WM. F. STEWART KILLED BY BULL AT FARM HOME

Tragedy Occurs Yesterday Afternoon on Webber Township Farm

William F. Stewart, 72, was killed at 2:30 p.m. yesterday by a bull at his farm home in the Harmony neighborhood, northeast of Mt. Vernon on RFD 7-A, Webber township.

The tragedy occurred while Mr. Stewart and his wife, Nellie, were cutting hay. They noticed that the cattle were out of their pasture and started to drive them back.

At an inquiry conducted by Coroner Ben Roeder this morning, Mrs. Stewart said she heard her husband call for help and that when she found him the bull had him down. She said the bull picked him up with his head and horns and threw him down. Authorities said the bull carried and butted Mr. Stewart across a field for more than 100 yards, leaving his body on the bank of a creek. Mrs. Stewart ran for aid. Her husband was dead before help arrived.

Coroner Roeder returned a verdict of accidental death.

SEND BULL TO SLAUGHTERHOUSE

The bull was loaded into a truck last night and delivered to the slaughterhouse at National Stockyards.

Mr. Stewart was born February 1, 1880 in Jefferson County, the son of William and Fredonia (Clifton) Stewart.

He was a lifetime resident of Jefferson County.

He was married December 26, 1901 in St. Louis, to Nellie Russell who survives.

Mr. Stewart was a veteran of the Spanish American War, serving in Co.L 30th Illinois Volunteers.

He was a farmer and also worked in the wood erect shop at the Mt. Vernon car company. He was a member of Eben Swift Post, Spanish American War Veterans.

Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Myers Chapel, with the Rev. Bird Green officiating and burial will be in Atkinson cemetery. Military rites will be in charge of the American Legion.The body will remain at Myers Chapel, where friends may call after 2:00 P.M. Wednesday.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a brother, Charles Stewart of Mt. Vernon and a sister, Mrs. Ida Ward of Wayne county.

He was preceded in death by a son, William Russell Stewart, and an infant daughter.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: June 18, 1952
Submitted by: LaDonna Blevins