Page 2
THE HOLCOMB TRAGEDY.
Funeral of the Two Little Victims — The Coroner's Certificate.
EAST BLOOMFIELD, May 8. — No event ever occurring in town has stirred up the sympathies of the residents as the
burning of the dwelling of William WEBB and two of this children, Raymond and Wesley, last Thursday night. Dr.
B.S. PARTRIDGE, coroner of the county, viewed what little remains were found and granted a death certificate. Funeral
services were held at the M.E. Church Sunday afternoon, Rev. L.A. STEVENS officiating. The remains were enclosed
in a small box neatly trimmed in white. The remains were accompanied to the church and cemetery by a very large
number of the friends and residents of the town.
Mrs. WEBB, who was prostrated by the sad event, has recovered in a measure. The origin of the fire is still a mystery.
LE ROY, May 8. — Mrs. Charlotte M. PIXLEY of Bethany, wife of Edgar PIXLEY, died yesterday after an illness of
about four weeks of Bright's disease. Mrs. PIXLEY was born in Bethany sixty-six years ago and had resided there
her entire life. Besides her husband she leaves one son, Sheriff Charles B. PIXLEY of Le Roy, and one daughter,
Mrs. Charles ANNABELL of Bethany. The funeral will be held from her late home on Thursday.
MAY 8, 1900
Page 3
THE LATE J.H. COYNE.
Action Taken at a Meeting of the Livingston County Bar.
GENESEO, May 8. — The members of the Livingston County bar assembled at the Court House yesterday in honor of the
late John H. COYNE, deputy attorney general of the state. Fletcher C. PECK on Nunda was chosen chairman of the
meeting, Charles W. GAMBLE of Mount Morris clerk. Addresses were delivered by Attorneys Fred W. NOYES and Charles
H. ROWE of Dansville, E.C. OLNEY of Nunda, Col. John R. STRANG of Geneseo, and Fletcher C. PECK of Nunda.
Attorney John F. CONNOR of Mount Morris then moved the adoption of the following resolutions:
"Whereas, on May 3, 1900, at the city of New York, John H. COYNE, a member of the Livingston County bar, died
suddenly at the age of 37 years, while engaged in the discharge of his duties as first deputy attorney general
of the state.
"Resolved, That we, the members of the Livingston County bar, deeply sensible of the loss our bar has sustained
through his untimely death, desire to express our appreciation of his ability as a lawyer, his staunchness as a
friend, his fidelity to every trust committed to him, as well as our appreciation of his generous spirit and kindness
of heart, that endeared him to a large and ever increasing circle of personal friends and associates; that we further
regret his early death, which deprives the public and state of a life whose future useful (didn't get rest of article).
OBITUARY.
Wallate KIMBELLEY.
PIKE, May 8. — Wallate KIMBELLEY, aged 74 years, one of the best known retired farmers in this section of Wyoming
county, died suddenly last night at his home in Pike, having been a resident of this place nearly all his life.
He was taken sick with the grip a few days ago and gradually failed until death followed.
Miss Dorothy FONDA.
LE ROY, May 8. — For the third time within the past sixteen months Mrs. Adam FONDA of Clay street has been called
to mourn the death of a member of her family. The last was the death of her daughter, Miss Dorothy FONDA, which
occurred last night of dropsy. The deceased had resided in this village most of her life and was about 50 years
of age. Besides her mother she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. John W. WHITE of Le Roy and Mrs. Alfred GRADY of
Buffalo, also two brothers, Daniel and Frank of Le Roy. The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 2 o'clock.
SUDDEN DEATH.
Thomas NEID of Le Roy Passes Away Without Warning.
Special Dispatch to Union and Advertiser.
LE ROY, May 8. — Thomas NEID, who resided three miles northeast of this village, died very suddenly this morning.
He was feeling usually well a few minutes before his death.
The deceased was born in Ireland seventy-eight years ago and had resided in this vicinity fifty-six years.
