Monday, May 15, 2023

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, May 1875 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, May 20, 1875

Marriages

REDDEN - O'DONNELL:  At the residence of the clergyman in Cortland village [Cortland Co. NY] April 24th, by Rev. F.B. McLaughlin, Mr. Patrick Redden of Preston [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Ellen T. O'Donnell of Solon, Cortland Co. [NY].

FRANKLIN - WYCKOFF:  At the African M.E. Church in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May 17th, by Rev. J.G. Rokman, Rev. Thomas E. Franklin, pastor of the church and member of the New York Conference to Miss Lottie M. Wyckoff, all of Norwich

The "little church around the corner," on Fair Street, was crowded to suffocation on Monday afternoon last, the bells of the various churches having summoned the people to witness the marriage ceremony to take place there at five o'clock, between Rev. Thomas E. Franklin, pastor of the church, and Miss Lottie E. Wyckoff.  The ceremony was gracefully performed by Rev. J.G. Eckman, Presiding Elder of the M.E. Church, after which Rev. S. Scoville, of the Congregational, and Rev. L.M.S. Haynes of the Baptist churches passed the contribution boxes among the audience for the purpose of raising means for defraying the expenses of the happy couple upon their wedding tour.  A committee had also been in waiting at the church during the afternoon to receive such presents as might be brought in, but we have not learned the amount of donations thus received.  At the conclusion of the exercises, a reception was given in the basement of the church, where refreshments were served, and which was participated in by a large number, both white and black. The bride and groom left for the south on the evening train, and they will attend the annual session of the African M.E. Conference at New York before their return. 

[See additional writeup below from the Chenango Telegraph]

Deaths

THOMPSON:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May 13th, Mary A. [Thompson] wife of George K. Thompson and daughter of Dan T. Loomis, of Brisbin [Chenango Co. NY] aged 29 years.  The remains were taken to that place for interment.

CARY:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May 13th, Mr. Palmer C. Cary, aged 77 years.

MURTAGH:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], May 19th, Esther [Murtagh] wife of Owen Murtagh, aged 27 years.

WAIT:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], May 11th, Carrie A. [Wait] wife of Ambrose Wait, and daughter of the late Morgan McNitt, aged 19 years, 9 months and 7 days.

FRANCOIS:  In Scranton, Pa., May 16th, of inflammation of the lungs, Louise V. [Francois] daughter of Alexander, Jr. and Mary Francois, formerly of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], aged 2 years 5 months and 9 days.  Her remains were brought to this place for interment.

FOOTE:  In Coventry [Chenango Co. NY], March 2d, Minnie [Foote] daughter of Ezra Foote, aged 16 years.

FINCH:  In Pitcher [Chenango Co. NY], May 6th, Mrs. Lucretia Finch, aged 77 years and 9 months.

BROCKETT:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], May 10th, Mrs. Marion Brockett, aged 81 years.

CRANDALL:  In Chicago, May 1st, Chauncey D. [Crandall] son of Lieut. Chauncey and Bessie Crandall, aged 15 years, formerly of Pitcher [Chenango Co. NY].

Dr. Perkins of Unadilla Forks [Otsego Co. NY], died of smallpox, Saturday, May 1st.

News Item

Oxford, Chenango Co. NY:  The residences of the East Hill are somewhat exercised over the elopement of John E Rogers with his sister-in-law, which occurred on Thursday of last week.

Young Rogers for two years or more has been agent for the Midland Railroad at this station [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY] and occupied with his family, a wife and three children, the rooms fitted up in the depot for a residence.  His wife's sister, who is a daughter of William Gilbert of this town, has lived with him most of the time since he became station agent.

The neighbors have thought by actions that Rogers was paying too much attention to his sister-in-law, and the subject caused remarks some time ago.  On Thursday Rogers packed a sachet and went to Norwich via the Midland but returned on the D.L.&W. Road at noon and instead of taking the highway for home, struck out cross lots and was seen going over the hill in rear of the Bartle house on the east side of the river.  That was the last that has been seen of him in this vicinity, we believe.  Miss Gilbert was at her parents' residence, and Friday morning on going to her room it was found to be without an occupant, but a note in her handwriting was discovered, which stated that she was going away to work, the vehicle then being read to convey her away, and that her folks might have the clothes she left behind.

It is supposed that Rogers, after leaving this village, skulked around in the woods until nightfall and then went to Mr. Gilbert's residence where he was joined by his paramour, and the two then fled to the nearest station on the A.&E. Railway and are now miles from the scenes of their guilty acts. Rogers' accounts with the Railroad company are thought to be all straight.

Rogers' father and brother were engaged in building him a house on his father's farm, a few rods south of the Midland depot and the frame was raised on the day that he disappeared.

