Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, March 1874 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, March 19, 1874

Deaths

STICKLER:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], March 14th, Mr. Jacob Stickler, aged 23 years.

BOWERS:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], March 10th, Gurdon Wallace [Bowers], son of Gurdon Bowers, aged 2 years and 7 months.

THOMPSON:  At Wood's Corners [Chenango Co. NY], March 12th, Mary [Thompson], wife of Daniel D. Thompson, aged 68(?) years.

DOTY:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], March 13th, Almira [Doty], wife of Reuben Doty, aged 74 years.

DRAKE:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], March 10th, Adella [Drake] daughter of Zebra Drake, aged 2 years.

BUSH:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], March 5th, Ammarilla [Bush], daughter of Lyman I. Bush, aged 40 years.

BURLISON:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], Jan. 26th, Mr. Seth Burlison, aged 68 years.

WHEELER:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], at the residence of her son, Phillip Wheeler, March 9th, Mrs. Naomi Wheeler, widow of the late Henry Wheeler, aged 90 years.

ALEXANDER:  In Baldwinsville, N.Y. [Onondaga Co,] March 10th, Mr. William Alexander, aged 26 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

SALISBURY:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], March 8th, Guy Roswell [Salisbury], infant son of George R. and Elizabeth A. Salisbury.

SHEPARD:  In Greene [Chenango Co. NY], March 4th, Mr. Robert McCoy Shepard, aged 74 years and 10 months.

PIERCE:  In Solon, Cortland Co. [NY], March 6th, Robert L. [Pierce] son of A. Smith Pierce, and grandson of Mrs. Daniel Noyes, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], aged 4 years and 6 months.

ECCLESTON:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], March 12th, Elizabeth A. [Eccleston], wife of Hosea B. Eccleston, aged 49 years.  The subject of this notice was a sufferer for the past few months, having in vain sought relief, but finally gave up all hopes of recovery.  The nature of her disease was such that she could receive but little nourishment without producing suffering intolerable, so that she became literally reduced to a skeleton, by the slow yet constant and painful wasting away of the powers of life.  Yet all this she bore with Christian fortitude and resignation, without one murmur - one complaining word.  But now her trials and tribulations are over.  She has gone - forever gone!  Neither skill, nor sympathy, nor tears, could avert the stroke which has caused wounded hearts to bleed, and opened wide a fountain of tears.  But those who mourn, "mourn not as those without hope," have the comforting assurance that their loss is her unspeakable gain - that she died the death of the righteous - that her last end - calm and serene, was like that of His.

"Death to her was life in Heaven, / Life of never-ending bliss, / Life where joy and peace are given, / Life where naught is found amiss."

There are but few men among us who have a more numerous list of friends than Hosea Eccleston, and those of them who had also the pleasure to know his wife, can sympathize with him in the severe trial that has been laid upon him.  She had been among us villagers but a short time, in recent year, and yet her loss will be felt throughout the community as that of a friend, gone to that bourne from whence no traveler returns.  Thanks to a blessed Gospel we can hope to meet her again.  She has only gone before us.  Soon we will join her, never to part again.  We are glad indeed to say that the manifestations of our people towards Mr. Eccleston and his family have been of the kindest character, and that he feels deeply the obligations that have been imposed upon him by his friends. [Chenango Telegraph, March 19, 1874]

DAILEY:  In McDonough [Chenango Co. NY], March 4th, Martin J. [Dailey] infant son of David P. and Amelia L. Dailey, aged 3 months and 18 days.

An empty crib, ah, tell too true, / Our darling Martie's gone.  / Too pure and beautiful to stay, / The Saviour called him home.

Mrs. Julia C Whitney, widow of the Late Gen. Joshua Whitney, founder of Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], died at Cairo, Greene County [NY] on the 11th inst. in the 85th year of her age.  Her funeral was largely attended at Binghamton on Monday.

The funeral of David J. Smith, the late engineer of the water works, who met with such a terrible death on Tuesday morning of last week, took place in Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], on Thursday afternoon last.  It was the largest, except that of Hon. D.S. Dickinson, ever witnessed in that city.  The Masonic fraternity, of which he was a member, turned out.

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, March 19, 1874

Marriage

BROWNING - DUKE:  In Seto, Allegany County [NY], on the 11th inst. by the Rev. M.D. Jackson, at the residence of the bride's father, Mr. H.M. Browning to Miss Nora E. Duke, both of Scio.

Deaths

CLARK:  Died, at Guilford [Chenango Co. NY], March 15, 1874, John Clark, M.D., aged 61 years.

Deceased was born at Mayfield, Montgomery County, N.Y., December 10th, [1812].  He graduated at Fairfields, and removed to Guilford, and commenced the practice of medicine, the 7th of April 1833.  Thus, he was more than forty years in one locality, and has, therefore, seen one generation pass away and another come on the stage of action.  In his death, community has lost a man of integrity and morality, society a pillar and an ornament, the church of God a devout member and a liberal supporter, and his family a loving husband, a tender father, and one of unstinted liberality.  May the good example of his life be followed by his surviving family and the community in which he lived, now that his place is vacant at the fireside, and his presence will be seen and heard no more.

MARSH:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], after a brief illness, on Saturday, March 14th, Hamilton Marsh, in the 70th year of his age.

Mr. Marsh was born in North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], we believe, and something over forty years ago moved from there to this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], where he has resided ever since.  He has been a hard-working man, intelligent, honest, and a good citizen.  He never shrank from performances of public or private duties as he understood them. and always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.  He died, as he had lived a sincere Christian in full enjoyment of a blessed faith that looks beyond this life to one more enduring beyond.

Hamilton [Madison Co. NY]:  On Monday evening about seven o'clock a Miss Rogers broke her neck by falling down stairs. Death ensued almost instantaneously.  Miss Rogers was well advanced in life, being about sixty years of age.  She was a member of the family of Mr. Israel Bonney, who lives on the hill back of the University.

_______________________________________

Death of the inventor of Railway Turntables

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, March 19, 1874

The Binghamton Times [Broome Co. NY] of Saturday last notices the death of one of the pioneers of that city - Mr. Locy Halstead, one of the oldest most prominent and most highly esteemed citizens, who died at his residence on Friday afternoon, aged seventy-two.

"Deceased was born on the 6th of December 1802, in Cayuga County in this State [NY].  While he was quite young his parents emigrated into the then comparatively western State of Ohio and settled at North Bend, where his father purchased a farm adjoining that of Gen. Harrison.  From this place, at the age of eleven, and after the death of his father, the subject of this sketch removed to Covington, Kentucky, where he became an apprentice to the business of cabinet maker.  He came to Binghamton in 1824 - fifty years ago.  He pursued his trade here for several years, having at one time a little shop on Court Street in a neighborhood now occupied only by substantial and handsome business establishments.  He afterwards engaged in lumbering and mercantile pursuits with indifferent success, and for about five years he took charge of freight canal boats plying between Binghamton, Utica and New York.

"In 1837 he married a daughter of the late Lewis St. John, and shortly after returned to his first occupation of cabinet making.  During all these years he lived a life of quiet industry, frugal, energetic and persevering.

"In 1848, under the direction of Engineer Adams, he constructed the first turntable on the Erie Railway at this place.  Adams' table was an entire failure, and Mr. Halsted went to Utica to study and make drawings of a turntable there.  In doing this he discovered the mechanical principle which is now in use upon every railroad turntable in the United States and Europe.  He was then unaware that this principle could be patented, and he returned home with the idea that he would construct a model, for his own use only, in building railway turntables.  Had he known at that time that he could have obtained a patent covering the principle embodied in his discovery, he would have been spared many years of severe physical labor and drawn a revenue in royalties from every railway company in the United States. He was then forty-seven years of age, without capital or resources, and his whole previous life might have been considered by many as unsuccessful.  Most men would have despaired of acquiring a fortune at that age, and yet Mr. Halsted by the labor of his own skilled hands and the wise direction of a mind trained to the solution of mechanical problems, accumulated in less than eighteen years a sufficient amount of means to be considered one of the wealthy men of Binghamton.

