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Edward Lee “Eddie” Driscoll

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Birth	:	9 Apr 1878 Warren County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	5 Oct 1891 Altoona, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Old Altoona Cemetery, Clay Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.6577666, -93.4446564
Inscription	:	Eddie son of Unreadable DIED OCT. 05, 1891 AGED 13Y 5Ms 26 Ds
Description	:	The Altoona Herald, Altoona, IA October 10, 1891 Page 8 The funeral of Eddie Driscoll took place from his mother's home in Altoona, Wednesday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. Fred Harris. It was largely attended, and many accomp- the heart-broken mother and sister's to lay their dear one in his last resting place in the Altoona cemetery. Edward Lee Driscoll was born on April 9th, 1878, in Warren county, Ia., and at the time of his death on Oct. 5th, 1891, was 13 years, 5 mos. and 26 days old. His mother, Mrs. Rebecca Driscoll, is... Read More	The Altoona Herald, Altoona, IA October 10, 1891 Page 8 The funeral of Eddie Driscoll took place from his mother's home in Altoona, Wednesday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. Fred Harris. It was largely attended, and many accomp- the heart-broken mother and sister's to lay their dear one in his last resting place in the Altoona cemetery. Edward Lee Driscoll was born on April 9th, 1878, in Warren county, Ia., and at the time of his death on Oct. 5th, 1891, was 13 years, 5 mos. and 26 days old. His mother, Mrs. Rebecca Driscoll, is a widow lady and has lived in Altoona since the 3rd of March of this year, when she moved here from Hartford, Warren county. One year ago she buried her eldest son, a man grown, and now her youngest is taken from her. The blow comes with almost unbearable force upon the poor broken and divided family. Little Eddie leaves behind him one brother considerably older, and two sisters, one younger and one older, than himself. He was a kind hearted and good dispositioned boy, and universally liked by his companions and playmates. Just before the funeral services at the house, the pupils from the primary department of the school, each carrying a bouquet of flowers, marched slowly from the schoolhouse to the house where lay all that was mortal of their former playmate, and reverently covered the casket over with beautiful emblems of purity. He was a boy who always showed a willingness to work and in his small way lighten his mother's burdens and assist in the support of the family. It is unnecessary to say that Mrs. Driscoll and family have the undivided sympathy of everyone in Altoona and surrounding vicinity and also at other places where the news of the terrible calamity has reached. The Odd fellows here have voted here a sum of money out of their funds and also started a subscription(unreadable)for the benefit of the grief-stricken Family. The I. O. O. F. lodge at Des Moines and other points are also starting papers and contributing liberally to the fund. Parties living here or at a distance, who wish to add in the matter can send their contributions to Mr. Frank F. Altman, who is at the head of the I. O. O. F. lodge here, or leave at this office and it will be placed in the hands of Mrs. Driscoll. Page 5 A FEARFUL DEATH The Hemstreet Funeral Cortege Thrown Into a Terrible Panic by a Runaway Team EDDIE DRISCOLL KILLED A Number of Others Seriously Injured The Most Distressing Accident In the History of Polk County THE ENTIRE STORY. As the funeral procession of the late Nicholas Hemstreet moved toward the cemetery Monday afternoon, no one dreamed of the terrible accident about to occur, which would deepen the gloom already overhanging our usually quiet and peaceful city, and shroud it in a mantle of deepest sorrow. The catastrophe was caused by a runaway team which resulted in the death of little 14 year old Eddie Driscoll, and more or less serious injury of several others. The procession left the M. E. church at about 3:00 p. m., headed by the brothers of the deceased in Odd Fellows Order, who were paying him their last homage of respect. The cortege was a long and imposing one and included the equipages of the leading people of the surrounding county. Nearly fifty carriages were in line when the slow movement toward the burying place commenced. They had reached the hill just east of the Jim Post place, on which lives G. G. Burgett, down which the road, bound on either side by a ditch slopes to a bridge which spans a creek. The hearse and the leading carriages had just passed over the bridge and the rear was still on top of the hill, while a solid line of buggies filled in the space between. Jas. Porter, Sr. was driving a single horse to a double-seated buggy in which were Mrs. James Porter, Mrs. Isaac Porter, Mrs. J. O. Mason, Mrs. H. S. Mason and himself, about one-fourth of the way toward the front from the rear of the procession, and just as he reached the top of the hill, his horse was startled by a pig or chicken at the left side of the road. Casting one startled look in that direction the horse plunged and was off down the hill. The reins were jerked, it came so suddenly, from the hands of the driver. The maddened horse, as he veered to pass the buggy in front crashed into its wheels and buggy and occupants in a twinkle were scattered in the road. Then back and forth on the narrow grade, not wide enough to permit of two teams abreast, plunged the infuriated horse. Six buggies were involved in the wreck and were almost totally destroyed. The other horses caught the panic. The fear was infectious and what a moment before had been a staid and decorous funeral procession, with horses barely in a walk and no voice above a muffled tone, became in an instant a struggling mass of beast and man, out from whose center came the noise of crackling sticks and human screams, such as are only born of the extremity of terror. Before men had time to think, all this had happened. It was a time for quick action. The horses which were now plunging their way right and left