DEATH OF OLDEST SETTLER RECALLS TWO RIVERS TRAGEDY
MOSES BUNKER, SAID TO HAVE BEEN RESIDENT AT TWO RIVERS LONGER THAN ANY
OTHER MAN LIVING THERE
Moses Bunker, said to be the oldest living settler of Two Rivers, having
come there in 1842 when he was a babe of five months, died at his home
in that city this week, aged 72, and was buried today. Bunker's parents
came to Two Rivers as Father Marquette and many other pioneers traveling,
in a birch canoe paddled by Indians. He was born at Green aBy.(sic)
Mr. Bunker was a beloved character here. He was one of the last survivors
of the great catastrophe which occurred at the Fourth of July celebration
in 1852. In that celebration the carelessness of a man firing the city
cannon caused a powder explosion in which four were killed and 32(?)
badly burned. Mr. Bunker was among the latter and carried severe scars of
the burns through life.
Mr. Bunker was a member of the volunteer life saving crew many years ago
under Captain Scove and later Captain Pilon. He also served many years in
the regular crew after the life saving station was established.
Manitowoc Daily Herald, Saturday, October 31, 1914 p.1.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MOSES BUNKER article

The Old Timers column will be continued as long as we find the persons who have
a vivid recollection of the early days and who are entitled to recognition as
Old Timers by having lived in this vicinity previous to 1856.

There is no one living here today who came to Two Rivers earlier than did Mr. Moses Bunker. He was but a tiny babe, 5 months old, when his parents came to the settlement. They came as Father Marquette and many other pioneers traveled in a birch bark canoe paddled by an Indian.
The Bunkers had decided to leave Green Bay where Moses was born to improve their circumstances. They stopped at Manitowoc Rapids but as Mr. Bunker's father could find no employment he took the trail for the beach which he followed to Two Rivers. Here he immediately obtained employment with Smith and Hibbard lumber manufacturers and Deacon Smith engaged an Indian to paddle to Manitowoc, accompanied by Mr. Bunker and bring in the mother and little Moses. It was summer then and his mother who told Moses all about it later said it was calm and the trip was pleasant. The canoe was large and roomy and their belongings were carried in three trunks. This was in 1844.
The first event that stands out with indelible prominence in the memory of Moses Bunker is a great catastrophe which occurred here at the 4th of July celebration in 1852. Moses was at that time only eight years of age. Nature has given him an exceptional memory and he says the things which occurred on that terrible day are to him as of yesterday.
As related in the sketch of another old timer in these columns, very elaborate preparations were made for the celebration. The great gathering occurred in the pines where now stands Dr. Farrel's residence and St. Luke's parochial school. Among other features of this great celebration was the occasional firing of salutes from a cannon. Ed. LaPoint, a veteran of the Mexican War had charge of loading and firing. Another man was in charge of the powder. There were three and a half kegs of this standing close by. This man was somewhat under the influence of liquor and engaged in altercation with small boys who threw lighted fire crackers at him. Jos. Bisha, the cooper, was nearby and admonished him, calling his attention to the danger of the situation and warning him that a catastrophe would take place. The man scoffed at Bisha telling him that he did not know the difference between powder and sand and had better keep still. When Bisha had gone a block away, the powder suddenly became ignited and blew up, killing four and wounding 32 others. Among those wounded was Moses Bunker. He had been near with other small boys and witnessed the accident and the circumstances leading to it. The force of the explosion had blown him a short distance and he kept on going in the direction which happened to be toward home. The Bunkers live on the corner where ?? shoe store is located. Near home, two men grabbed him, tore off all his burning clothing and left him stand naked in the street. Mrs. Godfried Berger, whose sketch appeared in these columns lived near. She wrapped him in a blanket and took him to her house where Moses' father found him a short time later and carried him home. Over a dozen other wounded were already lying in the house receiving medical attention when Moses was brot(sic) home. Some of these were strangers who like many others, had come in on the excursion on the little sidewheel steamer, Planet from Milwaukee and Sheboygan.
The Planet returned to Milwaukee immediately with the wounded members of the excursion. Twenty-four hours later she was back again. She had brot sweet oil. All the sweet oil had been used up to alleviate the sufferings from burns and the new supply was anxiously awaited. Moses relates that a boy named Hank Decker was sitting on one of the powder kegs at the time of the explosion. He was blown high in the air but came down without a scratch. On coming down, Decker inquired, who was that ?? that set that off?
Ed LaPointe, the gunner, was only slightly burned. He had the cannon loaded, ready to fire. When he received a moments' warning of the explosion he slapped his hat on the prime and threw himself alongside of the barrel of the cannon using his hands to shield his face. His wrist and some of his large black beard were all that was burned. Some of those who were severely burned in the catastrophe and who are remembered by many were: Oliver Pilon, Wm Allen, Eugene Jugal and Albert Eldridge. The latter died from the effects of the accident.
A few weeks after the explosion, Moses' father sold his home to Mr. House. He received $1,400 in gold for it. Moses said it took $400 of that to pay the doctor's bill.
The French fisherman of Two Rivers were largely identified with the Life Saving Service. They were well qualified for this service being brave and hardy. Moses Bunker was engaged in fishing many years and was a member of the first life saving crew. The captain was Oliver Pilon and other members of the crew in the memory of Mr. Bunker was Cleophus Dionne, Chas. Smith and Felix Greenwood. He served several years on the Chicago Life Saving Station when Mr. Telesphore St. Peter of Two Rivers was captain. Mr. St. Peter is now captain of the station at South Manitou Island. Moses Bunker served on the volunteer crew before the regular service commenced here.
On one occasion they went out to take the crew off the schooner, Toledo; Captain Calloway, who is a brother-in-law of Mrs. August Weilep. It was somewhat stormy and quite a sea was rolling. The fishermen put out in their boat from the beach. Mr. --, a former captain of the schooner, handled the steering oar while the fishermen rowed. On going out the breakers broke over the boat and they soon had considerable water aboard. After proceeding a short way, Mr. --, at the steering oar said, "Let's go back". The fishermen answered with an oath that they were going to help the schooner. They stood bow toward the swell, baled the water out with a pail and proceeded on their way taking the crew aboard their boat and brought them safe ashore. When they reached shore, Mr. ---. Who had handled the steering oar remarked, "Those Frenchmen are regular hell drivers - they won't stop for anything."
Mr. Bunker is in good health. He is employed at the Hamilton plant. He resides with his wife and family on the Eastside.
The Reporter, Sat., Aug. 6, 1913.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MOSES BUNKER

Mr. Bunker is survived by one son, Alexander and three daughters, Mrs. Tony Hansen, Harriet and Libbie besides his wife.
The Reporter, Sat., Oct. 31, 1914
===========================