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William Franklin “Will” Zumwalt

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Birth	:	5 Mar 1880 Winnebago City Township, Faribault County, Minnesota, USA
Death	:	13 Jan 1911 Bonner County, Idaho, USA
Burial	:	Fairmont Cemetery, Fairmont, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.6267014, -97.5674973
Plot	:	Blk 31 Lot 7 Space 12
Description	:	William Franklin Zumwalt was born near Winnebago City, Minnesota, March 5, 1880. He moved with his parents to Iowa, thence to Kenesaw, Nebraska, and from there to Fairmont, Nebraska. He attended high school here and later was for some time in the employ of the Burlington. He was married in 1899 to Miss Charlene Palmer of this city. He was a member of the Congregational church here until he moved to Alma, Nebraska, where he afterward joined the Congregational church of that city by letter. For several years past, he was in the engine service... Read More	William Franklin Zumwalt was born near Winnebago City, Minnesota, March 5, 1880. He moved with his parents to Iowa, thence to Kenesaw, Nebraska, and from there to Fairmont, Nebraska. He attended high school here and later was for some time in the employ of the Burlington. He was married in 1899 to Miss Charlene Palmer of this city. He was a member of the Congregational church here until he moved to Alma, Nebraska, where he afterward joined the Congregational church of that city by letter. For several years past, he was in the engine service of the Burlington, with headquarters at Lincoln, but at the time of his death, was employed as engineer for the Great Northern Railway at Spokane, Washington. While at work, he was faithful and trusty and at home, was a devoted husband and father. He leaves a sorrowing wife and four children; one little daughter having preceded the parent, also a father, mother , sister and two brothers to mourn his loss. A brother is buried at Kenesaw. While going to relieve snow-bound trains in the Rockies, January 13, 1911, his engine jumped the track near Priest River, Idaho, and plunged into the Pend Orielle River, taking both he and his fireman with it. After a period of sixty-six days, a diver from Tacoma, Washington, found and recovered his body, which arrived here Friday night. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at three o'clock from the Congregational church , under the auspices of the A.O.U.W., Rev. Ellwood officiating, and interment was made in the Fairmont cemetery. Appropriate music was rendered and the floral tributes were many and beautiful. Three B. of L.E. members and three A.O.U.W. members acted as pallbearers. Owing to the storm, many were prevented from being at the services, nevertheless, the large attendance showed the esteem in which the deceased was held. Those from out of town who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Zumwalt and family, parents of the deceased from Clay Center; Mr. and Mrs. William Roeder and two children, Mrs. E.W. Shuler, Miss Mae Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. L.W. Dumond, C.I. DeVore and MR. Lee of Lincoln; Ed Snyder of Omaha and C.C. Foster and wife of Exeter. Fillmore Chronicle (Fairmont) March 31st, 1911 page 8. ALSO: Under date of January 13, the press dispatches contained the following item: "Running 'light' at high speed Treat Northern engine No. 1012, bound east from Spokane to the relief of trains snowbound in the Rockies, left track four miles east of Priest River, Idaho, today and plunged down a twenty-five foot embankment, crashed through the ice into the Pond Orielle River. Engineer W.F. Zumwalt and Fireman Don J. Kiesler both met death." Will Zumwalt was married to Miss Charlene Palmer of this city several years ago, and leaves his wife and four children, who are here at present with Mrs. Zumwalt's mother, Mrs. A.A. Palmer. The youngest child is only eight months old. Earl Palmer, brother of Mrs. Zumwalt, left Saturday evening for Spokane, and a wire of his arrival Tuesday night, stated that the bodies had not yet been found as they were under ice in about fifty feet of water. The widow and children have the sincere sympathy of the entire community in their sudden bereavement. It is the intention to have Mr. Zumwalt's body brought here for interment, if recovered. He was about thirty years of age, had lived in Fairmont several years previous to his marriage, and was a member of the A.O.U.W. Fillmore Chronicle (Fairmont) January 20th, 1911 page 8. ALSO: Earle Palmer, who went to Spokane, Wash., to investigate the death of his brother-in-law, William Zumwalt, returned home Monday and reports that the engine and bodies of the engineer and fireman were located in 185 feet of water, and could not be reached by divers. The Inland Herald, published at Spokane, under date of January 14, contains the following: "Every official of the Spokane division of the Great Northern has about given up hope of ever recovering engine 1312, which lies at the bottom of the Pend Oreille River, as the water is too deep. It is a matter of record that when the government engineers took soundings at the point where the engine left the track, they found that the water was 185 feet deep. A diver left Spokane Friday evening with a view of recovering the bodies of engineer Zumwalt and Fireman Keisler, which were carried down with the engine, but up to noon Saturday found that with his appliances he could not get down. Assistant Claim Agent, C.A. Ness returned Saturday morning from the scene of the accident and says that aside from a few slight marks on the ends of several ties, there is nothing to show that an engine, weighing many tons left the track and hurled into the river." Nebraska Signal February 3rd, 1911 page 11. ALSO: ENGINEER FIREMAN KILLED Light Engine Jumps Track Near Priest River. Grew and Engine in Deep Water. Engineer W. F. Zumwalt, of Spokane, and Fireman John J, Keisler, of Hillyard, met their death early Friday morning, when No. 1012 of the Great Northern jumped the track at a point four miles east of Priest River, plunging into the Pend Oreille River over an embankment of 25 feet. The engine which met disaster was one of two bound east from Spokane to the relief of trains snowbound at the summit of the Rockies. The two engines, Nos. 1012 and 1447, were coupled together and were in charge of Conductor Eberhart and Engineers Zumwalt and J. G. Wyatt. According to reports engine 1447, which was in the lead, did not leave the rails, which were reported to be undisturbed. The second engine suddenly lurched and breaking its coupling reeled across the embankment, which is 18 feet wide at this point, and before the other engine had been brought to a stop disappeared from sight beneath the swift waters of the Pend Oreille. The accident was reported to Spokane and the wrecker hurried to the scene of disaster. Nothing could be accomplished, as engine 1012 had plunged into deep water, the river at this point being about 150 feet deep. Expert divers were secured from Seattle and for four days have been endeavoring to locate the bodies of the dead engineer and fireman and the engine. They located the coal tender in about 50 feet of water. The engine was located Wednesday in about 100 feet of water, but no trace of the bodies was found. They are either pinned under the wreckage or have been washed down river by the swift current and there is little hope of finding them. The track was in good shape where the engine left the rails, and the cause of the accident may have been due to maintaining too great a speed. Newport Miner Jan 19 1911 ------------------------------ Son of Joseph Zumwalt. Cause of death: Train Accident, Drowned. Lot owner: Charlene Zumwalt.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Franklin “Will” Zumwalt's memorial?
William Franklin “Will” Zumwalt's memorial is located at: Fairmont Cemetery, Fairmont, Fillmore County, USA.
When did William Franklin “Will” Zumwalt death?
William Franklin “Will” Zumwalt death on 13 Jan 1911 in Bonner County, Idaho, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Franklin “Will” Zumwalt's memorial?
Latitude: 40.6267014
Longitude: -97.5674973

