Abial Bush
Since our last, death has taken from us Mr. Abial Bush, a life-long resident of this place. Although not permitted to engage in the active duties of life, yet we sadly miss him. He was a kind friend and neighbor, and much esteemed and respected by all who knew him. We trust that he is safely at rest in the "home over there." [Bainbridge Republican, May 10, 1877]
Family of Homer Westfall
One of the saddest cases of sickness and destitution it has ever been our lot to record, says the Deposit Courier, has come to our knowledge the past week, and is now interesting a number of our people who are ever ready to assist the unfortunate. Last Sunday Dr. B.E. Radeker was called to attend the family of Homer Westfall, living about four miles north of this village, on the Sanford road, the locality being known as Loomis Hill. He found several children, ranging from one and a half to thirteen years old, together with the mother, all sick with that dread disease, diphtheria. They were all huddled together in a small room, without care, insufficiently clothed, and with only two beds. The poor children were lying about the room, on the beds, on chairs, and on the floor, and presented a scene of the most fearful description. The place was unwholesome in the extreme, their clothing meager, and their sufferings intense. The Doctor saw at once that nothing could be done for the sufferers until they were removed from the condition of filth in which he found them, provided with fresh clothing and proper care. He accordingly came back to the village, and after calling on a number of people for aid procured sufficient clothing to help them for the present at least. He then, with the assistance of Mr. H.T. Smith, Overseer of the Poor, went on Thursday, and with the aid of carpenters, put up a temporary house to which they could be removed. This was completed Thursday evening, but so late that the family could not be moved until the next day. Friday morning the eldest child died, and the condition of two others was considered hopeless. Mr. Westfall who up to this time had escaped the disease and had been the only one, with the exception of the doctor, to take care of the family was taken sick. It has been impossible to employ anyone to go to the place and nurse the sufferers, though diligent search had been made and abundant pay has been offered. It is impossible to imagine anything worse than this, Sickness of an entire family, with a dangerous and fearful disease--one that in its treatment requires promptness, the best of care, and the utmost cleanliness--coupled with abject poverty, uncleanness and helplessness, is one that should excite the sympathy of everyone. It is to be hoped that the measures on foot for their relief will be successful. Dr. Radeker, who is himself suffering with a severe cold, has been constant in his attention doing everything in his power almost unaided, for their relief. [Bainbridge Republican, May 10, 1877]
Lyman Foote
Waldo Teebo, returning to his home on Murphy Hill, near Cooperstown [Otsego Co., NY], one day last week after a week's absence, found the lifeless body of the hired man, Lyman Foote, aged 74, lying across the bed. The fact that the body was partly dressed led to the conclusion that the man passed away either as he was preparing to retire or arise. Dr. George Crane, of Cooperstown, coroner's physician for Dr. E.C. Granger, of Edmeston, gave a verdict of death from natural causes. He gave the opinion that death had occurred about 24 hours before the examination. The body was taken to Sharon Springs [Schoharie Co., NY] where the funeral and burial were held. Foote had been living alone in the house.--Otsego Farmer. [Bainbridge News & Republican, June 1, 1944]
Libbie D. (Fosbury) Hamilton
Mrs. Libbie D. Hamilton, youngest daughter of Franklin D. and Emma Sole Fosbury, passed away at her home in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], Saturday morning, January 14th, of pneumonia. She was born October 20, 1871 at the Fosbury homestead near West Bainbridge. On October 11, 1906 she was married to Walter Hamilton, who survives her. There also remains one sister, Mrs. Ransom Herrick, of Bainbridge, and one aunt, Mrs. Alice Pratt, of Cooperstown, and several cousins. Her death is a great shock to the family as well as to the community where she lived. Always cheerful and ready to lend a helping hand in time of trouble, she will be greatly missed by all who knew her. At the age of fourteen she united with the Union Valley Methodist church of which she always remained a faithful member. For some time she played the organ and assisted in many other ways. The funeral was held at Colwell Brother's undertaking parlors in Bainbridge on January 17th, conducted by her pastor, Rev. William Bartz. The beautiful floral tributes and large attendance at the funeral showed the high esteem with which Mrs. Hamilton was held. She is gone but not forgotten; we shall met beyond the river. [1933]
Nettie M. (Woodmansee) Avery
Mrs. Nellie M. Avery, widow of the late George E. Avery, died at the W.R.C. Home Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 9. Mrs. Avery suffered a shock the early part of April from which she never fully recovered. Since the death of her husband in May 1922 she had made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Donald Moore. About three weeks ago she was taken to the W.R.C. Home and another shock resulted in her death. Mrs. Avery was born in Masonville [Delaware Co., NY], Oct. 21, 1860, and was the daughter of William R. and Sarah Whitman Woodmansee. After her marriage to Mr Avery October 31, 1888, they lived in Bennettsville and Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]. About 18 years ago they moved to Oxford where she has since resided most of the time. She was a member of the M.E. Church of this village and Lafayette Chapter O.E.S. The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the W.R.C. Home with Rev. H.E. Weavers officiating. Burial will be made at Sidney Center. She is survived by a sister, Mrs. A.B. Case, and a nephew, C. Reginald Case, of Mexico City Mexico. [1928]
Fred Douglass
The passing of Fred Douglass is a great loss to our community. As a former school fellow and as a neighbor in my boyhood and youth. I know he made a deep impression upon his associates. His keen and sure sense of obligation which he always put before his own rights, his unselfishness, his attitude toward the unwritten and unenforceable covenants of life, his respect for the "ancient landmarks" of his neighbors, all stamped him as John Bunyan's ideal "Valiant-for-Truth," of whom Bunyan wrote, "After this it was noised abroad that Mr. Valiant-for-Truth was taken with a summons--and had this for a token that the summons was true: that his pitcher was broken at the fountain. When he understood it, he called for his friends and told them of it. Then said he, 'I am going to my fathers, and though with great difficulty, am I got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword, I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and my scars I carry with me to be a witness for me that I have fought his battles, who will now be my rewarder.' When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the river-side, into which as he went he said, 'Death, where is thy sting?' and as he went deeper, he said, 'Grave, where is thy victory?' So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side."--William S. Myers [1931]
No comments:
Post a Comment