Obituaries (October 20)

William W. Blossom
Syracuse Daily Journal, January 7, 1919

Caught in the inner door of one of the building elevators, in an attempt to board a moving car, and carried to the top of the entrance door, William W. Blossom of 808 S. State st. was instantly killed in the lobby of the City Bank Building Tuesday morning at 11:30.  Blossom's head was crushed and he was otherwise badly injured.  Miss Jane Weeks, the girl who was running the lift at the time of the accident was almost prostrated.  She stated that there were four or five people in the car and upon looking out she saw that the lobby was empty.  She then started the car. She says that she did not know that Blossom had tried to get aboard the elevator until she heard one of the passengers scream.  Turning around she saw the man wedged between the floor of the elevator and the top of the car to the ground floor.  Blossom was dead when he was extricated from the car.

 

William Sullivan of 609 Vine st. said that he and Blossom had been in the search for employment all morning and when opposite the City Bank Building Blossom told Sullivan that he had some business in the building with an insurance man.  On entering the structure Sullivan said that he would wait for Blossom.  He says that when they entered the lobby the doors of the elevator started to close.  Blossom, he states, quickly made a dive for the entrance, and, according to Sullivan, was caught between the doors. The first door is stationary and is of heavy metal, while the inner door is fastened on the elevator and is made of strips of brass.  Blossom succeeded in passing the first door, but the second, offering more resistance, pinned him in the entrance and carried him up.  The elevator started at a rapid rate, and when Blossom's head struck the top of the door it was crushed.  The janitors of the building removed the body from the elevator and laid it on the lobby floor.  Coroner Crane was summoned and ordered the remains removed to the County Morgue for an autopsy. 

 

Blossom, who was about 45 years of age, was a carpenter by trade and had just finished work on a house in upper James st., and was looking for further employment at the time of his death.  His wife, who had no knowledge of her husband's death until called upon by a Journal reported, bore up bravely when notified of her sudden bereavement at noon today.  Besides his widow, Blossom is survived by five children, Pauline, 12; Prudence, 11; Stuart, 7; Florence, 2; and Wilfred, who has not yet reached his first year.  Blossom at the time of his death carried in his pocket a book of thrift stamps for each of his five children.

 

Norwich Sun, January 9, 1919

William W. Blossom, a former citizen of Norwich was crushed to death in an elevator at Syracuse yesterday according to the following taken from an exchange in that city.

 

"An investigation into the death of William W. Blossom, a painter, No. 808 South State street, who was crushed to death in an elevator in the City Bank building Tuesday morning, was begun by Coroner Crane yesterday.  It may be concluded today Blossom met his death as he tried to board the car before the door was closed and as the elevator started upward.  His death was accidental, according to Coroner Crane who issued a certificate of death yesterday morning.  'I have started an investigation to ascertain just how Blossom met his death,' said Coroner Crane 'I do not blame any one in particular.  I believe the accident was purely accidental.  It would seem to me from what I have been able to learn that it was Blossom's own fault.  If he had not attempted to board the car before the door was closed it is certain that the accident would not have happened. The operator was behind a group of passengers.  She swung the door shut, or at least thought she did, and started the car. Blossom stepped between the door and the elevator casing and was crushed to death.  Blossom's funeral will take place from the Free Methodist church in Linden street at 12:30 o'clock this afternoon.  The body will be taken to Norwich for burial."

Erford Whaley

Norwich Sun, January 9, 1919

North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  One of the saddest events that has occurred in this vicinity was the death of Erford Whaley on Dec. 30, 1918.  He was a young man of sterling integrity who had grown up in and about that section.  He has worked on different farms and for several years was a faithful employee of the Standard Dairy Co. at Sherburne Four Corners.  Last spring he changed from the creamery and operated the farm known as the Dudley Johnson farm in Plymouth.  About three weeks ago he received a call from the Standard Dairy Co. asking him to be manager of the creamery where he had previously worked.  He then closed the contract with Mr. Johnson and prepared to move to Sherburne Four Corners during which time rainy weather prevailed.  Mr. and Mrs. Whaley and son, Vincent, were all taken with hard colds and moving into a cold house without help to care for them pneumonia developed rapidly and could not be checked.  He was 31 years of age and passed away surrounded by his family and mother, Mrs. Charles Collier, his three brothers and three sisters.  He was married on Sept. 30, 1911, to Miss Gladys Huntley of Plymouth.  He is survived by his wife and son, Vincent, and a large circle of relatives.  His many friends extend their deepest and most sincere sympathy.

Alice Clemie (Shaw) Royce

DeRuyter Gleaner, October 10, 1929

Mrs. Alice Royce departed from this life, October 1, 1929, although having been in failing health for some months, she was confined to the bed for only a few days.  Alice Clemie Shaw was born in So. Otselic [Chenango Co., NY], April 28, 1857, and was the daughter of Hiram and Sarah Taber Shaw. She united with the Baptist church of South Otselic when a young girl.  On April 6, 1877, she was married to Harian Royce of Sherburne, who died several years ago.  Deceased is survived by six daughters:  Mrs. Earl Chapman and Mrs. Lynn Trass of Georgetown; Mrs. State Blasier of Fayetteville, Miss Mabel Royce of New York City, Mrs. Linus Harvey and Mrs. George Allen of South Otselic; two sons, Floyd Royce of long island and Herbert Royce of Georgetown; two stepsons, Irving Royce and Homer Royce of South Otselic.  The funeral was held in the Baptist church at South Otselic on Thursday, October 3rd, 1929, Rev. Whitney officiating.  Burial was made in Maple Grove Cemetery at Otselic.

Libbie S. (Park) Brown

DeRuyter Gleaner, June 8, 1927

Following several months illness, Mrs. Libbie Brown, wife of R.R. Brown, died Friday morning aged 63 years.  Mrs. Brown is survived by her husband, two daughters, Mrs. E.J. Angell and Mrs. Nina Stack; two brothers, Lennie K. and Leslie Park, also the aged mother.  Funeral services were held from the home on Monday, June 5th, which was largely attended.  The services were conducted by her pastor, Rev. I.C. Whitney, with the Wm Breese Co., undertakers, in charge.  Burial was made in the new plot in Valley View cemetery [South Otselic, Chenango Co., NY].

Ralph Randall Brown

1858 - 1928

Ralph R. Brown, 68, president of the B.F. Gladding Company of South Otselic [Chenango Co., NY] and prominent in business in the community, died at his home at 4:30 o'clock Wednesday morning, following an illness of several years.  He was born within a few miles of his late home, September 8, 1859, the son of Ledyard and Eliza Gladding Brown.  Practically all his life had been spent in the village of South Otselic and for the past 40 years he had been connected with the firm of B.F. Gladding & Company.  His wife Mrs. Libble Park Brown, died last June.  Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Earl Angell and Mrs. M.L. Stack, both of South Otselic. A sister, Mrs. H.B. Matthewson and four grandchildren and an uncle John E. Gladding of Cortland, also survive.  In addition to his office as president of the Gladding Company he was vice president and director of the Otselic Valley National Bank and was a director of the Citizens' Hotel Corporation of Syracuse and the Excelsior Insurance Company of Syracuse.  He was a member of the South Otselic Methodist Episcopal Church and was also connected with the Odd Fellows.  The funeral will be held from the home Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock with Rev. F.M. Williams of Phoenix officiating, assisted by Rev. Harry Williams of South Otselic.  Burial will be made in the family plot at Valley View cemetery [South Otselic, NY].