Obituaries (May 11)

Chittenden H. Rogers

Chenango Union, February 5, 1885

A most distressing accident occurred at the Pioneer skating rink in Binghamton [Broome Co., NY] on Saturday evening last, which resulted in the death of Chittenden H. Rogers, a promising young man of that city.  The occasion was a polo contest between the Pioneer and Orient clubs, and the struggle, which was a sharp and exciting one, was witnessed by a large number of people.  Among the contestants were Mr. Rogers and John Dimmick, son of Charles H. Dimmick, formerly of Norwich.  During the third game, Rogers and Dimmick, with others, rushed for the ball lying near the center of the floor, the two violently colliding, and both were thrown to the floor.  Both leaped up and resumed the game, but it was noticed that Rogers did not play with his usual spirit.  About ten o'clock his friends noticed Rogers standing alone in the middle of the hall, looking pale and distressed, and apparently about to faint.  he reluctantly gave up the game, and was led to the office, where stimulants were given him, which his stomach would not retain, although his injuries were not thought by himself or friends to be serious.  His condition suddenly grew worse, and he was taken to his home.  He was able to reach his room, but failed in the attempt to remove his clothing, and called to his father, saying that he had been hurt.  Physicians were quickly summoned, but despite their efforts to relieve him convulsions ensued, followed by unconsciousness, and he sank rapidly, dying at 3:15 Sunday morning.

 

Deceased was one of Binghamton's most exemplary young men.  Although but twenty-five years of age, he was popular in social circles, and gave evidence of possessing business talents, being about to engage in a manufacturing industry in which he anticipated much success.  He was enthusiastic in all manly sports, was a member of the local bicycle club, and held the amateur championship of the world for the best record "ride and run a mile."  A post mortem examination was held Tuesday, for the purpose of ascertaining the real cause of death, and the autopsy resulted in the conclusion that death was caused by compression of the brain, the result of external violence, causing a fracture of the skull and rupture of the middle meningeal artery, which was following by a large extravasation of blood.

 

Frank Church,

Utica Weekly Herald, January 8, 1878

Frank Church, of this place, called New Year's morning at the office of the Midland railroad for a ticket to Lyon Brook Bridge [Chenango Co., NY].  He was told that no tickets were sold for that point, as the trains did not stop at that place.  Wishing, however, to spend the day in that vicinity in company with James Hancock, tender at the bridge, he took the train chancing it to get off when the engine slackened speed in crossing the bridge.  He got off it seems, all right, but in attempting to get aboard to return at evening, about half-past six, it was far different.  The watchman of the bridge, Hancock, one Jerry Dye and Mr. Church, all made their calculation to get upon the train while crossing enroute for Norwich.  Hancock succeeded, Dye was thrown down the embankment at the southern and some forty feet, while Church by some means went through the bridge near the south abutment, where the iron trestle begins and landed about fifty feet below.  Dye made his way, after a time quite badly injured to a house nearby, where he remained over night, supposing Church had succeeded in getting on the train.  Hancock supposed both his companions were safely left behind. This morning in going to his watch or station and in crossing the bridge, he saw a man below whom he recognized as Church, and continued to Oxford when he telegraphed his brother, District Attorney John W. Church, who at once took measures to have the body brought to Norwich.  A medical examination was had, when it was found that the skull had been fractured, the fingers of the right hand and wrist badly broken, also the shoulder bones, the body otherwise being shockingly bruised and mangled.  Death must have been instantaneous.  An inquest was held by Coroner Avery, this afternoon, and the facts elicited in regard to the cause of death substantially as given above.  Deceased was about 21 years of age and leaves a wife and one child.

 

Kenneth Jay Hickok

Morning Sun, October 9, 1902

The friends of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Hickok were pained to hear of the death of their little son, Kenneth Jay [Hickok], which occurred yesterday morning in Rochester [NY].  His age was six years on January 26th last.  Kenneth was a bright, active boy, although a deaf mute.  Four weeks ago he was taken by his mother to Rochester to begin his schooling in the Western New York Institute for Deaf Mutes.  About a week ago he was taken sick with acute lobar pneumonia, and although the little sufferer was given the best  medical attention and had three trained nurses, his little spirit took its flight to that happy realm where angels will teach him all that was denied on earth.  Mrs. Hickok and her sister, Mrs. J. Cline, were at the little one's bedside during the last few day.  Undertaker Lawrence left Norwich at 7:30 yesterday morning and went to Rochester after the body. After it had been placed in the casket, at the request of the institution faculty, 180 of the children inmates passed by and viewed the remains.  A profusion of flowers were placed on the casket.  The funeral party arrived here on the 11:42 p.m. Lackawanna train last night. 

 

Death Notices

Bainbridge Republican, March 13, 1879

Masonville [Delaware Co., NY]:  Miss Ann Brown, aged 77 years, died on the 5th inst.

Yaleville [Chenango Co., NY]:  Isilton Mead, died Monday, the 24th inst., he was 85 years of age.  He was one of the early settlers of his country, and has lived many years on the farm where he died.  The day previous to his death he was apparently in as good health as usual, he was about the house and shaved himself.  The cause of his death has not as yet been ascertained.

Afton [Chenango Co., NY]:  Death has been in our midst and summoned one of our oldest citizens, Mr. Levi Church, who departed this life on Tuesday morning of last week.

Afton [Chenango Co., NY]:  Vanderburg Post G.A.R. was also invaded by the same dread messenger on Sunday last and took our comrade, Wm. Benedict.  His funeral was attended on Tuesday afternoon by a large deputation of the comrades of the Post and many friends.  He leaves a wife and several children to mourn his loss.