Obituaries (October 7)

Francis J. Tootell

Utica Saturday Globe, October 1904

 

Francis J. Tootell

1885 - 1904

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  A fatal accident occurred on Tuesday of last week at the large new brick building now in course of construction by the Norwich Pharmacal Company. The brick and other supplies for use in the walls were raised by an elevator.  The five stories of the building were completed and the walls were being topped out ready for the roof.  Francis J. Tootell, a mason's helper, was employed in wheeling the brick and so forth from the elevator to the place where the masons were working.  Just how the accident happened is not known, but a wheelbarrow of brick had just been raised, and it is believed Tootell failed to give the signal to the engineer to stop.  As the elevator reached the floor where he was standing he stepped upon it to wheel off the brick.  The elevator car continued to rise until the rope caught in the pulley at the top of the shaft and was cut.  The elevator car with its barrow of brick and human burden shot down 60 feet to the first floor of the building.  Tootell never spoke or moved after he struck the ground floor.  His neck was broken and his skull fractured.  He fell head foremost, striking on his face.  As the car fell through the shaft Tootell appeared to follow at about two feet behind or above the car.  The man's body was viewed by Coroner E.W. Wilcox, who gave permission for its removal to Breese's undertaking rooms, where it was prepared for burial and then taken to the home of the young man's mother, Mrs. Mary E. Tootell, on Hayward street.  Mr. Tootell was in his 20th year, having passed his 19th birthday on march 25 last.  He was born in Chicago, his father being James N. Tootell, now of New York.  He came to Norwich from Brisben about three years ago, and on March 16, 1903 married Hattie M. Bowers, of East Norwich, and since that time had resided on Jones avenue.  He was a natural stone cutter and had been employed by Walter Foster and Ryan, Conroy & Co. in that capacity.  He also worked for a time in the Rushmore creamery.  He was known as a sober, industrious young man.  He is survived by his widow and parents, together with three sisters, Mrs. Merton Soule of Albany and Mrs. Jacob .?. of Norwich.  Two younger brothers ..[Harry, Earl].. and a sister Cora reside with the mother on Hayward street.  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Wilson Treible officiating.  Burial was made in Mount Hope Cemetery.

 

DeRuyter Gleaner, November 17, 1904

Harriet Tootell, widow of Francis Tootell, who was killed by falling down an elevator shaft while working for the Norwich Pharmacal Company, has brought suit to recover $25,000 from the company because of his death.

 

Syracuse Journal, January 20, 1906

A verdict of $5,800 with interest and costs was awarded to Kuntsech & Miller Saturday in that action against the Norwich Pharmacal company for causing the death of Francis J. Tootell, a 19-year-old boy employed by the defendants as a laborer on a building they were erecting at Norwich.  Tootell was wheeling bricks off an elevator at the top of the building, six stories from the ground when the elevator broke allowing him to fall.  He was instantly killed and two months after his death, his widow, not yet 21 years old, gave birth to a baby.  The accident occurred last October [1904], but the action hung on for some time.

Alice J. Sands

1888 - 1896

Mr. and Mrs. William Sands are called to mourn the death of their daughter, Alice J., who died Saturday morning, December 15, aged 8 years.  Funeral services were held at  her late home Monday morning, Rev. Walter Bentley officiating.  Burial in Green Lawn cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].  Alice was a bright, beautiful child, and greatly beloved by all who knew her. The sympathies of their many friends are extended to Mr. and Mrs. Sands in their sore bereavement.

James M. Olendorf

Afton Enterprise, October 12, 1903

James M. Olendorf, who has been ill some two weeks, gradually grew worse and died at his home in this village [Afton, Chenango Co., NY] Monday, Oct. 12.  Mr. Olendorf was 73 years of age and the greater part of his life was spent in this vicinity, where he was well known and highly respected. At one time he owned and conducted the "brick house" farm in the southern part of the village. The funeral was held from the late home Wednesday at 1:00 o'clock, conducted by Rev. B.B. Carruth.  Interment was made in Glenwood cemetery [Afton, NY], and the services at the grave were conducted by Afton Lodge no. 360, F.&A.M., of which the deceased was a member.  Mr. Olendorf is survived by his wife and two sons, James H., of Athens, Pa. who with his family was in attendance at the funeral, and Frank, who is engaged in mining in Mexico.

 

Thankful L. Bushley

1829-1906

Thankful L. Bushley, widow of Norman Bushley, died December 7 at the residence of her son, Franklin A. Bushley, of Rexford street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY].  Her age was 77 years.  Mrs. Bushley was born in Bennington, Vt., and was married to Norman Bushley at Shaftsbury, Vt., in the year 1859.  In 1872 they removed to Norwich, where Mrs. Bushley had since lived, her husband dying in 1893.  Two children were born to them, Cynthia L., who died in 1880, and Franklin A., who is a well-known resident of Norwich.  Mrs. Bushley was a member of the Methodist Church and her funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon by her pastor, Rev. Wilson Treible.  Burial was made in the Shaw Cemetery.

 

Bertha Sara Olendorf

Afton Enterprise, February 9, 1928

Sayre Evening Times, Jan. 30:  Mrs. Bertha Sara Olendorf, widow of James H. Olendorf and for over thirty years a resident of Athens, died Sunday morning about 2:15 at the Robert Packer hospital in Sayre after an illness of about three weeks.  Mrs. Olendorf was a native of this county being born in Rome [Oneida Co.,  NY], July 29, 1860.  She was married to James H. Olendorf at Bainbridge, N.Y., Dec. 4, 1875.  Later she came to Athens [PA] where she made her home for many years.  She was affiliated with the First Methodist church of Athens, being regular in her attendance while here. She was a member of the Tioga Point Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  A short time ago she went for a visit to the home of her daughter in Afton, N.Y., where she was taken ill and later removed to the Packer Hospital. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Carrie Hinman and Mrs. Winifred Stickles, both of Afton., N.Y., a grandson, Harry O. Stickles, Jr., of Sayre, and an aunt, Mrs. Welthea Brigham of Towanda.  Funeral services will be held at the home of C.H. Satterlee at 705 South Main street on Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. A.D. Finch of the Athens Methodist church will officiate.  Burial will be made in Tioga Point cemetery.