1878 Newspaper events - Ontario County NY

Ontario County Journal 21 June 1878

A Probably Fatal Accident - A sad, and perhaps fatal, accident occurred in School District No. 1, on the road leading south by A. B. Cooley's, on Saturday, the 5th instant, by which a son of Norman R. Martin was badly hurt. The facts of the case are, as we learn them, that the boy, a lad about 10 or 11 years old, was driving his father's team, drawing gravel on the road, and by a sudden jolt of the wagon, (the boy), sitting on a spring seat, was thrown out, and fell in such a manner that the wagon loaded with gravel, passed over his thigh, crushing it in a horrible manner. Physicians were sent for and the sufferer cared for as was though proper. He was alive at this writing - Wednesday - but it being such warm weather, it will be a miracle if he survives. Mr. Martin has been a teacher in that school district for the past two terms.

Officer Shot in East Bloomfield - For some time past the adjoining town of East Bloomfield has been in a state of great excitement over the freaks of an insane man, Mr. W. C. Tracey, a person well-known in every town in Ontario county. The first act in this drama occurred one week ago last Tuesday evening, when Mr. Tracey appeared in the street driving two or three horses tandem, and drawing a number of old vehicles which he had gathered up about his farm for the purpose of having them repaired. At this time it is supposed that he was bound for his shop, which is known as the Drill factory, situated on Michigan street, property which he had just rented for the purpose of manufacturing his peculiar style of road wagon. Fate was against him and just at the moment when he felt the most glorious the whiffletree to his buggy broke and he was jerked headlong over the dasher, but, as has been his custom, he came down right side up and immediately commenced to abuse his horses in a shameful manner, whipping them from one side of the street to the other. Just at this time, the streets were filled with pedestrians on their way to church, and there was danger of some one being seriously injured, and officer Thorpe was ordered to arrest him. He knew full well that he had a hard case to handle, but he did not flinch. Stepping up to his man, he coolly informed him that he was his prisoner. Tracey did not propose to be taken without a struggle, and a lively time ensued. Officer Frank Page put in an appearance and assisted Thorpe in adjusting the "bracelets," after which the prisoner was allowed to arise. He had no sooner gained his feet than he commenced to swear all kinds of vengeance on the officers, declaring that when he again had the use of his hands, they would be no more. About 12 o'clock of the same night, the officers arrived in this village and left Tracey in the custody of Sheriff Benham. Wednesday, no one appearing against him, he was discharged and returned to East Bloomfield. Arriving in town he swore vengeance against all who were concerned in his arrest. Not much was thought of this until the next morning when he appeared driving about town, having in his buggy a heavy duck gun and in his hip pocket a heavy navy revolver. He held conversation with a number during the day and tried to demonstrate to them that in the future he should run the town, and also that if certain parties crossed his track that they were dead men. But Bloomfield has become so dormant of late years, that not much attention was paid to these threats -- at least not enough to have him safely taken care of. Had the proper steps been taken what occurred on Saturday might have been avoided. But "it was to be," and Saturday noon, about half past 12, as Thorpe was passing Dr. Silvernail's office situated above Hayes' carriage shop, he was told by a boy to look out, for Tracey was looking for him, and would shoot him. At this time he was sitting in his wagon, a short distance up the street, conversing with Mr. John Cromer. As he saw Thorpe approaching, he jumped from his buggy, drew his revolver and started across and a little down the street, taking Thorpe's horse by the bitts. He told him to "make his peace with God, for his end had come". Thorpe seeing that the critical moment had arrived, drew his revolver, which refused to work, and while attempting to roll the cylinder with his left hand, Tracey fired, the ball entering the left arm just above the wrist on the under side, passed upward and inward, coming out near the elbow. It passed between the body and the arm, slightly grazing the muscles, the shock so stunning Mr. Thorpe for an instant that he rolled out of the buggy, and while Tracey was quieting the horse, with which he had got into a snarl, he left the scene of action and took refuge in Dr. Silvernail's barn and armed himself with a fork. As soon as Tracey got the horse quieted, he started in pursuit, but was sent on the wrong track by a lady who had been a witness. Mr. Tracey failing to find Thorpe, drove to the village and told what he had done, and said that there were others who would be served in a like manner. Sheriff Benham of this place, was telegraphed that a man had been shot in East Bloomfield, and he dispatched officers Beeman and Doyle to arrest him, and in one hour and a half from the time that the dispatch was received, they had him in custody. He was brought to this village and lodged in jail. On Monday he was summoned before a medical commission, consisting of Drs. Bennett and Jewett, and pronounced insane, and on an order of the county judge he was committed to Utica, and the people of East Bloomfield once more breathe free. Tracey has been a terror to the town for some time, and had the proper steps been taken Saturday's scene would probably never have occurred. Much credit is due to officers Beeman and Doyle for their promptness in making the arrest. Those who witnessed it pronounced it as the neatest job that they had ever seen done. These officers have long been known as the right men in the right place, and it is hoped that they may long be retained on the force.

