Miscellaneous, Happenings from 1920

Miraculous Escape at Coventry

Bainbridge Republican, July 1, 1920

 

Mrs. Edward Barber of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] had a miraculous escape on Thursday afternoon the 24th when the south bound passenger train on the Lackawanna struck her automobile at the first crossing south of Coventry station.  The highway crosses the railroad track at a sharp angle.  The curtains were drawn upon the automobile which Mrs. Barber was driving in the same direction as the train, which she did not see, and ran upon the crossing directly in front of it.  There was no time for the engineer to stop the train and it crashed into the auto which was badly damaged, though the motor continued running after the collision.  Mrs. Barber, who is 65 years of age, escaped without a scratch.  She coolly walked around to the other side of the wrecked auto and shut off the motor.  The train was stopped as soon as possible and the trainmen were astonished to find no harm had come to the occupant of the car.  Mrs. Barber suffered considerable from the shock but her friends are congratulating her on her fortunate escape.

 

Praise for Bainbridge Citizen

Bainbridge Republican, Aug. 5, 1920

 

George I. Skinner former Superintendent of Banks has just received a handsomely bound and engrossed copy of the resolution recently adopted at the Annual Convention of the Savings Bank Association of the State of New York. The resolution reads as follows:

 

"Resolved that the Savings Banks Association of the State of New York, cannot permit the Honorable George I. Skinner to go out of office, as Superintendent of Banks, without placing on record some expression, no matter how inadequate, of the high estimate which it entertains of the value of his public services.

 

"As deputy superintendent of banks for many years he learned to understand saving banks and their purposes and the savings bankers of the state then learned to trust his judgment and to rely upon his kindly assistance.  His services, during the panic of 1907 and as one of the counsel to the Van Tuyl Commission are still remembered with gratitude, but the really great things which he has done for the banks of this state were done while he was at the head of the department, where he had served so long during the War and in the trying days which followed.

 

"A man of narrow and technical mind fearful of consequences to himself, if such had occupied this important office during this period of storm and stress would have done incalculable damage, not only to our banking institutions but to our country itself.  But Mr. Skinner careless of personal consequences, freed himself from the trammels of technicality and bravery carried the financial system of our state on his broad shoulders, until the danger lessened and safety seemed in sight.

 

"Mr. Skinner will take with him to private life not only the well deserved gratitude of the banking institutions of the state and nation, but also the personal and affectionate regard of the individual savings bankers with whom he has been cooperating for so many years."

 

John J. Pulleyn, President

H.H. Wheaton, Executive Manager

 

Lived On Berries

Man Wandering in Woods Suffering From Lapse of Memory

Bainbridge Republican, Sept. 2, 1920

 

During the latter part of last week the residents of the town living near the Basswood Meeting House saw at intervals, a strange man wandering about the woods and fields and becoming alarmed brought the matter to the attention of Justice Gibbon on Friday who deputized Samuel Wylie to investigate the man's case.  Mr. Wylie had no difficulty in locating the stranger and at once recognized the stranger and at once recognized him as Joseph Phelps formerly of Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], and recently of Colesville [Broome Co., NY].  Mr. Phelps did not recognize Mr. Wylie nor could he give a lucid account of his presence in this vicinity.  When found he had his hat full of berries, and said that he had lived on them for some time.  Mr. Wylie brought Mr. Phelps before justice Gibbon who referred the matter to County Judge Hill who appointed Drs. Hall and Morse a commission to inquire into Phelps' sanity.  After making an examination the doctors declared that Phelps was not in his right mind, and should be cared for in a state institution.  Arrangements were made with the State Hospital at Binghamton and on Tuesday he was taken there by attendants of the institution.  Mr. Phelps at one time kept a hotel in Coventry, and later moved to Colesville where he conducted a farm.  He was a hard working man, and acquired considerable property which he finally lost.  He seems to be suffering from lapse of memory.  It is understood that he has a wife and son living at Chenango Bridge.