May 10 (1918) Word was telephoned to the Fire Department about 2:30 Tuesday that Rees Store was on fire at Westernville and help was needed to save the village. Fire Chief George Bower went there in his department auto, followed by the auto pumping engine and firemen. When they arrived there was no water. A bucket brigade had been formed and autos were pressed into service carrying water in milk cans and other things. Finally about 100 feet of hose was laid to the upper point of Lake Delta where the engine did good work and sufficient water was secured to prevent the other buildings catching fire and also to play upon the burning store.
Only the shell of the corner of the building was left standing. Mr. Rees, the owner of the property, lives across the road and the books and paper from the store were removed to his home and a portion of the contents of the store was saved. It was a frame building two stories with annex, 40 x 60 feet. The building was insured for $2,800 and could not be replaced today for less than $6,000 or $8,000. The contents were insured for $6,000 but would inventory from $12,000 to $15,000. It was a general country store, where everything was carried in stock.
Rumor gained ground that Mr. Shirley, who was burned to death, had a cigar in his mouth when he went down cellar, or that he may have lighted a match. Mr. Rees said he knew that Mr. Shirley did not have a cigar. Wednesday Mr. Rees made an investigation in the cellar and said he found that the water faucet was running and there was a pail under it. This leads him to believe that there was a fire in the cellar when Mr. Shirley went down stairs and that he had attempted to put it out. He was evidently overcome by smoke for he had left the spot where the fire was and attempted to get out. Instead of going to the stairs where he went down, he tried to get out of the door leading to the outside entrance, but that was locked. George Olney Jr., Albert Baker and William Mudge broke open this door and found the body on the floor just inside. Mr. Baker secured a rubber hose about the body and the other two drew it up out of the cellar. As they broke the door open they heard a groan, but by the time they got him out on the ground he was dead.
The original store was erected on the site in 1794. It was built and first conducted by George Brayton. Later his sons, Hervey, George and Milton Brayton, ran it. When the first owner conducted the store that part of the country was mainly a wilderness and Mr. Brayton did a large business in trading with the Indians, who were numerous around these parts at that time. Milton Brayton ran the store alone for a number of years and sold out to Erastus Ely. Mr. Rees, when a boy, went to work for Mr. Ely as a clerk. In 1881 he, in company with George Tinsley, purchased the business and conducted it under the name of Rees & Tinsley. Five years later Mr. Tinsley retired from the store and since that time Mr. Rees had been the sole proprietor. The present building was erected about 60 years ago and it was of very solid construction.
The Rome firemen were entertained at supper at the home of H. C. Dixon, and did not return to this city until 9 o�clock. The residents of Westernville are loud in their praises of the good work of the Rome firemen, and many of them say that but for their work the chances are the greatest part of the town would have been burned. About 6 o�clock there was a hard rain and this assisted the firemen in drowning out the fire. The engine was stated pumping at 3 pm and continued in action till 7:30. Its motion sunk the auto deep into the mud so that it required two teams of horses to pull it out.
Those who made the trip with the fire apparatus were Chief Bower, Capt. Donahue, Driver Arden Haynes of the pumping engine, Drive Bentley of the chief�s car, and Firemen Eisinger, Golden, Roach, Campbell and Smith.
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Hugh F. Finnegan
Funeral services for Hugh F. Finnegan, 55, who passed away Wednesday, were held at 9 o�clock this morning from his late home at 412 Beecham Avenue and a half-hour later at St. Peter�s Church where a solemn requiem high mass was celebrated.
The mass was sung by the pastor, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor James J. Carson, M. R. V. F. The Rev. Fathers James K. Bennett and Gannon F. Ryan, assistant pastors, were deacon and sub-deacon respectively. The Rev. Fathers Joseph Panesi and Edward D. O�Connell of the Church of St. John the Baptist, Edward F. Doyle of St. Mary�s Church, Lyial A. Tobin of Vernon and Theodore Shannon and William Church of St. Lucy�s Syracuse were in attendance in the sanctuary.
Sisters of St. Joseph from this city and Syracuse and Sisters of St. Mary�s of Buffalo attended the services.
Bearers were John Baynes, James T. Cross, Arthur T. Dowling, J. Vincent Toepp and Johan A. Toepp of Rome and William Lynch of Syracuse. Burial was made in St. Peter�s Cemetery.
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Mrs. Isabell Olley Dies This Morning
Mrs. Isabell Elizabeth Olley, 62, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Pearl Waller, 104 S. James street, at 5:45 o�clock this morning. She had been in poor health for some time. She was found dead in bed by her daughter when the latter went to awaken her. Dr. R. J. Teller, coroner, who was called pronounced the cause of death as paralysis of the heart.
She had lived in Rome but two months. She was formerly Isabell Rollins, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. George Rollins of Frankfort where she was born. She married James Lints in Frankfort January 21, 1886. Several years after his death she married George Olley in Herkimer in 1907.
Her survivors are a son, Andrews Lints, Frankfort, a daughter, Mrs. Pearl Waller, Rome, and a step-son, Frank Lints, Sherrill.
