Hit By Auto; Death Results

Lawrence M. Furlong Victim of Machine on Turnpike Road in Vinegar Hill

Car From Cuba City, Wis.

Happens at 4:10 in Afternoon and Death Comes at 7 O'Clock

Happens at 4:10 in Afternoon and Death Comes at 7 O'Clock

Lawrence M. Furlong died at his home in Vinegar hill township Monday evening, June 19, at seven o'clock from injuries received by being struck by an automobile at 4:10 the same afternoon.

According to members of the family, Mr. Furlong had been standing on the Turnpike road near his farm in Vinegar Hill, talking with Mr. Manley, who was unloading tailings from a dump truck.

After they had finished talking, Mr. Manley got on his wagon and was about to start north. Mr. Furlong walked back of the wagon and west toward his home. He had just reached the center of the road when he was struck by a Ford touring car, driven by a party from Cuba City. The victim of the accident was evidently knocked down and his head run over with the wheel or wheels of the car.

From reports, Mr. Manley did not know of the accident until he turned around after hearing the crash and the screams.

The driver of the car stopped and said it was an accident, etc., and something about having a sick wife with him, then drove on. As far as could be ascertained this morning, the man's name was Jones. The license number of the car was secured, and this morning officials were looking for the man in Cuba City to have him testify at the inquest which was to be held at the Furlong home in Vinegar Hill at two o'clock.

Mrs. Furlong was in the yard of her home when the accident occurred, and seeing something unusual in the road, came over to see what the trouble was. It certainly was some shock to find her husband unconscious and his head badly cut and bruised. The injured man was removed to his home where several physicians did all in their power to save his life, but death from cerebral hemorrhage ceased his sufferings in three hours. Mr. Furlong was not conscious from the time he was struck until he breathed his last.

Being born in Vinegar Hill township and residing in this locality all of his life, Mr. Furlong has an unusually large circle of friends. He was a man of excellent character, a loving husband and father, a good friend, and an industrious farmer. His public interests were many, and he willingly gave of his time and funds for every good cause.

Besides his wife, who was formerly Miss Annie Pierce of Apple River, Mr. Furlong is survived by six children, namely, Ione, John, Viman, Earl, Faber and Claer (sic), also two sisters, the Misses Anna and Mary in Vinegar Hill, and two brothers, William Furlong, Chicago and James E. Furlong of Galena.

The funeral will probably be held Thursday morning though the exact date and hour will be published tomorrow evening in the Gazette.

Galena Daily Gazette
22 June 1922

Funeral Held To-Day

Services to Memory of Lawrence M. Furlong at St. Michael's Church Largely Attended

One of the largest attended funerals in this locality for some time was the service to the memory of Lawrence M. Furlong which was held Thursday morning. The cortege that left the Furlong residence in Vinegar Hill for St. Michael's church in Galena comprised over one mile of automobiles driven closely together.

At St. Michael's the attendance was so large as to fill this spacious edifice. Commencing at nine o'clock Requiem High Mass was said by Rev. Father J. E. Shannahan, with the assistance of a choir and several soloists. Thomas Berry sang in a rich, full voice, an Ave Maria, then at the close of the service Mrs. Ray V. Koempel sang with her usual sweet, clear voice "Some Sweet Day."

Rev. Fr. Shannahan's discourse at the close of the Mass was not lengthy, but it was consoling to the sorrowing relatives and a thoughtful lesson for all. In part Rev. Fr. Shannahan treated upon the fact that death comes as a thief in the night. One knows not the day or the hour. The veteran priest then admonished his congregation to be ready to answer the summons. The sudden death of the deceased is a lesson we all should take to heart. It is hard to be taken out of this world without a moment's warning, but we know not God's way. God does for the best though we may not be able to see it. It was the will of God that man be taken. After all, my dear friends, what difference does it make when we die or where we die? We may be spared to old age, but die we must. Every step is a step towards the grave. We may die amidst loved ones and friends or we may die on a lonesome barren battlefield as many have died. The real question is, 'How we die?' Do we die friends or enemies with the Almighty? What good have we done in this world for ourselves and our Maker? It is all realized at death, how we die and how we have lived. It matters not how much stock we own or how many broad acres we possess if life has not been well lived. We may have neglected to acquire wealth, yet if we have succeeded in saving our soul, life had been successful before God.

If a man turns the free will God gave us to destruction it is his fault. There is one object only, to save our souls. Life is short, eternity never fails. After the last breath the real life begins. We are here only on probation. The soul will live forever."

At this point Rev. Fr. Shannahan mentioned that the deceased had lived an upright, honest Christian life. The human faults we all have God will be merciful and wipe them all out. Though his death was sudden, death had been provided for as the deceased had lived a clean life. Flowers and emblems of no use now. The only thing now is pray for his soul. Pray so God can hear and answer your prayers. The body was laid to final rest in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, the following neighbors and friends acting as the bearers:

Antone Berning, John Manley, Roscoe Doyle, P. Walsh, Daniel Duggan and Michael Barry.

Among the scores of relatives and friends attending the funeral were Mrs. P. A. Page, and Miss Areling Pierce, Rockford; William Pierce, Apple River; Mrs. Joseph Larkin, Mrs. Richard White and Mrs. William Powers, East Dubuque and P. Walsh, an old school mate, chum and life long friend of the deceased.

Note: There were no beginning quotation marks for the sermon in the article.