"He built turntables upon the Erie, New York Central, Chicago and Rock Island, Hannibal and St. Joseph, Grand Trunk in Canada, and upon many other roads east and west throughout the United States.  He built the first table upon the Union Pacific at Omaha, and the one at Fremont on the same road - the half-way station between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts.

"In 1868, Mr. Halsted gave up the building of turntables and returned home to remain, long after most workingmen would have considered themselves too infirm to engage in manual labor.  In April 1872, he was stricken with paralysis, and since that period up to the hour of his death he was an invalid."

________________________________

Arrested on Suspicion of Murder

Chenango Union, March 19, 1874

Two young men of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] name Charles and Henry Montgomery, were arrested on Tuesday morning, on suspicion of having committed the murder of Mr. Edward Edwards, of Cooperstown [Otsego Co. NY], in September last. Sheriff Benedict, of Otsego County, accompanied by two deputies, arrived in Norwich on Monday, and procured the endorsement of the warrants of arrest before Justice Gunn. Deputy Sheriff Lewis accompanied them on Tuesday morning to the house on Cortland Street, where the Montgomerys resided, and the young men were arrested without difficulty. The house was also searched for articles that were carried off at the time the murder was committed, but we are informed that none of the money or goods were discovered.  Two coats, that are said to answer the description of the coats worn by two of the burglars, and a carpetbag that the officers said resembled one that was seen with them on the day before the crime was committed, were found on the premises, and taken in charge.  It is rumored that two bottles of varnish were found in the satchel spoken of above, and that Mr. Edwards, the murdered man, sold two bottles of varnish to the men who robbed his house and shot him. We give the rumor for what it is worth.  The officers claim that they are in possession of strong circumstantial evidence of the guilt of these young men but refused to state the nature of it.  They took the prisoners away on the train for Sidney [Delaware Co. NY] at 9 o'clock Tuesday morning. We are informed that the arrest of another, at or near Oneonta, also named Montgomery, for the same offense, was effected on Tuesday.

Of the probable truth of the charges against these young men we have no means of judging.  They are, we believe, cousins, and have resided in Norwich for several years.  Charles worked in Maydole's Hammer Factory for a time last season and has been employed in various capacities about town. We know nothing about their general character but have never heard anything said against them.  If guilty, we trust that they will receive punishment to the full extent of the law, but if innocent, we sincerely hope that they may be able to establish it to the entire satisfaction of all.  We shall await the result of the investigation at Cooperstown with interest.

In order that our readers may understand the nature of the crime with which they stand charged, we republish the account of the burglary and shooting, which we printed at the time. The crime was committed on the night of the 26th of last September, and the subjoined account was telegraphed to the Utica Herald.  Mr. Edwards lived some three weeks after the shooting.

"Mr. Edward Edwards, a cabinet maker, and an old and highly respected citizen recently sold his business and was collecting his accounts preparatory to removal to the West.  yesterday, Mr. Edwards noticed a man prowling about his premises in a suspicious manner, and became convinced that a robbery was contemplated, and during the day he procured a revolver as a means of protection.  Mr. Edwards' family were all absent except a daughter, who slept in another part of the house, some distance from her father's bedroom. Both retired as usual last night.  About three o'clock this morning, Mr. Edwards was awakened and found the robbers at their nefarious work.  They had already secured two hundred and twenty dollars, his watch and some silver ware.  Mr. Edwards arose, drew his revolver and fired, when the burglars, three in number, turned upon him, knocked his pistol out of his hand, and shot him twice with it; one ball taking effect near the shoulder and one passing through the lungs.  Mr. Edwards sank insensible to the floor and the robbers sprang through a window and escaped, one leaving his hat behind him. The daughter, aroused by the shooting, sought her wounded father and promptly gave the alarm.  Mr. Edwards revived during the day enough to state that he did not recognize the robbers, as it was dark.  His condition is very critical.  The doctors say he cannot recover. The affair creates the most intense excitement here.  No definite clue to the robbers has yet been obtained."

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, March 1874 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, March 12, 1874

Marriages

NORTON - PATRICK:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 26th, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. Walter B. Norton, to Miss Emogene Patrick, both of Norwich.

BALDWIN - HUTTLESTON:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], March 10th, by Rev. S. Scoville, Mr. Isaiah Baldwin, of Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Clara Huttleston, of Otselic [Chenango Co. NY].

TITUS - EVANS:  At the residence of the bride's father, in Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], March 4th, by Rev. J.W. LaMolne, Mr. F.S. Titus, of North Norwich, to Miss Hannah M. Evans, daughter of Benjamin Evans.

BUMPAS - BARNARD:  In Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 24th, by Rev. J. Barr, Mr. Isaac A. Bumpus of DeRuyter [Madison Co. NY] to Miss Mary A. Barnard, of the former place.

SOULE - STILLMAN:  In Cuyler, Cortland Co. [NY], Feb. 23d, by Rev. H. Stillman, Mr. Albert Soule, of Otselic [Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Ida Stillman, of Crumb Hill [Cattaraugus Co. NY], daughter of the officiating clergyman.

Deaths

BLANCHER:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], March 6th, Mr. Daniel Blancher, aged 85 years.

ARNOLD:  In this town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], March 4th, Mr. Daniel W. Arnold, aged 66 years and 6 months.

FRINK:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], March 6th, Rhoda B. [Frink] wife of Benadain Frink, Esq., and mother of Benjamin and Caristopher R. Frink, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. nY], aged 69 years.

ALDRICH:  In Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], March 4th, Mrs. Sarah Aldrich, aged 80 years.

SHELDON:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], March 7th, Mrs. Hattie Fausett Sheldon, aged 26 years and 9 months.

SMITH:  In Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], March 2d, Cora E. [Smith] wife of A.D. Smith, aged 23 years.

WOSTER:  In Greene [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 26th, Emma [Foster], daughter of Oscar C. Foster, aged 26 years.

GRAY:  In Brisbin [Chenango Co. NY], March 2d, Grace Lillion [Gray], daughter of Met and Josephine gray, aged 10 months.

WARD:  At the residence of S. Congdon, in Watertown [Jefferson Co. NY], March 7th, Mrs. Abigail S. Ward, mother of Prof. H.L. Ward, of this village, aged 95 years.

The death is announced of Elder Jacob Knapp, at Rockford, Ill. on Monday of last week, aged 74 years.  Mr. Knapp was born in Otsego County, in this State [NY], was very eccentric, and celebrated as a revivalist, throughout the country.

Hon. Adam Storing, for many years a well-known resident of German [Chenango Co. NY], in this County, formerly Associate County Judge and State Senator from the District Composed of Chenango and Otsego Counties [NY] in 1854-5, died of apoplexy at the residence of his son-in-law, J.P. Landers, in Lisle Broome County, on the 17th ult.

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, March 12, 1874

Deaths

BURDICK:  In Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 28, 1874, Luke C. Burdick  of consumption, aged 38 years.

BYLES:  In Leavenworth, Kansas, Friday morning, the 27th of February 1874, in the 36th year of her age, Mrs. Laura M. Byles, daughter of the late Levi and Laura Eggleston of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

Under the appropriate head will be found the death of Mrs. Laura M. Byles at Leavenworth, Kansas.  Mrs. Byles will be remembered as Laura Eggleston, formerly a teacher in Norwich Academy. She had many friends here who remember her with interest and affection.  She aos, we are gratified to learn, had attracted a large circle of friends in Leavenworth. all alike grieve at her early decease.

Robert Halstead of Bovina [Delaware Co. NY], died from the effects of a drunken spree in Delhi [Delaware Co. NY], which lasted two weeks.

Abel Shaver, of Colchester [Delaware Co. NY], was drowned last week.

