Miscellaneous News Items

Proprietors of Disorderly House Receive Jail Sentences

Otsego Journal, June 19, 1881

Charles Coburn, Jennie Thompson and Mollie Woodruff, the two latter being notoriously known as the "two orphans," formerly residents of Bainbridge, all of whom have served sentences in our county jail, were on Wednesday last, at the January term of the circuit court, at Binghamton, sentenced by Judge Follett to the Albany penitentiary.  Coburn goes for one year, the Thompson woman for nine months, and the other "orphan" for eight months.  For four years Coburn and the Thompson woman have conducted a joint business in running disorderly houses at Sidney, Bainbridge and elsewhere and the public at large have reason for congratulation that the infamous trio are at last where they will be compelled for a season to lead virtuous lives.  When passing sentence Judge Follett took occasion to give the criminals some excellent advice which for their good it is hoped they may heed--Chenango Telegraph.

 

Heaton's Ruby

Chenango Union, March 6, 1884

It has been our good fortune to see and examine a ruby ring, belonging to Charles Heaton, President of the Emery Works [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  There is nothing in appearance which would lead one to imagine it other than a stone of priceless value.  It is very large, transparent, and of such beauty and brilliancy as to lead the amateur into the error of calling it a diamond.  When the stone was cut the only tools which would touch it were those used in cutting diamonds.  And yet this stone was made by Mr. Heaton.  Taking certain chemicals and the flint and stone of which rubies are composed, and experimenting upon them, he finally, after much labor and expense succeeded in melting them and the result was this stone. The French have succeeded in making artificial rubies of the size of a pin head for watch jewels, but have never been able to form larger ones. Therefore Mr. Heaton has the proud consciousness of making that which no living man has ever made before, and of owning a ruby second only in size to the celebrated gem in possession of Queen Victoria--Republican

 

Floor Collapse at C.C. Hovey & Co Creamery

Afton Enterprise, May 3, 1900

There was a serious accident at C.C. Hovey & Co's factory at Bainbridge Tuesday afternoon.  The floor of a storeroom on the third floor of the factory over a section of the ice house that was empty gave way while four men were at work in the storeroom. A part of the floor was prevented from going entirely down by some boxes piled in the room below at the larger part of the storeroom floor and about 18,000 pounds of casein in bags fell crashing through the floor below, 20 feet to the bottom of the ice house.  Four men were working on this floor at the time.  Oscar Lindgren, Simeon Bennett, John Sweet, Wallace Sweet.  Lindgren, Bennett and John Sweet did not go down with the floor but succeeded in catching hold of some remaining timber.  Wallace Sweet went down with the debris striking head first.  His head and a part of his body was tightly wedged in between the bags of casein, but he was able to extricate himself before assistance reached him and beyond some scratches, bruises and wrenches was not injured.

 

116th Anniversary of First Methodist Episcopal Society

Norwich Sun, March 14, 1932

Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY]:  The First Methodist Episcopal Society of Bainbridge is celebrating its 116th anniversary this week with appropriate services in the church.  On March 25 in the year 1816, the first articles of incorporation were granted, and Samuel Banks, Israel Stowell and William Banks were elected trustees. Wednesday a historical service was held and two of the early events of the church were dramatized. Thursday evening at 6:30 the anniversary dinner will be served in the church parlors, following which Dr. Andrews will conduct the fourth quarterly conference.  Friday evening will be devoted to a social time with a reception at 7:30 o'clock, following which an entertainment will be given, the central idea of which is pioneering.  A covered wagon and camp fire will add to the effect of the scene, while old time tunes will be sung by the young people.  Mrs. J. Rennie Allen and Russell Pickering of Endicott are to be the guest singers of the evening.  Gifts will also be presented at this service to the oldest person present, the couple longest married and the person longest a member of the church.  At the morning service on Sunday Dr. Andrews will preach the sermon and at 11:45 Decision Day will be observed in the church school.  The evening service will be in charge of former pastors and their wives.