Welcome to Daviess County, INGenWeb

Biographies and Obituaries

A-B | C-D | E-F | G-H | I-J | K-L | M-N | O-P | Q-R |S-T | U-V | W-X | Y-Z


In loving memory

William P. O'Brian

Washington Herald
Mon., 30 Nov. 1908, p1

WILLIAM O'BRIAN IS RUN DOWN BY FLYER
William P. O'Brian, a prominent and aged citizen of Cannelburg, met a horrible death last Saturday afternoon on the B&O Southwestern track between Cannelburg and Montgomery. He was proceeding along the track on his way to his home at Cannelburg when train 6, the fast afternoon passenger train bore down upon him and struck him, death being instantaneous. O'Brian was unaware of the approach of the flyer and probably never realized it hit him. O'Brian, who was custodian of the public school building at Cannelburg, had been to Montgomery to dray his pay for such services from the township trustee. He did not remain in the place long and started home walking on the railroad track. Midway between Montgomery and Cannelburg was the scene of the accident. The engineer of the train saw O'Brian and gave a warning blast of the whistle, but the aged man was deficient in hearing and was run down before the train could be brought to a standstill. The body was mutilated to a considerable extent although the wheels never touched it. The engineer brought his train to a stop as quickly as possible and the corpse was placed on the front of the engine by the crew and carried into Cannelburg. Deputy Coroner Holder of this city was notified and immediately went to Cannelburg. The unfortunate man has been living in Cannelburg since 1874 and enjoyed a wide acquaintance. He came to Indiana from Kentucky, first locating at Mt. Pleasant, Martin county. He was eighty-one years of age and is survived by four children, John B. O'Brian, Edwardsport; William F. O'Brian, Loogootee; Mrs. Sidney Smith, Loogootee; and Miss Delia O'Brian of Cannelburg, and one brother Frank O'Brian, a farmer of Martin county. His wife died June 11 three years ago. For years, Mr. O'Brian was a blacksmith at the mine around Cannelburg but at the time of death was custodian of the Public School building in that village. He was a devout Catholic and funeral services were held from St. Peter's Church at Montgomery Monday morning. NOTE: A second article in the Weekly Democrat on Sat, 5 Deck 1908, p4, names children as John O'Brian, Farris O'Brian, Mrs. Sidney Smith, and Julia O'Brian. It also names a great nephew, James O'Brian, the livery man in Washington. It also states that burial was made in St. Peter's cemetery.

Contributed by Sandra Hedrick Allen

 

Back to Top