News Item

Messrs Editors:  Permit me through the columns of your excellent paper to give to its many readers a sketch of one who has always been identified with Chenango County [NY] and its interests, having removed from the town of Conway, Massachusetts, in the year 1790.  I have reference to the widow of Dr. Jonathan Johnson, who resides with her son, Homer Johnson, Esq., two miles south of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY].  She has just passed her 94th birthday in excellent health, retaining all of her faculties and performing her domestic duties, such as knitting and sewing, with as much care and skill as most of blooming maids, younger housekeepers. She takes a deep interest in all matters transpiring in our midst, and as the writer of these few lines spent a short time with her a few days ago, he could but think what a memory, and what changes have been wrought during his life.  The history of our own village, its growth, and many changes, all are fresh in her mind, and she never enjoys herself better than when talking of those who started in life with her.  Where are they?  Visit our village cemeteries, there you will find their monuments, many of them have stood for fifty years.  Such is life.

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, March 11, 1874

Marriage

BEARDSLEY - MOULTON:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 19th, by Rev. W.M. Hiller, Mr. Charles D. Beardsley,  of Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY] to Miss Eliza P. Moulton, of this village.

Deaths

SMITH:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY], on Sunday morning, the 8th inst., in her 36th year, Mrs. Sarah Dickson Smith, widow of the late Rodney L. Smith of Wolcottville, Ct., and daughter of Mr. D.D. McGeorge of Oxford.

BACON:  In this village [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY], on the 6th, Mr. Thomas M. Bacon, aged 70 years.

Thomas M. Bacon died suddenly, of heart disease it is supposed, on Friday afternoon last, at the residence of his brother, Cyrus A. Bacon.  He had been as well as usual that day, had been over to the store twice, and at about half past four sat in a chair at the house reading.  Suddenly he complained of palpitation of the heart, and Mrs. Bacon stepped into an adjoining room for some camphor.  When she returned his head had dropped to one side, and he expired soon after.  Deceased was a widower, having lost his wife several years ago.  He was 70 years of age last July.  Previous to his coming to Oxford, about three years ago, he resided in Havre de Graco, Maryland.  He was a member of the Maryland legislature several terms, principal of an Academy, and justice of the peace.  He took an active part in politics, and about war times addressed many outdoor Union meetings.  To this he attributed the partial losing of his voice with which of late years he had been afflicted.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, March 12, 1874

Marriage

At the Baptist Parsonage in this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], March 4th, by Rev. J.H. Sage, Mr. William A Smith of Greene to Miss Alice E. Eddy, of Smithville [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], March 4th, Thatcher A. [Josslyn], infant son of Joseph E. and Helen Josslyn, aged 4 months.

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], March 4th, Mr. Robert McCoy Shepherd aged 74 years, 10 months.

In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], March 8th, Mr. Cornelius Westfall, aged 70 years.

In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], March 8th, Sarah Christine [Brown], only child of E.F. and Ulyssa Brown, aged 14 months.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, March 14, 1874

Marriage

KNAPP - WILCOX:  In this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], on the 10th inst., at the residence of Franklin Wilcox, by Rev. Samuel; Miller, Mr. Andrew B. Knapp, of Washington, Mich., and Miss Henrissa D. Wilcox, of this village.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, March 14, 1874

Marriages

FOSBURY - PADGET:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], by Rev. D.L. Turner, on the 3d inst., Mr. Delos Fosbury, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Carrie Padget, of Oxford.

TRAVIS - SLOAT:  At the residence of David Gillson in Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], March 8th, by Rev. W.B. Thomas, Mr. John H. Travis, of North Hamden to Miss Sarah Sloat, of Bainbridge.

Deaths

Guilford [Chenango Co. NY]:  Grandmother Wheeler, as she has been called for some years, died on Monday, March 9th, at the residence of her son Phillip Wheeler about two- and one-half miles west of here.

MINER:  In Coventryville [Chenango Co. NY], on the 17th inst., Mr. Warren Miner, aged 45 years.

Close upon our announcement of the sudden attack of paralysis upon our friend Warren Miner we are obliged to record his death.  After every available effort had been put forth for his recovery, at half past seven Saturday morning the Grand Master came and claimed his victim, bowing in sorrow not only the immediate relatives of the family, but our whole community at large.  Mr. Miner was one of our most prominent and respected citizens.  Though a man of few words, he was a deep thinker and self-made man, and while there are none left to say aught of the man or his life, he possessed a very large circle of warm friends.  At starting in life, he chose farming as his occupation, and that he was master of his business, his fine buildings and well tilled fields bear record.  At the age of twenty-two years, he made a profession of religion, uniting with the Baptist Church of which he has since been a faithful member and though we deeply deplore his loss, we can but exclaim with the poet:

No passion fierce, no low desire / Has quenched the radiance of the flame, / Back to its God the living fire / Returns, unsullied as it came.

Following the death of Mr. Minor, we have to record that of Infant daughter of Mr. Eugene Hicks on Sunday the 8th inst., of inflammation of the lungs.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, March 1874

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, March 5, 1874

Marriage

SEELY - BROWN:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 26th, by Rev. L.M.S. Haynes, Mr. Henry B. Seely, to Mrs. E.L. Brown,, both of Preston [Chenango Co. NY].

BURLISON - SQUIRES:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Jan. 1st, by Rev. L.M.S. Haynes, Mr. George W. Burlison to Miss Emma E Squires, all of Norwich.

BURNAP - TURNER:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 25th, by Rev. L.D. Turner, Mr. Isaac Burnap, of German [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Emma Turner, of Oxford.

HARRIS - BARNES:  At the residence of the bride's father, in Preston [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 25th, by Rev. L.M.S. Haynes, Mr. E.A. Harris to Miss Hettie P. Barnes.

Deaths

BATZHOLTZ:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], March 1st, Orville L. Batzholte, aged 18 years, 7 months and 20 days.

SHERMAN:  In this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 18th, Miss Mary Jane Sherman, aged 17 years, formerly of Hamilton [Madison Co. NY].

TERRY:  In t his town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], March 4th, Edna May Terry, aged 4 years 8 months and 23 days.

POTTER:  At the County House, in Preston [Chenango Co. NY], March 2d, Mrs. Mary Potter, aged 57 years.

SABIN:  In Preston [Chenango Co. NY], February 28th, Mr. Isaac S. Sabin, aged 36 years.

HERRICK:  At Mt. Upton [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 10th, Sarah M. [Herrick], wife of Jesse Herrick, aged 61 years. 

A Mrs. Dagger recently died at Richfield Springs [Chenango Co. NY], aged 102 years.

The Binghamton papers announce the death in that city [Binghamton, Broome Co. NY], on Friday evening last of Dr. Pelatiah B. Brooks, aged 86 years.  Dr. Brooks studied medicine under the late Dr. Henry Mitchell, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] and obtained his license from the Chenango County Medical Society.  In 1817 he removed to Broome County and commenced the practice of medicine in Upper Lisle.  He afterwards practiced in Killawog, Yorkshire and Lisle village and in 18-6(?) settled in Binghamton.  For half a century he has attended the meetings of the medical Society of that county and held a deservedly high position among his professional brethren.

News Item

A correspondent of the Utica Herald, writing from Richfield Springs [Otsego Co. NY], under date of February 24th, makes the following mention of the venerable Jacob Walter, of that village, father of H.N. Walter, Esq., of this place [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY]:  "Mr. Jacob Walter, of the firm of J.&H.C. Walter, jewelers of this village, has just passed his 86th birthday in fine health and spirits.  Mr. W. is the father of a large family of sons, scattered throughout the country and well-to-do and filling highly useful and honorable positions in society.  One son, P.D. Walter, is mayor of the city of Lockport and clerk of Niagara County and is also the head of a large jewelry house there.  One son is a jeweler in Norwich, N.Y.; one is in Richmond, Va.; one is a dentist in Minnesota; another, Mr. Horace C. Walter, is a prominent citizen of this village.  Mr. Walter has been a resident of this place and vicinity for more than forty years.  That many years may still be added to his long and useful life is the sincere wish of very many friends and neighbors."

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, March 5, 1874

Marriage

MORSE - PETERS:  At the M.E. Church in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 25th by Rev. S.F. Brown, Mr. George H. Morse, of Geneva, Ohio, formerly of this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Josie L. Peters, of this place.

