McKean County PA Archives News.....Deaths 1879-80 McKean County Miner 1879-1880 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ronald J. Reid rreid21@cox.net McKean County Miner 1879-1880 DEATHS IN MCKEAN COUNTY 1879-1880 From THE MCKEAN COUNTY MINER NEWSPAPER Transcribed by Ronald J. Reid, 2008 The dates shown prior to each item or group of items is the date of publication. This can only be considered a partial list as many pages of the paper are unreadable and some may have been missed. All items were found on page 3 of the paper unless specifically noted otherwise. INDEX of Names ============== Feebe Acre Henry Beckwith Mary Blindbery Peter Boyle George Culp Children of John Digel Perry S. Ernhout Barney Fisher David E. Foster N.C. Gallup A. Darwin Hamlin Frederick Hughes Kittie Irwin Levi Mason [attempted suicide] George Miller John Paterson Ida M. Prouty Willie H. Prouty Charles M. Provin Fred Real Daniel Rifle Minnie Rouble John Rowley Jordan Shelves Walter Sprague Howard Tackett Georgia Tate John B. Taylor Samuel Vickers Miles Taylor Young Henry Wagner ============== Jan 23, 1879, page 3: Shocking Suicide. At Findley's Lake, Chautauqua county, N.Y., last Sunday evening, a man by the name of John Rowley, son of Hial Rowley, suicided by shooting himself with a rifle. He was unmarried, and resided with his brother-in-law, John Hill, at that place. Early in the evening he went up stairs to his room and shortly after the report of a gun was heard in that direction. The family hastened to the room, where, lying upon the floor, with a bullet hole in his head, from which the blood was flowing freely, they beheld the lifeless form of the unfortunate victim. The ball entered at the forehead and passes directly through the brain, coming out at the back of the head. He was about thirty- five years of fage, temperate, hones and respectable. Financial embarrassment, coupled with unrequited love, is assigned as the cause of the rash act. It is stated deceased was affected with aberration of mind. On Saturday the day preceding the one on which he destroyed his life, he went to the woods, only a short distance from the house, and there under a tree where in summer he had often lounged, and doubtless stocked his mind with silly love stories, dug his own grave and left a request to be buried there. Feb 13, 1879, page 3: Death of Perry S. Ernhout. Intelligence was received here a few days ago of the death of Perry S. Ernhout, son of Capt J. Ernhout, proprietor of the Bennett House. The young man died at the Dixmont Hospital for the Insane, where he was placed about six months ago, after suffering for years from softening of the brain. He was a young man of unusually bright intellect and vigorous constitution. While a student at the United States Naval Academy, of which institution he was a graduate, he stood first in his class both as to excellence in his studies and all athletic pursuits. It is believed that the disease which eventually caused his death was contracted by over exertion of his brain at the Academy. He was in his 34th year at the time of his death, and leaves a wife and two children, one ten and the other five years of age. The funeral services will be held at this place next Sunday at 11 a.m. Rev. Wilson, of Wilcox, will preach the funeral sermon. Feb 27, 1879, page 3: Died. TATE.-AT Lawrenceville, Pa., Jan 21st, 1879, Georgia, infant, daughter of J.H. and E.M. Tate, of Clermont, Pa., and grand-daughter of M.. Chapman, Lawrenceville, Pa. The funeral services attending the burial of Perry S. Ernhout, whose death we noted in our last issue were held at the Bennett House last Sunday. There was a large attendance, completely filling every available space within hearing of the funeral discourse. The services were conducted by Rev. Wilson, who preached a very earnest, affecting and appropriate sermon. There was a large attendance of the friends of the deceased and the family from Wilcox. Mar 20, 1879, page 3: Died. ACRE.-At the residence of her, Wilbur Acre, on the old homestead, Feebe Acre wife of Daniel Acre, . deceased, aged 72 years and ?? days. She with her husband were among the earlier settlers in this county. Together they endured the hardships of a pioneer life. She raised a family of eleven children. (The remainder of the obit about grandchildren is mostly unreadable) Resolutions of Respect. At a meeting of the undersigned committee, representing the High School of Smethport, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: Whereas, It has pleased Him, who doeth all things well, to remove from our midst so suddenly our friend and fellow student, Charles M. Provin, therefore Resolved, That whilst we humbly and submissively bow to the will of