James Everett Main
Utica Saturday Globe, October 1921
James Everett Main
1888 - 1921
Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]: Everett Main of North Norwich, a truck driver, employed by Contractor Paddleford on the Sherburne-Columbus highway, was hurled to almost instant death Saturday when he drove upon the Sherburne crossing of the Lackawanna Railroad directly in the path of engine No. 798, which was running light southbound, at the rate of 25 or 30 miles an hour. Main was thrown a distance of 75 feet, his body being picked up in front of the baggage room at the depot. The coupling at the front of the engine struck the radiator of the truck squarely and the hugh auto was thrown about 40 feet. Main was alive wh0en picked up, but died a few minutes after the arrival of Dr. D.W. Gould, who was called and lost no time in arriving at the scene. Main's skull was crushed, a leg was broken, and there were numerous bruises about his face and body. By the force of the impact the pilot of the engine was broken. The crossing is protected by gates and the watchman, Patrick Gaffney was on duty. A work train stood on the siding, waiting for engine No. 798 to pass. A gang of carpenters was employed in repairing the planking at the crossing. For some reason the crossing gates were not lowered in time to save the truckman. Engineer Joseph Slick blew the whistle and several eye witnesses strove to warn Main and to call the gateman's attention to the truck, but too late to avoid the crash. Mr. Main had been employed in hauling materials for the highway all summer and had probably made the crossing in safety a thousand times. He was considered one of the best of drivers, always steady, careful and reliable. He was well liked by his associates in the work and in his home town of North Norwich.
Truck Driver Meets Death At Crossing
Norwich Sun, October 17, 1921
Sherburne [Chenango Co., NY]: Everett Main, of North Norwich met almost instant death at the Lackawanna railroad crossing in this village Saturday afternoon while driving a motor truck when he was hit by light engine No. 798. Main, who was 33 years old, was thrown a distance of perhaps 80 feet, his body being picked up near the baggage room of the depot. The truck was hurled a distance of 50 feet. Although the crossing is protected by gates and a watchman is on duty, it is declared by several eye witnesses, that the crossing was left unguarded at the time. Either the gates failed to work or the watchman, Patsy Gaffney was not aware of the engine's [approach].
The fatality is particularly sad as Main leaves a wife and five children, the oldest 12 years of age and the youngest only seven months. the children are Walter aged 12, Edith, 10, Avereia 7, Ethel 7 and Bernice born last March. There also survive his mother, Mrs. Jane Bubbs and two brothers, Clayton Main of Hornell and Harry of North Norwich, Funeral services will be held in the Methodist church at North Norwich Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
Main was employed as a truck driver by Contractor J.F. Paddleford and while driving the truck west bound was struck by extra engine 798, light, south bound. Main had stopped at the feed mill of Thomas P. Gaines on his way to the gravel pit on the Cook farm between this village and Sherburne Four Corners. The Gaines driveway, from which he loaded, is perhaps a hundred feet from where he was killed. The engine could not have been moving over 25 miles an hour, for the engineer did not see the smash as it was on the other side from him, and after word had been shouted by the fireman and brakeman, he brought his engine to a stop about four hundred feet south of the crossing. The coupler on the front of the engine fairly hit the radiator, and the left half of the pilot beam and cow catcher smashed fairly into the engine of the truck and the cab in which Main was seated. The crash was tremendous and observed by several eye witnesses.
The truck was hurled to the south and east about fifty feet and landed on its left side, headed west against a telephone pole just north of the passenger station. The wreckage instantly burst into flames which station agent James W. Hogan at once put out with an extinguisher. So great was the dust and scattered feed that the witnesses cannot say where Main was or how he got there, but when the engine had passed, the unfortunate man was directly opposite the baggage room door, about eighty feet south of where he was struck, and laying partly on one rail. He must have fallen off about here, for the engine did not pass over him. He was alive when picked up, but unconscious and died in about ten minutes. Dr. D.C. Gould reached him before he died, but could do nothing. Main's skull was crushed in at the top by a frightful wound. One leg was broken, but aside from that he was not mangled though there were various bruises about the face and body. Coroner Wilcox was notified and gave permission for the removal of the body to Benedict & Kehoe's undertaking rooms, from where it was taken to North Norwich Sunday afternoon. Probably Coroner Wilcox will hold a inquest in the near future.
As a result of the impact, the entire portion of the truck ahead of the dump box was demolished. The radiator was carried and then fell off, striking the north side of the freight house. The block or entire engine of the traffic truck was detached from the frame and slid on the sidewalk to about half way from the railroad tracks to the American hotel. Smaller wreckage was strewn along the tracks and on the platform for some distance. The two rear wheels and the dump box and rear part of the truck appear uninjured though they are doubtless well strained. The force of the blow drove the cow catcher or pilot of the engine downwards and backwards sufficiently so that it engaged the planking of the crossing, and two planks were town loose and wedged under the pilot and remained there till the engine was stopped and it is somewhat remarkable that the engine was not tipped off the track.