Under the appropriate head in today's Telegraph will be found the notice of the marriage of Mr. George H. Morse, formerly of this village, and Miss Josie Peters of this place.  It occurred at the M.E. Church, which was crowded to its utmost capacity with the friends and acquaintances of the happy couple.  Miss Peters has for some time been one of the popular teachers in our public schools, and it was a delicate and appreciative compliment that the teachers and a great majority of the scholars were present to witness the nuptial ceremony, which was beautifully and imposingly performed by Rev. S.F. Brown. The ceremony ended, the bride and groom took the next train for their new home at Geneva, Ohio, where the best wishes of hosts of friends follow them.  "May they live long and prosper" is the wish of the Telegraph.

News Item

A girl named Mary Saunders, eleven years of age, living in the family of Mr. Dwight C. Scott, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], left home on the afternoon of the 19th inst., during the absence of the family, taking with her a little son of Mr. Scott, eight years old.  She walked to Sidney Plains [Delaware Co. NY], a distance of six miles, and took passage on the midland for Lyon Brook Bridge [Chenango Co. NY], where she has relatives living.  Upon the return of the family, Mr. Scott at once started in pursuit, and traced the children to Lyon Brook Bridge, where he arrived about four o'clock the next morning.  he found them at a house near the brook and nearly underneath the bridge, where they had procured lodging and gone supperless to bed, the little boy having cried himself to sleep.  Mr. Scott awoke his little boy, but left the girl Saunders, sleeping (not caring to return her to his domicile), breakfasted at Oxford and reached home the following noon.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, March 5, 1874

Marriage

In Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 25th, by Rev. Mr. Rudduck, Mr. Joseph A.  Harrison, of Smithville [Chenango Co NY], to Miss Adell Rathbone, of the former place.

Deaths

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 26th, Miss Emma [Foster], daughter of Oscar C. Foster, aged 20 years.

In Brisbin [Chenango Co. NY], March 2d, Grach Lillion [Gray] daughter of Met and josephine Gray, aged 10 months.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, March 7, 1874

Marriage

BOURNE - HYATT:  At the residence of the bride's father in Otego [Otsego Co. NY], March 4th, 1874, by Rev. J.W. Movis, Mr. Albert C. Bourne of Masonville [Delaware Co. NY] to Miss Frankie E. Hyatt, of Otego.

Deaths

LITTLE:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], on the 20th ult., Joseph Little, aged 75 years.

JOHNSON:  In the town of Afton [Chenango Co. NY], on the 28th ult., Mr. Reuben Johnson, aged about 50 years.

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Murder in Preston [Chenango Co. NY]

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, March 7, 1874

The following particulars of the murder committed in Preston last week we find given by the Chenango Union:

"The farm of Mr. Rogers, where the tragedy was enacted, is situated on what is known as Rogers Street, about midway between the village of Oxford and Preston Corners, something like three and one-half miles from either village.  His residence is on the east side of the road, while the Sabin family reside on the west side, nearly opposite.  the barn where the affray took place is some ten rods south of the Sabin residence.

"Nathan Rogers is one of the most wealthy farmers in his town, owning several hundred acres of land, and Sabin, the deceased, has since last spring worked the farm on shares, his father, Ziba Sabin, residing with him.  The immediate cause of the collision, which has resulted so fatally, appears from the evidence to have been a quarrel between the deceased and the elder Rogers, arising from the fact that an old mare belonging to the latter had got "cast" in her stall on Wednesday morning, and the deceased having several miles to travel that day, left her in that condition, his father assuring him that he would see that the mare was properly taken care of.  Upon the return of young Sabin in the evening, while his team was being unharnessed, he was interviewed by Mr. Rogers in relation to the subject, and from words the parties came to blows. According to the evidence of the elder Rogers, while the deceased was following him up and striking him, at the same time making use of abusive language, his son, Geo. H. Rogers, came into the barn, and as he approached the parties, he picked up a piece of board, which he placed between them, evidently with the intention of separating them.  Upon the third blow being struck by the deceased, George raised the board and struck Sabin once on the head, knocking him down, crushing his skull, and knocking him down and rendering him unconscious.  A portion of the brain oozed through the fracture. The elder Sabin was present.  This board or club with which the blow was struck is described by one of the witnesses as an inch basswood board, seasoned, about eight feet long, and four or five inches wide.  When it was found that young Sabin was seriously injured, he was carried to his residence, and George went for a physician, and assisted in taking care of the wounded man.  Drs. McFarland and Thorp, of Oxford, attended him, but his injuries were of such a nature as to render his case hopeless, and on Saturday morning, about one o'clock, he expired.

"An inquest was held at the late residence of the deceased, on Saturday, by Coroner Spencer, of Guilford, assisted by Coroner Hand, of this village - Rowland B. Bliven, Franklin l. Church, Franklin P. Maxson, Wells S. Crumb, Franklin P. Maxson, Wells S. Crumb, Oscar J. Hammond, J. Bradley Bliven, and Ralph D. Widger being the jurors. The investigation did not close until three o'clock on Sunday morning, when the jury brought in a verdict to the effect that the deceased came to his death at the hand of George H. Rogers.

"In the meantime, complaint was made before Justice Mason, of this village, who on Friday issued a warrant against young Rogers, on a charge of assault and battery with intent to kill, and on Friday evening the accused was arrested at his father's residence by Under Sheriff lewis, ad lodged in jail.  On Monday morning he appeared before Judge Prindle, by whom he was released on bail, in the sum of $15,000, his father, Nathan Rogers, and Ethan Curtiss, of Preston, becoming his sureties."

Ziba Sabin, father of the deceased, and Nathan Rogers, father of the prisoner, were both sworn.  there is considerable discrepancy in their testimony respecting the attitude of the deceased and Nathan who were quarreling at the time the blow was struck, and also concerning the piece of board or plank used in the striking. Both parties are spoken of as men of respectability and generally esteemed in the community where they resided. The Sabins were formerly of Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY].  Deceased was 38 years of age and married.  Rogers 26 and unmarried.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, February 1874 (concluded)

 Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, February 25, 1874

Marriage

WHEELER - BARBER: In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 19, by Rev. John C. Ward, Mr. Delos Wheeler to Miss Fiora Barber, both of Norwich.

Deaths

NEWBERRY:  At Pau, France, on the 18th of Feb., very suddenly, after two day's illness of hemorrhage of the lungs, Mary Louisa [Newberry] eldest daughter of the late Walter L. Newberry, of Chicago, and granddaughter of the late Hon. Jas. Clapp of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

SHUMWAY:  At Lawrenceville, Tioga Co. Pa., Jan. 28th, 1874, Rev. George R.H. Shumway, in the 66th year of his age.

A faithful servant of the "Great Master" has passed away.  Our village [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY] was the place of his nativity.  Here were spent the days of his youth, and in our institutions of learning he acquired in great degree, that fund of knowledge which fitted him so fully for future duties.  Here, also, he experienced that change of heart which led him to give all the energy of mind, body and spirit to his life work, the saving of souls.  He commenced his labors with his young companions, urging them to enter upon a course of Christian obedience and presented to them, day by day, in their hours of study and recreation an example of purity in thought, word and deed, seldom witnessed in youth.  It need not be added that such youth ripened into full grown, Christian manhood.  He became a minister of the Gospel of Christ.  His first pastoral charge was at Palmyra, N.Y., where he remained eight years.  His health being impaired, for a year he performed no ministerial labors, then preached a few months in Patterson, N.J., from which place he was called to Newark, N.J., where he remained a beloved and efficient pastor for twenty-five years.  He then removed to Lawrenceville, Tioga Co., Penn., supplying the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church in the town of Tioga, seven miles distant, for one year. recently he has had no permanent charge. The closing scenes of his life were in full accord with his belief and teachings. When asked, a few moments before his death, "Does not the river look dark before you?" he replied, "There is no river, no darkness; all is bright and beautiful." And to the last enquiry "How are you now?" replied, "Looking more and more unto the coming glory." Thus, passed gently away the last rays of life's sunset, and then came the brighter dawn of a new and more glorious existence.

