Branson "Jerry" Jeremiah Dull

Heart Attack Claims Jerry Dull at Wheel of Car Saturday Night; Last Services, Burial Conducted Tuesday

Suddenly and without any warning, death struck at Branson Jeremiah (Jerry) Dull, prominent and long-time businessman and resident of this city, and claimed his life as he drove his car into the intersection at Third and Main streets last Saturday evening at 8:30 o'clock. He was the victim of a heart attack and was pronounced dead upon the arrival of a physician who was called immediately.

The seizure gripped Dull as he started to turn eastward at the intersection after approaching from the south, and he collapsed before he could complete the turn. His car veered across the street and struck the automobile belonging to Alan Clark, parked on the south side of Pop's Diner, and before the engine killed out, it had pushed the Clark machine into another parked auto owned by Walter Schnorenberg. Both of the parked vehicles were somewhat damaged, although that being driven by Dull, sustained lesser damage.

State Highway Patrol Cpl. M.S. Jordan, who was parked in his customary place in front of the Lusk Service station, saw Dull collapse and rushed to the victim's car, but was unable to avert the collision. Seeing Night Officer Howard Eikenberry across the street, he shouted for him to get a doctor. Eikenberry made the call from a nearby telephone booth, and his call for a physician was answered within a couple of minutes, but Dull was beyond aid.

Because he had apparently been in good health, his death came as a shock to his many friends who were soon to hear the news of his passing. His remains were placed in charge of the Peet mortuary.

Concluding rites were held Tuesday afternoon in the chapel of the Peet Funeral Home, where many of his friends had gathered to pay final respects to one they had long known and for whom all held in highest regard. Rev. Jacob Nein, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Lusk, officiated. Enriching the services was the singing of "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "The Old Rugged Cross," by a quartet composed of Mrs. Emerson Bonner, Miss Phyllis Johns, Al Davenport and Dave Wood, with Mrs. Judson P. Watson presiding at the chapel organ.

Burial was made in the family plot in the Lusk cemetery with the remains borne to their final resting place by Alan Clark, Andrew Christian, A.B. DeCastro, James Hoblit, John Sturman and Allen Sheridan. During the graveside rites Warren Schroefel, commander of Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4, American Legion, and Raleigh Gagstetter folded the American flag that had draped the casket and presented it to Mrs. Foster Jackson, sister and only immediate survivor of the deceased.

Members of the Lusk Lodge No. 1797, B.P.O. Elks attended the services in a group and served as honorary pallbearers.

Branson Jeremiah (Jerry) Dull was born May 3, 1890 at Rockford, Ohio, a son of Delbert and Melissa Dull. The father died in 1898, when Jerry was a small boy. The family continued to live in Ohio for several years until they moved to Idaho and made their home for a short time. In 1904, the family moved to Broken Bow, Nebr., and it was from there that "Jerry" enlisted in the U.S. Army for service in World War I. He served a short period without going overseas.

Upon his discharge from service, he with a brother-in-law, Clifford Rogers and two friends, Joe Cannon and Jim Herbert, came to Wyoming and homesteaded in the Hat Creek vicinity. He became a charter member of Wieten-Dupes Post No. 4, of the American Legion of Lusk.

In 1927, Mr. Dull and Duff Hollon formed the Hollon and Dull Transportation Co., which did heavy hauling of oil field equipment between Lusk and Lance Creek. This business continued for about three years. For two seasons, the two men had a flax raising project on Mr. Dull's homestead and the homestead of Mr. Hollon's father, the late J.E. Hollon in the Hat Creek area.

Mr. Dull continued trucking work between Casper and Salt Creek. It was at Casper about 1930 that a heavy boiler rolled from a truck, crushing his right leg so severely that amputation was necessary.

In 1935, he and Maynard Bishop formed a partnership to operate the Oasis Bar and Club Billiard Parlor and these businesses have continued to this day. Mr. Bishop, however, met instant death in an auto accident January 30, 1941, with his widow, Mrs. Bessie Bishop, retaining the partnership interests.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his father in 1898, his mother on Nov. 27, 1952; a brother, Floyd Dull in 1940, two sisters, Mrs. C. N. Rogers in 1948 and Mrs. Harry McCluskey in 1951. Of his immediate family, only a sister, Mrs. Foster Jackson of San Diego, California survives.

