Obituaries (November 29)



Mrs. A.P. Merchant

 

It is with sadness that we record the death of one of our most estimable ladies Mrs. A.P. Merchant, which occurred on the 29th ult.  Mrs. M. came among us upon her marriage with Mr. Merchant some eight or nine years ago, and since then has endeared herself through her intelligence and kindness of heart to a large circle of friends and acquaintances.  For several years she has been a patient sufferer, and not until recently has she given her earthly cares into the hands of others.  She was a sincere Christian and a devoted and affectionate wife and parent.  Thus at an early age she is called from earth, leaving a husband and one child, together with many near friends to mourn her loss.  [Chenango Union, Jan. 6, 1876]

 

Emma Merchant

 

Emma, wife of Pascal G. Merchant, died at her late residence, Monday, June 28th.  Deceased has been confined to her bed for something over a year by a dangerous and painful sickness, and for the past few weeks her life has been despaired of; but owing to a strong constitution she survived until the afternoon of Monday, when the cord was loosed and she found restful relief.  Mrs. Merchant was a lady of estimable qualities, was an extensive reader, a poet of no mean excellence, and best of all, a devoted wife, and a large hearted, charitable, sympathizing womanly woman, ever ready to assist others until her own illness prevented, and since then a living lesson in Christian patience and resignation.  She was universally beloved and has "Entered into rest."

 

John Francis Hickey

 

John Francis Hickey, aged fourteen, son of John Hickey, a tailor living in Utica [Oneida Co.., NY], was found dead on one of the Central railroad tracks in that city, about four o'clock on Wednesday morning of last week.  The boy had attended a picnic at Marcy on the day previous, but did not return home at night, being last seen alive at the grove between eight and nine o'clock in the evening.  Mr. Hickey has a shop opposite an undertaker's rooms, and while going to his work on Wednesday morning he saw some men carrying a body to the rooms.  Out of curiosity he went over, and was horrified to find the remains those of his son, who had been badly mangled by a passing train upon the railroad.  Mr. Hickey was formerly a resident of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], in the employ of W.L. Scott; and it will be recollected that at the shocking railroad accident which occurred in September 1874, on the D.L.&W. Railroad between this village and Oxford, a little son of his was burned to ashes, with Edward Childs, the mail agent in the postal car.  Many friends of Mr. Hickey in this village will sympathize with him in this his second affliction.  [Chenango Union, July 1, 1880]

 



Thomas Kinney

Thomas Kinney, Hancock business man, was found dead in his car between Apex and Keeryville, Wednesday evening by Raymond Bouchoux, of Hancock, Dr. C. Sumner Gould, Walton coroner, gave a verdict that death was caused by a heart attack.  Mr. Kinney had been to the county fair at Walton Wednesday and was returning to Hancock alone.  He evidently became ill and stopped his car at the side of the road and turned off the ignition.  Mr. Bouchoux, coming along some time later, saw the parked car, looked inside and drove to Hancock, where he notified Chief of Police C.A. Travis that Mr. Kinney was dead in his car parked between Apex and Keeryville. Travis at once drove to the place and then notified Dr. Gould, who, after examination, gave permission for removal of the body.  Trooper Jack Taylor of the BCI and Sergeant William Waldron also were present and took charge of the personal effects which consisted of $67 in cash and a complimentary ticket to the fair.  The body was taken to Hancock in Henderson's ambulance   Mr. Kinney was about 65 years of age and is very well known and liked in the Hancock area, where he conducted a newsstand, grocery store and retail liquor store.  He is survived by his wife and one brother, James Kinney, of Hancock.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, August 31, 1944]

 

Homer H. Higley

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Homer H. Higley, 77, president of the Chenango County National Bank and Trust Company, died today following an operation at St. Luke's Hospital in Utica.  Born in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], the deceased has taken a prominent part in the commercial, civic, social and the religious life of this community for more than half a century.  He moved to Norwich when a young man and entered the employ of the Joseph Latham hardware store on North Broad Street.  Later he formed a partnership with Charles H. Latham, a son of his former employer.  Leaving this partnership, Mr. Higley purchased the Whitcomb stationery store at North Broad Street and West Park Place.  While at this location he became interested in the automobile business and is said to have sold the first car ever sold in Chenango County.  When George Dunham resigned as cashier of the Chenango County National Bank & Trust Company.  Mr. Higley was selected his successor.  Serving for more than 30 years as cashier, he was named president about 14 years ago to succeed the late Judge Albert F. Gladding.   Mr. Higley was a delegate to the Republican national convention which nominated Calvin Coolidge for president.  He was for many years senior warden of Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and a charter member and one of the first directors of the Norwich Club.  He also was a member of the Norwich Lodge of Elks and the George Rider Hook and Ladder company of Norwich.  Mr. Higley was a director of the William H. Dunne Company of Norwich and a director and vice president of the Chenango & Unadilla Telephone company.  The surviving near relatives are two sons, The Rev. Walter M. Higley, rector of the Johnson City Episcopal Church, and Cyrus M. Higley, cashier of the National Bank and Trust Company of Norwich; two daughters, the Misses Katherine and Dorothy V. Higley, both of Norwich and two sisters the Misses Sarah Higley of Norwich and Mary Higley of Jersey City.  The funeral arrangements will be announced later. [1938]

 

Deaths in Bainbridge, Chenango County, New York - 1928

 

January

13:  Leafie D. Bennett...........................59 yrs

17:  Theodosia Dunne............................1 yr

20:  Goldie Dunne..................................12 yrs

25:  Rose Radamas.................................42 yrs

 

February

1:   Edgar Pearsall...................................66 yrs

6:   Louella A. Hitchcock........................50 yrs

10:  Burnetia A. Butler............................88 yrs

14:  Charles Edgar Wilber.......................63 yrs

 

March

3:   Emma G. Townsend..........................74 yrs

5:   May L. Spencer..................................59 yrs

8:   Josie D. Rounds..................................49 yrs

20:  Susie Green........................................63 yrs

27:  Viola M. Winsor.................................1 hour

 

April

1:   Anita Danforth.....................................85 yrs

1:   John J. McGinnis.................................74 yrs

4:   Loretta Reynolds..................................83 yrs

8:   Juvia O. Bentley...................................66 yrs

20:  Barton P. Hickox.................................79 yrs

20:  Daniel T. Banner..................................84 yrs

28:  Jane A. Every.......................................6 yrs

 

May

10:  Elizada Ireland.....................................82 yrs

10:  George C. Smith..................................76 yrs

21:  Henrietta Ireland..................................74 yrs

30:  George S. Cook....................................68 yrs

 

June

1:   Lydia M. Clark......................................83 yrs

5:   Ray F. Lyon..........................................31 yrs

16: Lewis B. Anderson................................69 yrs

20:  Emma D. Stever...................................73 yrs

24:  William Michel....................................66 yrs

26:  Allean N. Blackman.............................48 yrs 

 

July

1:   Hannah P. Humphrey.............................81 yrs

16:  Edward J. Shafer....................................64 yrs

17:  Herbert M. Ramsdell.............................57 yrs

17:  Amanda Kelsey......................................67 yrs

27:  Dan R. Wells..........................................71 yrs

 

August

1:   John W. Matteson....................................81 yrs

1:   Ruth E. Michel.........................................3 yrs

3:   Jeannette Whitman...................................2 days

5:   Ella Payne.................................................55 yrs

29: Elizabeth Hawkins....................................84 yrs

30: Bessie Mulwane........................................34 yrs

 

September

15:  Emory DeForest........................................65 yrs

26:  I. Adele Peck.............................................82 yrs

 

October

8:   Lulu Phetteplace........................................55 yrs

11: Evva Shapley.............................................59 yrs

20: Albert Daniels............................................51 yrs

22: Ralph A. Monahan.....................................34 yrs

23: Martin L. Siver...........................................16 yrs

25: George S. Stewart.......................................69 yrs

 

November

17:  Lillian Shaffer............................................16 yrs

42:  Sophia Zwick.............................................55 yrs

 

December

10:  Georgiana Hovery.......................................57 yrs

20:  Allie M. Puffer............................................64 yrs

24:  George W. Johnson.....................................86 yrs

30:  Julia Darlin..................................................94 yrs

31:  Geo. Merton Pittsley....................................64 yrs

Family of Ira B. McFarland 1790-1880

Family of Ira B. McFarland

Guilford Mail, September 1911

 