Chenango American, Greene, NY, February 26, 1874

Marriages

At the residence of the bride's father, in Binghamton [Broome Co. NY], Feb. 17th, by Rev. Wm. A. Hitchcock, Mr. J. Humphrey Johnson and Miss Kattie M. [Brown] only daughter of Chas. M. Brown.

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 16th, by Rev. George Porter, Richard James Webb, of Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Ella L. Haight, of Greene.

In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 19th, by Rev. John C. Ward, Mr. Delos Wheeler to Miss Flora Barber, both of Norwich.

Death

In Colesville [Broome Co. NY], Feb'y 23d, Miss Phoebe Holcomb, aged 64 years.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, February 28, 1874

Marriages

TUTTLE - WHITE:  At the residence of the bride's father in Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY], Thursday, Feb. 19th, by Rev. S. Wood, Mr. William Tuttle and Miss Ella E. Whtie, all of Sherburne.

MORSE - PETERS:  At the M.E. Church in Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 25th, by Rev. S.F. Brown, Mr. George H. Morse, of Geneva, Ohio, formerly of this village [Sherburne, Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Josie L. Peters, of this place.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, February 28, 1874

Marriage

TESON - KELLER:  At the M.E. Church in this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 25th, 1874, by Rev. W.B. Thomas, Mr. Charles Teson, Jr. of Troy [Rensselear Co. NY], to Miss Florence A. Keller, of this village.

Last Wednesday evening at Half past seven, the marriage ceremony of Mr. Charles Teson, Jr., of Troy, and Miss Florence A. Keller, of this village, took place in the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Rev. W.B. Thomas officiated, and Miss Getie Wetmore presided at the organ with her customary grace and skill in the production of that monarch of nuptial music, the "Wedding March."  The bride's maids were Misses Gussie Beverly and Julia Frisbie.  The church was densely crowded, notwithstanding the unpropitious weather.  The beautiful ceremony of the Methodist church was read in an impressive manner. The young couple were elegantly and appropriately attired and appeared very graceful. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the friends of the bride assembled at the house of Mrs. Keller and offered their congratulations.  On the following morning they took the train for Troy, where they are to reside permanently.

Deaths

Masonville [Delaware Co. NY]:  A child of Oliver Baxter was scalded one day last week and died of its injuries.  The funeral was attended form the Baptist Church.

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A terrible accident took place at Uniondale station [Nassau Co. NY] on the Jefferson branch last Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, by which four men lost their lives.  The Jefferson branch is leased and operated by the Erie Railway Company, who are responsible for the condition and repair of the track, but the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company have a contract with the Erie Railway Company by which their trains, under their own men, pass over the branch on regular time and with recognized rights.

The accident occurred to engine No. 35 and crew of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company.  During Sunday forenoon several coal trains were run to the summit, and as usual the pushers returned.  The first engine on its return passed Uniondale in safety. The second, in charge of Victor Creamer Engineer, Daniel Creamer, fireman, John R. Harding, conductor and Thomas Rafter, Brakeman, was less fortunate.  On reaching Uniondale, the sliding box of the switch became misplaced and the engine in passing over jumped from the track, and with all on board plunged down the mountain side into the abyss one hundred feet below.  It is not known that anyone saw the locomotive at the time it ran off.  The discovery of the startling fact being first made by the men on the engine which was following, and just in time to avert for themselves a similar horrible fate. The men were found to be quite dead, and they were supposed to have been killed instantly, as their bodies were bruised and mangled. The engine, in its frightful descent must have turned over three or four times and was found in an almost upright position a hundred feet from the point it left the track.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, February 1874 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, February 26, 1874

Marriages

BEEBE - MINER:  At Richfield Springs [Otsego Co. NY], on Wednesday morning, Feb. 25th, by Rev. E.M. Peck, Mr. Andrew j. Beebe, of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Lizzie E. Miner, daughter of Paul R. Miner, of the former place.

MORSE - PETERS:  At the M.E. Church, in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 25th, by Rev. S.F. Brown, Mr. Geo. H. Morse, of Geneva, Ohio, formerly of this village, to Miss Josie L. Peters, of this place.

DAVIS - HICKOK:  At the residence of the bride's father, in North Norwich [Chenango Co. NY] Feb. 18th, by Rev. H. Wheeler, Mr. Smith Davis, of Norwich, to Miss Anna Hickok, daughter of Harry F. Hickok, Esq.

WILLOUGHBY - STRATTON:  In South Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 18th, by Rev. G.W. Porter, Mr. Chester B. Willoughby, of Woodhull, N.Y., to Miss Emma Stratton, of South Oxford.

PECKHAM - BOWEN:  At the home of the bride, Feb. 18th, by Rev. S.W. Weiss, Mr. Edward M. Peckham, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Mary E. Bowen, of Guilford [Chenango Co. NY]

BROWN - BERRY:  At the residence of H. Wayne Berry, Esq., at East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], by Rev. L.F. Moore, Mr. George D. Brown to Miss lucy O. Berry.

PRESCOTT - SKINNER:  At the M.E. Church in Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 24th, by Rev. E.W. Caswell, Mr. Cornelius M. Prescott to Miss Clara Skinner, both of Plymouth.

BURDICK - AUSTIN:  In DeRuyter [Madison Co. NY], Feb. 16th, by Rev. J. Clarke, Mr. L. Grant Burdick of Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Arvilla J. Austin, of Georgetown [Madison Co. NY].

BROWN - WIER:  In Taylor, N.Y. [Cortland Co.] Feb. 18th, by Rev. W.M. Henry, of Cincinnatus [Cortland Co. NY] Mr. Adelbert Brown of Pitcher [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Mary L. Wier, of Taylor.

WILLIAMSON - HEATON:  In New Hartford, Oneida Co. [NY], Feb. 17th, by Rev. G.R. Alden, assisted by Rev. R. Cook, Mr. C.H. Williamson, formerly of this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] to Mrs. Mary A. Heaton all of New Hartford.

LAW - NUTTING:  In Cambridge, Mass., Feb. 11th, by Rev. Dr. Johnson, Mr. E.W. Law of Boston, to Miss Sarah N. Nutting.

Silver Wedding:  Mr. and Mrs. Ephraum Brown celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary at their residence in East Pharsalia [Chenango Co. NY], on the 13th inst.  A large number of relatives and friends were present, but many more were prevented by the inclement weather from participating.  in the early part of the evening the company were entertained by some choice music, after which they sat down to partake of the bountiful feast that had been provided, and to which they did ample justice.  After all had been served in the way of refreshment, the presents were displayed, and with a few brief remarks by N.A Bosworth, Esq., they were by him presented to the happy couple, who responded by returning their sincere thanks.  Then again vocal and instrumental music entertained the company until a late hour, when they separated, all seeming well pleased.  Long may the happy host and hostess live, and may we be present at their golden wedding anniversary.

Deaths

FRASER:  In Oxford [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 15th, Mrs. Sally Fraser, aged 85 years.  

DREW:  At the County House [Preston, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 14th, Mr. Edward J. Drew aged 89 years.

COLE:  In Willett [Cortland Co. NY], Feb. 13th, Mr. Ray G. Cole, aged 25 years.

NEWBERRY:  At Pau, France, Feb. 18th, Mary Lousia [Newberry] eldest daughter of the late Walter L. Newberry, of Chicago, and granddaughter of the late Hon. James Clapp, of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY].

SHUMWAY:  In Lawrenceville, Pa., Jan. 28th, Rev. George H.R. Shumway, aged 65 years, formerly of Oxford [Chenango Co. NY]

Dr. Horace Bronson, a respected physician, died at his home in Virgil [Cortland Co. NY], on the 13th.

Elijah Moffatt an old and respected citizen of Lapeer [Cortland Co. NY], was found dead in his bed on the night of the 14th inst..  "Died by the visitation of God," was the verdict of the Coroner's jury.

William H. Ruggles, an esteemed citizen of Cooperstown [Otsego Co. NY], died suddenly on the 9th, aged 53 years.

