Obituaries (February 6)

Jessie Shirdon

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1908

 

Jessie Shirdon

1891 - 1908

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Unusual sadness attended the recent death of Jessie Shirdon, which occurred on the Shirdon farm near Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY], where she and her parents were staying for a few days.  The Shirdon family occupy a farm near Haynes, but had gone to Sherburne to look after some necessary work.  Miss Shirdon was but 17 years of age and was an exceptionally bright and attractive young woman. She was the constant companion of her father who is almost totally blind so that it had become necessary to lead him about.  She was a member of last year's teachers' training class in the Norwich High School, but had been obliged to abandon her studies.  Since doing so her health had failed and she had become very despondent.  She tired easily and would frequently lie down during the day.  A few days before her death her father told her he hoped she would be able to return to her school work soon.  She replied that she had no interest in her school work and would rather die.  On the day of her death her mother called her in the morning and receiving no response went to her room and found her lying dead upon the bed.  An empty vial that had contained carbolic acid lay near by.  Physicians were summoned, but she had been beyond their aid for several hours.  Her parents were almost prostrated with grief at her death which cast a sad gloom over the friends she made while a student in the High School and aroused the deep sympathy of all acquainted with the circumstances.

 

Leon Gridley

d. July 9, 1947

Leon Gridley, 56, of Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] R.D. 2, operator of an oil tank truck which was loaded with between two and three hundred gallons of kerosene was killed instantly at 4:07 p.m. Tuesday when the truck was hit by a northbound D.L.&W. passenger train at the Hayes crossing, four miles south of this city.  The engine struck the truck just back of the cab, hurtling the body of Gridley 130 feet north of the crossing, where it came to rest 18 feet west of the rails.  The truck was demolished completely.  Wreckage was strewn along both sides of the tracks for over one half mile north of the scene. The motor was thrown 100 feet by the impact, which tore the cow catcher loose from the huge locomotive.  The truck is believed to have become stalled on the crossing according to the report of Undersheriff Frank J. Machio and Deputy George Judd who investigated the crash.  The crossing permits a clear vision of the track both north and south, Judd said.  Engineer Harry Haynes of Utica said he saw the truck approach the track, then stop as it straddled the crossing.  He said he blew the locomotive's whistle, sounded the bell and managed to slow the engine down before crashing into the helpless truck.  Conductor R.P. Foley was in charge of the train bound for Utica from Binghamton with Engineer Haynes, Howard Doxie, fireman, and Clark Johnson, Flagman.  All of the crew members are of Utica.  The train was made up of engine, baggage car, mail car and one passenger car.  The train arrived in Norwich one hour late.  The truck was owned by A.T. Biever, a wholesale gas, oil and kerosene dealer with whom Mr. Gridley had become associated only three weeks ago.  Until that time and for a period of 30 years he had been a driver for the Z. and M. Oil Company of Norwich.  Mr. Biever said Wednesday the 1936 Mack truck which had a capacity of 816 gallons was completely demolished.  He said also the tank at the time of the tragedy contained somewhere between two and three hundred gallons of kerosene.  Dr. L.T. Kinney, Chenango county coroner who was called to the scene ordered the body of Mr. Gridley removed to the George Devine Funeral Home where an autopsy was performed with Drs. John A. Hollis and Edwin F. Gibson, assisting.  Dr. Kinney said the man suffered multiple fractures including the back and neck and multiple internal hemorrhage.  Leon Gridley was born in Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], July 28, 1890, the son of Melverne and Effie May Harris Gridley.  On October 2, 1912 he was united in marriage with Lucy Ann Wells, who survives.  For 30 years he was an employee of the Z.&M. Oil Company and left employment there only three weeks ago to affiliate with A.T Biever, wholesale oil dealer. For most of his life he lived in Norwich or vicinity.  He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 1043, and was an honorary member of the Ontario Hose Company.  Besides his wife, Mr. Gridley leaves his mother, Mrs. Effie Gridley and the following children:  Leon Gridley and Carl Gridley, of the town of Norwich; Mrs. Gladys Kenyon, Mrs. Lucella Tracy and Gaylord Gridley, all of this city, and Mrs. Caroline Ryan of the town of Norwich; two brothers, Earl, of Guilford, and Roy, of Binghamton; 10 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 from the Breese Funeral Home, Rev. Lloyd S. Charters, rector of the Emmanuel Episcopal church, officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].