Ira B. McFarland, a native of Kinderhook, Columbia county, removed with his parents to Otsego, and subsequently to Sidney [Delaware Co., NY, from which place he removed to Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] about 1809, with his wife, Polly, daughter of Captain Solomon Fenton of New Haven, Conn.  He engaged in farming near Guilford village, working by the month, and afterwards squatted on land belonging to Peter Livingston, on the east side of Guilford Pond (now Guilford Lake).  In April 1816, he removed his family to Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] and taught school seven winters and one summer in succession.  He then bought 30 acres three miles below Oxford village, on the west side of the river.  His wife died during the war.  They had eight children, seven of whom reached maturity:  Edwin Ferris, who married Abigial, daughter of David Simmons, and engaged in teaching, removing about 1842 to Kentucky, when he resumed teaching, and died of consumption about 1858; Orson Lawrence, who married Julia, daughter of Wilham Holmes, was engaged in farming here and in Steuben coutny, and subsequently in carpentering, and later kept a store in Troupsburgh, Steuben county; Jane, who died at the age of seven; Betsey, who married Cyrus Horton, and died in Norwich, where her husband was a molder; Maria, who married Erastus Briggs and died on the homestead farm; Solomon, who married Erastus Briggs and died on the homestead farm; Solomon, who married Hannah Folger, and practiced medicine in Oxford; Henry, who married Sarah Horton, and practiced dentistry in Oxford; and Charles Arthur, who lived on the homestead farm, which was transferred to him by his father.

Ira Barbour McFarland and his wife Polly Fenton McFarland were buried in Millbrook Cemetery, Oxford, Chenango Co., NY.

Ira Barbour McFarland:  b. 30 Aug. 1790, Kinderhook, Columbia Co., NY; d. 21 Jan. 1880, Oxford, Chenango Co., NY

Polly Fenton McFarland:  d. 29 Jan. 1866, Oxford, Chenango Co., NY; daughter of Solomon and Sybil (Snow) Fenton.
Source:  findagrave.com memorials #47400385, 47400353

Soldier News continued, 1944

Sgt. Reginald J. Fyffe Wounded in Action

Sgt. Reginald J. Fyffe, Walton [Delaware Co., NY], R.D.1, was one of the 179 sick and wounded veterans admitted to the Army's England hospital at Atlantic City, N.J. last week. The patients were speeded there by plane and hospital train from all major theatres of war.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 31, 1944]

 

Sergt. Reginald Fyffe, former feed merchant in this place [Sidney Center, Delaware Co., NY], who was wounded in France June 16 when the bone in his left arm was shattered, is back in the states and is at present in the Army's England Hospital in Atlantic City for treatment.  [Binghamton Press,  Aug. 24, 1944]

 

Pvt. Basil Shaver Killed in Action

 

Mrs. Ella Shaver, of Andes [Delaware Co., NY], was notified by the War Department on August 8 that her husband, Pvt. Basil Shaver, had been missing in action in France since the 18th of July  On the 14th of August she received a second telegram stating that he had been killed in action, July 18.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 31, 1944]

 

Walton [Delaware Co., NY]:  Latest Delaware County casualty in World War II is Corp. Basil Shaver of Andes, who was killed in action in France July 18, the War Department has advised his wife, Mrs. Ella Shaver.  Corporal Shaver, who observed his thirty-eighth birthday May 20, served in the navy from Aug. 1, 1928 to Aug. 1, 1934, and later was employed by the Delaware county Highway Department.  He joined the army March 13, 1942, and left for England in February, 1944.  He was a member of a tank battalion.  Surviving are his wife; mother, Mrs. Karaline Shaver, Andes; a sister, Mrs. Frank Griffen, Delhi, and an uncle, William Sutton, Maryland.  [Binghamton Press, Aug. 31, 1944]

 

Sgt. George S. Hannah Killed in Action

 

A veteran of 16 years in the Army, Sergt. George S. Hannah, 36, son of Hugh J. Hannah, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], was killed in action in France Aug. 2, according to a War Department message which had been received Saturday by his father.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 31, 1944]

 

A veteran of 16 years in the army, Sergt, George S. Hannah, 36, son of Hugh J. Hannah, 64 Plymouth Street, Norwich, was killed in action in France Aug. 2, according to a War Department message which had been received today by his father.  A member of the 76th Division, Sergeant Hannah was with the first infantry invasion forces on D-Day.  He was educated in Norwich schools and then enlisted in the army with which he had 16 years to his credit at the time of his death.  He is survived by his wife, the former Miss Ruby Lee whom he married in Baltimore last September; also his father and two sisters, Lieut. Lillian Hannah, army nurse also serving in France; and Mrs. John Plunkett, Rome, N.Y.  [Binghamton Press, Aug. 26, 1944]

 

Two Vicinity Soldiers Killed in Battle

James Telford & James Panaro

 

Word was received a few days ago of the deaths in action of two more Delaware County men, Private James F. Telford, of Walton [Delaware Co., NY], and Corporal James Panaro, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY].  The message to Private Telford's mother, Mrs. Ray Telford, received Monday read:  "The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your son, Private James F. Telford, was killed in action on Aug.  6, in France.  Letter follows.  Ulio, Adjutant General."  Corporal James Panaro was killed in action in the South Pacific, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Panaro, of Sidney, were informed Thursday, Aug. 17.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 31, 1944]

 

Private James Telford was killed in action in France on Aug. 6, according to a telegram received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Telford.  He entered the armed forces on Aug. 16, 1943, and had been overseas only a short time, crossing the English Channel with some of the first troops to establish foothold on the French shores.  His parents had their last letter from him on July 31, which told of tough going with the armies forging ahead from the channel coast, but said that he was back from the front and at that time enjoying a rest from the fighting.  Born in Walton, Private Telford attended the local schools, and spent his entire life in the village.  Besides his parents, a brother, Howard Telford, also of Walton, survives him.  [Binghamton Press, August 24, 1944]

 

Sidney [Delaware Co. NY]:  Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Panaro of West Main Street received a telegram from the War Department Thursday announcing that their son, James Panaro, had been killed in action in the war in the Pacific against Japan.  The announcement said that a letter would follow with more details.  Corporal Panaro enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on May 4, 1942.  He received his basic training at Parris Island and while there received medals for shooting.  He was then transferred to Quantico, Va., for radio schooling.  When he was graduated, he was promoted to first class private. As he was the only one out of 80 students to score 100 percent, he was given the choice of staying at Quantico as an instructor, or going overseas.  He decided to go into active service.  From there he was sent to New River, N.C., and then to California.  He had been overseas about 16 months and had seen considerable action.  While on Bougainville he obtained a few souvenirs for himself and his family.  Corporal Panaro was a graduate of Sidney High School and was an employee of the Scintilla Magneto Division.  Word also has been received from the War Department of the promotion of his brother, Corp. Carl J. Panaro, to the grade of sergeant.  Sergeant Panaro is an airplane mechanic in an organization receiving schooling in combat techniques at the Harvard Army Air Field, Harvard, Nebr., 2d Air Force heavy bombardment training installation.  [Binghamton Press, Aug. 19, 1944]

The Bronze Star Medal was awarded posthumously to Cpl. James M. Panaro, U.S.M.C.R., by Capt. Robert L. Raclin, officer in charge at Marine Corps District Headquarters, Albany, at Sidney Wednesday morning at 11:30 o'clock.  The award was received by the parents of the late Corporal Panaro, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Panaro, 8 West Main Street. The following citation was presented:  "The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Bronze Star Medal, posthumously, to Cpl. James Panaro, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for services as set forth in the following citation:  'For heroic achievement while serving with the 3d Tank Battalion, 3d Marine Division, during operations against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, July 26, 1944.  Acting as an advance reconnaissance man for the tank, Corporal Panaro voluntarily exposed himself to intense continual enemy rifle fire and machinegun fire in the Mount Tenjo Road and completely disregarding his own personal safety, rendered invaluable service to the tank commanders by his accurate and efficient guidance.  Corporal Panaro's splendid initiative, dauntless courage and unselfish devotion to duty in the face of grave peril were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S.Naval Reserve."  Corporal Panaro enlisted in the marine corps on May 4, 1942.  He received his basic training at Parris Island and while there received medals for shooting.  He received training at Quantico Va., and at New River N.C., He had been overseas about 16 months and had seen considerable action.  He was a graduate of Sidney High School and a former employee of the Scintilla magneto Division.  Mr. and Mrs. Panaro received the Purple Heart awarded their son, posthumously, about three months ago.  They will also receive the Asiatic Pacific Area Medal at a later date.  [Binghamton Press, March 29, 1944]

