RECORD OF THE YEAR
NOTES OF LOCAL HAPPENINGS DURING 1897
Events That Have Transpired in Rome and Vicinity Since the 1st of Last January—Fires, Crimes and Deaths of Well Known People—Something to Preserve
(Appeared in the Rome Daily Sentinel, Friday, 31 Dec 1897)
January
1—Mild and pleasant. The poor sleighing of the past few days has entirely gone. First skating of the season at the Cyclers' Park.
3—Weather very mild for the season. Mercury up to 56.
5—Miss Philadelphia in the Washington Street Opera House this evening. Annual meeting of the Oneida County Agricultural Society. J. N. Jacobs of Floyd elected president.
7—County convention of the Patrons of Industry in Rome, F. J. Brill of Lowell elected president. A good vein of natural gas struck at the East Rome well. Matthew Burns, a canal laborer, accidentally killed in Utica. Peter A. Dietle's house and barn in Marcy burned by incendiaries during the absence of the family.
9—A much larger vein of gas struck at the East Rome well. Zera A. Drake dies suddenly of heart disease.
10—One and one half story frame dwelling at 203 South Charles street, owned by Augustus Whalen and occupied by Porter Hawkins, destroyed by fire.
12—Four or five inches of snow fell last night and the sleighing is now the best of the season.
13—Annual reunion of Batteries C and H in Rome. Denton & Waterbury's sash end blind factory in Whitesboro burned.
14—Rome Hame Factory sold to the Consolidate Hame Company of Sunapee and Andover, N. H. Small fire in the dwelling No. 316 North Madison street, owned by Mrs. Nancy Prosser and occupied by her and Mr. and Mrs. Owen W. Evans.
15—Daniel O'Connell's store burglarized and a quantity of tobacco stolen.
16—Mrs. William Bailie of 403 Roberts street found dead in bed from apoplexy. Daniel Clark of Delta dies suddenly.
18—A thaw has about used up the sleighing.
19—Down in Dixie in the Washington Street Opera House. Anton Eckes, a U. S. prisoner on his way to Albany, escapes from Deputy marshals at Rome. A. J. Freeman, who lived near Swancott's mill, found dead in his barn.
20—Henry Mowers drops dead at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph R. Halstead, on Kossuth street.
21—Eckes caught at Norwich. Kellar, the magician, at the Washington Street Opera House.
23—a mild blizzard prevails. A snow plow goes up the Watertown road for the first time this season.
25—The first genuine blizzard of the season prevails. The Deacon's Daughter in the Washington Street Opera House. G. P. Wright's hotel and W. Waite's residence at New London burned.
26—The big blizzard continues. The R. W. & O. completely blocked up.
27—The blizzard over and travel resumed.
28—Jason Harger, while at work in the woods, suffers a fracture of an arm and a leg by a tree falling on him.
29—Freight Conductor William Hall of Albany killed by the cars at Oneida.
30—Illustrated lecture on the Tokaido by Otis Poole in the Washington Street Opera House. A falling lamp at the Empire House causes an alarm of fire. The Prohibitionists hold caucuses and nominate B. S. Fox for mayor.
February
2—Candlemas; mild but no sunshine.
3—The Democratic city convention nominates Homer T. Fowler for mayor.
4—The Annsville Baptist Church celebrates its 50th anniversary. Mr. Fowler declines the Democratic nomination for mayor. The Republicans nominate Dr. W. J. P. Kingsley for the office.
5—The Democratic city committee nominates D. Francis Searle for mayor. Fires occur at 614 North James street, a house owned by C. W. Knight, and occupied by W. N. Rudd, and at 314 North George street, a home owned by the H. L. Rose estate and occupied by J. H. Green and John Doyle. Home minstrels for the benefit of the Jervis Library make a great hit in the Washington Street Opera House.
6—The Home minstrels appear for the last time.
7—Bishop Ninde of Detroit, Mich., preaches in the First M. E. Church.
9—The Star Gazer in the Washington Street Opera House. The board of supervisors meets in special session to consider the equalization matter.
