Miscellaneous Items - 1943

Historic Afton Inn Destroyed by Fire

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 3, 1943

The Afton Inn, a landmark in the Village of Afton [Chenango Co., NY] for the past 125 years, was destroyed by fire early Monday morning.  The blaze is believed to have started from a cigarette in the lobby on the first floor.  David Daley, proprietor, stated that the possibility of remodeling the building at the present tiem is very doubtful.  Present plans indicate that what remains of the building will be razed.

An alarm was turned in about 5:10 A.M., to which both Afton and Bainbridge fire departments responded, but the large three-story frame structure was virtually a total loss by the time the flames were under control.  Damages were estimated at about $25,000 by the proprietor of the Inn.  Guests staying at the Inn were aroused by the fire and forced to jump from second and third story windows.  Several tied bedspreads and sheets together, forming a rope upon which they slid to safety.

 

"It was the sort of thing you see in the movies, but never expect to happen to you," said Mrs. Lucy Dickinson, a guest at the inn who escaped by jumping from her second story window.  She wasn't sure whether the fates were working for or against her--two days ago she moved form the third floor down to the second, which undoubtedly saved her from even more severe injuries, but on the other hand, only for a late delivery from the dry cleaner's, she would have been started on her vacation before the fire occurred.

 

At City Hospital Mrs. Dickinson gave a vivid account of her experience.  She was awakened she said, by a crackling noise and the smell of smoke, and upon opening her door, discovered that the hall was all aflame, cutting off any escape except through the window,  "I was never so scared in my life," she said.  "I looked out the window and some people standing below shouted for me to jump, saying they would catch me.  So I jumped, but they did not catch me which is why I am here in the hospital."  Mrs. Dickinson was the most seriously injured of those jumping, suffering a broken right knee, broken heel and left ankle. Following first aid treatment at the Afton Hospital, she was removed to the Binghamton City Hospital, where her condition is regarded as fair.

 

Also injured was Mrs. Jessie Pierce, cook at the inn, who suffered a broken right arm while sliding to safety. She was also treated at the Afton Hospital by Dr. William H. Crull.

 

Others hurt included three firemen:  Norman Briggs, of Afton; who had a deep laceration of the arm, requiring stitches; Fred Kane, also of Afton, who received a severe laceration of the foot, and Albert Kirkland, of Bainbridge, whose left hand was lacerated.

 

Guilford High School Class of 1943

Bainbridge News & Republican, June 3, 1943

 

Once again, as tradition holds, the Senior Class of Guilford Central School [Chenango Co., NY] will receive their honors and go forth into the world.

 

This year's seniors are:

Ruth Sylstra

Florence Presson

Nancy Lombardi

Paul Blincoe

Paul Dempsey

Edwi Wade

Roger Deming.

 

Class honors of 1943 were given to the following:

Ruth Sylstra, valedictorian

Florence Presson, salutatorian

Nancy Lombardi, advice to Juniors and presentation of gifts

 

The Rev. Cecil Plumb, former pastor of the Guilford Center Church, has been invited to speak at the commencement exercises.  Musical numbers will be rendered by the high school band and chorus under the direction of Miss Dorothy Booth.  Dr. A.H. Evans will present the diplomas.

 

The program is scheduled to begin promptly at 8 o'clock on Monday evening, June 21, in the Central School auditorium.