A FATAL ACCIDENT
(Gettysburg Herald--May l0, 1894)
A shocking and fatal accident happened at Forest City at 11 o'clock last Friday. The work of tightening up the cable upon which the Nixon-Bailey ferryboat is to ply in crossing the river was under way. This was being done by means of a capstan, to the sweep of which a horse was attached and drawing heavily to overcome the pressure of the river current against the cable which was fastened to a tree on the opposite side. The sweep, in the capstan, sprung under the draft of the horse, and all at once the fastening at the end slipped off, allowing the sweep to fly back with terrible force. Geo. Darling had something to do in directing the work and stood about eight feet back of the sweep, which struck him across the bowels, doubling him over it like a handkerchief, bystanders say, and knocking him ten feet away. He was taken up insensible. President W. H. Bulkley, of the Forest City [rail]road chanced to be a spectator to the scene and at once dispatched a special car to Gettysburg for physicians. Drs. Hull and Bullard responded promptly, but the man was mortally hurt and died at 7:30 the same evening.
Darling was a middle aged man and well known along the river, where in the earlier days he operated a stage line from Pierre to LaBeau. We learn that he had but recently moved with his family to Forest City from some point in the west, and was employed as engineer in the flouring mill there.
Much kindly comment is made on the action of President Bulkley in the premises, who, though not an employer of the injured man and only temporarily in the county, went to all possible extremes that human sympathy would prompt for his relief, and as a finale left a purse with the dead mans family.
OBITUARY
(News October 26, 1899)
Died, October 22nd, 1899, Matthew L. Diamond, aged 41 years and 10 months.
Mr. Diamond was born December 12th 1857, in Duchess County, New York, where he resided with his parents until 1865 when they moved to DeKalb county, Ill. He lived there until coming to Dakota in 1886. He bought the N.E. 1/4 of section #35- 119- 75 and has resided on his farm since. He was married in 1893 to Miss May Burnsides and leaves his wife and one child surviving him. Mrs. H. Wilson of Gettysburg, is a sister of Deceased.
Mr. Dimond was taken sick with pneumonia a week ago Tuesday and passed away Sunday evening. The funeral was held at the house Wednesday forenoon, the services being conducted by Rev. R. B. Hall, assisted by the Congregational church choir. He was laid to rest in the Gettysburg cemetery in the afternoon.
While never a very robust man he was a steady and industrious one and leaves his family in comfortable circumstances. He was a quiet peaceable man, a good neighbor and citizen. The bereaved wife and sister have the sympathy of the entire community in their sad affliction.
DIED. (News, July 13, 1905)
Mrs. Arzilla Donovan died July 12th, 1905, at 11 A.M., aged 75 years, 2months, and 1 day.
Miss Arzilla True was born at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, May 11th, 1830. She was married to John F. Donovan at Kankakee, Illinois, Dec. 14th, 1854. They came to Potter County in 1883 and settled in Appomattox township, where they resided until about three years ago when they moved to Minneapolis and lived there one year, when they came to Gettysburg and have since resided here. Last December they celebrated their Golden wedding in a fitting manner.
Besides her husband the following children survive her: Mrs. Alta Brainard; ?? Donovan, of Kankakee, Illinois; Grant Donovan, of Los Angeles, Cal.; Mrs. Minnie Shirk, of Gettysburg; and Fred Donovan, of Appomattox township.
Mrs. Donovan has been sick for over a year and gradually failed until the end came Wednesday at 11 A.M., she apparently dropping to rest from a peaceful sleep! She had a cheerful disposition that made friends wherever she was, and during her long illness she never complained. Everything was done to make her comfortable that loving hearts and hands could do.
The funeral will be held at the house at 3 P.M. today. The services will be conducted by Rev. F. J. Horton and she will be laid to rest in the Gettysburg Cemetery. The sympathy of a large circle of friends is extended to the family in their great sorrow.
ANOTHER FATHER OF POTTER COUNTY GONE TO HIS REWARD.
(News, February 1, 1912) John Frank Donovan was born in Covington, Kentucky, June 12, 1826. He moved from Kentucky to Illinois where he married Arzilla Caroline True December 14, 1854. To this union were born seven children, four boys and three girls, six of whom are still living to mourn the loss of a father's love and affection, one boy having died in early childhood.
Mr. Donovan lived in Kankakee and other places in Illinois until 1883, when he came to Potter county, settling upon a homestead in Appomattox township, the same year. Mr. Donovan and his family added much to the establishment of a foundation upon which the present stable and progressive industries of the country are built.
Mrs. Donovan preceded him to the other world July 12, 1905, since then he has made his home with his son J. F. Donovan and family who have charge of the old homestead in Appomattox, where he died, after a long illness due to the decline of the physical posture in old age, at 6:30 a.m., January 30, 1912.
Unknown Newspaper
Available through the Dakota Sunset Museum
July 4, 1946
Funeral services were conducted at the Gettysburg Methodist Church on Sunday afternoon for Robert Duncan, retired Potter County farmer, who died at the Lowe Hospital, Mobridge, Thursday, June 27th. Rev. Phillip R. Anderson, of Mobridge, was in charge.
