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Murray E. Cobb
"Never before has the White Bluffs community been so
shocked and saddened as on Tuesday afternoon when Archie Brown and
E. D. Eddy arrived in town from Cold Creek with the body of Murray
Cobb and the story of how he met his tragic death.
No one was with him at the time of the accident, but the details,
so far as can be guessed, were about as follows: He was railing
sagebrush with the tractor on the H. W. Lemecke section about half a
mile from the Archie Brown home at Cold Creek, Tuesday morning and
those in the vicinity noticed that the tractor stopped about 11:30.
He was in a ravine and out of sight at the time, but as he had often
stopped the machine before while working, no one took any notice of
it this time. When he did not come to lunch at 12:30, however,
Alfred Lemecke went out to see what was delaying him and found the
tractor up-ended and "Cobby" buried beneath it. Alfred hastily
summoned Mr. Brown and Mr. Eddy, and, although they worked with all
possible speed, it took them an hour and a half to remove the heavy
machine from the body. "Cobby" had evidently attempted to cross the
ravine, which had become mired and the tractor had stuck. The
front wheels crossed but the hind wheels buried themselves in the
soft ground. With the hind wheels buried and the front wheels
started up the incline on the side of the ravine, the tractor was
pitched at a dangerous angle and it is believed that he threw in the
clutch too hard, causing the machine to jump when it started, and
losing its balance, to topple over backwards. The unfortunate man
was caught under the weight of the whole machine, the steering wheel
crushing his chest and killing his instantly
The body was taken to Kennewick on Tuesday evening by H. W. Lemecke,
H. E. Robinson, J. F. Bleakley and E. E. Meeker, where it was
embalmed and upon telegraphic advice from relatives, expressed,
Thursday to New York for burial.
Murray E. Cobb was born in Delevan, N. Y., October 29, 1879, and
died December 10, 1918, being 40 years old at the time of his death.
He came to Washington in 1904 and took a homestead on the east side
of the Columbia river near the Winespear place. He purchased
the Thomas Scouller orchard tract north of White Bluffs three years
ago and lived there until this fall when he went to Cold Creek in a
deal with H. W. Lemecke to improve some raw land there. He was a
member of the Masonic Lodge and a veteran of the Spanish American
War, having served two years in the Phillipines. He took out a
$2,500 policy in the Idaho State Life Insurance this summer. He
leaves to mourn his loss besides his parents, three brothers and a
sister. All of these live in New York except two brothers living in
Pennsylvania. Some cousins living in Portland are the only known
relatives in the west.
Of a kindly and amiable disposition and with a straightforwardness
and honesty of purpose that was at once apparent in all his business
dealings, "Cobby", as he was affectionately known, endeared himself
to everyone and it can be truly said that his friends were limited
only by his acquaintances.
As a little token of the esteem in which he was held, a few of his
White Bluffs friends hastily gathered together a sum of money on
Thursday and telegraphed it east to be used in the purchase of a
floral tribute at his funeral.-- White Bluffs Spokesman"
Hon. Bertrand Chaffee
"An astonishing report flew through the community
and out along the wires, Tuesday noon, Oct 3rd., saying that our
most prominent citizen, Hon. Bertrand Chaffee, had suddenly dropped
the reins of his busy life and made a final stop.
Mr. Chaffee was a man so haled and hearty, so sound of body and
mind, that it was not easy to believe the report. Vigorous and
active, he seemed as if in the prime of life, and his age was seldom
thought of. Having several pieces of valuable property in the
village and outside, he was our heaviest taxpayer. He manages
and personally directed the affairs of several large farms, daily
making the rounds of the estates, driving his horse into the fields
or wherever he wished to go. In his well-known phaeton he has
made the circuit, Tuesday, and was starting for home, for dinner,
when some of his employees saw his head drop upon his breast, and is
became known that he had gone to sleep- the sleep that never wakens
to earthly activity.
Mr. Chaffee was a man of large affairs. It was natural for him to
easily handle problems that would baffle some men. His mind
was alert- quick to form conclusions, energetic in putting them into
effect. He has a strong personality- an individuality all his own.
he was amiable, courteous, kind-hearted and faithful in his
friendships. He was a staunch supporter of the church, a
promoter of good order, a believer in the principles of his party,
but recognized good men of other parties.