Pfc. Kelsey Peck Receives Purple Heart

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 31, 1944

First Class Private Kelsey Peck, son of Mr. and Mrs. Corbin Peck, Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], was recently awarded the Purple Heart as a result of being wounded in Normandy, France, June 14.  For several weeks no one had heard from him and then his parents received a letter enclosing the Purple Heart.  He is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Peck, who formerly lived in Roxbury.  He has been in the Army nearly four years, having enlisted in September, 1940.  On July 28 he had been overseas for two years.  He was in the invasion of North Africa in November, 1942, and later in Sicily.  He had been in England since last December until D-Day, June 6.  He has two sisters, Mrs. Paul Shafer and Mrs. James Hinkley, of Roxbury; a brother, Max Peck, of Delhi, and a brother and sister, Daryl and Joyce, with their parents, in Sidney. 

 

Poultry & Pet Stock Assn. About 1905

Poultry and Pet Stock Association

About 1905

 



Obituaries (November 28)

Lucy (Boname) Shepard

The community was saddened Wednesday  morning to hear of the death of Mrs. Lucy Shepard, who passed away at 10:30 o'clock Tuesday night, after a few days' illness of pneumonia, at her home on Washington avenue [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY].  Mrs. Shepard was taken ill last Friday and her condition was critical from the first.  She was born in Oxford, March 26, 1873, the daughter of Peter D. and Louise A Boname.  Her early life was spent in this village.  On March 10, 1898, she was united in marriage to LaVerne Shepard, whose death occurred July, 1915.  Mrs. Shepard was a communicant of St. Paul's church, member of the Parish Aid Society and Woman's Auxiliary.  She was also a member of Lafayette chapter, O.E.S.  She was endowed with a happy personality which endeared her to a vast number of friends and even casual acquaintances were impressed by her good nature.  About 10 years ago Mrs. Shepard went to Syracuse where she was chaperone of the Delta Delta Delta sorority of Syracuse University and later was a matron at the Crouse-Irving hospital.  She remained in Syracuse for five years, going from there to California where she spent several months with her sisters, Mrs. Katherine Wood and Mrs. Louise Eaton.   Returning to Oxford, she accepted a position in the store of Earle H. Hodgkins, where she has since been employed until the time of her illness last week.  She is survived by one son, Hugh J. Shepard of Greenfield, Mass. and one daughter, Mrs. Lynn Follett of Utica, one granddaughter, Lucille Follett of Utica and three sisters, Mrs. Carrie Whitney of this village and Mrs. Wood and Mrs. Eaton of Santa Monica, California.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.  The funeral will be held Friday afternoon from St. Paul's church at 2 o'clock.  A private prayer service will be held at the home on Washington avenue at 1:30 o'clock, Dr. H.C. Whedon officiating. Burial will be made in Riverview cemetery [Oxford NY].  Funeral arrangements are in charge of F.W. Seymour & Son.  Mrs. Shepard's death was preceded by the passing of her sister, Mrs. Cora Boname Jackson, whose funeral services were held last Friday. [1936]

Frank D. Ireland

Frank D. Ireland, 63 of West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], died at his home on Thursday July 7.  Mr. Ireland was born July 26, 1874, in Bainbridge.  He has owned and operated a farm in West Bainbridge for a long period of years.  He is survived by his wife, Grace, of Bainbridge, and a son, Harold, and several grandchildren of Norwich.

West Bainbridge:  Frank Ireland passed away Thursday night, July 7, at his home.  He would have been 64 years old the 25th of this month.  He had lived in West Bainbridge all his life and all his married life of 39 years on the farm at West Bainbridge Four Corners, but he had been in poor health for ten years or more and the last two years suffered greatly.  Funeral services were held from Colwell Brothers' Funeral Chapel at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon, July 10, with the Rev. Z. Hall of Coventry, officiating.  The floral tributes played a silent part in the high esteem in which he was held.  Mr. Ireland was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Union Valley and a regular attendant while his health permitted.  he had also been an assessor in the town of Bainbridge for many years.  Mr. Ireland is survived by his widow, one son, Harold and two grandchildren, Gene and Marjory Ireland of Norwich; two brothers, Fred of Homer and John of Guilford, and a sister Mrs. Lena Stoughtenburg, of Bloomville.  Burial was made in Bainbridge cemetery.  The pall bearers were C.D. Thornton, James Ireland, Alton Clark, Ralph Weeks, Fred Davis, and George Fredenburg.  [Buried Greenlawn Cemetery, Bainbridge, NY:  Frank D. Ireland, died July 7, 1938]

Minnie A. (Searles) Toby

Mrs. Minnie A. Toby, former resident of this village, passed away Wednesday noon, September 15th, at the home of her daughter, Miss Artemise Toby, 602 West Onondaga street, Syracuse.  The remains were brought to Bainbridge and funeral services were conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the chapel of Colwell Brothers, West Main street, with the Rev. C.H. Orvis, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, officiating, followed by interment in Greenlawn Cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  The bearers were Earl Davis, Ward Searles, J.J. Cocorcue, Percy Sullivan, Charles Knight and Howard Searles.  Mrs. Toby was born on Searles Hill, Bainbridge November 15, 1863, the daughter of Abner and Nancy Parsons Searles.  On November 8, 1883, she was united in marriage to Christopher Toby, who was then employed in a creamery near Guilford.  Mr. and Mrs. Toby came to this village to reside nearly fifty years ago.  Mr. Toby opening a grocery store which he conducted until his death on January 19, 1918.  Following his death, Mrs. Toby went to Syracuse to reside with her daughter, Artemise, where she has since made her home. Surviving beside the daughter, is a sister, Mrs. William Plumstead, of Binghamton; three brothers, Homer and Leroy Searles, of Binghamton, and Frank Searles, of California.  Mrs. Toby had retained her membership in the First Presbyterian Church and also Bainbridge Chapter No. 354 Order of Eastern Star, of this village, members of the chapter attending the funeral services in a body. 

Washington E. Ingersoll

Washington E. Ingersoll, 88, son of Orlando and Estella Johnson Ingersoll, died Saturday night, Sept. 3 [1938], at the Chenango Memorial Hospital at Norwich.  Ingersoll married Mrs. Eva Tuttle Chase of Ouaquaga in 1886 and continued to live with his parents on the Ingersoll homestead near Brackett Lake.  Several years after they died, he moved to the Cordon Burlison farm in Coventry township. Ingersoll enjoyed good health until shortly before his fatal illness, could read the paper and walk out each day.  He had been an overnight guest in Bainbridge the latter part of July.  He was stricken very suddenly and was  immediately removed to the hospital.  He was a member of the West Bainbridge Baptist church for many years and was a regular attendant at services until just a few years prior to his death.  He is survived by his widow and one son, Ellis LaVerne Ingersoll; two nieces, Mrs. Lora Guy of Binghamton and Mrs. Lina Hubbard of Herkimer; one nephew Ernest Ingersoll of Afton, and two grandchildren by a step-son, Mrs. Eva Chase Royer of Binghamton and Otto M. Chase of Johnson City. The funeral was held in Bainbridge on Wednesday afternoon. The Rev. M. DeForest Lowen, pastor of the First Baptist church, officiated.  Burial was in Bainbridge Cemetery [West Bainbridge Cemetery].

Death Notices, Chenango Union, February 7, 1878

AVERY:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 3d, Mr. Stephen L. Avery, aged 63 years and 8 months.

GALLAGHER:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co.,  NY], Feb. 1st, Mr. Anthony Gallagher, aged 35 years.

CHURCH:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 5th, Sally, widow of the late Sanford W. Church aged about 70 years.

ROBINSON:  In Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], Jan. 20th, Jay, son of Charles L. and Helen Robinson, of New Berlin, aged 1 year, 9 months and 22 days.