Divine Providence, we do sincerely mourn the sudden death of our respected friend and brother in pursuit of knowledge. Resolved, That we do sincerely sympathize with the family of the departed in this early loss of a promising son and brother, and fondly hope that their and our loss is his eternal gain. Resolved, That our hall be draped in mourning and that all the member of the High School wear the usual badge of mourning for the space of thirty days. Resolved. That these resolutions be published in the Miner and also that a copy of them be presented to the bereaved parents of the deceased. G.R. Brownell, T.F. Richmond, A.A. Daly, Aline Hamlin, Mary Sartwell, Ethel Armstrong, Committee. Killed By Lightning. - On Saturday evening last during a thunder storm, a young unmarried man named Samuel Vickers was killed by lightning on Maple ridge, Tioga county, Pa. His team were also killed. All were found by the young man's father on Monday morning lying in the snow a few rods from home. The only mark on the young man was a dent about the size of a bean on his forehead. His boots were torn. He was returning home with grist from a neighboring mill. Mar 27, 1879, page 3: On Tuesday morning George Miller was found near Sawyer City lying across a log, dead. He had gone out to repair a water pipe at a well where he had been drilling, and not returning his friends went over and found him as stated. He came from Corry, where he has a wife and child. The coroner's jury rendered a verdict of death by heart disease. Apr 3, 1879, page 3: Tragedy at State Line. (The first part is unreadable) ..place in booming and transporting logs, got into a dispute which ended in the capsizing of one of the skiffs occupied by Wagner and the drowning of the latter. It appears that there were two small boats about the mill, but on Friday, the day of the casualty, the work of Doyle required the use of both and he was assured by one of the employees that he could have them. Wagner was not aware of the privilege granted Doyle and at the beginning of the day's labor the former took one of the boats and started up the river for some purpose. Doyle returned from the boom to the mill to get a pike-lever when he saw Wagner rowing up the stream. Doyle demanded the boat saying that he would need it for work on the booms, but Wagner paid no attention, doubtless supposing that it was simply an attempt of Doyle to deprive him of its use to satisfy, if possible, the ill-feeling which he was conscious existed between them, for they had not been on agreeable terms for some time past. Wagner told Doyle in a sneering way that he could have the boat if he could get it. This aroused the anger of Doyle and he jumped into the boat he had in use and started in pursuit of Wagner. The latter, seeing the course of Doyle, immediately stopped rowing, and when Doyle came down close enough to him with one of the oars he splashed water on Wagner, and Wagner in return unshipped one of his oars and dashed water on Doyle. The latter, when within a proper distance, jumped into the skiff occupied by Wagner. By this time high words were passing between the two men. They raised their oars and each threatened to strike the other. A short scuffle followed, during which they capsized the vessel, and Wagner either fell or was thrown into the river. Doyle swam to the left shore and Wagner struggled about the water for a short time endeavoring to reach the boat. He failed in the attempt, however, and disappeared and reappeared several times. Doyle, after reaching the river bank, took off his boots and plunged into the stream again and brought out one of the boats. By this time Doyle became alarmed, and, with several other persons who saw the struggle, went to the rescue of the drowning man. Doyle took a pike pole and attempted to help the man. Realizing that probably life was gone, in his excited state, Doyle exclaimed, “Oh, my God, what have I done?” Wagner's body was taken ashore and efforts made to resuscitate him, while a man hastened to Eldred and summoned Dr. Guthrie. However, Henry Wagner was beyond revival, and nothing of course could be done even when the physician did arrive. The following day Coroner Blair was notified of the matter, and proceeded to State Line depot, where, after empaneling a jury, the testimony of James Doyle, and six other witnesses testimony was taken. After hearing the evidence and some deliberation, the jury found a verdict to the effect that James Doyle was the cause of Henry Wagner's death. A warrant was subsequently issued, and on Sunday morning Doyle was arrested in the neighborhood of Eldred and taken to the county jail at Smethport. May 15, 1879, page 3: He Took too Much. A young man named Barney Fisher died in Duke Center on Tuesday from an overdose of morphine, taken while suffering from the quinsy. He was 25 years of age, recently married, and highly respected. May 22, 1879, page 3: Died. PROUTY.