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Mrs. J. A. Shanley Passes Suddenly
January 18, 1933
Elizabeth J. Wolff, 37, wife of James A. Shanley of 632 W. Thomas street, died suddenly at her home at 6 o�clock Wednesday evening. Dr. H. F. Hubbard, coroner, who was called, said death was due to heart disease.
Two weeks ago Mrs. Shanley gave birth to her 14th. child, 13 of whom survive. Mr. Shanley, a salesman at the Rome store of the Kalamazoo Stove Company, was notified of his wife�s death while en route to this city from Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he had been attending a gathering of the sales force.
He was notified by a police teletype message sent from the Rome headquarters. The message addressed to the police department and state police at Erie, Pa., asking that Mr. Shanley, a passenger on a special bus, be notified, was sent at 9:30 o�clock last night.
The message said the bus was scheduled for a stop at Cleveland, O., Officials of the bus terminal at Erie communicated with the bus between the Pennsylvania city and Cleveland and notified Mr. Shanley of his wife�s death. In less than two hours the Rome police were notified by teletype that the message had been delivered.
Mrs. Shanley was born in this city on September 5, 1895, the daughter of Elizabeth and the late Henry J. Wolff. She was married to Mr. Shanley on October 14, 1914. She was a member of St. Mary�s Church.
Surviving are 13 children, ranging in age from 16 years to two weeks; Dwight, Doris, Jane, Henry, Mary, Betty, William, Howard, Frank, Alice, Bernard, Joseph and Carol. In addition to her children, husband and mother, Mrs. Shanley also leaves seven sisters and three brothers. They are Mrs. Albert G. Mammosser, Mrs. George R. Thomas, Mrs. John L. Worden, Mrs. Earl A. Foster, Mrs. Leiu F. Reigler, Mrs. Alvah Pallas, Mrs. Herbert N. Hitchcock, and Harry J., Alvan A. and George Wolff, all of this city.
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Mrs. Margaret Clark, Ill Three Years, Dies
Mrs. Margaret Clark, 69, widow of Edward Clark, died late this afternoon at a local hospital after an illness of three years. She was born in Brockville, Canada, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Smith. She was married to Mr. Clark of Rome 52 years ago. He died about 12 years ago. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Thomas Griffis of Syracuse, and a sister, Mrs. Joanna Webb of Rome.
Mrs. Clark was a member of the First ME Church and with her husband had made her home in Rome and vicinity since her marriage.
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Mrs. William Perry Dies After Lingering Illness
Elsie Blanchard, wife of William Perry, 220 Henry street, passed away Thursday evening at a local hospital where she had been confined for the past month, complications causing her death.
Mrs. Perry was born in Camden on June 10, 1881, a daughter of the late Charles and Elizabeth Blanchard. For three years she made her home in Syracuse and had lived in Rome for 10 years. She was married to Mr. Perry in Syracuse 10 years ago. While in this city she lived with her sister, Mrs. Rose Goodfellow.
Surviving besides her husband and sister are three nieces, Mrs. Ernest Marsh, Mrs.Leonard Roy and Mrs. Rosalie LaPoint, all of Syracuse, and a nephew, Edward Blanchard, also of Syracuse.
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BRIGGS On Friday, Oct. 24, 1913, Leonard Briggs, age 53 years. For seventeen years Chief of the Fire Dept. of Rome
Mrs. S. L. Klossner Fatally Sticken
Mrs. Hattie Mae Klossner, wife of Sam L. Klossner, died suddenly this morning at 11 o�clock at her home at Rome, R. F. D. 2 on the Coleman�s Mills Road. She was taken ill last night. Coroner H. F. Hubbard of Rome was called. Death was due to heart trouble.
Mrs. Klossner, a resident of Rome the past 22 years, was born at Oriskany on November 6, 1881,, a daughter of Mrs. Findly Vandewalker of Hillside and the late James Campbell. She was married to Mr. Klossner 32 years ago. Prior to coming to Rome Mrs. Klossner had made her home at Western. She was a member of the Methodist Church of that village.
Surviving besides her husband are three daughters, Mrs. Leonard Golden of Munnsville, Miss Rose Klossner of Lavonia, near Rochester, and Miss Mae Klossner, at home. She also leaves a son, Charles at home, and two grandchildren.
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Mrs. Sarah Briggs Succumbs at Home
(1936)
Mrs. Sarah L. Briggs, 69, died at her home, 609 N. James street, last night, following an illness of six months. She was the widow of former Fire Chief Leonard Briss.
Mrs. Briggs was born in Westmoreland on Nov. 12, 1866, daughter of Martin and Margaret Egan Lally. on April 25, 1882 she became the bride of Mr. Briggs and had resided in Rome since that time.
She was affiliated with the Daughters of Liberty and was a member of St. Peter�s Church and the Altar and Rosary societies of the church. Her husband died about 23 years ago.
Survivors include three sons, James L., Harold E., and Stuart L., one daughter, Miss Helen M. Briggs, all of Rome, one brother, Frank Lally of Utica and six grandchildren.