KNAPP:  In Saybrook, McLean Co., Ill., Jan. 20th, of diphtheria, Julia Elizabeth, only daughter of George T. and Lavina K. Knapp, aged 6 years, 7 months and 8  days.

HOWELL:  In Jersey City, Jan. 31st, Lucia Amanda, wife of George P. Howell, Esq., and sister of Horace and Eli L. Corbin, of Oxford.

BARNES:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Friday, Feb. 1st, 1878, of consumption, Sarah S. Brooks, daughter of Moses Brooks, of Rockdale, and wife of Edwin R. Barnes, of Norwich.  Of an honored old New England family--thoroughly educated, studious, cultured and intelligent--Mrs. Barnes was a woman of uncommon worth.  Quiet, retiring, and unostentatious she was only known in a limited circle; but those who knew her saw in her only those qualities of mind and heart to be adored and loved.  Emphasizing the words, we say she was a lady and a Christian. Pure, true, self-possessed and self-forgetful.  Her death is a sore bereavement--a loss which God alone can repair.  Devoted as a wife, faithful as a mother, queenly as a woman, trustful as a Christian, of few could it be more truly said, "she hath done what she could.."  The husband, the motherless children, the parents and many relatives, share the sympathy of the community in this the hour of their great sorrow. 

Soldier News continued, 1944

First Class Petty Officer Adrian Rose

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 24, 1944

First Class Petty Officer Adrian Rose, of the Seabees, accompanied by his wife and children, of Binghamton, spent last week with his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Landre.  Petty Officer Rose, who was with the first LST group to cross the Atlantic, was cited by the U.S. Navy and British Navy for his outstanding bravery at the invasion at Salerno.  After the Italian invasion he contracted pneumonia, followed by pleurisy, and had been confined to a hospital in England for a number of months before returning to the States on a 30-day leave.

 

S/Sgt. Donald Houck Receives Distinguished Flying Cross

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 24, 1944

 

S/Sgt. Donald L. Houck was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on June 25 for extraordinary achievement, while serving as Waist Gunner of a B-17 airplane on a number of bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe.  Displaying great courage and skill, Sgt. Houck, fighting from his gun position, has warded off many enemy attacks and has materially aided in the success of each of these missions.  The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Sgt. Houck on all of these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.  Sgt. Houck, who also wears the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, left for Miami Sunday after a 21-day furlough here with his wife.

 

Letter from Cpl. Edward Alexander, Somewhere in France

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 24, 1944

 

Will Page, of McClure, received the following letter from Cpl. Edward Alexander, a Deposit boy now serving somewhere in France:

 

July 27, 1944

Dear Folks,

I received your letter of June 11, and was glad to hear from you.  This leaves me fine and hope that it finds you all the same.  I suppose that you are busy in haying now.  The changeable weather this year cannot be very good to get in the hay.  Is a little windy here today.  Last week a couple of days we had quite a lot of rain.  The mud really got thick and nasty I can tell you.  That is very nice that you are going to be able to have electricity.  Do they have the line in as yet?

 

Will try and tell you a little about it over here and the trip over.  We sleep in pup tents.  The food is good, We have church services, and also movies.  So is pretty fair.  Have heard gunfire, but a lot in the distance.  This seems to be a country of small fields bordered by tall, scraggly hedgerows. Practically all buildings are built of stone, built to last all right.  The cattle are fat and good looking.  They use a sort of two-wheel buggy to travel around in, and there are some fine looking horses.  Also see quite a few donkeys.  Cars are scarce.  Riding along on the right side of the road seems good once again.  As I know no French (maybe five or six terms) when they talk I just stand and look at them.  We have books with French words and terms in them though. Payday is nice over here, as the number of francs to a dollar makes the amount (in francs) sound nice and large, since a franc is worth two cents.

 

After a good crossing of the English Channel we left the ship in small landing boats and went in almost to shore.  There we got off the boats into knee-deep water and waded onto French soil.  Fellow ahead of me fell in, pack, gun, and all.  I pulled him up by his gun.  Was comical, but not to him though, I guess.  He was pretty thoroughly wet.  From the beach we climbed up a road, up the hill, and, with our packs on were pretty tired at the top.  Then we could realize what a job the infantry had, fighting as well as climbing up that hill.

 

I have seen some of the towns which have been in the news.  But it was after the fighting was over.  Was in Cherbourg, Montebourg, Isigny, Ste. Mare De Eglise and Corentan.  Was there on Bastille Day, a holiday to the French like our July 4th and Decoration Day rolled into one would be to us.  People all were out dressed in their best, wearing red, white and blue ribbons (those are their national colors too).  Everyone waved or was giving the Victory sign to us.  They really were enjoying the first chance that they had had in four years to celebrate their national holiday, and they really had a kick out of their new freedom.  In some places American flags and French flags were hung out together.  Even though many of them were probably homeless, they still seemed happy.  Remember in one town seeing building and building without break with only the walls and partitions standing.  Where buildings had stood in some towns only a rubble of stone and dirt was left.  The street roadway was cleared through it so that traffic could move.  Saw one oldish lady wheeling a small wheelbarrow with what may have been all the things she had left in it, along the road.  Field after field have posts driven into the ground so that our gliders could not land in them.  And they surely had fortifications, I can tell you.  It was a wonderful thing the way our forces have gone through the defenses which the Germans had set up.  There were thick-walled concrete buildings, dugouts dotting the country in places, although not easy to see, concrete lined underground living quarters, strongpoints with big guns, and lots of trenches.  There are still signs reading "Danger Mines" to warn of mines.  Some of these probably were put up to keep our soldiers off those areas, and thereby slow the advance, and many probably were real warnings.  Saw a trench one place covered over with strands of barbed wire, something hard for the Allies to fight against. They seemed to think of everything.  We were in German barracks.  Building was set in a hole half as deep as the barracks was high, and covered with a camouflage net, and it had a sentry post platform along the road in front.  When they left many of the places they seem to have gotten out in a hurry as in many of the places you can find letters strewn on the floors.  Really was interesting. 

 

Well have written quite a long letter and covered about everything there is.  So I will close now for this time, Write again soon.

Yours - Edward

Marriages (November 27)

Leary - Moore

 

In a beautiful late autumn wedding, Miss Helen G. Moore, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Moore, and Sergeant Edward B. Leary, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.T. Leary, were married Thursday afternoon, November 5, at 2 o'clock, in the Methodist church, by the Reverend Norman B. Graves.  The double ring ceremony as used.  The church was attractively decorated with white chrysanthemums and palms, which banked the altar. white chrysanthemum bouquets decorated the pew entrances.  The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a gown of ivory faille with long train, and fingertip veil.  She carried a shower bouquet of white pompoms and rosebuds.  Miss Doris Wright of Johnson City, maid of honor, wore a gown of ice blue taffeta with matching shoulder length veil.  Her arm bouquet was of yellow pompoms.  Bridesmaids were Miss Josephine Leary of Elmira, sister of the groom, and Miss Lucille Quinn of Albany.  Both wore fuchsia taffeta gowns with shoulder length veils of the same color and carried matching pompom bouquets.  PFC Paul Van Woert of Camp Livingston Louisiana, acted as best man.  Ushers were John Moore, brother of the bride, Paul Dowd, Gerald Weaver, all of Oxford, and Lewis Wright of Johnson City.  Mrs. Moore mother of the bride was dressed in soldier blue crepe, and wore a corsage of yellow pompoms and rosebuds.  The groom's mother, Mrs. Leary wore a green crepe dress with matching accessories, and a corsage of yellow pompoms and rosebuds.  The organist, Mrs. Fred Hamilton, played a program of wedding music for a  half hour before the ceremony, and Mrs. Herbert Scarlett sang, "I Love Your Truly."  Following the wedding, pictures of the bridal party were taken at the church where the couple remained for a time to greet friends.  Later a reception was held at the home of the bride's parents on Baldwin avenue.  The bride's cake was made for the occasion by her father, and evoked much admiration.  It formed a five-tiered elaborately decorated pyramid, all in white, surmounted by a miniature bride and military groom.  Cookies and punch, and the traditional wedding cake were also served.  After the reception the couple left for a brief trip to Utica, stopping at Clinton where they visited Hamilton College, and returning to Oxford Friday night.  Both young people are graduates of Oxford Academy.  Miss Moore attended Cortland Normal School, and has been employed recently in the Scintilla plant, Sergeant Leary, prior to his enlistment in the United Stated Army in February, 1941, attended Hamilton College and also worked in the Scintilla Plant at Sidney.  Sgt. and Mrs. Leary left Monday for Carmel, California, where he is stationed.  They expect to do light housekeeping there.  