From the large number of stories and rumors, it has been ascertained to a reasonable certainty that the gates at the crossing were not down, but that the engine sounded it's whistle the usual distance from the crossing, and then again sounded it near the water tank, a short distance north of the crossing. This was done on account of a carpenter gang that were at work on the crossing, and at that time engaged in replanking the switch track crossing, two tracks to the west of the main track where the accident occurred. It is further assured that Patrick Gaffney, the flagman on duty, seeing the train approaching started to lower the gates, and then devoted his attention to trying to stop Main, by raising his hand. Main did stop, but not quickly enough to clear. he had probably crossed here over a thousand times this summer and was relying on the gates. The carpenters, or one of them also saw an accident imminent, and signaled Main, and he says Main acknowledged it by a nod. While the truth from Main's standpoint can never be known, it seems the fair inference from all the circumstances that Main seeing the gates up, dismissed any presence of cars from his mind, and that he interpreted the hand signals given him to stop as those given him to stop on account of the planking work going on a few feet ahead of him. The enclosed cab with the steady rumbling sound, prevented him from hearing the whistle or roar of the approaching engine, or seeing it as well as he would from an open cab, and it also prevented him from jumping to safety as he might possibly have done from an open cab or diver's seat.
Main had been employed by Paddleford all summer and was esteemed as one of the best drivers, steady, careful and reliable in all ways. Personally he was well liked by all his associates, and here and in his home town, was known as an honest, industrious man, conscientious about his work and a good citizen.
James Everett Maine
Norwich Sun, October 20, 1921
James Everett Maine of North Norwich, was almost instantly killed by a south bound D.L.&W. engine Saturday at Sherburne while driving a motor truck across the tracks. Mr. Maine was 34 years of age and was born September 25, 1888 at Brookfield, the son of Sylvester and Serena Maine. On July 2, 1908 he was united in marriage with Nellie L. Bowers of North Norwich, who with five children survive him: Walter E., aged 12 years, Edith C., aged 9, Verita R. aged 7, Ethel H., aged 5 and Bernice C., aged 7 months. He also leaves a mother, Mrs. Serena Tubbs, of Waupaunaucau, grandfather, Chauncey Pudney of Cortland, two brothers, Clayton of Hornell and Harrison of Edmeston, three aunts, Lillian Maine of North Norwich, Flora Wepley, of Hamilton and Martha Chesebro of Poolville, and one uncle Charles Maine of Poolville, as well as many friends who extend their sympathy to the bereaved family at this sad time. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon.
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Mary Ann (Braunger) Spohn
Afton Enterprise, June 8, 1899
Mrs. Matthew Spohn of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G.S. Cook, in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], this (Wednesday) morning of heart disease, aged 68 years. Mrs. Spohn came to visit her daughter six weeks ago today. She had been in feeble health for some time. The funeral will be held at her husband's home in Guilford Friday morning at 11 o'clock. Burial in Yaleville [Guilford, Chenango Co., NY].
[Note: See findagrave.com, Memorial #60584690 for a photo and additional information. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=60584690]
David Lawrence Foster
Norwich Sun, October 20, 1921
David Lawrence Foster died at his home, 149 East Main street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY] at 5:30 o'clock Thursday morning, after a brief illness. He had been ill for two weeks, but his health had not been of the best since he suffered an attack of flu two years ago. The deceased was born in Eaton 22 years ago and his untimely death will be a source of keen regret to all who knew him. He was a son of Mrs. Elizabeth Foster, and well liked by numerous friends. he was a member of Calvary Baptist church, also a member of the local order of Eagles and Red Men. he was an employee of the O.&W. Shops. Besides his mother he leaves three sisters, Irma, Gladys and Esther Foster. The funeral will be held Saturday at 1 o'clock, the Rev. S.T. Harding officiating. Burial will be made in Morrisville.
Samuel J. Yaple
Afton Enterprise, June 8, 1899
Another esteemed citizen of Afton [Chenango Co., NY] has been cut down by the reaper death. Mr. Samuel J. Yaple passed away at his home in this village, Friday, June 2d, aged 66. Mr. Yaple was born in the town of Franklin [Delaware Co., NY], but had spent many years in this community and was at the time of his death associated with his son-in-law, J.B. Cass, in the management of the Valley House. He was esteemed by all as a man of good impulses and excellent character. He was one of the brave men who, when our country was in peril took up arms in its defense, serving through the entire war with Co. M. 3rd New York Light Artillery. When in the army he contracted malaria and other ailments which clung to him, causing him to suffer much and finally brought death. During his last illness he confessed faith in Christ. He was married to Miss Caroline Huggins who with her two daughters, Mrs. Cass and little Nelsie, survive, and who have the sympathy of a large circle of friends. Two brothers, B.C. Yaple and R. Yaple also survive. The funeral was held Monday at 2 p.m., from his late residence, Vanderburg Post G.A.R. and Calumet Tribe of Red Men, following the remains to the tomb. Services were conducted at the house by Rev. H. Hill assisted by Revs. D.D. Lindsley and B.B. Carruth. The Red men had charge of the services at the grave.
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