- In Smethport on the 20 inst., of Diptheria, Ida M., oldest daughter of Mr. Prouty, Supt. Of the Extract Works, aged ? years. PROUTY.- In Smethport, on the 21st inst., of Diptheria, Willie H., second son of Mr. Prouty, aged 6 years.. May 29, 1879, page 3: Died. BLINDBERY.- Near Smethport, on Tuesday, the 27th inst., Mary, infant daughter of Charles Blindbery. After losing three children by diphtheria Mr. John Digel removed his family to Clermont, to the house of his wife's brother Mr. Peter Martin. Since that time the disease has broken in Mr. Martin's family, and one of his children was buried yesterday. Another of Mr. Digel's children is also very low with the same disease. Jun 26, 1879, page 3: Killed in the Woods. An old and prominent resident of the town of Jackson, Tioga county, Pa., was the victim of a terrible and fatal accident on June 19th. Jordan Shelves, in company with others, went out into the woods early in the morning to peel bark. He was engaged to in cutting the branches from one of the felled trees when he was struck by one of the heavy limbs of another tree which was being cut down near by. He was pinned to the earth, and the tree that held him down had to be cut twice in two before the injured man could be released. Half an hour after he was taken home he died. Deceased was about sixty years of age. A son was among the choppers and witnessed the accident. Deceased was a brother of Mr. George Shelves of Elmira. Suicide of a Mansfield Farmer. The citizens of the western portion of the town of Mansfield were thrown into a state of excitement last week Wednesday afternoon by the discovery of the suicide of a well-to-do farmer, Walter Sprague, of that town. The unfortunate man went to his barn in the afternoon and drove a nail into one of the stalls about three feet from the floor. He then attached a small cord to the nail, arranged a loop in the cord and placing his head through the loop, laid down on the floor and strangled himself to death. He was discovered later in the afternoon in that terrible position, his head being with a few inches of the floor. Mr. Sprague several years ago was confined in an asylum for insanity, but since his release had been rational and considered permanently cured, until about three weeks ago he was called upon to mourn the death of a daughter, a young, married lady. This melancholy event again disturbed his reason and since that time has been insane. His family was apprehensive that he might undertake to destroy his life and kept a vigilant look after him, but their precantation failed to prevent his irresponsible designs. Died. YOUNG.-At Larrabee on Thursday, the ??th inst., of Tubercular Meningitis, Miles Taylor Young, infant son of D.C. and Ada Young, aged 7 months. Was it an Accident, Murder or Suicide? On Tuesday morning of this week a Swede named John Paterson was found dead in his house on the Highland road, a few miles from this place. A bullet hole through his head and a revolver on the floor at his side tells a part of the story. It is said that he was never known to have a revolver in his possession, and the whole matter is shrouded in mystery. He was known as a hard working, honest man, was single and lived alone and worked his little farm. Rumor says he was to have been married on Friday of this week, and that his intended wife was coming here on that day. The question now arises, “Did he take his own life, was it an accident, or was it taken by the foul hand of an assassin? At this writing the coroner's jury has not convened, and when it does it may throw some additional light upon this sad affair. Jul 17, 1879, page 3: Fatal Accident at Westons. A special dispatch to the Olean Times, of Tuesday says: A very serious accident occurred here to-day resulting in the death of a boy named Fred Real, aged about fourteen years, he was employed by Geo. Fitzgibbon, pealing bark on the hillside opposite the mill. He, with the son of Fitzgibbon's was felling a hemlock tree which struck the top of a dry rotten stub breaking off a place about three feet long, which flew and stuck young Real on the head smashing his skull and killing him instantly. The boy was thought a great deal of by all who knew him, and his friends have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community. Aug 7, 1879, page 3: Suicide at Coleville. Suicides, robberies and all imaginary crimes are becoming so frequent in and about Coleville that not to hear of some fracas or other every day seems a little odd. Indeed, to learn of