Frank H. Dimmick
Utica Saturday Globe, February 15, 1902
Frank H. Dimmick
Frank H. Dimmick, one of the best-known business men in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], died at his home on North Broad street Wednesday morning last. Mr. Dimmick had suffered from an affection of the heart for several months, but had been in his usual health and about his place of business the day previous. Shortly after retiring Tuesday night he complained of his heart, but relief was given him and he soon fell asleep. About midnight Mrs. Dimmick noticed that he breathed heavily and not being able to arouse him, summoned a physician, but death came before the physician arrived. Frank H. Dimmick was the son of Gen. Kimball Hall Dimmick and was born in Norwich October 4, 1851. His father was one of the best-known men in the county and in later years became one of the foremost men in the early history of California. During the Mexican war he organized a company of volunteers which he conducted around Cape Horn. Later he was district judge in the territory of California, was instrumental in bringing the Territory into Statehood, was a member of the California Constitutional Convention and during President Lincoln's administration was Untied States district attorney for southern California. His son, Frank, made his home in Norwich during his early boyhood, excepting a few years spent with an uncle in Ohio, where he attended school. He later learned the jeweler's trade and for a time had a bench in this home in Norwich. In 1870 he went to Smyrna [Chenango Co., NY], where he engaged in the jewelry business and where, in 1874, he married Sarah Munson, of that village. Two children were born to them, both of whom died in infancy, and in 1879 he was further bereaved by the death of his wife. January 11, 1881 he married Miss Carrie Karr, of Smyrna, who survives him,. One son by this marriage, Frank H. Dimmick, Jr., also survives and a brother, Charles, residing in Binghamton. In November, 1881, Mr. Dimmick moved to Norwich and entered the employ of Lewis & Bishop, jewelers. He remained in the employ of the firm and of Mr. Lewis, who succeeded to the business, until 1887, when he purchased interest and the firm style became Lewis & Dimmick.
Fred A. Robbins
Bainbridge News & Republican, January 30, 1941
Fred A. Robbins, 82, former state assemblyman, attorney and mayor of Hornell, died Monday after a long illness. Mr. Robbins was born in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] and as a direct descendent of Captain Israel Smith, of Revolutionary fame and one of the Vermont Sufferers who were given grants of land along the Unadilla River, Mr. Robbins was also closely related to the Moody family who lived where Arthur Russell now lives. He was a member of the Allegany County Board of Supervisors and served in the assembly from 1893 - 1897. He served as Hornell's mayor for four years, was a lawyer for the Erie Railroad for 20 years and served as attorney for the late Glenn H. Curtiss, aviation pioneer, for 10 years.
The body of Bert Constable, 57, of Wells Bridge [Otsego Co., NY], was exhumed from the Ouleout Cemetery, in Franklin [Delaware Co., NY], Monday, by Sheriff Alford Austin, of Delhi, and Inspector Ernest Maynard, of the B.C.L., with the possibility of homicide. The body was sent to the Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, Tuesday morning for a complete necropsy to determine whether or not Mr. Constable died of poisoning. Dr. Ellis Kellert, director of the Pathological Laboratory of the Ellis Hospital, performed the autopsy, assisted by Dr. Bradley H. Kirschberg, B.C.L. scientific laboratory director. The body was accompanied by Trooper N. Obuhanich, of B.C.L., State Police, and Earl Tilyou, associated with Hector Howard, Franklin undertaker. Mr. Constable died December 1, 1940, following a 10-day illness. Dr. J.M. Constantine, of Unadilla, signed the death certificate stating the cause due to heart trouble "which may have been due to poisoning, presumably by food." A friend of Mr. Constable, who stated he had called on the deceased during his sickness, claims Mr. Constable told him he believed he had been poisoned. An investigation was begun January 13, by the B.C.L. and after inquiry, Inspector Maynard applied to Supreme Court Justice Andrew J. McNaught, of Stamford, through Delaware county District Attorney Gleason Speenburgh, for a permit to exhume the body. According to information secured by the B.C.L. on November 21, 1940, the deceased ate a considerable amount of sauerkraut which also was eaten by other members of the family. The family consists of Mrs. Constable, 45, William 18, Edna 15, and Roberta 7. The next morning he drank a glass of pineapple juice, also taken by others. He was taken sick shortly after drinking the juice, although none of the others were affected. On the same day, November 22, the entire family attended a horse auction in Unadilla, where Mr. Constable was taken violently ill. He called at the office of Dr. Constantine but the doctor was not in at the time. However, Dr. Constantine was called to the Constable home that evening. According to the people who knew Mr. Constable, he was a strong man, in excellent health and had never been seriously ill before in his life.