From Ontario County Times 26 June 1878

On Monday, May 27th, Mr. Daniel Brown of Farmington, while driving a spirited young horse, met with a severe accident. The horse became unmanageable and ran away, dragging Mr. Brown a considerable distance by one leg. Luckily, however, he escaped with only a sprained wrist and other slight injuries. The wagon and harness were distributed in pieces along the road for some distance. Mr. Brown met with a similar accident in Canadice some three years ago, barely escaping with his life.

From Ontario County Journal 19 July 1878

Fishers, N. Y. - William Stack was very severely burned last Monday by the explosion of a can of kerosene oil. He was burning a dish of potato bugs, and in some manner got fire into the can. He cannot as yet be moved from his bed.

From Ontario County Journal 2 August 1878

Canadice, N. Y. - We are informed that Robert Tucker and a brother younger than himself met with an extremely sad and unfortunate accident while drawing barley, on Thursday of this week. It appears that they were returning to the field after another load of grain, and while going down a hill the wagon rack slid forward and so frightened the horses that they began to run. They soon ran against a tree, breaking a leg of each young man and severely injuring them otherwise. We are told that it is thought amputation may be necessary upon the leg of Robert. One of the horses had a leg broken also.

From Geneva Courier 7 August 1878

Accidents at Gorham

A serious and well nigh fatal runaway accident occurred a few miles south of Gorham last Saturday evening. Rev. Frank Arnold, of Gorham, was riding with two young ladies named Sophia Lazarus and Emma Kahler. For some reason the horse took fright, and jumping to one side, threw all three to the ground. Mr. Arnold escaped unhurt, but both ladies were seriously injured, Miss Lazarus in the spine and hip and otherwise severely bruised. Miss Kahler suffered concussion of the brain and dislocation of her shoulder, she being also badly bruised. Both were unconscious for some time. They were under the care of Dr. J. H. Allen, and it was reported yesterday that they would both probably recover.

On the same day Henry E. Johnson was thrown from a wagon at Gorham, and somewhat injured. It is reported that he is able to be about the streets.

To fill up the chapter of Gorham accidents, the stage owned by M. Deitro, broke down yesterday halfway between Stanley and Gorham. Fortunately no one was injured.

From Ontario County Journal 9 August 1878

Victor, N. Y. - Smart, considering her age. Mrs. Eve Sale, a resident of this town, is in her ninety-second year, retains her faculties in an extraordinary degree; does her own washing and ironing. She is quite active, walks to her neighbors with a sprightly step that would do honor to a Miss of 16. She has resided in Victor for sixty years.

From Ontario County Journal 23 August 1878

Cheshire, N. Y. - "Pat" Daley, a laborer from this place, met with an accident last Saturday which resulted in the loss of an arm. The facts connected with the accident, as near as we can learn, are as follows: He was at work in the town of Gorham threshing with a steam thresher, the band connecting the engine with the separator run off, and in attempting to replace it, while the machine was in full motion, his hand was caught between the belt and drive-wheel, cutting it off at the wrist, and breaking the bones of the forearm, necessitating amputation near the elbow. He is doing as well as could be expected.