Like most strong men, he was a product of the farm-- born and
reared on the place his his grand-father settled in 1819. He was
born Oct. 26, 1837, his parents being J0el and Anna
Moulton Chaffee. He received his education at Springville Academy,
and at the age of sixteen left the farm and spent two years as a
clerk in a jewelry store in Cayuga county. In 1855-56 he was
employed as a clerk in the office of the Western Transportation Co.
and American Express Co., Buffalo, and in 1857 he returned to the
farm.
In 1863 he entered into the hardware business in Springville, and
for twelve years conducted the largest hardware store in Erie county
outside of Buffalo. In 1871 he bought a half interest in the
Springville flouring mills, and two years later he and his partner,
C. J. Shuttleworth, bought the mills at East Pike. After two years
the firm of Shuttleworth & Chaffee dissolved, Mr. Chaffee retaining
the Springville mills and conducting both the hardware and milling
business until 1875, when he disposed of the hardware store,
converted the mill from the old stone grinding to the roller
process, keeping up with modern improvements in the business. In
later years he has leased the mills and concentrated his personal
attention on his various farms and other real estate.
In 1871, Mr. Chaffee was married to Miss
Jennie B. Richmond, daughter of George Richmond, who came from
Vermont in 1809 and settled in the valley of the Cattaraugus, in the
town of Sardinia, being one of the pioneers of the town, where he
lived until his death in 1869. Mrs. Chaffee own the farm on
which her father first settled.
In 1887, Mr. Chaffee was instrumental in building the Springville &
Sardinia Railroad, giving Springville her first railroad, connecting
with the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia (now Pennsylvania) at a
point which was christened Chaffee, in honor of our townsman. He was
president and general manager of the S. & S., and made it contribute
greatly to the growth and prosperity of our town, operating it eight
years.
Mr. Chaffee has ever been at the front in public affairs; his
abilities have been recognized and called into public service. He
was long a member of the board of education and treasurer of
Griffith Institute. Served on the board of supervisors two terms and
twice represented this assembly district in the State Legislature.
he was a delegate to the National Democratic convention of 1876- the
convention that nominated Tilden and Hendricks. In 1878 he was
chairman of our lecture course committee.
He was one of the men who laid out our beautiful Maplewood cemetery
and advanced the money that secured the grounds for that cemetery
association.
He attained eminence in Masonry. For several years he was Master of
Springville Lodge and High Priest of Springville chapter. For three
terms he was Deputy Grand Master of the twenty-fifth Masonic
district of the state. He was a Knight Templar and belonged to the
Shrine.
He has been an importer of Holstein cattle from North Holland.
He was one of the large producers of milk, owning about two hundred
and fifty cows which he pastured on more than a thousand acres of
land. He also developed several fast trotting horses which made
records in the grand circuit.
In 1868 he bought the William Watkins estate on East Hill, one of
the most delightful situations in our pleasant village, and for
three years kept architect Thomas Lincoln and assistants employed in
remodeling, enlarging and beautifying the mansion, which has been
the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chaffee ever since their marriage in 1871.
He will be sadly missed in home and community. Mrs. Chaffee
survives him and he is also survived by his sister
Augusta- Mrs. H. G. Clark, and by his brother, Carlos E. of this
village.
The funeral last Friday was the largest ever held. Friends from
long distances were in attendance, Rev. Harry Hopkins Hubbell, of
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian church, Buffalo, former pastor here
and a warm friend of Mr. and Mrs. Chaffee officiated. Sixty-three
automobiles were in the procession. Springville Lodge, F. & A. M.,
attended in a body.
He was laid at rest in the Chaffee grounds in Maplewood cemetery.
Among those from away who were here to attend the funeral were:
Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Warriner, nee Jennie
Chaffee, Springfield, Mass.; Mrs. E. A. Thayer, nee Bessie Chafee,
Holyoke, Mass.; Mr. and amd Mrs. Charles Rumsey, Brocton[sic],
Mass.; Mrs. Wallace Eddy, Ellicott; Rev. and Mrs. Happy Hopkins
Hubbell, Mrs. Henry Blackmar, Mrs. Shirley Knox, Hon. Franklin D.
Locke, Judge Edward K. Emery, Buffalo; Mrs. John McMaster, Perry;
Mrs. Clark S. McMillan; Mrs. George R. Ferguson, Winchester, Mass.;
Mrs. and Mrs. George Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. Herb Swayze, Welland,
Ont."