 

Mr. & Mrs. Albert Thorpe

 

Mr. and Mrs. Albert Thorpe, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY] will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 20 at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Luella Worth, Sidney.  Open house will be held from 2 to 8 p.m.  Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe were married Aug. 22, 1894, in the Baptist Church at Sidney Center.  One hundred guests were present that day.  Homer Benedict, of Sidney Center, is holding a reception Aug. 22 for Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe and guests who attended the wedding in 1894.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, August 17, 1944]

 

Vital Statistics for 1928

Bainbridge, Chenango Co., MY

Marriages

 

January

31:  Leon C. Musson and Mabel F. Seeley

 

February

18:  R.G. Palmer and Myrtle I. Getter

22:  D. Elro. Borst and Viola Vincent

 

March

21:  Lynn C. Cole and Mary Harris

 

April

7:  C.P. Palmer and Hazel Zidakowitz

12:  Ernest W. Butcher and Eloise P. Payne

 

June

22:  Nelson M. Ives and Marian Webb

29:  James O'Brien and Mildred M. Ives

 

July

17:  Haskell L. Moats and E. Louise Barton

23:  Benjamin H. Ward and Myrtle I. Rock

27:  Marshall H. Andrews and Helen M.  Howland

 

August

6:  Edward L. Jones and Hettie L. Banner

18:  Howard A. Hitchcock and Edith H.Mott

 

November

6:  H.G. Davis and Hattie Gressman

 

December

19:  Wilson M. Harmon and Floy Smith

Obituaries (November 27)

Dr. Ernest L. Bennett

 

Dr. Ernest L. Bennett, 70, for many years a practicing physician in Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] and Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], died at the local hospital early yesterday morning following a long illness.  He was removed to the hospital about ten days ago from his home in West Main street, where he had been confined to his bed for about three months.  Deceased was for thirty-one years one of Binghamton's leading physicians and in that city won the confidence of a large clientele.  Overwork brought on failing health and he removed to Bennettsville, where he conducted a country practice up to the time he removed to Bainbridge, having for some time maintained an office here.  Dr. Bennett was for seven years a coroner of Chenango county and brought to the performance of that office unflinching courage and a high sense of civic duty which brought him the respect of the people whom he sought to serve.  He was a man of independent thought which he could express with vigor on occasion.  He abhorred dishonesty in any quarter, had a keen insight into public affairs and an unusual understanding of human nature.  He was a student of local school matters and served frequently at school meetings to clarify troublesome problems by his outspoken comments.  He expressed to the writer, editor of The News, who came to know him well and to admire him for the many fine qualities which dominated him even though long suffering, that his life was one of utter frustration.  No one who knew him well can believe that; he served faithfully in his profession for many years, sacrificed his own health in his devotion to the sick, and when the death of his wife, to whom he was wholeheartedly devoted, dealt him a crushing blow, he carried on, bore his own ill health, ministered to the unfortunate and served his community faithfully to the end.  It is given to few men to leave a brighter record.  Dr. Ernest L. Bennett was born in Bennettsville, N.Y., Dec. 23, 1865, the son of Leroy Bennett and Libbie Wright Bennett.  He lived in Bennettsville until 1878, when he moved with his parents and little sister to Bainbridge.  He entered Bainbridge Academy, from which he graduated in June, 1884.  Then he became a student with Dr. Herman Copley, who lived in the house that is now the Bainbridge Hospital.  After studying one year in Dr. Copley's office he left on Oct. 5, 1885, for New York city, where he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he graduated in June, 1888.  He then secured an internship in St. Francis' Hospital, in East 5th street, New York city.  After serving some time at that hospital he returned to his home in Bainbridge in 1890.  He then moved to Binghamton with his parents, there to practice medicine until April 1, 1921, when on account of poor health, he was obliged to give up his practice and with his wife whom he had married June 6, 1894, he removed out Bennettsville, the home of his birth.  There his wife died Jan. 13, 1928.  After the death of his wife he removed to Bainbridge, where he continued his practice until a few months ago, when failing health compelled him to withdraw from all activities.  Funeral services have been arranged for tomorrow afternoon (Friday) at 2 o'clock at Colwell's mortuary parlors in West Main street and interment will be in the family plot at Bennettsville.  [1935]

Dorr Payne

Dorr Payne, a lifelong and highly respected citizen of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], passed away at his home on Juliand street at 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon of failing heart.  While he had been in poor health for a long time, the end came very unexpectedly and he was confined to his bed only the day of his death.  He was born in Bainbridge September 5, 1859, a son of Dennis and Elizabeth Avery Payne.  December 29, 1886, he married Miss Mary Aylesworth.  For about forty years he conducted a barber shop.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and of the Baraca class of the church school.  The funeral was held from his late home on Juliand street at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, Rev. G.H. Orvis, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. The funeral was largely attended and there was a wealth of beautiful flowers.  Besides his wife, Mr. Payne is survived by one sister, Mrs. John Wilcox, of Milford and one brother, Frank Payne, of Bainbridge, also by several nieces and nephews.  Out-of-town friends and relatives attending the funeral were from Albany, Binghamton, Syracuse, Oneonta, Milford, Endicott, Norwich, Guilford and Stamford.  Interment was in Greenlawn cemetery [Bainbridge, NY].  [1932]

 

Hobert L. Gridley

 

Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]:  Hobert L. Gridley, an honored and respected farmer of Yaleville, passed to the rest eternal at the Bainbridge Emergency Hospital Wednesday, September 28, death being due to injuries received at a railroad crossing in Bainbridge.  Deceased was 53 years old.  He was the son of Hobert and Alice Gridley.  When an infant his mother died and he was afterward cared for by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Norris Gridley.  He was twice married.  His first wife was Miss Alta Yale, who died several years ago, and his second wife was Miss Elizabeth Wade.  The funeral was held from the late home on Saturday, the Rev. Dr. M.S. Godshall, a former pastor of Guilford, assisted by the Rev. O.B. Young, officiating.  There were many floral tributes from dear friends which bore mute testimony to the respect in which he was held.  The deceased was a loyal member of the Guilford Methodist church. The pall bearers were Charles Manwaring, Otto Ives, Rial Stead and C.D. Whittemore.  Burial was in the Yaleville cemetery.  He is survived by a wife and one son, Lawrence Gridley of this place. and a brother, Frank Gridley of Norwich.  [Norwich Sun, Oct. 6, 1927]

 

Orrin Gridley

 

Our Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] correspondent gives the particulars of a sad accident which occurred to Orrin Gridley, a respected farmer of that town, on Saturday last.  While engaged in cutting feed with a machine driven by horse power, the fingers of his right hand were caught by the rollers, and his hand and wrist drawn into the machine, and cut in slices.  A lad present stopped the machinery, and Mr. Gridley went to his house, the mangled arm bleeding fearfully.  Dr. Spencer, of Guilford, and Dr. McFarland, of Oxford, were called at once, who amputated the arm below the elbow.  At last accounts Mr. Gridley was doing well.   He has the sympathy of a large circle of friends in his own and other towns in the County, where he is known and respected.   [Chenango Union, Feb. 28, 1878] 

 

We are pained to announce the death of Mr. Orrin Gridley, of Guilford, whose shocking accident we mentioned in our last issue, it having taken place just a week after the accident, on Saturday last.  Fears were entertained from the first, of his recovery, owing to the great shock to his nervous system, as well as loss of blood and superaded to these erysipelas set in, finally terminating in gangrene and death.  Mr. Gridley was an old resident of that town, and will be missed among its farmers and business men.  He was about sixty years of age, and leaves a wife and one son to mourn his loss.  [Chenango Union, March 7, 1878]

 

Mahlon Gridley

 

A most painful and fatal accident occurred in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY] on Tuesday morning of last week.  Mahlon, youngest son of Orrin Gridley, Esq., aged ten years, was engaged in rolling a meadow upon his father's farm, with a log roller drawn by a pair of horses.  While standing on the platform back of the roller, with the lines around one arm and his neck, it is supposed that he lost his balance and fell off, when the horses commenced backing, which drew the lines tightly around his neck strangling him almost instantly.  Not more than five minutes previous to his condition being discovered, he was seen by his father--who was working with hired help within a few rods of him--at which time everything was going on well.  We learn that the unfortunate lad came near losing his life last winter, while engaged in getting the log from the woods, from which this same roller was made.  [Chenango Union, June 1,1870]

Soldier News continued, 1944

S/Sgt. Chandler Spoor Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican,  August 17, 1944

Staff Sergeant Chandler Spoor, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Spoor, of Laurens, Otsego County, was kille din action in France on June 23.  He was 36 years of age.  He had been overseas since April.

