Vital Records, Otsego County, NY, June 1878

 Freeman's Journal, Cooperstown, NY, June 20, 1878

Deaths

In this town [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], June 13th, Orra Peabody in the 79th year of his age.  He was born in Pierstown at Leatherstocking Falls [Otsego Co. NY] and has always resided in Otsego [Otsego Co. NY], He has ever borne the character of an industrious, honest and upright citizen and was an exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church.

In Richfield Springs [Otsego Co. NY] June 10th, Anna Conkin [Hinds] wife of Charles J. Hinds and only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Conklin in the 20th year of her age.

At Phoenix Mills [Otsego Co. NY], June 17th, '78, Martin [Coss] son of Eben and Sarah Coss, aged 4 years, 11 months and 12 days.

At East Worcester [Otsego Co. NY], June 8th, Nancy M. Felter [Rockerfellow], wife of John Rockerfellow, aged 69 years, 7 months and 2 days.

In Laurens [Otsego Co. NY], May 10th, Samuel Derby aged 73 years.

In New Berlin [Chenango Co. NY] May 20th, Mrs. Betsey Silver aged 77 years. 

In Elk Creek [Otsego Co. NY], May 31st, Charles Brownell aged 51 years and 4 months.

In this village [Cooperstown, Otsego Co. NY], June 7th, John H. Bartlett of Natick, Mass., aged 54 years.

At Worcester [Otsego Co. NY], june 11th, Benjamin Millias, aged 61 years, 2 months and 2 days.

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Whereas it has pleased our Grand Master to remove from among us our esteemed Brother Henry Fitch and 

Whereas, We desire to put upon record our regard for him as a man and a Mason; therefore

Resolved, that in the death of brother Fitch, Farmers' Lodge has lost a valued and useful member. and each individual brother a friend.  We sincerely mourn his loss, yet believe that the Masons' God is a God of justice and that his tender mercies are over all his works.  Mourning not as those without hope, we fondly trust that our loss is our brother's eternal gain. We rejoice that our Supreme Grand master has given Him Divine promise that He will be a father to the fatherless and the widow's God and to Him we commend the stricken widow for that consolation which is beyond our power to impart.

Resolved, That our Lodge Room be draped in mourning for thirty days.  That these resolutions be entered in the minutes and published in the Freeman's Journal and Otsego Republican and a copy thereof be presented to the family of the deceased with the assurance of our warmest sympathy.

Committee: William Joslyn, S.B. Ackerman, William Talbot; West Burlington [Otsego Co. NY], June 12, 1878.

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At a regular communication of Evergreen lodge, No. 363, held at their rooms at Springfield Center [Otsego Co. NY], May 2, 1878, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:

Whereas It has pleased the Ruler of the Universe in His wise providence to remove by death out worthy brother, Hiram R. Wood, therefore

Resolved, That in his death this Lodge has lost an exemplary, worthy member, the community an upright citizen, his family an indulgent father and loving brother.

Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the relatives in this severe affliction and although their loss is irreparable, his memory will long survive, enshrined in the hearts of those who knew and loved him well.

Resolved, That the above be published in the Cooperstown papers, a copy be presented to the family of the deceased and entered upon the minutes of this Lodge.

Committee:  J.A. Greegs, A. Tillon, D.C. Curtis.

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On Monday evening last, as the train on the Cooperstown Road was nearing Phoenix Mills [Otsego Co. NY], engineer Sith saw a man ahead, walking on the track.  He gave the usual warning, sharp and repeatedly, and then seeing that he did not step off the track as expected, Mr. S. Whisted "down breaks" and reversed his engine, but the distance was too short in which to stop the train, and the man was taken up by the cow catcher, thrown back upon the bumper, breaking his right leg and arm and inflicting a severe bruise upon the back of his head.  Fatal injuries were inflicted, and he has remained in a comatose condition from the time he was struck until 10 Tuesday A.M.  His death is hourly expected.

The name of the unfortunate man is Daniel Cahoone, 66 years of age and deaf and dumb.  He is a resident of Herkimer County [NY] and was on a visit to his brother-in-law Mr. Reynolds at the Phoenix.  A few years ago, he sustained severe injuries in the same manner, while walking upon the railroad track near Richfield [Otsego Co. NY].  He was taken to Mr. R.'s house and the R.R. Co. sent Doct. Hills immediately to see him on the arrival of the train, but nothing could be done for him.  He was so badly injured that he seemed entirely unconscious.

No blame attaches to the engineer in this case.  It is his almost daily experience to see people walking on the track ahead of the approaching train and many of them will refuse to leave it until the engine is almost upon them.  This man's condition was of course unknown and unsuspected, and he was expected to step aside in time as others do, until it was too late to prevent the collision.

P.S. Mr. C. died about 11 o'clock A.M.

News Item

Four generations of the family of Mrs. Sally W. [Steere] relict of James Steere of Hartwick [Otsego Co. NY] celebrated her eightieth birthday on Friday last, at the old homestead in that town.  Between fifty and sixty persons were present and an enjoyable time was passed with the usual picnic, songs and speeches.  "Aunt Sally Steere" has lived a long, busy and useful life.  She began her married career at the head of about thirty persons, many of them being in her own immediate family, and though she always had the care and supervision of a large household, yet her energy and management have enabled her to  find time and means to help the poor, to assist her neighbors in sickness, to entertain her large circle of friends, to cultivate her rare and beautiful house plants and flower garden, and still keep her home as a model of neatness, economy and convenience, and the finished specimens of her industry and handiwork, in the shape of extra fine homemade linens are the admiration of all her loving guests - yet, proudest thought of all, she is the mother of eleven children, of whom five sons and two daughters remain to bless her in living the Christian lives she has ever impressed upon them by both precept and example.