On a report from Dr. Bradley Kirshberg, director of the B.C.L. Laboratory at Schenectady, that Bert Constable, aged fifty-seven, Wells Bridge farmer did not die of natural causes, but was a victim of white arsenic, an active poison, Inspector Ernest Maynard of the B.C.L. detail of Troop C, Sidney, questioned members of the family seeking additional information on his last illness. The questioning which started Wednesday afternoon and continued through until Thursday morning had disclosed nothing of importance at 3 o'clock and it was planned to postpone further examination until later Thursday. However, as a result of the information disclosed by the chemical tests following the exhumation of the body from Ouleout Valley cemetery at Franklin and an autopsy at Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, Monday, a check was being made of drug store in this vicinity to learn whom might have secured the poison.
Bert Constable
Bainbridge News & Republican, January 30, 1941
The body of Bert Constable, 57, of Wells Bridge [Otsego Co., NY], was exhumed from the Ouleout Cemetery, in Franklin [Delaware Co., NY], Monday, by Sheriff Alford Austin, of Delhi, and Inspector Ernest Maynard, of the B.C.L., with the possibility of homicide. The body was sent to the Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, Tuesday morning for a complete necropsy to determine whether or not Mr. Constable died of poisoning. Dr. Ellis Kellert, director of the Pathological Laboratory of the Ellis Hospital, performed the autopsy, assisted by Dr. Bradley H. Kirschberg, B.C.L. scientific laboratory director. The body was accompanied by Trooper N. Obuhanich, of B.C.L., State Police, and Earl Tilyou, associated with Hector Howard, Franklin undertaker. Mr. Constable died December 1, 1940, following a 10-day illness. Dr. J.M. Constantine, of Unadilla, signed the death certificate stating the cause due to heart trouble "which may have been due to poisoning, presumably by food." A friend of Mr. Constable, who stated he had called on the deceased during his sickness, claims Mr. Constable told him he believed he had been poisoned. An investigation was begun January 13, by the B.C.L. and after inquiry, Inspector Maynard applied to Supreme Court Justice Andrew J. McNaught, of Stamford, through Delaware county District Attorney Gleason Speenburgh, for a permit to exhume the body. According to information secured by the B.C.L. on November 21, 1940, the deceased ate a considerable amount of sauerkraut which also was eaten by other members of the family. The family consists of Mrs. Constable, 45, William 18, Edna 15, and Roberta 7. The next morning he drank a glass of pineapple juice, also taken by others. He was taken sick shortly after drinking the juice, although none of the others were affected. On the same day, November 22, the entire family attended a horse auction in Unadilla, where Mr. Constable was taken violently ill. He called at the office of Dr. Constantine but the doctor was not in at the time. However, Dr. Constantine was called to the Constable home that evening. According to the people who knew Mr. Constable, he was a strong man, in excellent health and had never been seriously ill before in his life.
Died of Poisoning
The Otsego Farmer, January 31, 1941
On a report from Dr. Bradley Kirshberg, director of the B.C.L. Laboratory at Schenectady, that Bert Constable, aged fifty-seven, Wells Bridge farmer did not die of natural causes, but was a victim of white arsenic, an active poison, Inspector Ernest Maynard of the B.C.L. detail of Troop C, Sidney, questioned members of the family seeking additional information on his last illness. The questioning which started Wednesday afternoon and continued through until Thursday morning had disclosed nothing of importance at 3 o'clock and it was planned to postpone further examination until later Thursday. However, as a result of the information disclosed by the chemical tests following the exhumation of the body from Ouleout Valley cemetery at Franklin and an autopsy at Ellis Hospital, Schenectady, Monday, a check was being made of drug store in this vicinity to learn whom might have secured the poison.
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