Obituaries (February 1)

Alta May Lewis Prindle

Utica Saturday Globe, October 1907

 

Alta May (Lewis) Prindle

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  That The Angel of Death ever loves a shining mark was once more exemplified in the passing of Mrs. Alta Lewis Prindle which occurred at the Prindle homestead on Hayes street Thursday afternoon of last week, after a brief illness, though she had not been in vigorous health for some time.  Muscular rheumatism is given as the cause of her death.  Her age was only 26 years.  Alta May Lewis was the daughter of Harris and Lucy B Lewis and was born in Portage, N.Y., June 15, 1881.  When she was a child the family came to Norwich, where the only daughter grew to girlhood and young womanhood.  She had become a member of the Calvary Baptist church and of the Philathea Society and had endeared herself to a large circle of friends by her sweet and womanly qualities.  March 27, 1902, she was married to Garfield J. Prindle and she and her devoted husband were looking forward to much happiness in a home of their own which they had planned and hoped to which they had planned and hoped to build in the near future on a plot already purchased.  Besides her husband she is survived by her parents and by four brothers, Willard A. Lewis, of Norwich; Ward Lewis, of Townsend, Vt.,; T. Oakland Lewis, of Boston, and Finch Lewis, of Norwich.  Funeral services were held from the home on Hayes street Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock and were very largely attended.  The beautiful and abundant floral offerings mutely spoke the sympathy of many friends. Rev. Ira W. Bingham officiated, the bearers being the four brothers.  Interment was made in Mount Hope Cemetery [Norwich, NY]

 

Charles Sumner
Jan. 6, 1841 - Mar. 11, 1874
US Senator from Massachusetts

Chenango American, Greene, NY, March 19, 1874

One more of the notable men of our time has passed away.  Sumner follows other of the men who, in the struggle with slavery, became famous.  We cannot attempt to give a biography of the distinguished statesman.  Up to almost the last, his thoughts centered upon the great work of his life.  To ex-Attorney General Hoar, of Massachusetts, he said:  "Take care of my civil right bill."  then he thought of his friends.  His last words were addressed to E.R. Hoar.   "Tell Emerson that I love him and revere him."  The last mercy--to close this human life without extreme pain--was not vouchsafed to Mr. Sumner. According to all accounts the sufferings of his final hour were terrible.  His vitality was great. A hold so strong as that which nature gave him upon life, cannot be loosened at so early an age by causes affecting the nervous organization, without a violent struggle.  Mr Sumner was a man of such remarkable constitution that he might reasonably have been expected to live to be ninety.  Mr. Sumner never recovered from the injuries he received from the assault of Bully Brooks.  Brooks himself was a strong man, and he used a big club.  No doubt Mr. Sumner's life was shortened many years by the shock to his system which he then sustained, and by the enduring morbid effects which followed it.  It was this unnatural cause, operating through the lapse of years, and finally producing his death, that made it especially painful.  Some of the most soul-stirring eloquence of this generation came from the lips of Charles Sumner.  His utterances commanded a willing ear in two hemispheres.  He must be regarded as the impersonation of patriotism.  No soldier ever gave his life more willingly and did his country more service than did Charles Sumner.  His incorruptibility was never impeached.  No one ever dared offer him a bribe. The largest freedom to every man of every color, was the polar star to Charles Sumner's horizon which never set.  The type of manhood of which Mr. Sumner was a representative is growing scarcer every year. When his body was taken from the Senate chamber last Friday he did not leave his peer behind him.  He stood as a scholar, as a statesman, and in general culture.  He was a fine model for our American youth to emulate.  he was a splendid example for the advancement of those principles which make true patriots. 

Murderous Assault on Senator Sumner

Salem Register, May 26, 1856

On Thursday last, Charles Sumner, a Massachusetts Senator in Congress, was brutally assaulted in the Senate Chamber, by a South Carolina ruffian, named Presto S. Brooks, who represents South Carolina principles in the House of Representatives.  The special correspondent of the Boston Daily Advertiser, who was present, says:

Washington, May 22, 1856
I have just witnessed one of the most brutal and disgraceful scenes it has ever been my lot to behold.  The Senate adjourned early today in consequence of the announcement of the death of Hon. Mr. Miller of Mo.  After the adjournment, as is the custom of many Senators, Mr. Sumner remained at his desk, writing.  there were also present Mr. Crittenden of Kentucky, and several other Senators, who had not yet left the Chamber, some of the subordinate officers of the Senate, and a number of other persons, including your correspondent.