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Mrs. Estella Mae Belcher Passes at Her Home Here
Mrs. Estella Mae Belcher, 66, died at 12:30 o�clock this morning at her home, 105 N. Washington Street. Mrs. Belcher had been in failing health two years and was bedridden the past three weeks.
A native of Hubbardsville, Mrs. Belcher was twice married, her first husband being L. Marion Welch. on August 27, 1897, in the St. Joseph�s Church, she was married to George H. Belcher, who survives. She had attended St. Joseph�s Church.
Surviving with Mr. Belcher are sons by her first marriage, (illegible) Welch, Utica, Fred Welch, (illegible), and Merton Welch, Long Island City, a son by her second union, Frank Belcher, Rome, and three grandchildren, Russell and Shirley Welch and Thomas G. Belcher.
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Mrs. Charles D. Brainerd Native of Westernville and Former Resident of Rome Dies in Utica
Utica - Jan. 9 - Gladys Abbie Forgeon, wife of Charles D. Brainerd, died about 3:20 o�clock yesterday afternoon at her home, 143 James street, following a lingering illness. Although she had been in poor health for some time, she bore her suffering with Christian fortitude and courage. her husband is a fireman at the Central Fire Station.
Mrs. Brainerd was born in Westernville march 30, 1893, a daughter of the late Joseph and Emma Forgeon. Her early life was spent in Westernville, Vienna, Floyd and Rome, and she resided in the latter place about 10 years. Since her marriage to Mr. Brainerd Mary 11, 1911, she had always made her home in this city.
A woman of splendid traits and loving disposition, she was held in the highest esteem by all who knew her. Mrs. Brainierd was a member of the Church of St. Francis de Sales. Surviving besides her husband is a daughter, Marjorie Gladys. She also leaves two sisters, Fanny and Mary Forgeon and two brothers, Harry and Joseph Wells Forgeon.
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DAUNT - In this city on Wednesday, March 9, 1898, of consumption, Miss Mary Daunt, aged 42 years. Funeral from her late home, 127 W. Embargo street, at 9:30 on Saturday morning and from St. Peter�s at 10.
The funeral of Mary Daunt was held from her late home, No. 126 W. Embargo street, Saturday at 9:30 o�clock and at St. Peter�s Church at 10, and was very largely attended. Rev. Father Murphy officiated.
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BATES - On Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1907, Jay W. Bates, in his 69th year. Funeral from his late residence, 115 E. Garden street at 2 pm Saturday.
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FORGEON - In Rome on Saturday, Feb. 17, 1906, Emma P., wife of Joseph Forgeon, in her 49th year. Funeral from her late home, 410 Roberts street, at 3 pm on Wednesday. The remains will be placed in the vault. Interment at Westernville at the convience of the family.
The funeral of Emma P., wife of Joseph Forgeon was held from her late home, 410 Roberts street, at 1 pm today. The services were conducted by Rev. Alfred E. Alton, pastor of the Baptist Church
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MUNSELL - In New York Mills, Thursday, April 16, 1896, Harry Norman Munsell, infant child of William C. and Henrietta A. Munsell, aged 1 yr 4 mos 27 dys.
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Mrs. Munsell, 81, died in Clinton
Clinton - Mrs. Grace Munsell, 81, wife of Wesley Munsell, died yesterday at her home, 8 Beatty Ave.
The daughter of Alexander and Frances Brockway Horsbough, she was born in Utica and educated in the Town of Augusta. She and Mr. Munsell were married in 1899.
The couple moved to Clinton 18 years ago and after residing in Deansboro for 39 years. Mrs. Munsell was a member of the Clinton Methodist Church, the Spanish American War Veterans Auxiliary and the Royal Neighbors of America.
She leaves her husband, a daughter, Mrs. Arch (Ella) Newvine, Deansboro, a sister-in-law, Mrs. Walter Horsbough, Syracuse, and several cousins.
The funeral will be held at 2 pm Wednesday at the Owens Funeral Home, College St., with the Rev. William A. Wilbur, pastor of the Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Deansboro Cemetery.
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Injuries to Rome Employe Followed by Death from Blood Clot
Rome, Jan. 8 - Myron N. Gillette, of 604 W. Dominick street, who had been employed as an extra hand in the power plant of the metal mill, slipped Saturday afternoon and fell into the ash conveyor, sustained a compound fracture of the right leg between the knee and hip. He was taken in the ambulance to the infirmary where the fracture was reduced. Mr. Gillette died about 9 o�clock Sunday morning and Coroner M. T. Powers caused an autopsy to be held which showed that death was caused by pulmonary embolism, a clot of blood clogging the heart. Mr. Gillette was born in North Western April 22, 1870, son of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Gillette. In New London April 30, 1892, he married Miss Clara Lanfer and they have since lived here. Mr. Gillette lived in Rome a year before his marriage and for 11 years he was in the employ of the Rome Brass and Copper Company. Last summer he was employed as engineer in the plant of the Clinton Canning Company at Clinton and went to work in the metal mill here Nov. 1. He was deeply devoted to his family and so lived that he gained the respect and esteem of all who knew him.
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BOSTWICK - On Monday, March 18, 1935, in this city, Charles Bostwick, age 49 years
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