Besides his wife he leaves seven children, as follows: Michael, Anna, Mrs. John PHILLIPS of Le Roy, Thomas and
Miss Deliah NEID of Rochester, John of Mumford, Mrs. Arch FAGAN of Retzo?.
MAY 8, 1900
Page 2
LE ROY, May 8. — Yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the home or Mr. and Mrs. O.F. GEER on Myrtle street, took
place the marriage of their daughter, Miss Olive GEER, to Frederick E. HEBBARD of this village. A number of guests
including several from out of town, were present and witnessed the ceremony, which was performed by Rev. F.S. PARKHURST,
pastor of the Methodist Church. The bride was attired in a becoming gown of white dotted muslin. Miss Mary UPHAM
acted as bridesmaid and the best man was W.H. HOLLISTER, all of Le Roy.
Word has been received here that Anson VAN SAUN, formerly of Bethany, and August FELIZ of Batavia have escaped
from the Willard State Hospital. Both of these men were committed to that institution last year.
****
Rochester Daily Union and Advertiser
Rochester, Monroe County, New York
MAY 8, 1900
Page 3
(Missing beginning) Fired, by Incendiaries at an Early Hour This Morning.
Many Guests Obliged to Jump From Windows and Abandon Clothing — Girl
Injured — Financial Loss.
GENESEO, May 8 — The American Hotel was burned to the ground at 2 o'clock this morning. It was one of the most
terrible fires that has visited Geneseo in a decade.
Two men were burned to death. They are:
Sherman, DEMERY, aged 29, of Sparta, N.Y.
Lafayette CARNEY, aged 55, of Sparta, N.Y.
They occupied a front room facing the Main street on the third floor of the burned building. Their bodies were
not discovered until after the fire in the hotel was under control. Both were fully dressed and lay face downward
on the floor of the room they occupied. They had evidently been suffocated by the dense smoke that had filled the
building. The blinds on the two windows in their room were closed, as was the door leading to the hallway. The
appearances were that both had been overcome soon after awakening and had not been able to make an attempt to escape.
The bodies were taken to the morgue and Coroner BOWEN of Mount Morris was summoned.
DEMERY was a farm laborer. He was unmarried and has been in the employ of Edward ROWE of Sparta. He was in attendance
at the term of court now sitting at the Court House here.
CARNEY was a Sparta farmer and leaves surviving him, his widow and three children, James CARNEY of Perkinsville,
H. CARNEY of Wayland and Mrs. George SYLVESTER of Springwater. Deceased was also attending court here.
The men might have been saved had not the impression ??tained that all the guests in the hotel had left the building.
Miss Anna SKIDMORE, niece of the proprietor of the hotel, was in the building when the fire occurred. She jumped
from a second story window and was apparently badly injured. She is resting easily to-day, however, and will recover.
The hotel, which was located on the east side of Main street, was completely gutted. The building was crowded with
guests, due to the Trial Term of the Supreme Court, which is in session at the Court House this week. The fire,
when discovered, had obtained fierce headway, and the occupants of the hotel, to the number of over forty, barely
had time to get out of the building.
Several thrilling escapes were witnessed by early comers at the scene. Guests on the third floor of the hotel jumped
to the porches over the sidewalk and from there into the street.
The fire originated in the woodshed of the hotel. Before it was discovered, the entire rear portion of the building
was in flames and the place was doomed. One of the domestics employed in the hotel ran through the corridors and
gave the alarm. But for her presence of mind, many of the guests would have been unable to escape. The flames spread
with marvelous rapidity and the whole structure was burning in an incredibly short time after the discovery.
The hotel and contents were valued at about $15,000. The building was an old one, almost one of the early landmarks
of the Main street. It was a wooden structure, three stories in height and furnished easy prey for the flames.
The building and contents are a total loss. John HALLIGAN, the owner and proprietor, carried an insurance on the
place aggregating about $6,000.
Wooden buildings flank the burned structure on either side, and only a heavy (didn't get rest of article).
THE LATE J.H. COYNE.
Action Taken at a Meeting of the Livingston County Bar.