no disturbance from that quarter during a period of forty-eight hours is about the only thing that surprises us as coming from that vicinity, and thus when the report reached here on Monday that a young lady had committed suicide the night before the rumor was received as simply a matter of fact occurrence and inquiry as to whom, and the cause of the step, mad purely to gratify curiosity. It appears that the unfortunate woman, whose name was Kittie Irwin, had been an inhabitant of Mollie English's bagnio for some three weeks. On Sunday she had some trouble with a gentleman (?) friend and went to McBride's drugstore where she purchased a quantity of morphine with which to drown her troubles she had been drinking heavily for some days previous and was very much demented and cast down in spirits. Her roommate noticed that she was intoxicated when she went to bed, but did not see her take the poison. The discovery of her dead body the next morning was the first that was known of her rash act. Coroner Blair of Bradford was notified of the occurrence and proceeded at once to Coleville empanneled a jury and held an inquest, the verdict being rendered in accordance with the above facts. We subjoin a brief sketch of the career of this unfortunate woman as given by the Bradford Era, to show what earnest but unavailing efforts were made to deter her from the damnable course she seemed determined to follow: “Kittie Irwin who thus expiated a life of shame was twenty-five years old. She was born in Beaver, this State, of highly respectable parents. It is said she was in attendance at Beaver Seminary and showed much aptitude for study. After running away from school she fell from virtue was reclaimed by her guardian, but proving incorrigible was taken to the house of correction at Pittsburgh. Escaping from the reformatory she next turned up in Petrolis, where she became an intimate of a notorious begalo. This was between four and five years ago. A prominent operator became enamored with the handsome Cyprian and took her to ive with him. Sometime after the girl's guardian again appeared on the scene and took her back to the house of correction. It is said Kittie had- expectations of a fortune of $8,000, which would accrue to her should she return from a life of shame. All efforts to reclaim the unhappy woman were fruitless. When she emerged a second time from the house of correction she was hardened in crime and forever lost to friends. Coming to Bradford, Kittie became a well known inmate of a disreputable house on Pig Island. Three months ago she emigrated to Coleville, and entered the establishment of Mollie English. Aug 14, 1879, page 3: Accident and Mishaps. Edenburg has another mysterious murder case. An old and respected citizen named George Culp was fatally poisoned by partaking of a loaf of bread. A portion of the same loaf was fed to two dogs, causing their death. A son of Frederick Hughes of Tioga junction, aged 13 years, pointed a gun at a younger brother four or five years of age, supporting that it was not loaded. It was loaded, however, and the young brother was buried last Sunday. Levi Mason, a brakeman on the K.&E. R.R. undertook suicide on Sunday morning by the unheroic and unpoetical means of a dose of morphine. The physicians took him in hand, and his recovery is probable. Aug 21, 1879, page 3: Death of an Old Resident. On the 21st of last month Mr. N.C. Gallup, of Norwich township, died at the ripe age of 65 years. His father settled in this county, in what was then Sergeant township, now Norwich, in 1813. He at once cleared up a farm upon which he lived to the day of his death, and his son succeeding him has also lived and died upon the same farm. He leaves a wife and three children, two of whom are married. He was always known and respected as an honest, upright man and good citizen, and in his death we are forcibly reminded of the fact that one by one the old settlers of the county are rapidly passing away. Peter Boyle deliberately courted death on Tuesday by walking in front of a train on the Erie branch. No warnings of the whistle or bell could induce him to leave the track and every effort was made to stop the train, but he was overtaken and almost instantly killed, and horribly mangled. It was a case of deliberate suicide. Boyle was a native of Canada and has been a resident of the oil regions for fourteen years. He was 38 years of age and a driller by trade. Oct 30, 1879, page 3: Death of a Pioneer. David E. Foster, yesterday, died at his home near Lewis Run, about five miles south of this city. Deceased was aged sixty-two years and had been a resident of this section for the past half century. He followed a quiet and steady life as a farmer and was widely known and esteemed among the older residents of the Tuna Valley. For the past year he has been afflicted with consumption so that he was unable to longer attend the labors of his farm the funeral will take place at the late residence of the deceased on Friday. - Bradford Era. Nov 16, 1879, page 3: Died. RIFLE. At the residence of his son, A.L. Rifle in Norwich township, Nov. 1, 1879, Daniel Rifle, aged about 75 years. ROUBLE.