Mrs. E. J. Cole
"The very sad funeral services of Mrs. E. J. Cole of
Batavia were held at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Hadley last Wednesday at eleven o'clock. Rev. Reed, pastor of the
Emmanuel Baptist church of Batavia of which Mr. Cole's people are
attendants and members, preached a very comforting sermon. Thos from
away to attend the funeral were, Rev. Reed and Mr. Hiller of
Batavia, Mrs. Ida Steaderman, of Omaha, Neb., Fred Sherman and
family, Mr. and Mrs. Will Rowland, Mrs. Lorch and Mrs. Smith of West
Valley, Mr. and Mrs. Will Hadley, Mr. Bossman and Frederick Stanbro
of Springville, Ward Wilte of Yorkshire, Bert Hadley of Buffalo, H.
D. Cole of Angola, Mrs. Mary Cole of Batavia, Mr. and Mrs. Chris.
Whitney of Buffalo, Fred Weast, Mrs. Henry Weast, Mr. and Mrs.
George Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Zelo Hall of Machias, and Mr. E. J. Cole
and daughters, Nina, Lolo, Alice, and Catherine and son Wesley of
Batavia, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Demmon of Springville. The family has
the sympathy of all their many friends in this great bereavement.
Mr. Pingrey took charge of the body from the train and it was a sad
procession that wended its way to the home of Mrs. Cole's fosters
parents from which she left as bride twenty-four years ago. The many
costly flowers gave evidence of the high esteem in which she was
held. The burial was in Maplewood cemetery, Springville."
Charles Titus, with picture
"300-Pound Fiddler
Delevan, Jan 31- Charles Titus is another Henry Ford fiddler who
plays for the old-time dancers in and around Cattaraugus County.
He is 59 years old and weighs 300 pounds."
Miss Ruth Kelsey
"Fatal Accident to Franklinville Girl"
"Miss Ruth Kelsey, the sixteen-year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.
W. Kelsey of Franklinville was seriously injured in a coasting
accident on Friday, Dec. 26th. Her injuries were so serious
that she was rushed to the Higgins Memorial Hospital at Olean where
everything possible was done to save her life, but in vain.
She died on Thursday morning, Jan. 1st."
Dr. Elbert L. Fish
"Springville, Dec. 8- Dr. Elbert L. Fish of West
Valley is dead at his home there. He was 72 years old and is
survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary Fish, and two sons, Dr. James F.
Fish of Buffalo and Dr. Glenn R. Fish of Dunkirk, and one daughter,
Mrs. Edward Hogan of West Valley. Dr. Fish was a member of
Springville lodge, F. & A. M., 351; Springville chapter 275, R. A.
M.; Salamanca council; Salamanca commandeer 62; the Buffalo
Consistory and Ismailia Temple of Buffalo; I. O. O. F. 665 of West
Valley; Rebekah lodge 542 of West Valley; Empire State Society of
Sons of the American Revolution and a member of the Knights of the
Maccabees tent 35 of West Valley.
Dr. Fish was one of the leaders in the affairs of the village. He
has lived there all his life and had practiced medicine there for
more than 50 years. He was also health officer for the town of
Ashford for 25 years.
The funeral will take place from the family home Wednesday
afternoon at 1 o'clock, the Rev. W. B. Allen of Bradford, Pa.,
officiating. The services at the grave will be under the auspices of
Salamanca commandeer 62. Burial will be in Mount Hope cemetery
at West Valley.
Weaver-Donatelli
"Mr. and Mrs. Joseph J. Donatelli announce the
marriage of their daughter, Elvira Julia, to Mr. James Elbert
Weaver; on Thursday, June 24, 1920, at Delevan, N. Y. At home
after July 1st at Akron, Ohio.
Gibby-Mills
"Mr. and Mrs. George H. Mills of Delevan announce
the marriage of their daughter, Grace M., to Burton F. Gibby on
Saturday, June 26th, 1920. The will reside in Ellicottville."
Jaquish-Ashcraft
"The marriage of Miss Viola Maude Ashcraft, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Ashcraft, to Mr. Emmons Jaquish, of Buffalo,
was solemnized on Saturday morning June 19, at the home of the
bride's parents at Delevan. Rev. Norris of Farmersville performed
the ceremony. The attendants were Miss Elvira Donatelli and
Mr. McKinle Robinson."
Everts-Hedges
"At the home of the bride at East Ashford, N. Y., on
Sunday afternoon, April 17th, 1921, by Rev. A. J. Bailey of Machias.
Lyle Everts, son of Leslie Everts of Masonville, and Miss Alice
Hedges, daughter of Minor Hedges of East Ashford."
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