While Mr. Sumner was thus seated writing, Mr. Preston S. Brooks of South Carolina, entered the chamber accompanied by Mr. Keitt of the same State,--both members of the House of Representatives.  These approached Mr. Sumner's seat, when the former raising a cane some three quarters of an inch or an inch in diameter, struck Mr. Sumner a severe blow on the head with it.  Mr. Sumner  sprang from his seat, but staggered under the effect of the blow, reeling about and falling partially over the desk.  Notwithstanding his helpless condition, the chivalric South Carolinian repeated his blows with great force and rapidity, which his accomplice Mr. Keitt, occupied himself in preventing those nearest Mr. Sumner from interfering for his defense; and by the time the bystanders had succeeded in arresting the arm of the lawless assailant, Mr Sumner who had fallen helpless to the floor, was unable to raise himself therefrom.

The Washington correspondent of the Evening Post gives the following version:  Shortly before 2 o'clock in the afternoon, the Senate having adjourned, Mr. Sumner was sitting in his place writing very busily.  Brooks approached him saying "Mr. Sumner, I have read your speech twice.  It is a libel on South Carolina, and on Mr. Butler, who is a relative of mine."  Mr. Sumner, who was still intently writing knew nothing more. Brooks stuck him with a heavy cane, upon which Sumner sprang from his seat to defend himself with such violence that the heavy desk before him was wrenched from the floor, to which it was screwed.  He was, however, so much staggered as to be rendered powerless, and the blows were repeated till he was senseless....There were at least a dozen persons standing near at the time of the assault, which was so unexpected that, as they say, they did not think of interfering.....It is believed that Sumner would certainly have been killed but for the interference of Messrs. Murray and Morgan, Representatives from New York.  The former seized Mr Brooks around the waist, while he was striking Sumner, and, with Morgan's help, pulled him away.

Ella Terry

Otsego Journal, January 29, 1890

Otego [Otsego Co., NY]:  Those who knew the late young lady, Miss Ella Terry, who died at the residence of her brother-in-law, Mr. Chas. Flint, on Wednesday night, would not thought of her dying only a few days ago.  There was no healthier looking young lady in town, but today she lies silent in the grave.  Some time past she had been at work at Susquehanna house, but was taken ill with "la grippe."  She was supposed to be better, but suffered a relapse which went to her brain, and on Monday she was removed to Mr. Flint's house, where she remained conscious until her death  She was the daughter of the late James Terry, who died a short time ago, and was probably about twenty-three or twenty-four years of age.  The funeral was held on Saturday in the Baptist church, the Rev. Mr. Sanborne officiating owing to the illness of the Rev. Fisher, pastor of the Baptist church.

 

Allison Spohn

Bainbridge Republican, March 15, 1923

A pathetic death occurred Sunday at 7 o'[clock when Allison Spohn aged 19, the oldest son of Fred Spohn of this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] died of pneumonia, which was super induced by inhaling carbon monoxide gas while at work in a garage where he had employment. The deceased was the main support of his mother, a younger brother and two sisters.  The family having been bereft of the income which was needed for its support, the deceased left his studies, secured a position in a garage and was providing for them.  He was a young man for whom everyone had the greatest esteem and regard. His industry and purpose in life when confronted with unfortunate circumstances had caused general admiration for his sterling worth, and as evidence of this, during his sickness and since his death there has been unsolicited generous proffers of kindness and assistance from the whole community.  Besides the mother he is survived by a brother, Malcom, age 16 and two sisters, Esther, age 13 and Aileen age 11.  The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock at St. Peter's church of which he was a member, Rev. Thomas J. Collar officiated. There was a large attendance of friends and the floral tributes were numerous and especially beautiful.

 

Death Notices

Oxford Times, April 12, 1871

 

GRANT:  In Greene [Chenango Co., NY], suddenly, on 3d inst., Mr. Theron Grant, aged 56 years.

 

DAVIS:  In Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], March 18th, Mr. Reuben Davis, aged 90 years.

 

IRELAND:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY], April 1st, Clarissa, wife of Harvey Ireland, aged 54 years.

 

SUMNER:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], on 2d, Ann, wife of Charles Sumner, aged 80 years.

 

NORRIS:  In McDonough [Chenango Co., NY], on 6th, Mrs. Betsey Norris, aged 82 years.

 

GALLUP:  At the Poor House in Preston [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 10th, Frederick Gallup, aged 70 years, formerly of Plymouth [Chenango Co., NY].

 

FRISBY:  At the Poor House in Preston [Chenango Co., NY], April 8th, Joel Frisby, aged 87 years.