GENESEO, May 8. — The members of the Livingston County bar assembled at the Court House yesterday in honor of the
Late John H. COYNE, deputy attorney general of the state. Fletcher C. PECK of Nunda was chosen chairman of the
meeting, Charles W. GAMBLE of Mount Morris clerk.
Addresses were delivered by Attorneys Fred W. NOYES and Charles H. ROWE of Dansville, E.C. OLNEY of Nunda, Col.
John R. STRANG of Geneseo, and Fletcher C. PECK of Nunda.
Attorney John F. CONNOR of Mount Morris then moved the adoption of the following resolutions:
"Whereas, On May 3, 1900, at the city of New York, John H. COYNE, a member of the Livingston County bar, died
suddenly at the age of 37 years, while engaged in the discharge of his duties as first deputy attorney general
of the state.
"Resolved, That we, the members of the Livingston County bar, deeply sensible of the loss our bar has sustained
though his untimely death, desire to express our appreciation of his ability as a lawyer, his staunchness as a
friend, his fidelity to every trust committed to him, as well as our appreciation of his generous spirit and kindness
of heart, that endured him to a large and ever- increasing circle of personal friends and associates; that we further
regret his early death, which deprives the public and state of a life whose future usefulness can only be estimated
by the success and position of honor to which he had attained in so short a period through his unfailing energy,
integrity and singleness of purpose; that we extend our entire sympathy to the members of his family in their sorrow
and affliction.
"Resolved, That these resolutions be presented to the court to be spread upon the minutes, and that a suitably
engrossed and certified copy be sent to the family of the deceased.
"Resolved, that when this term of court adjourns, it adjourn in honor of deceased."
The resolutions were adopted as read, and Fletcher C. PECK was named to present the same to the court. Adjournment
followed.
During the afternoon Justice NASH directed the clerk to enter an order to the effect that the resolutions presented
be spread upon the minutes, that suitably engrossed and certified copies be sent to the family of the deceased,
and that when court adjourns, it adjourn in honor of deceased.
OBITUARY.
Wallate KIMBELLEY.
PIKE, May 8. — Wallate KIMBELLEY, aged 74 years, one of the best known retired farmers in this section of Wyoming
county, died suddenly last night at his home in Pike, having been a resident of this place nearly all his life.
He was taken sick with the grip a few days ago and gradually failed until death followed.
Miss Dorothy FONDA.
LE ROY, May 8. — For the third time within the past sixteen months Mrs. Adam FONDA of Clay street has been called
to mourn the death of a member of her family. The last was the death of her daughter, Miss Dorothy FONDA, which
occurred last night of dropsy. The deceased had resided in this village most of her life and was about 50 years
of age. Besides her mother she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. John W. WHITE of Le Roy and Mrs. Alfred GRADY of
Buffalo; also two brothers, Daniel and Frank of Le Roy. The funeral will be held on Wednesday at 2 o'clock.
SUDDEN DEATH.
Thomas NEID of Le Roy Passes Away Without Warning.
Special Dispatch to Union and Advertiser.
LE ROY, May 8. Thomas NEID, who resided three miles northeast of this village, died very suddenly this morning.
He was feeling usually well a few minutes before his death.
The deceased was born in Ireland seventy-eight years ago and had resided in this vicinity fifty-six years.
Besides his wife he leaves seven children, as follows: Michael, Anna, Mrs. John PHILLIPS of Le Roy, Thomas and
Miss Deliah NEID of Rochester, John of Mumford, Mrs. Arch FAGAN of Retzof.
MRS. EDDY'S HOUSE CLEANING.
It Was Performed by the Nunda Board of Health — A Big Bonfire.
NUNDA, May 8. — The Board of Health has just taken action in the matter of cleaning house for Mrs. Jane EDDY, an
eccentric character of this village, aged 74 years. For a number of years she has lived in a little hut on the
old furnace grounds, built by charitable citizens of the place, and has been dependent upon the village for the
support of herself and son Ansel, a man over 40 years old, who is only half-witted.