11—The Lawn Hotel in Westernville burned. Mrs. Jacob Sharp dies. A Romance of Coon Hollow in the Washington Street Opera House.
12—Warren Shipman, chicken thief, gets two years in prison and his wife six months in the penitentiary. Death of Luke Coan of Westmoreland.
10—A small fire occurs in John Hess's house on Wright street. The firemen discover evidences of incendiarism.
17—John Hess's house burns down. Hess and his wife arrested on charges of arson.
18—A Bowery Girl in the Washington Street Opera House.
21—Mrs. John Hess confesses to arson.
22—The Spy of Gettysburg in Sink's Opera House by the Dramatic Club of St. Joseph's Church.
23—The Deacon by the Young People's Dramatic club in the Washington Street Opera House.
25—South Before the War in the Washington Street Opera House.
27—William Heffner falls and breaks his right arm.
March
1—March comes in raw and zero cold.
2—Charter election, Mayor Kingsley re—elected by 313 majority. The Democrats elect three out of five aldermen. Jane Coombs in Bleak House at Washington Street Opera House.
4—Death of T. W. Edwards.
5—The Binghamton block burned and adjacent property damaged. Loss $110,000; insurance $70,000. Academy prize speaking exhibition in the Washington Street Opera House. Heavy rain.
7—Death of I. D. Buttles.
8—A small barn in the rear of 511 South James street, owned by Joseph Hidy and occupied by Nicholas Halpin burned. Mr. Halpin's horse perished in the flames. The new common council organizes.
9—Rains and thaws have made the sleighing poor and many wagons are in use.
11—William Brady's house in Clinton burned. Fire occurs in John Rostiser's shop in the Cramond building on East Whitesboro street.
12—Charles Meyer's house on River street damaged by fire.
14—R. Webster Morse of Utica, formerly of Durhamville, dies from injuries received in a runaway accident on the 13th.
15—A Breezy Time at the Washington Street Opera House. Last skating at the Cycler's Park.
17—Bancroft, the Magician, at the Washington Street Opera House. Great excitement over the Corbett—Fitzsimmons fight at Carson, which Fitzsimmons wins in the 14th round. Sleighing used up. Robins have come to town.
18—The board of health holds its annual meeting and reappoints the old officers—Dr. H. C. Sutton health officer, Dr. W. Huff meat and milk inspector and H. S. Shelley sanitary inspector. Mrs. Abigail Lusk of New Hartford found dead in her house; heart disease the cause of death.
20—Heavy thunder storms occur—the first of the season.
22—Otis Vandewalker of Camden drops dead from heart disease.
23—Death of Edward Evans.
24—Bishop Huntington confirms classes at Zion and St. Joseph's Churches.
25—Sidney Bohanan of Utica commits suicide by hanging. The burning out of a chimney stack in W. J. Doyle's shop causes an alarm of fire.
29—The Sons of the American Revolution decide to mark the boundaries of old Fort Stanwix with cannon and erect a monument in East Park. Warm and pleasant.
30—The thermometer registers 58 in the shade.
31—Stereopticon spectacle of Ben Hur in Sink's Opera House.
April
1—Sousa's Band gave a matinee in the Washington Street Opera House. Rome Sidepath League organized.
2—Jim Brown's sprinkler makes its first appearance for the season. Wife murderer W. Daniel Smith declared sane by the commission appointed to examine him. The resignation of Superintendent of education and accepted. Little Trixie in the Washington Street Opera House.
3—A big vein of natural gas struck on the premises of the Rome Brass and Copper Company.
4—M. R. Bingham appointed by Mayor Kingsley to be a member of the fire and police board.
6—The Rome Sidepath League organized with Dr. W. L. Kingsley president. The Wesleyan conference opens in Rome.
7—Eight Bells in the Washington Street Opera House.
9—The First M. E. Church tenders Rev. and Mrs. Pierce a farewell reception and presents them with $100 in gold.
10—Miss Sophronia Link of Coonrod dies suddenly.
11—Palm Sunday. Pleasant but chilly.
15—The dwelling at 413 West Park street, owned by Harvey G. Wright and occupied by Mrs. Friend L. Humaston, slightly damaged by fire.
