Obituaries (July 15)

Richard Croake, for years a well-known character at Unadilla [Otsego Co., NY], was found dead on his bed, at his room in the Smith hotel in that village, Thursday evening, April 27, at about 9:30 o'clock.  Friday morning Coroner VanVechten of Oneonta was summoned and after investigation, decided that an inquest was unnecessary but ordered an autopsy.  It was found that the deceased had been afflicted with a rare and peculiar disease of which the medical books record but one instance, that of a Frenchman, whose physician, named Maire, gave the disease the name of acromegly.  The disease is characterized by an enlargement of the face, hands and feet.  The symptoms were clear and well advanced and not a little interest was taken by Coroner Van Vechten and Dr. P.G. Clark, the latter being the coroner's physician.  Dr. Bloomer, a lecturer at the Albany medical college, and a pathologist and bacteriologist of note was invited and was present at the autopsy held Friday afternoon.  It was discovered that death was caused by Bright's disease.  Many interesting features of his peculiar malady previously mentioned were found.  Mr. Croake was a widower, with no children, and lived in Unadilla many years.  He has no relatives in this section but some distant ones at Northampton, Mass.., where the body was sent for interment.   [Bainbridge Express, May 5, 1899]

 

Wednesday, April 26, James H. Kales of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], died at the Kales homestead after an illness of a year, caused by diabetes.  He was not confined to his bed but a few days before his death, and the fatal termination of the disease, which was not looked for, was a sorrowful surprise to his friends.  Mr. Kales was born in Coventry forty-eight years ago.  His parents, who died late in life were prominent and highly esteemed residents of that town.  The father was a wealthy farmer and owned a handsome residence near the village.  There were three children born to the parents of whom the deceased, James H. Kales, was the second.  His two sisters, Mrs. John Mandeville of Brockton, Mass., and Mrs. Charles J. Freiot of Bainbridge, left home upon their marriage, while the son remained who succeeded to the paternal homestead and lands upon the death of the father.  Mr. Kales was married in 1890 to Miss Nettie Foote of Coventry, who survives the husband.  There were no children.  Mr. Kales was popular in his town, was generous, charitable, kind to everyone, particularly to the unfortunate.  He was never churlish in manner but listened patiently to every demand upon his purse.  He entertained lavishly and always had an open door for his friends.  He had held the office of Supervisor for several years and was interested in all measure for public improvement.  The funeral was held in the Presbyterian church of Coventry, Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.  An immense throng of people congregated, filling the church with its rows of gallery seats completely.  Rev. Mr. Williams of the church was the officiating clergyman who delivered an impressive sermon.  Mr. Kales belonged to the Eastern Light Lodge of Masons in Greene, and that organization sent a large delegation to participate in the funeral ceremonies.  The ritual of the Order was used at the interment in the Coventry cemetery.  The offerings of flowers were many and very beautiful.  Mr. Kales came to Bainbridge frequently and the announcement of his death was heard with regret in this community.  Besides Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Freiot and family, there were a number of our citizens in attendance at the funeral.  [Bainbridge Republican, May 3, 1899]

 

Maria M., wife of Charles J. Fisher, died at her home in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] Sunday evening at 8:30 o'clock, aged sixty-two years.  Mrs. Fisher had been in declining health for two years.  A year ago she went to Philadelphia for treatment but her stay was brief an physicians diagnosed her case as being beyond human skill.  She was not hopeless however, and waged a brave fight against disease, becoming convinced only a few months ago that she was gradually descending to the grave.  For the past two weeks she had been confined to the bed suffering much but the final moments were peaceful.  Mrs. Fisher was born and reared in West Bainbridge and upon the farm that had been in the possession of the Nichols family since 1786.  The history of the attainment of this farm forms an interesting tale.  The grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier who had lost a leg in the war.  His home was in Vermont.  At the close of the war a dispute arose between the states of New York and Vermont in reference to certain lands finally ceded to the latter.  Some of the inhabitants of Vermont living upon the contested territory espoused the New York cause and refused to obey the Vermont laws, where upon they were punished by the little state by the confiscation of property, imprisonment and fines, bringing absolute want upon some of the people--hence the name, "Vermont Sufferers."  The grandfather of Mrs. Fisher was one of the sufferers.  Upon an appeal made to the Legislature of New York for recompense by the "Vermont Sufferers," many claims were allowed and to some lands were assigned in the town of Bainbridge.  Among the petitioners was the grandfather of the deceased who was granted all of the region of West Bainbridge, it being then a dense forest.  The sturdy soldier came on with his little family, the father of Mrs. Fisher being than a lad of thirteen years.  The site for a home was located, a log house was put up occupying the position of the commodious house that was burnt a few years ago.  In those times of 1786 and years later, wild beasts were common in the forests and parties building were obliged to take them into consideration.  Mr. Nichols built the doorways of his log house high up so that it was reached only by a ladder, and alight the ladder was drawn in.  Industry, frugality and shrewd sales of land brought an easy competence to the colonists from Vermont and the Nichols families were counted among the wealthy farmers of West Bainbridge.  The parents of Mrs. Fisher were Thomas and Mary E. .Nichols who had five children.  The four surviving are:  Henry S. and Frederick T. Nichols of West Bainbridge, Mrs. G.B. Hickox of Afton, and Mrs. Wm. E. Rifenbark of Unadilla.  The deceased was married in 1870 to Charles J Fisher of Unadilla.  The husband and a son, Joseph C. Fisher, who is an only child, remain of her immediate family.  A sweet child, little Mary, died many years ago, which was a loss always fresh in the memory of the mother.  Mr. and Mrs. Fisher came to this village to reside in 1885, after the death of her parents in West Bainbridge.  Her love for her family and kindred, was intense, sacrificing and beautiful in its entire devotion.  She was generous and kind to her neighbors and took a deep interest in her church.  She was a member of the Episcopal church.  Her domestic virtues and her large womanly heart will long be remembered by those who knew her intimately.  The funeral was held at the house yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. A.H. Grant officiating.  The interment was in St. Peter's burying ground.... [Bainbridge Republican, May 17, 1899]