 

S/Sgt. Stuart Leonard Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 17, 1944

 

Staff Sgt. Stuart L. Leonard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Louis W. Leonard, of Lanesboro, Pa., and Miami, Fla., was killed in action in France on June 6, according to word received by his parents.  Called to service Jan. 31, 1942, Sergeant Leonard was sent to Fort Meade, Baltimore, Md., where he was assigned to an infantry division which spearheaded the invasion on D-Day, the day of his death.

 

The Seabees

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 27, 1944

 

The Seabees are rapidly becoming the legendary heroes of the war.  At Salerno, unloading 10,000 pieces of equipment, they turned a blood-red beach into a base of operations within two days.  In the Sicily invasion, they saved 90 men on a bombed transport by jamming a causeway between their own and the damaged ship.  At one South Pacific base, while wharves were being built, they formed a human chain two miles into the ocean to unload waiting ships.  These men of the Navy's construction battalion, 262,000-strong, are former workers in steel mills, shipyards and factories who work under fire, gripping wrenches in one hand and grenades in the other.  Yes, the Seabees can do anything.  Famed for their miracles of construction, they were revealed by the Navy recently to have added another accomplishment.  A French couple fleeing the battle area took refuge with a Seabee battalion in Normandy.  The wife was about to give birth to a baby--a civilian doctor was not available--so they called Seabee Lt. Comdr. Richard D. Anderson to help.  Comdr. Anderson delivered a girl--she was named Seabee Paula.  Contributed by Mrs. Milton Simonds, whose son, Milton R. Simonds, Jr., is a Seabee in Hawaii.

Lt. Howard Phelps Receives Distinguished Flying Cross

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 24, 1944

16th A.A.F. in Italy:  Life is moving rapidly at an air base overseas these days for First Lt. Howard W. Phelps, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Phelps, 7 Medford street, Binghamton (former Bainbridge residents).  Lieutenant Phelps, pilot of an Italy-based A.A.F. B-17 Flying Fortress flew his 51st combat mission in the Mediterranean theatre of operations, July 8, 1944 when heavy bombers in his group blasted German operated synthetic oil refineries at Vienna, Austria.  Several days later he was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for his achievement on a bombing mission against enemy railroad yards at Treviso, Italy, Apr. 7, 1944.  the decoration came almost simultaneously with the announcement that he had been promoted from second lieutenant to the rank of first lieutenant.

Flak was heavy and intense on Lieutenant Phelps 51st mission, but neither anti-aircraft ground defense nor attacking squadrons of enemy fighter planes could stop the big bombers form reaching the target and completing a successful bomb run in which the target was destroyed and several fighters shot down.

Brig-Gen. Charles Lawrence, commanding general of a wing in the 15th Air Force, presented Lieutenant Phelps with his D.F.C. during ceremonies at an air field in Italy and highly commended the group. 

 

On the Apr. 7 Treviso mission, heavy, concentrated flak bursts from enemy anti-aircraft ground defenses knocked out one engine on Lieutenant Phelps' plane.  Upon completion of the run, another badly damaged engine failed, causing Lieutenant Phelps to drop out of formation whereupon six German fighter planes trailing the formation pounced on the crippled ship.  The left waist gunner shot down one enemy craft while other crew members forced the remaining fighter planes to break off the attack.  It was necessary for the crew to throw every movable object out of the plane to prevent losing altitude too rapidly on the trip home.  Finally, Lieutenant Phelps, still fighting the big plane's controls, arrived at his home base where he effected a perfect landing as another engine gave out.

 

In addition to receiving the D.F.C., the lieutenant was decorated with the Purple Heart for wounds received on a bombing mission over Gyor, Hungary, June 27.  Later he was awarded the Air Medal for "meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial operations against the enemy."

 

Since flying his first mission over railroad yards at Brod, Yugoslavia, Apr. 2, 1944, Lieutenant Phelps has participated in missions against enemy installations at Ploesti, Romania; Gyor, Hungary; Wiener-Neustadt, Austria; Varese, Italy; Munich, Germany, and Toulon, France.

 

He was employed by the Kroehler Manufacturing co., of Binghamton, previous to his induction into the armed forces Nov. 25, 1940.  He served a year and a half in the demolition branch of the Army before transferring into the Air Corps.  He won his pilot's wings upon graduation from advanced flight training at Stockton, Calif.  June 22, 1943.  Later he was assigned to the combat crew of one of the big four-engine bombers and at the completion of advanced training with heavy bombardment aircraft at McDill Field, Fla., and Lakeland, Fla., was transferred overseas to the Mediterranean theatre with a bomb group.

Bainbridge Central School, Class of 1941, Part 4

Bainbridge Central School, Class of 1941

Senior Portraits

"Echo" 1941

 

 

Barbara Robbins

 

Edward Searles

 

Evelyn Sheely

 

Doris Sherman

 

Robert Smith

 

Eleanor Thomas



Letter From Earle Houck, July 1944

Somewhere in the Southwest Pacific
July 30, 1944
Dear Mr. Stow,

I am writing to inform you of a change in my address but it is reasonably safe to assume that sentence will follow sentence in my usual meandering manner so draw up a chair and draw on your pipe while I draw on my store of developments in the land termed by the boys "just eight miles below hell."

 

It seems that I am now public relations man for the "Jolly Roger" heavy bomber group which operates four-motored Liberators as a part of the Fifth Air Force.  I accepted the job (that's a charitable term) amid the Army's usually generous promises of an opportunity to accomplish something important.  However, I have managed to retain that traditional suspicion which privates have held down through the wars, when approached by the Army with kind words.

 

I feel fortunate, however, to be associated with the "Jolly Roger" outfit which is generally conceded to be the "most publicized heavy bomber group in the world/"  Yank Magazine, Life Magazine, the newsreels and the papers have really gone overboard for the outfit.  As a result we are under constant attack from other bomber groups as the "glamour boys" of the war.  Whenever faced with a particularly irritating challenge we dig up the figures for the world to see...and there end the argument.  It's hard to believe that they have knocked down as many hundreds of Zeros as the records show and these do not include the "Probables."  Neither does this include the hundreds of enemy aircraft caught on the ground -- several hundred were smashed at one base alone.

 

We have just completed one weird publicity stunt featuring Jack Benny congratulating a Red Cross girl here who was chosen "Miss Jolly Roger" by the men of the outfit.  I had the good Mr. Benny by the elbow placing him in the proper spot for our photo when our usually reliable photographer suddenly went snap-happy and the result of his act proved a natural for the men who seem to find anything and everything a great cause for hilarity.  The photo with Benny and this girl was accepted by Acme News-Photo service so perhaps you will see it in some papers back in the States.

 

We have Bob  Hope coming here next after finishing up with Benny, Carole Landis and Lanny Ross.  They were very cooperative although I'm afraid the Huffman-Houck publicity team plus our unpredictable photographer, Joe Silvering, proved a sad source of doubt for the puzzled Miss Landis.  Seems that Joe, reliable old Joe, had used most of his flashbulbs up on our dubious pals and for a moment Miss Landis' film future was in doubt.  Even Mr. Benny and Mr Ross seemed more than a little perplexed and suspicious as we went into the three-man huddle that has proved to be a prelude to some rather fantastic feats of publicity.  One of these days one will fall through and we'll all be back digging ditches--and don't think we haven't learned how by now.  but back to Miss Landis--while she stood in awe listening to our violent debate on Joe's photographic skill, time kept sliding by.  They were both newspapermen, before the war and you know how complicated and violent an argument occurs every time a report and a photographer cover a story.  It's a fatal mistake to tell a photo man something about his work--draw instantly the long, involved details of photography from its origin to the present.  But try and tell a reporter that he doesn't know more about photography than a photographer.  And so Miss Landis was temporarily ignored with someone occasionally turning to give her an apologetic smile, then ducking back to the hectic debate.  Finally, however, we took care of her, I have Mr. Benny's signature on the original photo caption which I managed to write while engaged in the erudite discussion mentioned above. however I have by this time, of course, lost the prize document.

