Mary P. Wells
Northern Christian Advocate, April 3, 1850
Mary P. Wells, daughter of Daniel and Polly Wells, and granddaughter of Jerusha Briggs, died March 18, 1850, aged 25 years. She had formerly professed to love the Savior, but by neglect of duty that love had grown cold. During the last summer, she was attacked with consumption, which gradually wasted her strength until she fell a victim to the destroyer. While protracted disease was preying upon her, she had full time to survey her condition. In doing so, she was led to the cross, and found peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ. In her last moments she called to her bedside her father and mother, and sisters, and insisted on a pledge to meet her in heaven. She sent to all her former associates a request, direct form the gate of death: "Tell them all to meet me in heaven." This is the fifth young person whose remains have passed through our Church to the graveyard within a few weeks. May the living lay these things to heart. H.F. Row, Sauquoit, March 25, 1850
Joseph Woodard
Northern Christian Advocate, April 3, 1850
Joseph Woodard, of the town of Columbus, Chenango Co., N.Y., departed this life Feb. 28, 1850, aged 45 years. He experienced religion about twenty-seven years since, and soon after united with the M.E. Church, and remained in the Church of his first and only choice, till he joined the Church triumphant. He had for a considerable time been afflicted with a spasmodic affection, which at times threatened his life, but through the means of medical aid, and the constant attention of a most affectionate and self sacrificing companion he had so far recovered his health as to give great encouragement to his anxious family and friends, having for a short time appeared to enjoy better health than he had for some time before. He died just before midnight. Having retired at an early hour in the evening, he had slept for some time, after which he was taken in a succession of spasms, and soon closed his mortal life. This brother married the daughter of Br. Dudley Hardy, who also departed this life about four months before the death of Br. Woodard; thus we have left in one family two widows, the mother and daughter, both of whom feel the loss they are called to sustain. But as those brethren were undoubtedly prepared, they bow in Christian submission. This house and family have been a home for the way worn itinerant ministers of our Church for more than forty years, and many of our brethren in the ministry will feel to sympathize with the bereaved friends, and we bespeak an interest in their prayers, that the God of the widow and fatherless may sanctify this bereavement to their present and eternal good. L. Beach.
Harold Bellinger, 12, brother of the deceased and who was seriously injured in the same accident, was reported as resting comfortably at the Chenango Memorial Hospital Monday afternoon. The boy sustained a fractured skull and other injuries. His left ear was badly torn and lacerated, but surgeons sutured it in the hopes it may be saved. The skull fracture was reduced and there is every indication barring complications that the lad will recover. Miss Bellinger's body was horribly mangled almost beyond recognition. Her face and skull were crushed in, every bone in the face and skull being broken, and her left arm fractured. That she was instantly killed was the opinion of physicians. The accident, frightful as it proved to be, shocked the countryside, and moved the parents almost to distraction.
Miss Bellinger and her brother had been in attendance at the Episcopal Sunday school and were enroute to their home in North Norwich at the time. The accident occurred about 11 o'clock near the Tiffnay home. Miss Bellinger, driver, was proceeding north and by her side sat her little brother, only occupants of the family car. A heavily loaded Reo trailer truck was traveling south. This machine carrying many cans of milk for delivery at the Borden plant here was piloted by Jesse F. Wynn of Smyrna, 34, brother of Charles A. Wynn of Smyrna, owner of the truck. Riding with Wynn was his brother-in-law, Frank Beesmer of North Norwich, who lives in one of Mr. Bellinger's houses at North Norwich. He was invited to ride to Norwich when Wynn's truck came along as Beesmer and Bellinger were having a conversation in front of the latter's property.
It was not a head on collision, but the two motor driven vehicles sideswiped each other in such manner as to completely demolish the automobile and damage the rear of the trailer truck. Both the Bellinger car and the trailer truck came to rest on the east side of the highway. All the marks in the road including the glass, dirt and debris from the wreckage remained on the east side of the road, an indication to those investigating the fatality that part of the trailer was extending to the left, when the machine came in contact with the passenger car. The Reo is a six-ton affair, with cab and trailer attached behind. The trailer probably swayed to the left when the driver turned sharply to the right. It had an overhanging body and when the impact came the car hit the front hub cap of the truck and then went under the overhanding body and was telescoped.
Dr. E. W. Wilcox, coroner, Sergt, A.E. Young and Trooper James Heath, District Attorney Glenn F. Carter and Deputies Floyd Padgett and Harry Watts were called to the scene of the accident. Measurements were taken at the direction of the officials and photographs were also made. The force of the collision was so great that it entirely removed the top and front seat of the car and jammed the body of Miss Bellinger to the floor board. Harold Bellinger was thrown so that his head rested on the pavement with his feet and legs in the car. It was estimated by Mr. Wynn, truck driver, that both the automobile and his truck were traveling about 35 miles an hour. He and Beesmer were questioned by officers, but no statements were taken down in writing. Wynn claims Miss Bellinger was not looking in his direction, and Beesmer says he was looking to his right and did not observe the approaching car. Because of his injuries Harold Bellinger has not been questioned as to his version of the accident. It was reported that another car was following the truck but failed to stop after the accident. and the identity of the driver had not yet been learned.