The Main street crossing of the Delaware & Hudson railroad in this village [Sidney, Delaware Co., NY], scene of many accidents going backward a number of years, claimed another victim Thursday night, 18th inst., eight minutes after the flagman had completed his tour of duty for the night.  A coupe, operated by Miss Verna Wright, 39, with Mr. Melvin Norton, 70, both of this village, approached the crossing from the south as a freight train was traveling north.  Waiting until it passed, Miss Wright drove directly in the path of another train running south it is reported.  Victim of a crushed skull, Mr. Norton was killed instantly; Miss Wright escaped with a fractured right arm, badly sprained ankle, bruises and painful back injury.  Given first aid by Dr. Elliott Danforth, acting coroner, of Sidney, Miss Wright was taken to the Delaware county hospital in Delhi where she is now a patient.  The freight, MW-4, extra 1210 southbound, in charge of conductor A. S. Hammond of Scranton, Pa., and Engineer Norman Oliver of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., carried the badly smashed coupe about 75 feet down the track.  Police investigation was conducted by Sergeant LeRoy G. Zieman of Troop "C," barracks here with Troopers R.B. Merritt, J.H. Nolan and J. J. Benanati.  Members of the train crew said that Engineer Oliver had given a warning blast on the whistle, but that the driver started on the tracks just as the caboose of the northbound went past.  The locomotive struck the coupe almost exactly in the middle on the victim's side.  Railroad authorities said that the flagman had gone off duty at 10:30.  Dr. Danforth gave permission for the removal of Mr. Norton's body to the Carr-Hare funeral chapel, Sidney.  The Carr-Hare ambulance conveyed Miss Wright to the Delaware County hospital  [LMD notation:  April 18, 1940]

Mrs. Edna Ireland, wife of Frederick Ireland, died Saturday evening at her home in West Bainbridge, of an attack of neuralgia of the heart.  Mrs. Ireland was the only child of Eldredge Davis of West Bainbridge, and her early death at twenty-three years of age is specially sad to her mourning friends.  She was a young woman of pleasing manner, bright and social, and the life of her parents' home and her husband's fireside.  The sadness of her death is all the more increased that the infant child of but a few days old is so suddenly bereft of a mother's fostering care.  The deceased was well-known in Bainbridge, having been educated at the Bainbridge academy holding a high record in her studies and maintaining a prominent position among the students.  Upon leaving school she was engaged in teaching until her marriage to Mr. Ireland, since which time she has been a most devoted wife and companion.  Mrs. Ireland was a member of the Methodist church and the graces of her Christian character were markedly felt in the circle in which she moved.  Her life was brief but she has left a sweet influence behind and a memory that will not fade.  Of her immediate household the husband and one child only remain.  Her funeral occurred Tuesday at 12 o'clock at the home and burial was at West Bainbridge.  Rev. Mr. Sackett officiated, and his fine address upon the life and untimely death of the departed one, the excellent music, the profusion of flowers woven into various devices, and the large attendance of people, among them being a delegation from Bainbridge, were so many expressions of regard for the deceased, and so many tokens of sympathy for those bereaved.  [compiler notation:  d. 1897]