 

In addition to the public relations work, I am now correspondent for a news agency in New York City and have even written barrage of caustic comments from G.I. wits--the self appointed type.  I'm afraid, however, that "The Great American Novel" is as fantastic as their comments.  It has been sent to the States more for the purpose of getting it out of my hands like a hot potato than because of its hopes for publication.

 

I have written a stack of stories on crashes, bombing raids, heroism, New Guinea's now famous army doctor, natives and about everything else.  Hoffman, my publicity partner has illustrated a number of them.  He was formerly a staff illustrator for the New Yorker Magazine, Esquire, Redbook and a number of others.  He also taught college art.

 

The other member of the trio is Joe Silvering, an aerial photographer, who bitterly criticizes us, but always seems to be around.

 

The famed skull and crossed bombs insignia is on the tails of all our big bombers and you have probably seen that good old skull sign in the movies or in the papers.  That's the sure way to tell our Liberators.

 

There is also ever about, a remarkable character named J. Robert Witkin, who formerly was a radio announcer on a major network.  I think he was the one who came up with that venerable "Jolly Roger" slogan of "Wise up! Get on the day shift."  He is also editor of our paper and serves as a news commentator for the outfit.

 

This reminds me of the community sings which seem to accompany almost every movie over here.  Of course there are no ladies sitting with us and the mosquitoes on the grass, so when the song calls for the girls to come in, an incredible sound of piercing male notes is heard.  The boys seem to get a great kick out of singing their part in base and then going up to take the girls' part also.

 

I was riding around the air strips, where I spend a lot of time getting stories as the combat crews come home, and had a rather narrow escape--come to think about it, the usual daily escape.  I was blundering along pretty fast in a jeep which I had borrowed from the chaplain when I suddenly found that a fighter plane and I were arguing about who was to get out of the way on a narrow strip.  That's the nice thing about a jeep, doesn't matter where you go to get out of the way.  From a convenient ditch I shook my fist, the pilot shook his fist and then we both proceeded about our business of winning the war.

 

One sees some of the most remarkable sights over here.  Only today I saw a G.I. with just a pair of shorts driving a weapons carrier down the road.  What startled me was to see that he was wearing a tropical hat of they gay style American business man adopted a few years ago.

 

We have a "Jolly Roger" weekly paper here called the Buccaneer which brings the usual trials and tribulations.  Since Private Houck was editor of a daily paper over here before being called up to Fifth Air Force headquarters on one of his many unpredictable and unproductive assignments.  The pool staff turns to me frequently in their disillusionment.  It doesn't ever accomplish anything since everything I answer for them is promptly met with radicle--the old army game...you may not always be right but you're never wrong.

 

I have become involved in some volumes on Philosophy, Psychology and advanced English Grammar which also seems to irritate my laudable companions no end.  I'm getting so deep in the stuff that by now we're all tangled up and any simple comment brings forth violent and weird discussions which always increase in volume to the point that they sound like a political rally.  One officer temporarily quieted the office today by commenting that it was no wonder we got publicity for the outfit...we can be heard around the world.

 

While waiting for the water to trickle out of an old gasoline drum into by battle helmet in preparation for shaving, I had a brilliant idea.  Assuming that a lot of good slogans on our planes were wasted on the Japs who could not understand them, I suggested that we paint all the slogans on in Japanese characters.  I stressed my theory that a curious Zero pilot would sidle up a little closer to get a look and then powie...After the usual bitter bickering and derision it was decided to adopt it and you will probably soon see something in the papers about it back home.

 

The "Ken's Men," another bombing outfit, are our most bitter audience and we now have a midnight radio feud going on. We recently dedicated such numbers to them as "Can't Get Started" and "Lost in a Fog."

 

A couple of aerial gunners eating with me tonight were kidding another poor fellow on my right about the fact that his guns jammed during a mission yesterday.  It seems that while his guns were jammed, a Zero kept faking passes at the bomber and the gunner kept him respectful by swinging his guns on him.  Finally the Zero made up its mind to come in but just as he started another "Jolly Roger" plane knocked him down.  That's what the boys call "sweating it out."

 

Hoffman and I have a tent to ourselves and this tropical rain is by now familiar with every hole in the top--and there are plenty.  I have now devised an ingenious method of keeping dry nights.  Every time it drips too much on me I simply grope for the floor and by bracing my arms and lurching sideways at the same time I move about the tent all night.

 

One of the fellows on the staff of our paper was moaning to me tonight about a critical letter from somebody who disliked his comments about those who might get sent back to the States etc.  If I recall correctly, somewhere in the remarkable "Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" was mentioned a similar situation.  Franklin came up with the following answer for those critics of the "We hear..." style of writing "Englishmen, Sir, are too apt be silent when they have nothing to say; too apt to be sullen when they are silent; and when they are sullen, too apt to hang themselves."

 

I was reading about the draft back home tonight and taking a fireplace for hypothetical or conjectural purposes it is easy to see the theory that Selective Service works on.  When a fireplace draft is turned on the air in the fireplace is first to be drawn up and more air is drawn in to replace that.  Gradually you have the air of the room moving in a direct current into the fire.

 

I have the misfortune to be awakened each morning by a shrill voiced jungle bird which one of the fellows in the next tent has.  The character climbs up tent poles in the queerest manner.  He keeps his beak close to whatever he's walking on and proceeds along, matching each step with a forward thrust of his head and neck. Despite this unattractive habit, he does possess all the colors of crystals under polarized light. 

 

We read of the pre-election campaigning back in the States and from here it assumes some different facets than it did at home.  As for the winner I guess the boys are pretty open minded on the contest. We seem to have reached the conclusion that any king and any bear will worry his keepers.  To become really confused in making a selection and choosing one who has done the most good, we have but to return to Franklin's comment that "He is a fool that makes his doctor his heir."

 

My typing seems to have died to sporadic pokes at the keys since I am falling asleep on the venerable machine so will close with the hope that you will soon write one relegated to the oblivion of New Guinea.

Sincerely Yours,

Earle Houck 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soldier News continued 1944

Nazi Propaganda

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 17, 1944

 

Bryan Burgin, who is home on a seven-day furlough, talked to the Rotary Club at the regular dinner Tuesday evening.  He told the club members some of his experiences in Army life and held the close attention of all.  He said that German prisoners in that section are very haughty.  When they came up New York bay and saw the New York skyline they were amazed the city could have been "rebuilt" so soon. They had been shown news reels while in the German Army where New York was blown to bits by Nazi bombers--Margaretville News. 

 

Livingston Latham is First Class Seaman

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 17, 1944

 

Livingston S. Latham, who has been at the Naval Training Station at Gulfport, Miss., has completed his course in the Quartermaster Corps and now has a first class seaman's rating.  He was recently transferred to Camp Shumanker, Calif.

 

Pfc. Howel Green Dies of Wounds

 

Private First Class Howell B. Green, employed in the Borden plant at Otego before entering the Army, died of wounds receive din action June 16.  He was a graduate of the Otego Central School. [Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 17,  1944]

 

Pfc. Howell Green, 26, stepson of Mrs. Fred D. Kenyon of Gansevoort, was seriously wounded in action July 16, and died the same day, according to word received form the War Department last night.  Private Green, who had been in the service three years last March, was inducted from Otego.  He had been overseas since last April.  His father died three years ago and his stepmother has since remarried.  He is a native of Gansevoort and made his home with his stepmother 15 years.  His other immediate survivors are his sister, Mrs. D.J. DiBernard of Brooklyn, his brothers, Donald Green of Corinth and Baird Green of Rome, and two half brothers, Warren and Robert Green of Gansevoort, sons of Mrs. Kenyon, who is the former Miss Marion Vines, Daughter of Dr. and Mr. Edward H. Viens of Maple Avenue.  [The Satatogian, Aug. 2, 1944]

 

Kesley Peck Wins Purple Heart

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 17, 1944

 

Mr. and Mrs. Corbin Peck, of Sidney [Delaware Co., NY], formerly of Roxbury, recently received from their son, Private First Class Kesley Peck, the Purple Heart awarded him for wounds received in Normandy, France, on June 14.