Robert Duncan was born August 15, 1859, at Grinnell, Iowa. He spent most of his younger years in Iowa, except for a few years each in Idaho and Wisconsin. In 1919, he moved to South Dakota, where he resided in Lebanon, Gettysburg and Mobridge.
On May 14, 1885, he was united in marriage at LeMars, Iowa, to Alice Crowley, who passed away on May 8, 1935. to this union, 7 children were born, two of whom proceded him in death.
He leaves to mourn his loss, 5 children: Mrs. Inez Lillibridge, Gettysburg; Mrs. Olive McGeachy of Iroquois, SD; Earl K. Duncan, Lebanon; Alan C. Duncan, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Mildred Lay, Mobridge and fifteen grandchildren.
He was a honest, upright man who really believed in and adhered to the Goldren Rule of Life and there was no sacrifice to great to make for his family for which they are truly grateful.
Here for the funeral from outside were the Alan C. Duncans' Alice M. Lillibridge, of Minneapolis and Mr and Mrs. McGeachy.
MRS. DUNCAN
(News-May 16, 1935)
Alice Crowley was born at Dubuque County, Iowa, July 28, 1863 and passed peacefully away at the home of her daughter , Mrs. W.H. Lillibridge, near Gettysburg, Wednesday morning, May 8, 1935.
When about 14 years of age, she moved with her parents to Buena Vista County, Iowa.
On May 14, 1885, she was united in marriage to Robert Duncan at LeMars, Iowa. To this union seven children were born, two of whom preceded her in death.
With the exception of a few years in Idaho, she spent most of her life in Ida and Sac Counties, Iowa. In 1914 she with her family moved to Milladore, Wisconsin, where they resided until the spring of 1919, at which time they removed to Potter County, South Dakota, residing in this vicinity of Lebanon and Gettysburg until the time of her death.
Besides her husband she leaves to mourn her loss, three daughters, Mrs. Inez Lillibridge of Gettysburg, Mrs. Olive McGeachy of Iroquis, Mrs. Mildred Lay of Pierre; two sons, Earl K. of Lebanon, and Alan C. of Boston, Mass.; 14 grandchildren, also one sister, Mrs. Rachael Cloud of Montevideo, Minn., two brothers, Joseph Crowley of Storm Lake, Iowa and Frank Crowley of Alcester, S.D. and many other relatives and friends.
A faithful Christain and member of the Presbyterian Church, she attended Church whenever opportunity permitted.
Her brilliant mind and pleasing personality won her the esteem of all who knew her and as a devoted wife and mother she will be greatly missed by loved ones left behind.
Had she lived until May 14, 1935, Mr. And Mrs. Duncan would Have celebrated fifty years of happy married life.
November 18, 1971
Services for Earl K. Duncan, 78, were held in the United Methodist Church, Gettysburg, Thursday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. by the Rev. Russell M. Peirce, Minister. Interment was in Gettysburg Cemetery.
Mr. Duncan was born in Caldwell, Idaho, Nov. 19, 1892 and died in Gettysburg Memorial Hospital Monday, Nov. 8, 1971.
As an infant his parents took him to Odebolt, Iowa, then they moved to Milladore, Wis. He attended college in Omaha, Nebraska, served in World War 1 and moved to Lebanon in 1918.
He and Adelle M. Weed were married at Redfield, Jan. 12, 1923.
Survivors include daughters Audrey, Mrs. Robert Kenimer, Hampton, Va., Marion, Mrs. John Wolter, Woonsocket; sons Donald K. Duncan, LaGrange, Ill., and Robert Duncan, Woodland, Wash.; sisters Mrs. Inez Lillibridge, Mrs. Olive McGeachy, Gettysburg, Mildred, Mrs. Leonard Lay, Aberdeen; brother Alan C. Duncan, Creston, Iowa; 18 grandchildren; many nieces ,nephews and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, son William and two Infant sisters.
Mr. Duncan was a member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge, Potter County draft board and Oam (?) Wal Electric board.
Langslet Funeral home was in charge of the arrangements.
(News 3-13-1969)
William E. Duncan, 41, of 2206 Adams Ave., a San Diego, Calif., Police Department Homicide Detective, died Feb. 5, 1969 in Mercy Hospital there.
He was the son of Mr. And Mrs. Earl K. Duncan of Lebanon.
Mr. Duncan, a detective was suffering from a brain injury and had contracted pneumonia. He joined the police dept. in 1958, worked a patrol beat, then was transferred the juvenile division and later was assigned to the detective division.
Mr. Duncan was one of the first officers on the scene at the four-hour shootout in 1965 when a holdup man barricaded himself in the Hub Jewelry & Loan Co. at 711 Fifth Ave.
He was awarded a Police Dept., commendation for exceptional ability to follow orders and for competence in use of combat weapons.
He is survived by his widow, Cecilia; two daughter, Marguerite and Kathleen and three sons, Stephen, Michael and Daniel, all of San Diego.
Use Your Back Key to Return to Home Page