From Ontario County Journal 6 September 1878

Mrs. McKechnie, widow of the late James McKechnie, had the misfortune to be thrown from Edward McCabe's carriage on Sunday while riding with Miss Sarah McCabe, near the Main street school building. Her collar bone was broken and she was much bruised. Dr. Jewett attended to her injuries.

From Geneva Gazette 13 September 1878

Among those lately petitions in bankruptcy are Robert Mitchell of Geneva, D. C. Payne of Farmington, E. D. Gulick, N. R. Boswell, S. M. Tate, J. J. Loonie, J. P. Faurot, B. Spencer and A. C. Potter of Canandaigua.

From Geneva Courier 18 September 1878

Accident at Shortsville

The Clifton Springs Press gives the particulars of a serious accident which occurred at Shortsville on Wednesday last. Mr. Franklin Wheat, residing in Manchester village, while fixing a water pipe had his arm caught in the shafting, and terribly crushed. When hurt he was alone, and it was not till some hours later that he was found. It will probably be necessary to amputate the arm. Mr. Wheat is a laboring man, with a large family, and this accident falls upon him with additionally heavy weight, owing to the need of his family.

From Ontario County Journal 20 September 1878

Hiram Hutchins, residing on Spring St. in this village, had his right leg broken last Monday. He was driving along Main St. when his horse shied suddenly to one side of the street, throwing Mr. Hutchins out of the buggy with such violence that his leg was broken between the ankle and knee. Dr. Smith was called and attended to the broken limb. Mr. Hutchins is doing as well as could be expected.

From Ontario County Journal 27 September 1878

Runaway - On Thursday morning between seven and eight o'clock, as Mr. John Smith, of Bristol, was driving down Main street, a dog belonging to Mr. David Lapham ran out and barked and finally ran under the carriage and bit the horse's legs. This frightened the horse and he ran down the street at a lively rate. Mr. Smith was in some way thrown partially out of the carriage, between the wheel and the carriage box so that the wheel rubbed pretty hard against his hip. In this situation while trying to stop the horse, the animal ran across the railroad track and down Main street till the junction of Niagara street was reached, when a sharp turn was made in that direction, which resulted in precipitating Mr. Smith and a young lady who was in the carriage with him, upon the stone flagging of the cross walk, carriage, horse and all going over with them. It seems hardly possible, with the speed of the horse, the violence with which they were overturned, and the stone flagging upon which they were thrown, that they could have escaped without serious if not fatal injury, but fortunately the young lady was thrown so that she quickly regained her feet and was uninjured, while Mr. Smith, although the carriage was thrown partially on him, sustained no perceptible injury save a bruised hand. The horse was not injured save a few bruises, while for a further wonder, the buggy was not broken or damaged, save the top, which was partially bent and shattered.

From Geneva Courier 16 October 1878

A DISGRACEFUL ROW - BRUTAL OUTRAGE SATURDAY NIGHT

A young man named Timothy Mulcahey, about 20 years of age was attacked, on Exchange street, on Saturday night, by a gang of ruffians, one or two of whom he caused to be arrested, a short time ago, for an assault on him. The crowd came out of a rum hole, and endeavored to pay the old grudge. By the aid of teamster McNamara, who had one of his hands bitten in the melee, Mulcahey succeeded in getting away and ran to his home, his father's, on East Jackson street.

The crowd followed him, and proposed to assault him further, and give him the drubbing he had missed. Mulcahey and his father, meantime, had prepared to give them the reception they deserved; and on their approach fired at them. The cowardly fellows turned and fled.