Mrs. Parks Smith died at Cazenovia [Madison Co. NY], Friday the 13th, after a severe coughing spell.

A young lad, named Charles Smith, aged 17 years, living near Fort Plain [Montgomery Co. NY] died very suddenly at the Cazenovia Seminary [Madison Co. NY], on Saturday morning, the 14th.

Darius E. Reed, an old and respected citizen of Westmoreland [Oneida Co. NY], was run over by the cars on the Rome and Clinton Midland Road on Monday evening, the 9th inst., and so badly injured that he died in a few hours.  He was coming from Westmoreland to his home, on a hand car of his own construction, and when within a few rods of his own door was overtaken by the engine of the pay car, which was running backward (consequently showing no light) and was evidently struck by the engine before he had any knowledge of its approach.

News Item

A couple of weeks since we published the marriage notice of Mr. Wallace Stearns of Lincklaen [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Clara Huttleston of Otselic [Chenango Co. NY].  We have since been informed that the marriage has not taken place, and that the notice, which had the forged signature of Rev. Charles Steere, the minister who was represented as officiating, is a fraud.  The imposition is base and cowardly, and the perpetrator of it deserves at least six months in the penitentiary and will most certainly get it if we can find out his name.  A person who can prove himself so low as to vent his personal spite by resorting to so base a trick, will not always escape unpunished.

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, February 26, 1874

Marriages

BROWN - BEACH:  At Marathon [Cortland Co. NY], Feb. 5th by Rev. A. Lull Mr. Arthur H. Brown, to Miss Ella M. Beach, both of Whitney's Point [Broome Co. NY].

GARDNER - HUTCHINS:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 1st, by Rev. T.P. Halstead, Mr. John S. Gardner to Miss Maggie L. Hutchings.

COCHRAN - TOMPSON:  In Lower Beaver Meadow, Otselic [Chenango Co. NY] in the Christian church by the Rev. B.C. Wilbur, Mr. John I. Cochran, of Rockland, Sullivan County, N.Y., and Miss Hattie A. Tompson, of Lower Beaver meadow [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

HAZARD:  In Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], December 26, 1873, of consumption, Mary E. [Hazard] wife of Wm. T. Hazard, aged 21 years, 8 months and 2 days.

Our Mary

Fading, fading, day by day / As the lily drops away / Gently dying Mary lies, / Sweet the breath of dying day.  / Sweetly our Mary fades away.

Dear Mary, thou hast left us, / And flown to the spirit land, / And if we lean on Jesus / We shall meet you over the ocean strand

We no more thy face to see / Till we pass that pearly gate. / We hear no more thy gentle voice / Calling on thy dearest mother

We miss thee dearest sister, / Sadly, sadly miss thee, / Miss thee in our home, / Miss thee everywhere.

HYER:  In Unadilla [Otsego Co. NY], Jan. 14, 1874, of brain fever, Miss Mary L. Hyer, aged 17 years and 3 months, daughter of Henry and Julia Hyer.

Oh the days pass weary and slow / Since the earth form of May was buried from sight, / For oh! the heartache, and the longing to go / Just over the river, where loved ones unite.

For May, so pure, so gifted and fair, / Whose future seemed bright with prospects of fame, / From study and brain ache is resting over there, / In a home beyond reach of sickness and pain.

Our eyes are so blinded with tears, that it looks / As though earth's charms were fast fading away / Lay aside those dresses, that hat and her books, / Her school mates and friends speak no more of today.

For the tears will be wiped from our eyes over there, / And we feel that it will not be long / When our heavenly Father will take us where / Our sweet singer sings a still sweeter song.

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, February 1874 (continued)

 Chenango American, Greene, NY, February 19, 1874

Marriages

At the residence of N.F. Moore, Esq., in this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 5th, by Rev. J.H. Sage, Mr. E.C. Pollard of Afton [Chenango Co. NY], to Miss Lyina A. [Harrington] daughter of Thos. W. Harrington.

At Marathon [Cortland Co. NY], Feb. 5th, by Rev. A. Luff, Mr. Arthur H. Brown to Miss Ella M. Brace, both of Whitney's Point [Broome Co. NY].

Deaths

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 4th, Mr. James W. Smith, aged 50 years.

In this town [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 12th, Mr. Reuben Crandall, aged 54 years and 11 months.

Mr. Reuben Crandall, who resides about one mile north of this village, died on Thursday last.  This gentleman has been in ill health a long time, and his illness has baffled the best medical skill in this section.  An autopsy revealed the fact that he died of an enlargement of the liver. We understand that that organ weighed 15 pounds, whereas the liver in a healthy person weighs only some four or five pounds.  Dr. R.P. Crandall of this village, assisted by Dr. Geo. A. Thayer of Binghamton, made the autopsy.

In Smithville [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 10th, Mr. James Mulligan, aged 64 years.

In Coventry [Chenango Co. NY], at the residence of his daughter, Feb. 12th, Mr. Thomas Turk, of this village [Greene, Chenango Co. NY], aged 59 years.

In Brisbin [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 12th, Mr. John W. Stilson, aged 24 years and 6 months.

Rev. Calvin Waterbury died at Rotherwood, Tenn., Jan. 8, aged 69 years.  Mr. Waterbury was the youngest of a very talented family of ten brothers, brought up at Andes, Delaware County [NY]. Quite distinguished among them were Rev. Daniel Waterbury, many years pastor of the Congregational Church at Franklin and of the Presbyterian Chruch at Delhi; and Hon. David Waterbury, a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1846, from Delaware County.  Calvin entered the ministry over forty years ago, his first pastorate being with the Presbyterian Church at Butternuts [Otsego Co. NY].  He labored afterwards at Victor, Ontario County, at Freeport Illinois, and other places with great acceptance and success.  At the close of the war, he went to Tennessee for the sake of a milder climate and to give the last years of his life to the good work of church extension and education in a redeemed land in a portion of it sadly blighted by the footprints of slavery and war.  A man of earnest life and warm heart, he leaves hosts of loving friends at every scene of his labors and going after so many years of toil to find rest, a blessed memory of his good works will abide for life with those who knew and loved him.

____________________________________

Fell asleep in Fon du Lac, Wis. on the evening of January 24th, Lola Cecelia [Baldwin] only daughter of Anna E. and the late Thomas D. Baldwin, of Elmira [Chemung Co. NY].

"To what can that poor child look forward, / Through all life's wearisome way? / Only upward and onward, / To wings some day."

This was the only answer the neighbors on Fourth street could find for the question, when one day last June little Lola came among us with her crippled body, sweet, sad face and large mournful eyes that told the story of years of suffering.  Only six months ago she was a stranger to us, but when they carried her away it seemed as if they had taken something out of all our lives.  There were plenty of rugged, healthy children on our streets, but there was only one Lola.  Strong men, as they hurried by, dropped for a moment the thought of business and looked with pitying tenderness at the little lame girl, and all the more tenderly when they knew that she was fatherless.  Thoughtless schoolboys stepped carefully one side to let her pass, as she went up and down the walk drawing her little doll's carriage.  Little children dropped their noisy, boisterous games and played at something in which she could join, and no one could resist that little pleading voice when it asked for "Just one story more, please."  For three years Lola's life has been one of constant suffering, at times so severe that even those who loved her best longed for her to be at rest, even if forever.  Last spring her mother brought her here from her eastern home, to try what a change would do, and for a time she gained rapidly that it seemed almost as if strength and health might yet be here.  But just when hope seemed brightest, she sickened and died, and for Lola "wings someday" changed to wings today.

Last Wednesday evening those who had known and loved her stood around the coffin and looked for the last time at the little pale face so calmly beautiful, with the look of pain all gone and, in its place, eternal rest.  Delicate white flowers and green vines were wreathed about her, and as we looked, we could not realize that it was the little sufferer we had known, all was so quiet and peaceful.  The evening train south bore all that was left of Lola and today she is sleeping by the side of her father.