For the past eight or ten years Mrs. EDDY has been possessed of a most (didn't get rest of article)
****
Rochester Daily Union and Advertiser
Rochester, Monroe County, New York
MAY 8, 1900
Page 3
DIED.
EMBRY — Entered into rest, Monday, May 7, 1900, at his residence, 2(?)7 Oxford street, Frank W. EMBRY.
— Funeral Wednesday afternoon at 3 o'clock.
SEEL — In this city, Saturday, May 5, 1900, at the family residence, 41 Magne street, Mrs. Emma J., wife of George
SEEL, and daughter of the late Andrew NAGLE, aged 36 years.
— Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the funeral, which will take place Wednesday afternoon at
2:30 from the house, Rev. ERBES officiating. Interment at Mt. Hope.
McKELVEY - Monday night, May 7, 1900, at her home, No. 52 Spencer street, Louisa, wife of William McKELVEY.
— Funeral on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. from the house. Burial at Mt. Hope.
SEYMOUR — At the residence of her father, John McMULLEN, 100 Edinburgh street, Frances Elizabeth SEYMOUR.
— Funeral from the house Thursday at 3 o'clock p.m.
OLIVER — At his home, 58 1-2 Joseph avenue, Monday afternoon, May 7, 1900, Moses OLIVER, aged 72 years.
— Funeral will take place Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock. Buffalo papers please copy.
MAY 8, 1900
PAGE 6
LUTHER A. PRATT.
Death of Well Known and Highly Esteemed Citizen.
In the death of Luther A. PRATT, which occurred this morning, Rochester loses one of its oldest and best known
citizens.
He was born in Granby, Hartford county, Connecticut, July 23, 1826, the son of Luther and Eliza Latimore PRATT.
He received a common school education and at the age of 17 went to Hartford as clerk in a grocery store. In the
spring of 1847 he enlisted under Captain WEBB as volunteer in the Ninth, or as it was called, the New England regiment
of infantry, to serve during the war with Mexico. The regiment left Fort Adams, Newport, R.I. and joined Gen SCOTT's
main army at Pueblo. Mr. PRATT was engaged in the battles of Contreras, Cherubusco, Molino Del Ray, Chapultepeo
and the taking of the City of Mexico. He was wounded in the battle of Cherubusco and promoted from private to orderly
sergeant for bravery in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco. At the close of the war he returned to Hartford
and started a "Penny post" for the delivery of letters, receiving an appointment from Washington. This
was the beginning of the delivery system of letters in that city. He soon entered the Hartford postoffice, where
he remained nearly four years, the last year as head clerk. Resigning in the spring of 1853 he came to Rochester
and engaged in the boot and shoe business on State street, which he continued at the same place until 1881, when
he sold out and retired from the mercantile business. He was always interested and active in public affairs. He
was elected city assessor in 1885 and served two terms and was one of the members of the committee for the erection
of the Court House. He was a resident of the First ward till 1894, a period of forty-two years, and represented
that ward in the Board of Supervisors seven years. He was a Democrat on national and state issues, but on local
an independent. During his long residence in Rochester he was connected with many of its social organizations.
He was captain of the old Union Blues and one of the charter members of the Rochester Whist Club, maintaining his
connection with it until failing health obliged him to resign. Mr. PRATT was a prominent Mason, being a member
of Rochester Lodge No. 660, F. and A.M., also a Knight Templar of Cyrene Commandery.
His health began to fail several years ago and for the past year he had been an (didn't get rest).
MAY 8, 1900
PAGE 7
Mrs. Amelia KEMPSHALL.
Word has been received here of the death of Mrs. Amelia A. KEMPSHALL at her home in Peoria, Ill. She was one of
the early residents of Rochester, having been born in this city in 1816. Mrs. KEMPSHALL was the wife of the late
Willis KEMPSHALL. The family removed to Brooklyn in 1855, where the deceased resided several years.
Announcements.
— Mrs. Louisa SMITH died last evening at St. Mary's Hospital.