Compiler Note:  Kesley Peck would later serve in the Korean War as described in the following article: 
Sidney [Delaware Co., NY]:  A Sidney baby, 11-month old Florence Catherine Peck, received a bronze-star medal, awarded to her father Sgt. Kesley Peck, who has been missing in action in North Korea,  The citation read as follows:  "In attempting to cross the river, several members of the company were swept off their feet and carried helplessly down the river by the swift current.  Without regard for his personal safety Sgt. Peck plunged into the river under intense enemy fire and in the sub-zero temperature was successful in pulling one man to safety and then returning to rescue another before he became exhausted."  Sgt. Peck was awarded this medal for Korean action in November 1950.  Two months later he was listed as missing .  It is thought he is now a prisoner of the North Koreans.  This ceremony took place at the American Legion Home last night.  The award was made by Air Force Capt. Charles E. Gibbons of Binghamton.  Sgt. Peck was born in Downsville [Delaware Co., NY], Feb. 1, 1921.  He attended school at Roxbury and joined the Army in 1939 when he was 17.  He was in World War 2, a member of the First infantry Division.  He received the Purple Heart at the Normandy Beachhead and a bronze star with oakleaf cluster in Belgium.  He was discharged in July, 1945.  he reenlisted in January 1946 and was sent to Fort Benning, Ga. While there he married the former Dorothy Halford of Columbus, Ga.  He shipped for Korea Aug. 3, 1950.  On the morning of Jan. 20, 1951, the last letter was received from him.  It was written from South Korea.  On March 13, Mrs. Peck received a letter from M/Sgt. Woodrow W. Haines from an Army hospital in the United States stating that he had been taken captive in North Korea on Jan. 20 and that he had seen Kesley Peck as a prisoner of North Koreans.  Nothing has been heard of him since that time, but it is believed that he is still a prisoner.  Attending the ceremony was the mother of Sgt. Peck, Mrs. Florence Peck, and his wife and three sisters, Mrs. Paul Shafer, Mrs. James  Hinkley of Roxbury, and  Mrs. Charles Reynolds of Bainbridge; also a brother, Pvt. Baryl Peck, stationed at Fort Devens, Mass.  [Binghamton Press, August 30, 1951]

Sgt. Robert Adsit Killed in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, August 17, 1944

A message from the War Department to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Adsit, of Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], informed them that their son, Sgt. Robert C. Adsit, had been killed in action.  the message stated that Sergeant Adsit was killed on the island of Saipan on July 12.  Sergeant Adsit was a veteran of four year service, having been inducted into the Army in 1940.  He was the first inductee from Sherburne, and is believed to be the first infantryman from that village to be killed in action.  The Sherburne soldier, who was 26 years old, was a graduate of the Sherburne Central School and the Simmons School of Embalming in Syracuse.

 

 



Obituaries (November 25)

Evelyn (Jones) Burrows

Friday October 11th, the shadow of death has again darkened another family circle in this village and Mrs. Evelyn Burrows, an aged and respected resident, passed away into the final rest at the home of her daughter Mrs. Herman Foote, where she has been tenderly cared for during her declining years.  She has been in feeble health for some time, hence her demise was not unexpected.  Deceased was the daughter of Timothy and Eliza Jones, having been born at Trout Creek, September 24, 1852.  She was united in marriage at Masonville November 28, 1879 to Charles Burrows, the result of this union being one son and two daughters, Llewelyn, Hattie and Leora.  In early life she became a member of the Methodist church and attended worship at Guilford Center when services were held in the old Methodist church there, which is now used as a barn.  When the Methodist church at the Center was closed she took her membership to the Congregational church and has been an earnest Christian woman.  She leaves a good example as a loving mother and friend and all will cherish the sweetness of her memory but know that Heaven is richer, because she is there.  Funeral services were held at the late home Monday afternoon, Rev. J.W. Bump officiating, assisted by the Rev. Cecil Plumb.  Burial was made in the Guilford Center cemetery [Guilford, Chenango Co., NY].  Those who survive are one son, Llewelyn Burrows of Bainbridge; two daughters, Mrs. Hattie Foote of this village and Mrs. Leora Rogers, of Canaan; five grandchildren, Mrs. Hazel Clark, Ralph Foote, Jesse Foote, Paul Burrows and Llewelyn Rogers; three great grandchildren, Douglas Clark, Genevieve Evelyn Clark and Norma Foote of Guilford.  [d. 11 October 1929]

Anna Elizabeth (Schell) Friedel

Mrs. Anna Elizabeth Friedel was born in Karlsruhe, Germany, July 8, 1876.  She was a daughter of Frank and Eva Veit Schell.  When 21 years of age she came to America, and the following year she was married to John Drachler, of Guilford, who passed away 18 years ago, May 20.  October 29, 1917, she was again married to Nicholas Friedel, who also preceded her to the spirit world, July 27, 1930.  Mrs. Friedel moved from the village of Bainbridge to the home of her son, Fred Drachler, intending to make her home there, but just one week later, Tuesday, May 17, she passed away from heart trouble. The funeral was held from her son's home, Friday afternoon, May 20, Rev. G.H. Orvis, officiating.  She is survived by four sons, Frank, Fred and John Drachler and Stuart Friedel of Bainbridge; two daughters, Mrs. Jay Smith of Bainbridge, and Miss Ciella Drachler of Albany; two brothers, Frank Schell of Guilford, and Ludwig Schell of Germany; also by three step-sons, Walter Friedel of Bainbridge, Michael Friedel of Binghamton, and Louis Friedel of Oneonta; and by one step-daughter, Mrs. Roland Powers of Utica.  Mrs. Friedel was a member of the First Presbyterian church of Bainbridge.  She had  a large circle of friends, was a kind neighbor and a devoted mother and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Burial was in Sunset Hill cemetery, Guilford [Chenango Co., NY]

Marvin J. Strong

The funeral of Marvin J. Strong was held form his late home on North Main street [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, Rev. Clarence Carman, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, officiating. The attendance was very large, filling the house to its capacity, and the floral tributes were many and beautiful, speaking of the love and esteem in which the deceased was held.  The Sunday School orchestra which he had organized and conducted, attended in a body as did also delegations and representatives of the Rebekaha, the I.O.O.F. and the Masons.  Mr. Strong had been treasurer of the Masonic Lodge of this place for the past 25 years.  The bears, Earl A. Westcott, Sebert B. Hollenbeck, George Cook, Albert C. Wilcox, Charles H. Eldred and Herbert Petley, were all members of the official board of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.  Mr. Strong had served as a trustee of the church for the past 35 years, this being the longest term of service rendered by any member of the board.  An accomplished musician, he had always played an important part in the music of the church.  Mr. Strong was born in South Gibson, Pa., January 28, 1869, a son of David S. and Betsey A. Briggs Strong.  When he was only 18 years old his father died, and at the age of 11 he went to live with his uncle, James Pickering, of South Gilboa.  In his young manhood he came to New York state, and after one year spent in Binghamton he came to Bainbridge and learned the blacksmith trade form his step-father, Mr. Robinson, and he became very proficient in the art of fashioning and welding iron and steel.  In May, 1891, he married Miss Ida E. Blincoe, of Bainbridge, and all of their married life has been spent in this place.  His passing away Monday, June 13, of bronchial asthma, has left a vacant place in the hearts and in the community.  His earthly remains have been placed in the family plot in Greenlawn cemetery [Bainbridge, NY], but his spirit still lives, and his influence for righteousness will continue to be felt.  No more appropriate text could have been selected than that from which the Funeral sermon was preached:  "Blessed are the dead which die in the lord from henceforth:  Yea, saith the Spirit, and they that may rest from their heavy labours; and their works do follow them."  Rev. 14:13.  Mr. Strong is survived by his wife, one daughter, Mrs. E. Irene Strong, of Bainbridge; one half-sister, Mrs. B.J. Holladay, of West Colesville; one aunt, Miss Hannah Briggs, of Susquehanna, Pa., and several nieces and nephews.  [1932]