Although rendered unconscious by his head striking the pavement Harold recovered before reaching the Chenango Memorial Hospital to which institution he was brought by passing motorists. Dr. E.F. Gibson, the Bellinger family physician, happened to be at the hospital, and he and Dr. T. F. Manley attended the injured lad. Genevieve Bellinger would have reached her 19th birthday on August 3, next. She graduated from Norwich high school last June and was now pursuing a post graduate course. She was well liked by her associates. was a member of Emmanuel church and school, and the Fellowship Class, and her untimely death is deeply deplored by all. The parents and her brother, who will be 13 years old July 20, next survive. The brother also attends the Norwich schools. Coroner Wilcox will hold an inquest in the case but he has yet fixed a date. An investigation is also being continued by the district attorney and other officials
Genevieve Bellinger
1914 - 1933
Funeral services for Miss Genevieve Bellinger, 18, whose life was crushed out in a Sunday morning automobile accident on the Norwich - North Norwich highway, one and one-half miles north of this city, will be held Wednesday afternoon. A prayer service will be held from the home of the victim's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur M. Bellinger of North Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] at 1:15 Wednesday afternoon, followed by services at 2 o'clock in Emmanuel Episcopal church. Rev. Lloyd S. Charters, rector, will officiate and interment will be made in Mt. Hope cemetery [Norwich, NY].Harold Bellinger, 12, brother of the deceased and who was seriously injured in the same accident, was reported as resting comfortably at the Chenango Memorial Hospital Monday afternoon. The boy sustained a fractured skull and other injuries. His left ear was badly torn and lacerated, but surgeons sutured it in the hopes it may be saved. The skull fracture was reduced and there is every indication barring complications that the lad will recover. Miss Bellinger's body was horribly mangled almost beyond recognition. Her face and skull were crushed in, every bone in the face and skull being broken, and her left arm fractured. That she was instantly killed was the opinion of physicians. The accident, frightful as it proved to be, shocked the countryside, and moved the parents almost to distraction.
Miss Bellinger and her brother had been in attendance at the Episcopal Sunday school and were enroute to their home in North Norwich at the time. The accident occurred about 11 o'clock near the Tiffnay home. Miss Bellinger, driver, was proceeding north and by her side sat her little brother, only occupants of the family car. A heavily loaded Reo trailer truck was traveling south. This machine carrying many cans of milk for delivery at the Borden plant here was piloted by Jesse F. Wynn of Smyrna, 34, brother of Charles A. Wynn of Smyrna, owner of the truck. Riding with Wynn was his brother-in-law, Frank Beesmer of North Norwich, who lives in one of Mr. Bellinger's houses at North Norwich. He was invited to ride to Norwich when Wynn's truck came along as Beesmer and Bellinger were having a conversation in front of the latter's property.
It was not a head on collision, but the two motor driven vehicles sideswiped each other in such manner as to completely demolish the automobile and damage the rear of the trailer truck. Both the Bellinger car and the trailer truck came to rest on the east side of the highway. All the marks in the road including the glass, dirt and debris from the wreckage remained on the east side of the road, an indication to those investigating the fatality that part of the trailer was extending to the left, when the machine came in contact with the passenger car. The Reo is a six-ton affair, with cab and trailer attached behind. The trailer probably swayed to the left when the driver turned sharply to the right. It had an overhanging body and when the impact came the car hit the front hub cap of the truck and then went under the overhanding body and was telescoped.
Dr. E. W. Wilcox, coroner, Sergt, A.E. Young and Trooper James Heath, District Attorney Glenn F. Carter and Deputies Floyd Padgett and Harry Watts were called to the scene of the accident. Measurements were taken at the direction of the officials and photographs were also made. The force of the collision was so great that it entirely removed the top and front seat of the car and jammed the body of Miss Bellinger to the floor board. Harold Bellinger was thrown so that his head rested on the pavement with his feet and legs in the car. It was estimated by Mr. Wynn, truck driver, that both the automobile and his truck were traveling about 35 miles an hour. He and Beesmer were questioned by officers, but no statements were taken down in writing. Wynn claims Miss Bellinger was not looking in his direction, and Beesmer says he was looking to his right and did not observe the approaching car. Because of his injuries Harold Bellinger has not been questioned as to his version of the accident. It was reported that another car was following the truck but failed to stop after the accident. and the identity of the driver had not yet been learned.
Although rendered unconscious by his head striking the pavement Harold recovered before reaching the Chenango Memorial Hospital to which institution he was brought by passing motorists. Dr. E.F. Gibson, the Bellinger family physician, happened to be at the hospital, and he and Dr. T. F. Manley attended the injured lad. Genevieve Bellinger would have reached her 19th birthday on August 3, next. She graduated from Norwich high school last June and was now pursuing a post graduate course. She was well liked by her associates. was a member of Emmanuel church and school, and the Fellowship Class, and her untimely death is deeply deplored by all. The parents and her brother, who will be 13 years old July 20, next survive. The brother also attends the Norwich schools. Coroner Wilcox will hold an inquest in the case but he has yet fixed a date. An investigation is also being continued by the district attorney and other officials