through the procession, had been startled by being run into by Mr. Porter's single horse, and belonged to a Mr. Stark, who lives near Mitchellville. They must be stopped else the destruction of life would become greater. Frank and Link Altman and Chas. Perdue rose to the emergency. They sprang to the horses bits and although dragged a considerable distance through a barb wire fence, at last succeeded in stopping them. The ringleaders gone, the other teams quieted and the willing hands of others sprang also to their bridles. The panic did not reach the head of the procession and beyond scaring the (unreadable) very badly, no damage was done to (unreadable). The driver of the hearse had quickened his pace and as many as could had gotten out of the dangerous defile. It was over in an instant and the startled people in the front and rear carriages went back and forth to view the disaster and assist and care for the injured ones. The accident was one of the most terrible of the kind ever known. Women shrieked and the cries and noise was appalling. The scene was a heart rendering one and will not be soon forgotten. Crushed vehicles, dying, wounded and frightened humanity, all piled in one awful heap. The ground was covered with blood, parents were wildly searching for their children, fearing for their safety, while children were screaming for their parents. It was a terrible sight. Many (unreadable) it wore at rouge men, but what Column 2 they saw almost unmanned them. Eddie Driscoll lay in the road, his head crushed in, his neck and back both broken, horribly mangled and bruised, and blood pouring from the wounds in stream. The other victims were scattered about, either pale in insensibility or groaning in anguish. They were taken up, physicians sent for, and everything done which the circumstances permitted. THE VICTIMS Eddie Driscoll, a 14 year-old boy, was the only one killed outright. The iron shoe of the horse left its imprint on his skull. The circumstances of his death are very sad. He was the youngest son of Mrs. Rebecca Driscoll of Altoona and was the only boy who was staying at home. -Drawing of Eddie was inserted here- The team he was driving belonged to an Oddfellow, Mr. Hicks. Some of the Des Moines delegation were very anxious to (unreadable), and Mr. Hicks said that if he could get anybody to drive his team over, they could take that to drive to catch a freight train which would pass. To oblige the visitors, Eddie Driscoll agreed to take the team to the cemetery for them. So it is certain he met his death while trying to oblige others, and if the request for the favor had not been laid upon him, he would not have gone. Mr. Hicks little son, Charley, was riding in the same buggy, but escaped with only a few bruises. The destructive runaway team ran into the hind end of their wagon, smashing it to the ground. Eddie was thrown high into the air, alighting in the midst of the frenzied horses that had become entangled in the willows and barbed wire fence. Before aid could reach him, he was crushed into a shapeless mass. Mr. F. S. Sayers and Joe Perdue were also victims. They were driving a top buggy and the running team dashed into them, knocking them out of their buggy down over the edge of the bridge and embankment into the ditch with two buggies on top of them. Mr. Sayers sustained a fracture of the skull and numerous other cuts and bruises. It was thought at first that he could not live, but at present he is slowly recovering. Joe was injured internally and ever since the accident has suffered terribly and serious fears are entertained for his recovery. He has been a cripple most of his life and within the past three years has en- Page 8, Column 3 A FEARFUL DEATH Continued from 5th page. dured great deal of pain and suffering, and the last trial seems doubly hard for him to bear. Mrs. J. Mason an old lady of almost 70 years, had a leg broken, but is getting along very well considering her age. Mrs. Jas. Porter was badly crushed about the hips and is in a very critical condition. Her recovery is extremely doubtful. Mr. Jas. Porter has a badly bruised arm and shoulder. Mrs. Isaac Porter had her ankle and arm sprained. A number of others whose names we do not mention, sustained injuries less serious, but some of them quite painful. Mrs. R. C. Lain, of Newton, who is affected with heart disease, became very badly frightened and completely lost control of herself and her faculties, but after hours and hard work with her by her friends, she recovered, and was able to go home to Newton Tuesday evening. The damage cannot be intelligently estimated. From our standpoint and from that of others who saw the whole affair we can but help say that there must have been some superhuman protection, when men, women and children together with frenzied horses are piled into one heap with wagons, buggies, trees and fences, and no more hurt that what were, it seems that there must have been a divine protection. The hearse and carriages containing the mourners, accompanied by most of the I.O.O.F., proceeded to the cemetery and interred the remains of Mr. Hemstreet. The body of poor little Eddie Driscoll was tenderly taken up and carried to his home in this place, where were met his grief stricken mother and sisters, to whom the blow seemed almost unbearable. The injured ones were taken home at once by their relatives or friends and made as comfortable as possible and are receiving the kindest attention. When those who had witnessed the appalling tragedy returned to town they had indelibly stamped on their faces the look that only comes when men have looked upon an awful and heart-rendering scene. They had seen the vision of sudden death rise up before their eyes, and its influence still hung about them. It was still all confused and blurred and they could hardly realize it at all. The populace of Altoona, and also for miles around are yet shivering with terror at the memory of the sight they beheld upon that memorable Monday afternoon, and the horror of that day can never be entirely forgotten by anyone. Transcribed as published by Karen Brewer