We shall miss her slight form, halting step and sweet, sad face, but it will be a long, long time ere she is forgotten, and when in the twilight we tell the children her story, their hearts will grow tender with the memory of the little lame girl.

"Let us remember the lesson / Of this child, in her patient way, / And ever look upward, onward, / to Wings some day."

E.E. in Fon du Lac (Wis.) Commonwealth.

Sherburne News, Sherburne, NY, February 21, 1874

Marriages

WICKHAM - O'BRIEN:  In Hamilton [Madison Co. NY], on the 15th inst. by Rev. Father Leuddon, Mr. Henry Wickham and Miss Katie O'Brien, both of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY].

McDANIELS - CONLEY:  In Hamilton [Madison Co. NY], on the 17th inst. by Rev. Father Leuddon, Mr. Andrew McDaniels,  and Miss Maggie Conley, both of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY].

DUROSS - REYNOLDS:  In Hamilton [Madison Co. NY], on the 17th inst., by Rev. Father Leuddon, Mr. James Duross of Oneida [Madison Co. NY], and Miss Lizzie Reynolds of Plymouth [Chenango Co. NY] daughter of Mr. Peter Reynolds, formerly of Sherburne [Chenango Co. NY].

ROACH - GRIFFIN:  In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], on the 17th inst., by Rev. Father O'Connell, Mr. Martin Roach and Miss Nora Griffin, both of that village.

Deaths

READER:  In Waterville, February 14, James Reader, aged 21 years.

DAVIS:  In Utica [Oneida Co. NY], February 11, 1874, James L. Davis, aged 57 years.

Bainbridge Republican, Bainbridge, NY, February 21, 1874

Marriages

MILLER - JAMESON:  In Windsor [Broome Co. NY], by Rev. Wm. Roberts, on the 11th inst., Mr. Ward Miller to Miss Jennie Jameson, both of Afton [Chenango Co. NY].

BARR - MURPHY:  At the Rectory in Bainbridge [Chenango Co. NY], on the 19th inst. by Rev. S.S. Lewis, Mr. Aaron Barr to Miss Ellen Elizabeth Murphy, both of Wells Bridge [Otsego Co. NY].

Vital Records, Chenango County, NY, February 1874 (continued)

 Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, February 19, 1874

Marriages

GARDNER - HUTCHINSON:  In Afton [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 1st by Rev. T.P. Halsted, Mr. John S. Gardner to Miss Maggie L. Hutchinson, both of Afton.

LANDERS - PRATT:  In Harpursville [Broome Co. NY], Feb. 4th, by Rev. T.P. Halsted, Mr. Asa C. Landers of Afton [Chenango Co. NY] to Miss Ida M. Pratt, of Harpersville.

Deaths

WELLS:  At the residence of OA. Bassett, in this town [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 12th, of congestion of the brain , Mr. Albert B. Wells, aged 21 years.  His remains were taken to Montrose, Pa., where his parents reside.

Brisbin [Chenango Co. NY]:  John Stilson, a young man in the employ of Amos Hinman, died suddenly at about 8 o'clock on the evening of February 12th.  He had broken out with the measles on the day of his decease, but the cause of his death is attributed to heart disease.  He had many friends in this lace and in Deposit, where he had for a time lived. His age was 24.  Correspondent - Oxford Times

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, February 19, 1874

Marriages

DEAN - DARROCH:  In South New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 2d, by Rev. Wm. R. Stone, Mr. Frank Dean, of Greeneville, N.Y. and Miss Nellie O. Darroch, of South New Berlin.

BOOTH - SLATER:  In Eaton [Madison Co. NY], Feb. 11th, by Rev. Davis, A.A. Booth of Eaton and Mrs. Sarah Slater, formerly of Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY].

Deaths

Michael McTigue was suddenly killed at Hancock [Delaware Co. NY], by the falling of a bank of earth upon him.

Mrs. Eliza Patten, an aged lady of Laurens [Otsego Co. NY], met with a fatal accident.  She got up about six o'clock on Thursday morning, dressed and started to go downstairs.  It is supposed that she became bewildered as to her way, returned to her room, opened a door that was deemed securely fastened, passed through over the kitchen to where there was no kitchen floor; from thence she fell some ten feet to the wood room below, striking on the wood and receiving injuries of which she was never conscious, and which caused her death in about two hours.

SEXTON:  January 24th, 1874, at his residence in Earlville [Madison Co. NY], Norman Sexton, aged 72 years.

In the early history of the town of Smyrna [Chenango Co. NY], the deceased was one of the representative men who, by his own energy and industry, acquired a comfortable competence for himself in his old age, and who enjoyed to an unusual extent the confidence and esteem of his townsmen and friends.  For a long and successful term of years he acted as Supervisor of that town, and also filled other offices of trust acceptably to his townsmen and with credit to himself, as a man of sound judgment and kindly feeling, young and old sought his counsel and advise, and many of the residents of that town and vicinity, now well off as to worldly affairs, will long hold him in grateful remembrance for the kindly aid offered by him as a counsellor and friend.

During the latter years of his life, he resided at Earlville, almost within sight of the old homestead, and where his children could easily visit him and minister to his comfort.  In his ripe old age, he has peacefully and quietly passed away beloved and lamented by a large circle of relatives and friends.  "With good will to all and malice toward none," he lived the life of a Christian, and we who are hastening after him toward the Dark River may profitably remember his counsels, and strive to emulate his virtues.

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, February 18, 1874

Death

CARHART:  Fell asleep in Jesus, in the night of the 10th Feb., Laura Anastasia Carhart, aged 42 years.

Oh, how sweet must be her rest, / Who such cross of suffering bore! / Now she lives among the blest, / Joy is hers forever more.

______________________________

YOUNG:  In Norwich [Chenango Co. NY], Feb. 10th, 1874, John W. Young, oldest son of John and Jane Young, aged 21 years and 9 months.  Funeral tomorrow (Friday) at 2 o'clock P.M., from the residence of his parents on East Tenth between Mitchell and Mercer streets, and at the Church of the Evangelists at 2-1/2 o'clock.  Friends and acquaintances are invited to attend.  [Oswego Daily Palladium, Feb. 12, 1874]

Murder in Norwich

Chenango American, Greene, NY, Feb. 12, 1874

One of those horrible crimes which shock an entire community was committed in Norwich on Tuesday the 10th.  It occurred at the "Orr house" at the corner of East Street and Grove Avenue.  We give the main features as taken from the Telegraph.  Coroner Hand held an inquest, and from the first witness, Daglan Morrissey, who was present and saw the whole transaction, we condense the following facts:

The witness testified that he resided in Oswego, and that in company with John Young, the man who was shot, and William Bookpower had been making the rounds of several saloons, hotels and other drinking places on the evening in question, during which time they had all drank six or seven times of beer and had become somewhat affected thereby.  At about half past nine, they returned to the car where they were to sleep.  After some consultation they accosted a small boy they saw in the street and asked him to show them to a house of prostitution, and in compliance the boy accompanied them to the house in question, and then left the party.  Young then went to the front door and knocked for admission but received no answer.  He then went around to the side door on Grove Avenue, and the three went upon the steps together and knocked for admittance. The lady of the house came to the door and asked what was wanted.  They replied that they wanted to come in. She said they had no room for them there, for they were all full.  They asked again to be let in, saying they had money, and received substantially the same answer.  At this juncture Albert Holmes came to the door and says "get out of this," and pushed them off of the steps.  Morrissey and Bookpower stepped to the walk on the outside, and on turning, observed that blows were passing between Young and Holmes.  Just at this juncture, Holmes said to Young, with an oath, "get out of this or I will shoot you."  Young replied, "Git out," and Holmes instantly drew a pistol and shot.  Young staggered around a moment and fell.  Morrissey took hold of him and partly drew and partly carried him around the corner a few steps distant.  He spoke to Young and asked him if he was shot and received no answer but a groan, and in a few minutes he was dead. After the shot some woman came out of the house and asked Holmes if he had shot the man, but witness did not hear any reply.  Holmes, with the woman, then returned into the house.