Rogers leaves behind a young wife and three small children, without means of support, and indignation at the cruel desertion is freely expressed in the neighborhood.  Oxford Times

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, May 20, 1875

Marriage

Monday was an exciting day for Zion - we mean Zion's African M.E. Church in Norwich [Chenango Co. NY].  It was then and there that Rev. Thomas E. Franklin drew the largest audience ever assembled within its walls and the like of which he will be fortunate if he ever draws again.  It had been given out on Sunday, that a wedding would take place at the above-named Church on Monday at 5 P.M., the happy parties being the worthy pastor above named and Miss Lottie E. Wycoff a general favorite with many of our oldest and best citizens.  Long before the time which had been announced for the ceremonies, the little church was crowded to a jam - young America in the shape of unruly children counted fully half the number - and still the people came until the anxious crowd extended to the sidewalk.  The officiating clergyman, Rev. Mr. Eckman, was early on the platform ready for duty. Rev. Mr. Haynes also came in and took a seat on the platform. There was a hush and a buzz as the tall form of Rev. Mr. Scoville elbowed his way through the crowd.  He soon found something practical to do and proposed that the hat be passed among the crowd for the purpose of making the pastor bridegroom a little donation. This was done and the result was about $15, which was in addition to a large number of presents for the bride which had been deposited in the basement of the church.  At about half past five o'clock carriages with the bridal party arrived and the crowd again gave way to allow the actors in the important ceremony to make their way to the platform.  Two bridesmaids and two groomsmen accompanied the matrimonial candidates. The bride was tall and graceful with more Grecian than African features.  She was attired in a lavender silk, of fine quality and made in a style that become the figure, and the exceeding good taste of not having a profusion of furbelows and trimming.  The groom was attired in the orthodox black incident to such occasions.  Rev. Mr. Eckman performed the ceremony after the manner of the M.E. Church and the happy pair were soon pronounced husband and wife and they received the hearty congratulations of friends and passed out of the church. The noisy children and boys did not cease their unmannerly confusion during the ceremony.  Neither the fact that they were in a church, the gravity of the ceremony or the solemnity of prayer could induce descent behavior and was evidence that there was a great lack of training somewhere.

After the ceremony at the church, there was a reception at the home of the bride, which was attended by a number of the old citizens.  There were more congratulations and more cake than at the church and the whole affair was pronounced one of the happiest of its kind for many a day.  In the evening the bride and groom took the cars for New York, where they will attend the conference which will decide whether Mr. Franklin returns to this charge for another year.

Deaths

DIED:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], April 25th, '75, after a short illness, Stephen S. Anthony, Esq. aged 79 years 4 months.

Mr. Anthony was one of the well-known and respected citizens of the county, and whose decease requires at our hands something more than a passing notice.  He was born at Portsmouth, Newport Co., Rhode Island, where he resided until he was thirty years of age.  Here he was twice elected to represent his fellow citizens in the Rhode Island Legislature, a trust which he faithfully performed.  Leaving Rhode Island he sought near a half century ago, a home in what was then the wilds of Chenango.  He located in Plymouth, and ever since has lived in that or the adjoining town of Smyrna.  In each he was honored by being elected by his townsmen to the important positions of Supervisor and Justice of the Peace, and in either station he was remarkable for the closeness with which he guarded the interests of his constituents.  Of Quaker origin he carried into all his dealings whither public or private those principles of equal and exact justice which particularly characterize that honest and highly respected class of people.

In politics he was originally a Whig, then believing with many others that the encroachments of the foreign element were too plainly and pointedly marked, he allied himself with the American party, and as such was elected Supervisor of Plymouth, when however, that party became the apologists for slavery he abandoned it and united his strength with the then growing Republican organization, a faith which he kept inviolate until his death.  He was for over forty years a regular patron and reader of the Telegraph.  He was known and respected by all, especially his neighbors and friends.  He was a firm temperance man, a consistent Christian, an honest man and a good citizen.

He leaves surviving him his wife, Eliza H. who accompanied him from Rhode Island, and four sons, James B., Henry C., Thomas E. and Timothy D., all grown to manhood and like their father enjoying the respect of the community.  Two daughters, the wives of Commissioner Luddington and Dr. Day preceded him to the spirit land.

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, May 19, 1875

Death

HODGES:  April 18th, Barbara Kirkman Hodges widow of the late Edward D'Arcey Clifford of Ashfield and Castle Annesley County of Wexford, formerly of Dublin, aged 77 years, mother of Mrs. Wm. Lott, of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

Chenango American, Greene, NY, May 20, 1875

Death

Lost at sea:  Among the passengers by the ill-fated steamship that was lost at sea, recently, was Dwight H. Kliuck, of Fruitport, Mich., formerly of Hamilton, N.Y. [Madison Co. NY].  Mr. Kliuck was treasurer of one of the Western railroad companies having its headquarters in Chicago and his proposed trip to Europe was for the purpose of negotiating some of the bonds of the company.  His age was about forty.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, May 22, 1875

Marriages

CALEY - COBB:  In Gilbertsville [Otsego Co. NY], on the 12th inst., by the Rev. J.B. Hughes, Mr. Herman L. Caley, formerly of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY] and Miss Alice Cobb, daughter of E.U. Cobb, Esq., of the former place.

