Biographies and Obituaries
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