In the meantime, Bookpower had run away immediately after the shooting.  Morrissey saw two young men coming along and he urged them to go for an officer.  They said they would and left at once.  In a short time Sheriff Brown and Deputy Smith arrived at the house, and upon entering promptly arrested all the inmates, but Holmes after some consultation with the family took Sheriff Smith one side and confessed to the shooting, and gave substantially the above version of the affair, except that he claimed the Young was clinched to him at the time, while Mr. Morrissey swears they were some three or four feet apart, when he was shot.  There may have been a difference in other particulars, but the important fact of the shooting stands confessed.  Holmes was lodged in jail.

Holmes is the son of Frederick Holmes and wife, a very worthy couple who keep the gate house just below this village on the Oxford Road.

Young was a resident of Oswego and was a brakeman upon one of the trains plying between that city and this village.  His associates upon the fatal night are residents also of Oswego and engaged as train hands in some capacity.  All are young men, the murdered man being only about twenty-two years old and unmarried.  The postmortem examination of the physicians was held Wednesday morning and revealed the fact that the ball passed almost through the center of the heart and must have caused almost instant death.

A dispatch says:  The verdict of the Coroner's jury, concerning the killing of John Young, declares that Young came to his death at the hands of Albert Holmes, and that the killing was willing, malicious and of malice aforethought, or murder.  Holmes is in jail and has confessed the deed.

The Murdered Young

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY., February 19, 1874

The Oswego Palladium [Oswego Co. NY] of the 11th, speaking of the recent tragedy in this village [Norwich, Chenango Co. NY] says:  "The deceased, John Young, Jr., resided with his father on East Tenth street between Mitchell and Mercer.  He had been a sailor, and had worked on the Midland, braking a freight train, for about a year.  He left Oswego yesterday morning, and the train with which he was met the pay car at the Oneida Community and the men were there paid off.  Young's father is a very respectable man, and has worked at the Columbia elevator, as a dockman, for several years.  He was formerly a boatswain in the Cunard line.  The deceased had here the reputation of being a very quiet and inoffensive young man, and it is probably that he and his companions were intoxicated. The body will arrive here tonight."

We learn that the deceased was a favorite among his associates upon the road and elsewhere, and a devoted son, passionately attached to his mother, whom he left on the morning of the fatal day, with his usual parting kiss, and the promise to return with his earnings, as the men were to be paid that day.  A few hours later, that fond mother was stunned by the announcement that her darling son had fallen by an assassin's hand, and since that time she has been almost beside herself with grief.

Young held the position of Assistant in a Hose Company in Oswego, and the entire Department of that city turned out to his funeral, which was held on Thursday, and largely attended by citizens of all classes.

Upwards of $40 - the amount received by him from the paymaster, with the exception of a few cents - were found in Young's pocket after the murder, and taken charge of by the Coroner.

Verdict of the Coroner's Jury

State of New York - Chenango county, ss:  At an inquest indented and taken this 11th and 12th days of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-four, for the People of the State of New York, in the village of Norwich, in said County, before me, S.M. Hand, one of the coroners of said County, on view of the body of John Young, then and there lying dead, upon the oath of Edwin J. Loomis, Hiram Goodrich, George Mitchell, R.E. Rindge, N.H. Button, L.D. Burdict, H.P. Marion, A.D. Sergent, W.L. Scott, James K. Spaulding, James W. Thompson and D.C. Rogers, good and lawful men of said county, who being sworn and charged to inquire how and after what manner the said John Young came to his death, do say, upon oath aforesaid that he came to his death by one Albert Holmes, of the town of Norwich, in the County of Chenango aforesaid, on the 10th day of February, 1874, at or about 10 o'clock in the afternoon of that day, with force and arms did, at Norwich, in the County of Chenango aforesaid, then and there feloniously, violently and of his malice aforethought, make an assault in and upon the body of the aforesaid John Young, then and there present; and that the aforesaid Albert Holmes then and there, with a certain pistol then and there held in his right hand, violently and feloniously, and of this malice aforethought, inflicted a mortal wound upon the left breast of the said John Young, of which said mortal wound the said John Young then and there instantly died; and so the said jurors do say that the said Albert Holmes did then and there feloniously kill and murder the said John Young, against the peace of the People of this State and of their dignity. (Signed by the Coroner and jury)

The Holmes Murder Trial Is Started

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, November 19, 1874

The readers of the Telegraph need not to be reminded of the horrible tragedy, which was enacted last winter, at what was called the Orr house, and which resulted in the death of the unfortunate John Young and subsequently in the death of his dependent mother, who shortly after died from the effect of the shock upon her already enfeebled constitution, at the loss of her stay and support.  The grim details and evidence given before the Coroner's inquest, were fully given by us at that time, and will be well remembered by our readers.

Since the murder, Holmes has laid in our County Jail awaiting his trial, which commenced on Tuesday morning, before his honor Justice Murray, and T.D. Anthony and Jacob Stowell, Esq., Justices of Sessions.

Upon calling the roll of defendant's witnesses it was found that the Orr family had deserted their victim in his extremity, and had not responded to their subpoena, but on the contrary were now in a distant State, far beyond the reach of the jurisdiction of the Court.  This absence formed the basis of a desire to put the case over the term, but upon the consent of the District Attorney, Judge Murray ordered the evidence of the missing witnesses to be read from that taken at the Coroner's inquest as published in the Chenango Telegraph at the time, and the trial was set down for Tuesday morning.

As we go to press, the trial has not been concluded.  The people are represented by District Attorney C.I. Tefft, assisted by his brother Henry M. Tefft, Esq.  The prisoner is defended by Hon. E.H. Prindle.  The case was clearly and ably opened for the prosecution by Henry M. Tefft, and the following people's witnesses sworn:  Daglan Morrissey, Wm. Bookpower, who were with Youngs on the outside of the house, and saw the shooting, Henrietta Worden, an inmate of the house, W.W. Brown, Sheriff and O.M. Smith, Deputy Sheriff, who made the arrest, detailed the condition of affairs as they found them at the house, and the confession of Holmes, Richard Bosworth and H.K. Bellows, M.D. who made the postmortem examination.

The Defense called without making any opening address, the following witnesses.  The evidence of Lida Orr, Charles Orr and Rosa Hodges was read from the Telegraph.  R.E. Rindge and Dr. Hand, Coroner, were sworn to identify the testimony given at the inquest and thus read, and finally the prisoner was sworn in his behalf.

This closed the evidence and today (Wednesday) the case will be summed up by Mr. Prindle for prisoner and C.L. Tefft for the people and will go to the jury.  

The Holmes Murder Trial - Guilty, Manslaughter in the Third Degree

Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, Nov. 25, 1874

The trial of Albert Holmes for the murder of John Young at a house of ill fame in Norwich kept by the Orr family, on the 10th of February last, occupied Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.  The trial was before Judge Murray, the people being represented by District Attorney Tefft assisted by his brother, H.M. Tefft, the prisoner by Hon. E.H. Prindle, who was assigned by the Court.  John Young, the murdered man, with two companions, brakemen on the Midland R'y, all from Oswego, went to the Orr house on the night of the murder, and demanded admittance which was refused by one of the girls.  They did not go away but kept trying to get in when Holmes appeared and pushed Young off the stoop, in the scuffle that ensued Holmes drew a revolver and shot Young through the heart.

The defense claimed that Holmes did not know the pistol was loaded, that he drew it to strike with, and that he was defending his home.  the jury retired and after an hour or more returned and were further instructed by the judge in the different degrees of manslaughter which they again retired, and later, in the evening rendered a verdict of guilty of manslaughter in the third degree.  The prisoner is a fair looking young man, and one who would not be taken for a quarrelsome person.  He appeared to be deserted by everyone, save counsel, even the Orr's, to one of the girls to whom he claimed to be married, had fled.  During the plea of his counsel, he was often affected to tears, but through the rest of the trial he sat in his chair like a statue, scarcely moving a muscle.

Saturday morning the prisoner was brought into Court and sentenced by Judge Murray to Auburn State Prison for 8 years and 8 months.