Family Members:

Spouse

Charlene E. Palmer Zumwalt

(1877 - 1958)

Children

Vivian Alma Zumwalt

(1902 - 1903)

Esther Wilda Zumwalt McCurdy

(1907 - 1997)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Fairmont Cemetery
Fairmont, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6267014, -97.5674973

2. Fairmont Catholic Cemetery
Fairmont, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6394005, -97.5689011

3. Roe Cemetery
Fairmont, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6912000, -97.5955000

4. Horton Cemetery
Exeter, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6911011, -97.5025024

5. Geneva Cemetery
Geneva, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5359900, -97.6064900

6. Pleasant Ridge Cemetery
McCool Junction, York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7271996, -97.5511017

7. Exeter Cemetery
Exeter, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6521988, -97.4364014

8. Grafton Cemetery
Grafton, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6157990, -97.7106018

9. Holy Cross Cemetery
Grafton, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6150017, -97.7108002

10. Saint Josephs Cemetery
Geneva, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5184200, -97.6145000

11. Greenwood Cemetery
McCool Junction, York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7282982, -97.6444016

12. McCool Junction Cemetery
McCool Junction, York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7557983, -97.6063995

13. Holoch Cemetery
York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7630997, -97.5207977

14. Lushton Cemetery
Lushton, York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7125100, -97.7317100

15. Blue Valley Cemetery
York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7571983, -97.4535980

16. Gilmore Cemetery
York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7705994, -97.4847031

17. Chelsea Cemetery
Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4808006, -97.4882965

18. Turkey Creek Cemetery
Friend, Saline County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6042700, -97.3502200

19. Tvrz Cemetery
Friend, Saline County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5679700, -97.3618700

20. Bohemian Brethren Cemetery
Milligan, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5098300, -97.4058300

21. Kasak Cemetery
Friend, Saline County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5393000, -97.3683000

22. Mennonite Cemetery
Lushton, York County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7560997, -97.7391968

23. Saint Marys Cemetery
Shickley, Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4816700, -97.7295400

24. Zion Lutheran Cemetery
Fillmore County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4668999, -97.7097015