— Mamie, daughter of John and Helen VOGEL, formerly of this city, died at Butler, Pa., May 4th, aged 26 years.
— Henry N., infant son of Henry and Hannah EBERIE, died this morning at the family home, No. 19 Immel place.
— The funeral of Christian W. KALL will be held from the family residence, No. 249 Jay street, at 2:30 o'clock
to-morrow afternoon.
— The funeral of Mrs. Emma J. SEEL will be held from the family residence, No. 41 Magne street, at 2:30 o'clock
to-morrow afternoon.
— The funeral of Frank. W. EMBRY will be held from the family residence, No. 267 Oxford street, at 3 o'clock to-morrow
afternoon.
— Charles TIPPETT died yesterday afternoon at the home of his sister, Mrs. William J. CLARKE, No. 11 Jersey street,
aged 32 years.
— Martin LANNIN died last evening at the family residence, No. 15 Cook street, aged 56 years. Deceased is survived
by his wife, two daughters and one son.
— The funeral of Norman DAY was held from the residence of his brother-in-law, O.W. ELLIS, in Henrietta at 2 o'clock
this afternoon.
— The funeral of Mrs. Sarah A. DIX will be held from the family residence, No. 325 West avenue, at 2:30 o'clock
to-morrow afternoon.
— The funeral of Mrs. Mary A. MORLEY was held from the residence of her son, William J. MORLEY, No. 291 Adams street,
at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
— Catherine, daughter of Michael and Ella KELLEY, died yesterday at the family residence, No. 8 White street, aged
16 years. Deceased is survived by her parents and one sister.
— John QUINN died last night at the family residence, No. 13 Comfort street, aged 46 years. Deceased is survived
by his wife, three sons, Joseph, Charles and Thomas QUINN, and one sister, Anna QUINN.
— Louisa, wife of William McKELVEY, died last night at her home, No. 52 Spencer street, aged 68 years. She is surrounded
by her husband, two sons, William F. and George P. and two daughters, Ida E. and Marie E. Funeral on Thursday at
2:30 p.m. Burial at Mt. Hope.
— Frances Elizabeth SEYMOUR, youngest daughter of John and the late Eveline McMULLEN, died this morning after a
short illness at the residence of her father, No. 100 Edinburgh street. The deceased was a member of Golden Rule
Chapter, O.E.S., also of Powers Relief Corps. She leaves a father, one brother, John J. McMULLEN, and one sister,
Mrs. E.R. LISHEIMER, all of this city. Funeral services will take place from the house Thursday at 2 o'clock.
— Yesterday afternoon occurred the death of Mr. Moses OLIVER at his residence, 58 1-2 Joseph avenue, at the age
of 72 years. Mr. OLIVER was a resident of Coldwater for sixty years and was beloved by all with whom he came in
contact. He was a devoted husband and a loving father, and his death will be mourned by a host of friends. He leaves
besides his wife two sons and three daughters, Harry, Napoleon, Florence and Julia of Rochester and Mrs. Gust BOLT
of Buffalo, also two sisters and four brothers, Mrs. M. LAPOINT of Rochester and Mrs. F. FOOT of Chili, Mr. William,
Peter and Louis of Rochester and Joseph of Buffalo. The funeral will take place to-morrow at 1 o'clock p.m. from
the house, 58 1-2 Joseph avenue, and the remains will be taken to Wooden's cemetery, Chili, N.Y.
BRAKEMAN'S DEATH.
Fred A. BAILEY Was Fatally Injured While Coupling Cars.
Fred A. BAILEY of Olean, the Western New York & Pennsylvania railroad brakeman, who was injured at Mt. Morris
at 1:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon, died later in the day at the Homeopathic Hospital.
Death was due to the shock caused by the amputation of his right leg above the knee. BAILEY was hurt by falling
when engaged in coupling cars. He was 36 years of age, and is survived by his wife.
Coroner SIBLEY was notified of the death, and had the remains removed to the morgue by Attendant DRAUDE. An inquest
will be held at 7 o'clock this evening.
__
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