Obituaries (March 16)

Charles Dix

Oxford Press, February 20, 1903

A dispatch from Bainbridge, dated last night, said:  Charles Dix, of Brackett's Lake [Chenango Co., NY], died of exposure this morning near Rockdale.  Mr. Dix was in Bainbridge last evening, going from here to Rockdale, and started out from there some time during the night to walk to his lumber camp, about one and one-half miles from that village.  This morning at about nine o'clock, his son, Charles, and Bert Thornton were coming from the camp with a load of lumber when they discovered tracks in the drifts leading across the fields.  Following the tracks Charlie found his father lying in the snow.  He was still living, but died before assistance could be summoned.  Mr. Dix had evidently lost his way during the night, which was a most severe one, and had wandered about until exhausted.  The remains were brought to this village and later removed to the home at Brackett's Lake.  It is said that another man living near Rockdale started out last night to get help in caring for a sick cow, and has not been seen since.  A party was out all day trying to find him, but up to this evening had not done so.  Dix was a resident of the town of Oxford [Chenango Co., NY] and owned a farm near Brockett pond.  He is survived by a widow and children.

Phoebe Jane [Yale] Doolittle

The Guilford News, December 31, 1930

The funeral of Mrs.  Phoebe Jane Doolittle was held from the Colwell funeral parlors Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m., Rev. G.H. Orvis officiating.  Mrs. Doolittle was the daughter of Richard and Rebecca Yale of Yaleville [Chenango Co., NY] and was born Oct. 22, 1852.  She was the wife of Arthur Doolittle, after whose death three years ago she went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Anna Transue of Binghamton.  During the eight years previous to that, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle had made their home with their son, Jesse Doolittle, of this place [Guilford, NY].  Both son and daughter and five grandchildren survive her.  She had for years been a faithful member of the Baptist church here, and when her death came following an illness of only a few hours Dec. 17, Colwell Brothers were notified and at once went to Binghamton, bringing the body here Thursday for the last sad rites and burial in Greenlawn cemetery [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY].

Fred Drockler

1901

Last Friday morning, Fred Drockler, as was his custom every day, drove to the Hovey creamery in this village from Coventry [Chenango Co., NY], with a wagon load of milk, belonging to patrons along the route.  After the milk was delivered, it being a very warm day, young Drockler with two companions went to the river near the creamery to indulge in a bath. The water at this place is very deep and the current swift.  Not having been in the water only a few minutes, the companions of Drockler heard cries for help.  Neither could swim well and hastening to shore the boys summoned help from the employees of the creamery. Before assistance arrived the young man had sank out of sight.  Boats were obtained and a search for the body made. The accident occurred about 11 a.m., and in less than one-half hour the body was recovered by Zell Newton, who discovered it lying in the bottom of the river about 100 feet below where he was last seen. A physician was called but nothing could be done to revive the boy.  Coroner Dr. Goodsell, of Afton arrived in the afternoon and decided an inquest unnecessary after learning the facts.  Young Drockler was about fifteen years of age and considered to be a fairly good swimmer, and was swimming on his back when he cried for help.  It was the general belief that he was seized with cramps.  He was a son of Frank Drockler, and lived at Coventry. The remains were removed in the evening by an undertaker from Greene. The funeral was held at his late home Sunday and burial made at Oxford [Chenango Co., NY].

Death Notices

Oxford Times, November 2, 1864

In Camp Hill Hospital, Harper's Ferry, Sept. 22, of typhoid fever, Joseph Loomis, a member of Co. B, 7th New York Artillery, formerly of West Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], aged 25 years.

In Hospital, at Winchester, Va., from wounds received in the battle at the above place, Frank M. Skillman, of Co. E, 114th Reg., son of Joseph Skillman, of Smithville [Chenango Co., NY], aged 23 years.

In New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], on the 17th ult., Jenete [Warner], wife of George Warner, aged 21 years.

In Afton [Chenango Co., NY], Oct. 24th, of diphtheria, Charlie Ray [Farnsworth], youngest son of Jonathan and Lydia Farnsworth, aged 4 years.

Killed on the 19th Sept., near Winchester, Lorson D. Merrill, of Co. A, 114th Rev., aged 31 years and 9 months.