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Edward Lee “Eddie” Driscoll's memorial?
Edward Lee “Eddie” Driscoll's memorial is located at: Old Altoona Cemetery, Clay Township, Polk County, USA.
When did Edward Lee “Eddie” Driscoll death?
Edward Lee “Eddie” Driscoll death on 5 Oct 1891 in Altoona, Polk County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Edward Lee “Eddie” Driscoll's memorial?
Latitude: 41.6577666
Longitude: -93.4446564

Family Members:

Parent

Rebecca Ellen Rawson Driscoll

(1847 - 1918)

Siblings

William Arthur Driscoll

(1860 - 1915)

Arlulu Bell Driscoll West

(1875 - 1907)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. New Altoona Cemetery
Clay Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6521988, -93.4458008

2. Bondurant Cemetery
Bondurant, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6995727, -93.4530705

3. Canfield Cemetery
Clay Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6046982, -93.4257965

4. Iowa Industrial School for Girls Cemetery
Mitchellville, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6606950, -93.3676460

5. Harvey Cemetery
Delaware Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6153902, -93.5045475

6. Rising Sun Cemetery
Pleasant Hill, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5996360, -93.4810580

7. Mitchellville Cemetery
Mitchellville, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6724790, -93.3505460

8. Franklin Cemetery
Franklin Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7145267, -93.3807206

9. Berwick Cemetery
Delaware Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6735992, -93.5472031

10. Stuart Cemetery
Four Mile Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5671997, -93.4480972

11. Sims Cemetery
Des Moines, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6006000, -93.5439000

12. Greenwood Friends Cemetery
Douglas Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7019005, -93.5575027

13. Oakwood Cemetery
Pleasant Hill, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5835991, -93.5258026

14. Enterprise Cemetery
Douglas Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7134890, -93.5521410

15. Laurel Hill Cemetery
Des Moines, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5914001, -93.5417023

16. Saint Mark's Episcopal Church Columbarium
Des Moines, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6241750, -93.5743290

17. Spry Cemetery
Camp Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5607986, -93.3861008

18. Warren-Powers Cemetery
Camp Township, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5447006, -93.4225006

19. Prairie Belle Cemetery
Prairie City, Jasper County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5980690, -93.3137360

20. Children of Israel Cemetery
Des Moines, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6040634, -93.5809904

21. Oralabor Cemetery
Ankeny, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7024994, -93.5919037

22. Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery
Des Moines, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.6690570, -93.6175600

23. Byers Cemetery
Elkhart, Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7872009, -93.4781036

24. Hendricks Cemetery
Polk County, USA
Coordinate: 41.5883400, -93.5954700