest
esteem. The strictest integrity and
fair dealing were synonymous with
his name. which rendered his business
career successful, while in his private
life he was all that could be desired
in fond father and warm friend.
On numerous occasions he had been
called to public Office and al the time
OF his death was serving a two-year
term as alderman of his ward. He
was also serving in the capacity of
poor Of the First Jefferson
county district.
Mr.. McGolrick's wife died six wears
ago last August, her end coming also
Without warning, just as she was en-
tering ST. Bernard's church one Sun
day morning for divine worship.
The only surviving children are
James 2. McGolrick, sheriff-elect of
Jefferson county, and Miss Anna, who
have heartfelt sympathy in their sore
bet savemelt.
The funeral was held this porning
with services at St. 'Bernard's church
and the remains were laid at rest in
st. bernard's cemetery. Mayor
CRUDE and the fellow aldermen of the
deceased attended the funeral in
body.