Obituaries (March 3)

Eunice A. (Butts) Cairns

Utica Saturday Globe, March 1910

 

Eunice A. (Butts) Cairns

1851 - 1910

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  After a short illness, Eunice A. Cairns, wife of Scott Cairns, died of pneumonia at the family home on Diamond street on Saturday.  Deceased was born in Franklin, Delaware county, in 1860.  She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Butts.  Her marriage to Mr. Cairns occurred in 1874.  He was then a resident of Andes, N.Y.  They later lived in Oneonta from which place they came to Norwich eight years ago.  Mrs. Cairns was a woman of exemplary Christian character and a member of the Broad street M.E. Church.  Besides her husband she is survived by one daughter, Mrs. O.H. Scott, of Oneonta, by four brothers, Edgar, of this place, George, of Griffins Corners, Jeremiah and John, of Oneonta, and two sisters, Mrs. John Russell, of Treadwell, and Mrs. W.H. Tiffany, of Oneonta.  Funeral services were held from the residence Tuesday morning at 10:30.  [Buried Ouleout Valley Cemetery, Franklin, Delaware Co., NY]

Neil McDonald. 1881 - 1907

Chenango Union, May 23, 1907

Neil McDonald, of Utica [Oneida Co., NY], who was instantly killed in Utica last week by coming in contact with a live electric wire, was a son of Mr. McDonald who formerly drove the stage from Greene to Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY].  Young McDonald climbed a pole which supports the trolley cable in order to get a photograph after the recent May snow storm.  His hat blew off and in attempting to catch it his hand struck the electric cable.

Rome Daily Sentinel, May 11, 1907

Clark Mills [Oneida Co., NY]:  Neil McDonald aged 30 [sic], telegraph operator at the West Shore station here, was killed this morning.  He climbed to the top of one of the towers carrying the 60,000 volt current wires which will operate the electric cars on the West Shore between Utica and Syracuse.  McDonald had his camera with him and it is supposed that he went up the tower to get a picture of a snow scene.  His hat blew off and he reached out for it, touching one of the wires.  He was instantly killed.  His body caught in the tower and before he could be taken down most of his clothing was burned.  Some boys saw McDonald climb the tower and saw him fall.  They gave the alarm and a party of Bell Telephone linemen from Utica who were at work in the vicinity responded and took down the body.  Mr. McDonald was a native of Richmondville [Schoharie Co., NY], and with his wife had resided in this village for the past four years, or since he had been operator for the railroad company.  Here he had been both a day and night operator at different times.  he was an efficient employee of the company and was held in high esteem by his superiors and by all who knew him.  Though an amateur Mr. McDonald was quite expert in the art of photography and had taken many pictures in the village and vicinity which he had mounted on postals and which were used as souvenirs of the place.  They were in great demand by all who saw them.  Mr. McDonald has several brothers and sisters at Richmondville and his remains will probably be sent to that place.  His sad end causes sincerest regret among all of his many friends. Coroner Lewis of Vernon was notified.

Buried Richmondville Cemetery, Richmondville, Schoharie Co., NY

Sarah Augusta (Kelley) Loomis

Afton Enterprise, April 16, 1947

This community was saddened by the death of Mrs. Augusta Loomis at her home near Chemung.  Mrs. Loomis was a sister of Mrs. Lucy Loomis and had spent three summers at North Afton.  Mrs. Loomis had enjoyed very good health even tho 91 years of age.  She had endeared herself to all who knew her by her kind words and thoughtful deeds.  Those who attended her funeral were, Mrs. Lucy Loomis, Arthur Loomis, Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Loomis, Mrs. Lewis Little and Paul, Mrs. I.L. Carl, Mrs. Lena Shapley, Mr. and Mr. B.J. Loomis of Binghamton.  Burial was in the Hicks cemetery [Van Etten Junction, Chemung Co., NY].  [AE/HB, 69:42]

Cora (Kelley) Keith

Afton Enterprise, February 3, 1955

Word has been received of the death on January 27th of Mrs. Cora Keith of Evaston, Ill.  Mrs. Keith was born on the farm now occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Ray Stanton.  She married Edward E. Keith and moved to Bridgewater, Mass.  In later years her husband passed away and Mrs. Keith went to live with her two daughters and one son in Evanston, Ill., where she resided for several years.  Aunt Cora passed away at the age of 93.  She left many nieces and nephews in and around these parts who regret her passing.  Aunt Cora was very active in Red Cross work until the last, having received a citation for her work this past year.  Among the nieces and nephews are the Loomis brothers, Mrs. I.L. Carl, Mrs. Neva Little, Mrs. Marion Ives and Mrs. Lena Shapley of Nineveh.

James Orson Beatman

Afton Enterprise, March 3, 1932

Aged Afton Resident Passes:  Prominent Resident of Afton [Chenango Co., NY] Passes Away at the Home of his Son in New York City:  Word was received here Monday afternoon of the death of Justice of the Peace, James Orson Beatman, 83, at the home of his son, Prof. Augustus Beatman, in New York City, where he had been visiting.  Mr. Beatman had served as justice of the peace in the town of Afton for a period of 40 years.  Mr. Beatman was born June 16, 1849, in North Afton, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Beatman.  He had been a lifelong resident of this section.  He was an active member of the Methodist Church, was a past master of Afton Lodge 360 F.& A.M., and a member of I.O.O.F.  Besides his son he is survived by one brother, Seymour Beatman of North Afton and several nephews and nieces.  Funeral services were conducted from the Tabor funeral home at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon and from the M.E. Church at 2 o'clock, Rev. Willets officiating.  Burial was in Glenwood cemetery [Afton, NY] with Masonic services.