Infant Sullivan
Saint Jospeh's Catholic Cemetery Forth
Died 3rd Mar 1907
FORTH
A CHILD’S DEATH Mr. Martin Sullivan’s child was buried on Saturday in the Catholic Cemetery.
Mr. Sullivan has been singularly unfortunate, having lost several little ones.
The North West Post March 5th 1907.
John Sullivan
Saint Jospeh's Catholic Cemetery Forth
Died 20th Sept 1889
Age 9 days
John Sullivan
Saint Jospeh's Catholic Cemetery Forth
Died 12th Sept 1889
Age 2 yrs
Congestion of the lungs
Male Sullivan
Saint Jospeh's Catholic Cemetery Forth
13th Feb 1897
Age 13 days
Martin Sullivan
Saint Jospeh's Catholic Cemetery Forth
Died 18th Feb 1931
Age 67 years
DEATH
SULLIVAN – On February 18 1931, at Don Road, Devonport, Martin, beloved husband of Ellen Sullivan, in his 67th year. Burial Roman Catholic Cemetery, Forth
The Advocate February 19th 1931.
John Sullivan
Saint Jospeh's Catholic Cemetery Forth
Died 16th May 1903
Age 36 years
Fatality at the Forth
DEATH OF A WILMOT RESIDENT
A fatal accident befell Mr. John Sullivan, a well known and much respected resident of the Wilmot, on Friday night, whilst returning from Devonport with a bullock truck laden with stores for Mr. T. J. Clerke, of Wilmot. It appears that the unfortunate man had taken a load of produce into Devonport that morning and left again for his mother’s place, Forthside (which he used as a half-way house) about… o’clock. From the Don, deceased, his brother and Thomas O’Donnell rode on the pole of the truck, all going well till just before the turn-off to Forthside, when deceased jumped off to apply the brakes and in trying to regain his seat by some means fell in front of the off wheels, both of which passed over his neck and face, inflicting terrible injuries and as a result proved, his neck was broken. Deceased, who was about 37 years of age, leaves a widow and 5 children, the eldest being 13 years and the youngest 2 years, for whom the greatest sympathy is felt and expressed.
THE INQUEST
The coronial enquiry touching the death of the late John Sullivan was held at the residence of Mrs. McHugh, Forthside, on Saturday afternoon, before the Coroner (Mr. W. B. Button) and a jury, of which Mr. W. Dooley was foreman. Sub-Inspector O’Neill conducted the enquiry.
Thomas O’Donnell, farmer, Forthside, was in company with deceased on the previous afternoon, whilst coming from Devonport. Deceased and Michael Sullivan were travelling with a loaded truck drawn by six bullocks, driven by deceased. At the west side of the Don they all got on the pole and rode to Hamilton hill, near Forth. Deceased got off in front of Mr. Vertigan’s in order to screw the brake on, afterwards trying to get on the pole again on the near side. Witness was sitting on the near side of the poll at the time deceased tried to regain his seat. The truck was moving at a good pace. As deceased went to jump he over balanced and fell over backwards on to the off side. Deceased sang out “Woe” to the bullocks, as did witness, but before he could get off to stop the bullocks the wheels had passed over deceased. Felt the wheels rise as he jumped off. He stopped the bullocks and ran around the truck. Deceased was lying on the road when his brother picked him up. Struck a match and they examined deceased. Found him in a terrible state, his face being covered with blood. When picked up by his brother deceased said, “lay me down.” Deceased’s brother went to Mr. Vertigan’s for a trap and a bit of candle. Mr. Vertigan said he would go and tell his mother. It was about 8 o’clock. A man in a cart came along the road and they lifted deceased into it and took him to his mother’s home, where the body then lay. Ran to Mr. Hays’ and telephoned for Dr. Stuart. Deceased was perfectly sober and was accustomed to driving bullocks. Was perfectly friendly with deceased. Did not thing deceased stumbled against anything. – To the Jury: When they picked deceased up he was behind the truck. The truck had either swerved of a bullock stumbled as deceased jumped on. The bullocks went on straight afterwards. Left Devonport about 5 o’clock. Deceased was laying with his head towards the wheel and flat on the road. – The Coroner: Deceased was an active man generally. Deceased drove out in a trap from Devonport to the Don Hotel and drove the bullocks from there to the scene of the accident.
Michael Sullivan, farmer, Forthside, brother of deceased, was in his company the previous day, coming from Devonport. Deceased was driving six bullocks and a truck. Deceased witness and the previous witness were riding on the pole of the truck. Rode thus to Hamilton hill, where deceased got off to put on the brake and in trying to regain his seat while the bullocks were going on, he overbalanced onto the right side, going over the pole. As he was falling, he called out “Whoa” to the bullocks. Witness also called out. Felt the two off wheels jerk as if they had gone over deceased. The bullocks stopped and witness went back. Found deceased 6 or 7 yards behind the truck, lying on his face and hands, both arms being by his side. Picked him up. He said “let me lay down.” O’Donnell struck a match and he could see deceased was badly hurt. Went to Mr. Vertigan’s for assistance. Removed deceased to his mother’s residence. Deceased said, “Oh my poor head,” several times on the way home. He also said his head was smashed. Witness, O’Donnell and deceased were quite friendly. Thought the accident was due to the off side bullock either stumbling, or swaying and thus caused deceased to overbalance. The truck was loaded with about 24 cwt of goods, most of which were for Mr. T. J. Clerke, of Wilmot. Believed both wheels passed over deceased.
Dr. G. Gordon-Stuart deposed that he had been called by telephone to the Forth at 9 5 the previous night, to attend deceased. Arrived at Mrs. McHugh’s at 10 5 p.m. and found deceased lying on his right side on a couch. Upon examination found deceased’s face was torn and cut in several places, one large tear on the right cheek laying bare the bone, which was fractured. Found also a compound fracture of the lower jaw in the middle. His neck was very much bruised and swollen. He was quite conscious and complained at intervals of being unable to get his breath. The body was uninjured. Proceeded to dress the wounds on his face and stitch up those on the left side of the face. Moved deceased to get at the wounds on the right side of the face. Was assisted by Michael Sullivan and John Hearps. Got deceased gently round on his left side. He said “I can’t breath,” and immediately afterwards expired. Made an external examination and was of opinion that although deceased must have died from his injuries, in any case, the immediate cause of death was pressure on the spinal cord by fracture of the cervical vertebrae. The injuries could only have been caused by a severe crushing, such as described by the witness. Deceased made no complaints as to the cause of the accident. Deceased died about a quarter to 11 and had been complaining of difficulty of breathing all the time.
The jury, after a brief retirement, returned a verdict to the effect that deceased came by his death by the off wheels of a loaded truck passing over his head.
The funeral of the deceased gentleman on Sunday was very large and widely representative friends coming from distant parts to pay their last tribute of respect to one generally liked. The Rev. Father O”Reilly officiated at the grave.
The North West Post Tuesday 19th May 1903