-At the residence of N.W. Heinemann, in Norwich township, Oct 25, 1879 of Diptheria, Minnie Rouble, daughter of the late Michael Rouble, aged five years. Feb 5, 1880, page 3: Death of Darwin Hamlin. We are called upon this week to announce the death of Mr. A.D. Hamlin which occurred at his residence in this borough on Monday night last. At the time of his demise he was 59 years of age, and was one of the old residents of our town. He came here we think in early boyhood, and has ever since been a resident of Smethport. For two or three years past he has been afflicted by a cancer in one of his eyes and this we understand was the final cause of his death. He suffered the most excruciating pain from this fatal disease and tried many remedies in the hope of effecting a cure, but to no purpose, and finally yielded to the inevitable as do all seemingly afflicted with this deadly disease. Mr. Hamlin was a surveyor by profession and naturally enjoyed a very large acquaintance in this and adjoining counties, as the duties of that profession brought him in contact with the people generally and especially land owners, who found in him a competent surveyor and agreeable companion. He was an honorable citizen, a kind and obliging neighbor, and had a heart as large as ever beat in the bosom of man. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. W.R. Wagoner, were held at hiss late residence at 3 p.m. yesterday, after which the deceased was followed to his last resting place by a large concourse of relatives and friends. Feb 12, 1880, page 3: Blown To Atoms, A Glycerine explosion at Corwin Center. Howard Tackett Torn Limb from Limb. On Monday morning two men named Howard Tackett and James Feeny started from Butts & Baxter's glycerine magazine a short distance south of Bradford for Cole Creek, with five twenty pounds cans of the explosive in a cutter. When a half mile east of Corwin Center, they drove into a deep gully when the sleigh suddenly capsized. The cans of glycerine were hurled out upon the hard ground, causing an explosion which woke the echoes for mile upon mile. When the sleigh went over Feeny jumped. The explosion buried him in the debris and although injuring him dreadfully he was not killed outright. But Tackett was a horrible spectacle to look upon. For fifty fee through the air he was hurled like a foot ball and fell a mangled corpse. His right arm was torn from its socket, and blown to atoms, the pieces being found scattered far and near. His right leg was also wrenched off and ground to pulp Both eyes were out; his jaw was broken, and the entire side of his face and body crushed to a jelly. Hardly a rag of clothing remained on his body. Several buildings near by were shaken as if by an earthquake. The horses which were drawing the cutter were instantly killed. Tackett was a native of Forrestville, N.Y., a sober, industrious young man, unmarried, a member of the A.O.U.W. at Custer City. Feeny who now lies in a critical condition, came a few months ago from Petrolia, and has been for some time handling glycerine. (The story of the damage caused to the surrounding area continues at length) The body of the poor unfortunate Tackett was gathered up, and taken to the undertaking establishment of P. Webster, of Bradford, to await the arrival of his brother, from Forrestville. Feeny is under the charge of good physicians. It is not known whether he is fatally injured or not. Jun 3, 1880, page 3: Death of J.B. Taylor. The announcement of the death of John B. Taylor on Friday, the 4th inst., was an unexpected event to most people. Although known to have been in poor health for a long time, he was not thought to be in a dangerous condition - no more so than he had been in many previous sicknesses. Mr. Taylor was sixty- six years of age and was considered one of the oldest residents of the place. He was in active business for many years and was well known in the county. Funeral services were held at the Baptist church on Sunday morning, a very large concourse of people being present on the occasion to pay their last respects to the deceased. Aug 12, 1880, page 3: Died. BECKWITH.-In Farmer's Valley, Aug. 12, 1880, Henry, son of C.H. and M.E. Beckwith, aged six months and nine days. 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