Mrs. Jackson and son, Vaughn Jackson flew to Cheyenne Sunday evening and were met there by Percy Beagle, Glenn "Moon" Erlewine and Mrs. Wesley Wolfe who brought them to Lusk.

Out of Jerry Dull's colorful life came many stories of his generosity, both to individuals in many walks of life, and to needy children, as well as quiet contributions to many programs of benefit to the community.

Thon book No. 7
Jerry Dull Dies of Heart Attack While Driving Sat.

Branson "Jerry" Dull, 65, died of a heart attack at the wheel of his automobile on downtown Main Street Saturday evening at 8:20. His auto crashed into two unoccupied other cars and barely missed a pickup truck driving toward him, but no one was injured.

The entire incident was witnessed by Highway Patrol Cpl. M. S. Jordan who was sitting in his patrol car in its customary station opposite the Ranger Hotel. Mr. Dull was driving north on Main and started to turn east on Third street when the attack came. Patrolman Jordan said his head fell backward and the car, failing to make the complete turn, angled across to the north side of the street. It first struck the car of Allen Clark and drove that car into the car of Walter Schnorenberg. The unidentified pickup truck was near those two cars traveling west.

Patrolman Jordan ran across the street. Night Policeman Howard Eikenberry was also nearby and ran to the scene and then to the telephone booth to call a doctor. However, Mr. Dull was pronounced dead when the doctor arrived.

Patrolman Jordan learned that about 6:30, Mr. Dull had mentioned to a friend that he was not feeling well. Damage to the two cars was estimated at $250. Mr. Dull's car was not badly damaged.

Services Held Tuesday
Funeral services were held from the Peet Mortuary Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock with the Rev. Jacob Nein, Congregational pastor, in charge. Burial was in the Lusk Cemetery. Pallbearers were Allen Sheridan, Allen Clark, Andrew Christian, John Sturman, A. F. DeCastro and James Hoblit.

Members of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge, of which Mr. Dull was a member, attended the services in a body, and representatives of the American Legion folded the American Flag draped over the casket and presented it to the family.

Music was provided by a quartet composed of Miss Phyllis Johns, Mrs. Emerson Bonner, Al Davenport, and Dave Wood, with Mrs. J. P. Watson, organist. Songs sung were "Beautiful Isle," and "The Old Rugged Cross."

Born in Ohio
Branson Jeremiah Dull was born May 3, 1890 at Rockford, Ohio the son of Delbert and Melissa Dull. The father died when he was a small boy and shortly the family moved to Idaho for a short time. In 1904 the family moved to Broken Bow, Neb. and it was from there that Mr. Dull enlisted in the U.S. Army for service in World War I. He served a short period without going overseas.

Once out of the service he, with a brother-in-law, Clifford Rogers, and Joe Cannon and Jim Herbert, came to Wyoming and he homesteaded in the Hat Creek vicinity. He became a charter member of Weiten-Dupes Post of the American Legion of Lusk.

In 1927 Mr. Dull and Duff Hollon formed the Hollon and Dull Transportation Co., which did heavy hauling of oil field equipment between Lusk and Lance Creek. This business continued for about three years. For two seasons the two men had a flax raising project on Mr. Dull's homestead and the homestead of Mr. Hollon's father, J. E. Hollon in the Hat Creek area.

Later Mr. Dull continued trucking work between Casper and Salt Creek. It was at Casper in 1929 that a heavy bailer rolled from a truck crushing Mr. Dull's right leg to the extent that amputation was necessary.

In 1935 he and Maynard Bishop formed a partnership to operate the Oasis Bar and the Club Billiards and these businesses have continued to this day. Mr. Bishop, however, was killed in an auto accident January 30, 1941, with his widow retaining the partnership interests.

Of his immediate family only a sister, Mrs. Foster Jackson of San Diego, Calif. survives. She and her son, Vaughan Jackson, flew to Cheyenne Sunday evening where they were met by Percy Beagle, "Moon" Erlewine, and Mrs. Wesley Wolfe.

Mr. Dulls mother, Melissa Dull, died Nov. 27, 1952, and another brother and two sisters, Floyd Dull, Mrs. Harry McCluskey and Mrs. C. N. Rogers, had previously died.

Out of Jerry Dull's colorful life come many stories of his generosity, both to individuals in many walks of life and to needy children as well as quiet contributions to many programs of benefit to the community.

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