List of Those Killed from Minooka at Mud Run Disaster on October 10, 1888

Here is a list of the eight people killed at Mud Run on October 10, 1888. I have included as much information on each as possible.

James Conaboy, 18 (b. 1871 in PA) 17 (CTAU). Parents: John (b. abt. 1834 in Ireland) and Ann (b. abt. 1840 in Ireland). Father a coal miner. Siblings: Patrick (1861), Martin (1864), Bridgit (1866), John (1869), Alice (1879).

Willie Cusick, 21 (b. 1867 in PA), son of Anthony Cusick and stepson of Bridgit Flaherty Mulkerin Cusick. Lived at 2801 Cedar Avenue, step-brother of Festus Mulkerin. Slate picker in 1880 census. Anthony was born in Cappaduff, County Mayo in 1830. Emigrated around 1860. Bridgit was born on Omey Island around 1841. Emigrated around 1860.

Festus Mulkerin (b. 1862 in Ireland) 26 (CTAU). Laborer in 1880 Census. Married Maria Judge, daughter of Michael Judge and Bridgit Marley, in 1885. Festus’s daughter Bridgit was born on November 8, 1888, a month after her father’s death; died very young. After Maria’s death in 1896, Michael lived with Anthony and Bridgit Cusick.

James Mullen (b. 1870), 18. Slate picker in 1880 census. Parents: Peter and Bridgit Powell Mullen, both born in Ireland; both literate. Peter emigrated about 1864. Lived in Coary Hollow, just south of Davis Street. Nephew of Richard Powell. Peter was a prominent contractor who built a number of water and power plants (d. 1917).

Patrick Powell – On some lists, he is shown as Patrick Powell, Jr. It is not known how he is related to the Richard Powells. Best guess for his age is about 22. According to a Powell descendant, another Powell was on the train and was thrown through a window. He returned to Ireland where he raised a large family. Patrick may be related to that Powell branch.

Richard Powell (b. 1839 in Ireland, Omey Island) (CTAU) In 1870 census he is a laborer; in 1880 census he is a coal miner. Emigrated about 1865. Lived next door to Mike and Ellen Flynn Powell, Rose Powell’s sister. Next to them was Ed Powell, Richard’s brother. Richard is the father of lawyer James Powell.

Rose Flynn Powell (b. abt. 1840 in Claddaghduff, Ireland) Married Richard Powell I. Together they had Mary and Annie. After Richard’s death, she married his first cousin, Richard Powell II, and they had five children together: James, Patrick, Rose, Joan, and Jack.

Thomas Toole 18 (b. 1870) Parents: Michael and Ellen Flynn Toole. Nephew of Rose Powell, both born in Ireland. Lived next door to Powells. Thomas had a twin, William. Both were slate pickers in 1880. Father is a miner in 1880 census. Brother William was injured in 1884, fan-turner, Greenwood mines. In 1917, William was charged with the murder of Paul Kitlas in Greenwood and became a fugitive.

Injured:

Michael Walsh, who was badly scalded, brought suit against the Lehigh Valley Railroad in April 1892. He lived near M. F. Judge. James Jennings, John Connolly, and Michael Kane

Others who went on excursion from Minooka or with ties to Minooka: C. G. Boland, John T. Brown (future Phila. newspaperman), Patrick Coyne (Old Forge - married Mary Cusick), Peter Higgins, Anthony Lydon, Sr. and Anthony Lydon, Jr. (Taylor)