Constables Seabury and Alcock getting news of the contemplated attack, went to Mulcahey's house and when there, Seabury encountered the elder Mulcahey. They mistook each other -- the constable thinking the old man one of the rowdies and Mulcahey having the same idea of the constable. The latter was knocked down and terribly hurt with a club; but the error was soon discovered and the wounded man taken care of. Mulcahey was afraid to make a complaint but an investigation was had, and it was shown that Will Grady, Will Hewitt and others were in the gang of the assailants and warrants issued for the arrest of these two. They fled from town.

We trust the strong hand of the law will not be withheld till this sort of business is at an end in Geneva.

From Ontario County Journal 18 October 1878

Serious Accident - Mrs. Joseph Kleinle met with a very severe accident on Wednesday afternoon while driving on Bristol street. The horse which she was driving suddenly whirled around and overturned the top carriage in which she was riding, throwing her out upon the stones in the gutter, breaking one of her arms, dislocating her wrist and injuring her back considerably, besides bruising her face and head badly. It seems that the horse after overturning the buggy and throwing her to the ground dragged the carriage over her in whirling about. Mrs. Kleinle was picked up in an insensible condition and taken into Mr. Tate's residence and a physician summoned. The horse literally stripped himself of the harness and smashed the carriage to a perfect wreck. The horse ran but a few rods toward Main street and was captured. It is not known what caused the animal to become frightened. It was thought for some time that Mrs. K. could not survive her injuries, but we are glad to learn that she is improving, and unless injured internally more than is now known, may recover.

From Geneva Gazette 15 November 1878

John H. Van Riper of Gorham was badly bitten by a strange dog the other day. It seems that the dog followed some neighbors into Mr. V.'s house, and refused to be driven out, whereupon he seized him by the neck to throw him out of doors when the animal turned and snapped his wrist, tearing it open so that the cords were plainly visible. The only way the savage brute could be driven off was by calling in a large and powerful dog belonging to J. Evered and setting him on. We are told the large dog actually pulled the other one out by the tail and drove him off, and he has not been seen since. No one knows to whom the strange dog belonged.

From Ontario County Journal 15 November 1878

Reed's Corners, N. Y. - A Vigilance Committee has been organized in this town with W. B. Witter, Captain; H. C. Hood, Secretary; G. W. Tozer, Treasurer; Albert Middaugh, Mason, H. Reed and James Moore, Directors. There have been riders appointed, and necessary steps will soon be taken to give thievery in this town a poor show. Let us have a law to give all those those who start in pursuit of thieves the right of a constable to arrest and detain any one suspected of crime in this class, and then the arrangement will be complete.

From Ontario County Journal 6 December 1878

Canadice, N. Y. - Mr. Elisha Norget met with quite a misfortune in the way of a runaway on Sunday last. The particulars are given to us as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Norget left their home in Richmond, intending to call upon some friends in town, and when they were near the residence of Mr. Hicks, a dog ran into the road, and so frightened Mr. N.'s horses that they became unmanageable and soon the buggy was precipitated into a ditch by the road side. The box came loose from the buggy and Mr. N. received quite serious injuries. Fortunately Mrs. N. was not seriously injured, and the horses soon became entangled with the lines in the wheels and were unsuccessful in making a very extensive trip.

From Geneva Courier 11 December 1878

An Old Settler - A correspondent of the Lyons Republican says: Jonathan Melvin, Sen., came into the town of Phelps as early as 1796. Possessed of ample means, he purchased 800 acres of land three miles from Oak's Corners. He was a man of energy and enterprise, and cleared and brought into cultivation a large farm at an early day, with an orchard of seven hundred trees, and planted a row of apple trees in the road across his farm for the use of travelers. About 1812 he changed his residence to Wolcott, where he cleared up another farm and built mills; and he resided there the last years of his life. His religious connections were with the Presbyterian church, and in politics he was a Federalist. He was rather eccentric in his habits, but was honest in all his dealings with his fellow men. Late in life he endorsed heavily for men who proved insolvent, by which he suffered large losses.

From Ontario County Journal 20 December 1878

Mrs. Mary A. Boughton has received the papers which entitles her to a pension for services performed during the war of 1812 by her late husband, DeForest Boughton.

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