Mr. Herman L. Caley and bride arrived in town Thursday morning.  So, it will be seen that our young friend has very sensibly and, we judge, fortunately, donned the robes of the Benedicts.  They were united in the holy bans at the residence of the bride's father in Gilbertsville on the 12th inst., and pass this way on their return from the wedding tour which they have been making through Pennsylvania, and to Buffalo, etc.  They make a fine-looking couple. We congratulate the happy pair and wish them an abundance of connubial felicity.

Amid the hearty congratulations of a host of friends and relations, Mr. A.H. Goodwin and Miss Nellie Beebe were married at the Episcopal Church, Wednesday evening.  The young couple are well known among Norwich people and the event was a noticeable feature and attracted together a very large concourse to witness the ceremony, which was very impressively performed.

Deaths

CASE:  In North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], on the 17th inst., Mrs. Roby Case, aged 80 years.

FULLER:  In this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], on the 17th, inst., Nettie [Fuller], daughter of Charles A. Fuller, Esq., aged 20 months.

AMES:  In this town [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], on the 20th inst., Mr. John Ames, aged 51 years.

MOORE:  In this town [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], April 30th, Mr. Alanson Moore, aged 71 years.

WELCH:  In Middleport, Madison County [NY], on the 7th inst. Mr. Augustus Welch, formerly of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], aged 62 years.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, May 22, 1875

Deaths

RUCKTESHLER:  In Yaleville [Chenango Co. NY], May 1, 1875, of scarlet fever, Mary [Ruckteshler], daughter of john and Libbie Ruckteshler, aged 1 year 11 months and 22 days.

NASH:  In Yaleville [Chenango Co. NY], May 7, 1875, from effects of measles, Mamie [Nash] second child and only daughter of Martin and Lucinda Nash, aged 4 years and 11 months.

HEAD:  In Masonville [Delaware Co. NY], Sunday morning, May 16, 1875, Mrs. Henry Head, aged 35 years.

News Item

Remarkable Revelations of a Notorious Thief

The notorious Burr Deming, whose death we announced last week, say the Oxford Times, as occurring in Troy, while under arrest for stealing a horse and buggy from a Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] livery man, was an inmate of the County Poor House last summer.  He was taken to that institution from Norwich, where he suffered from chronic diarrhea and a severe attack of rheumatism, and supposing he was going to die, called one of the superintendents of the poor and said he had some revelations to make before he died, and would so if the superintendent would pledge himself as a man that no part of the confession should be made public while he lived.

The pledge was given, and Deming's statement was written down, from which we have been permitted to make the following extracts.

I was born in Litchfield Co., town of Sharon, in Connecticut.  In early life was in the theatre and circus business.  Traveled with Barnum seven years as Dr. Vancouver, the No-Haired Man of Vancouver's Island.  In the latter part of my life, I turned my attention to all kinds of rascality.  I have been married eight times and seven of my wives are now living.  I was sentenced to State Prison by Judge Boardman at Buffalo in 1870 for five years, for complicity with Dan Noble in a bond robbery of $196,000.  Served two years and four months in prison and was then pardoned out by Governor Hoffman.

Then I went to Canada, planned and helped to crack a bank in St. Catherines, was arrested and proved an alibi by one Mary Washburn, an accomplice, and was discharged.  A reward is offered for this robbery.  Part of the spoils of this robbery were secreted in Delaware county, in a particular spot.  I know all about the robbery of the United States mail of five bags of matter at Utica, in May last. Was in the Comstock robbery at Utica, but we did not get enough to buy a newspaper, besides what belonged to the Old Ladies' Home Fund.  I know about the Cooperstown murder.  Know who that hat belongs to; they did not arrest the right men at Norwich.

[A portion of the confession in relation to the murder is omitted for good reasons.  A gentleman named Edwards was murdered and robbed in his residence in Cooperstown and in their flight the murderers left a hat behind.]

There is no doubt but what the Hairless Man was a great rascal, but whether he was as great a one as his confession and his statements make out remains to be proved.  Deming recovered his health somewhat, and one day left the Poor House, after borrowing a watch of Wm. Shapley, promising to return in one week.  He went to Norwich and hired a livery rig, which he drove to Binghamton and sold. That was the last heard of him until his death in Troy.  He said his business in going to Norwich before he was sent to the Poor House, was to examine the banks there and if he had not been taken sick, they would have heard from him.

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