Marion County Missouri, Nelson WALLER, 1920 ==================================================================== Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: © Submitted by: Bobby J. Wadsworth ==================================================================== Description: Nelson WALLER, 1920 ELECTROCUTED INSIDE BOILER NELSON WALLER OF HANNIBAL KILLED WHILE WORKING AT CENTER ICE PLANT (Courier-Post Special Service) Center, Mo., June 8 — Nelson WALLER of Hannibal was electrocuted while working on the inside of a boiler at the Center ice plant, which is owned and operated by the Ralls County Mercantile Co. The accident occurred at 11:30 o'clock this morning. An electric wire extension which was being used to light the inside of the boiler, became short-circuited, resulting in the death of Mr. WALLER. R.S. BUCHANAN and Theodore ROHN who were working with WALLER on the outside of the boiler, were both severely shocked. WALLER called for help, but before he could be removed from the inside of the boiler, he was dead. Coroner Guilford HARRIS of New London was called and an inquest will more likely be held this afternoon. Mr. WALLER came to Center yesterday afternoon to assist in making repairs on the ice plant. He has a son, William WALLER, residing at Center. Mr. WALLER is about seventy-five years old and is well known in Hannibal. For a number of years he has been engaged in the engine boiler repairing business. Elba WALLER, a son, who resides here, went to Center this afternoon and the body will be brought to O'Donnells undertaking establishment following the inquest. Source: "The Hannibal Evening Courier-Post," Hannibal, MO, Tuesday, 08 Jun 1920, page 5 NOTE: Neither Nelson WALLER's date of birth nor the names of his parents were known (or could be recalled) by his son William at the time he filled out the death certificate. The son "knew" only that both parents were born in Germany. Even that was incorrect. The evidence shows that Nelson WALLER was born circa 1841 in Macon Co., MO, to Priscilla V. GEE (b. c1820, TN) and her first husband, whose name is unknown. They were married probably about 1840 in Macon County. Nelson first married Julia (maiden name unknown), about 1867, probably in Marion County. The couple was living in Hannibal with their daughter Lizzie at the 1870 census. She died apparently in Hannibal before 1880. That year's census records Nelson with two people identified as his aunt and cousin — Eliza BASTIAN (b. c1814, KY) and James L. BASTIAN (b. c1856, MO). Their exact relationship to Nelson is not known. Nelson second married Elizabeth "Bettie" PERKINS, 18 Feb 1884 in Macon City, Macon Co., MO. They had two children: Elba J. WALLER (b. Feb 1886, MO) and William T. WALLER (b. Feb 1891, MO). Nelson was buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hannibal (per death certificate). -------------------------