16—Lansing Moose, an employee of the bedstead factory, has one eye badly burned by molten lead.
17—George Owens, an idiot, chokes to death in the custodial asylum.
18—Easter day; a warm sunshiny spring day with the mercury at 60.
19—A cold snap; mercury goes down to 30, snow flurries. Hibernians' ball in Sink's Opera House. Daniel R. Ryan's dramatic company opens a week's engagement in the Washington Street Opera House. A small fire occurs in Owens, Williams & Co.'s planing mill but the flames are extinguished without damage.
20—The mercury goes down to 22. Ulsters are brought out again. A fellow calling himself Frank Darwood passes a $5 bogus check on J. H. Carroll and leaves town.
21—The Y.M.C.A. industrial exhibition opens in Sink's Opera House for four evenings. Prof. Harrison T. Morrow of Elmira chosen superintendent of schools of Rome vice Prof. W. D. Manro, resigned. The weather warms up again and the mercury goes to 72.
23—Darwood held for the grand jury.
24—John Carpenter's body found in the Mohawk River at Delta. He had been missing since Nov. 25.
25—The Rome bedstead factory damaged by fire. Becker's bakery in Camden burned out. John Barnes, near Clayville, loses two barns, a team of horses, farm utensils, etc., by fire. Samuel C. Smith (colored) from Rome killed by the cars at Fort Plain.
27—A cold snap. The mercury goes down to 32. The Rome Odd Fellows celebrate the 78th anniversary of the establishment of Odd Fellowship in America.
28—Episcopal convocation in Rome. Chief of Police Sanford of Oneida arraigned before Justice Gubbins of Rome on charge of blackmail and extortion, preferred by John G. Dennison of the same village.
29—First of three nights of home minstrelsy and kirmess in the Washington Street Opera House for the benefit of St. Peter's Church organ fund. Death of John Wylie. Farewell reception to Supt. Manro, who goes to Paterson, N. J.
30—Irving Bellinger holds up Mrs. Jackson Clark in her husband's store at Delta at the muzzle of a revolver and demands the contents of the money drawer. Mrs. Clark takes the revolver away from Bellinger, who tries to make his escape but is caught. John G. Dennison withdraws his charges against Chief Sanford of Oneida and the latter causes his arrest on charge of perjury. Fred D. King of Oriskany Falls dies from injuries caused by the kick of a horse. Thomas Nightengale's barn in Deerfield burned.
May
1—John G. Dennison held for the grand jury. Animosticope in Sink's Opera House. Jeremiah George's farm buildings near Stittville burned.
3—Irving Bellinger held for the grand jury. Jim, the Penman, booked for the Washington Street Opera House this evening, fails to appear.
7—Arbor day is observed in the public schools. Frankie Ferguson found dead in a hovel off South Madison street. My Friend from India in the Washington Street Opera House.
8—John Darwin Barrett arrested on charge of rape. An alarm of fire is caused by the burning out of a chimney in G. W. Beck's Sons building.
10—Constantino resentenced in Utica to be electrocuted during the week beginning June 20. The coroner's jury finds that Frankie Ferguson's death was caused by heart trouble brought on by alcohol drinking.
11—Mrs. Earl F. Armstrong celebrates her 90th birthday.
12—Sautelle's circus in Rome. Rain falls all day. Leonard B. Yale of Gloversville, formerly of Rome, drops dead from apoplexy.
13—The Smith murder case put over the term.
14—A tourist who gives his name as Charles Ronno tells the police of a camp of five men with stolen property five miles west of Rome on the Central road. The police make search but fail to find men or property.
18—O. G. Cowles's steam saw mill and power house at Osceola burned. Death of John E. Dunham.
20—George Louis Shaw of Baltimore arrested on charges of having assisted in wrecking the Fort Stanwix National Bank of Rome.
22—Frederick Ziemann of Rome accidentally killed at Oriskany.
23—The body of Robert Evans, a Marcy farm hand, found in the Mohawk River; evidently a case of suicide.
24—Death of William G. Cornwell. The Maxwell Company's saddlery hardware factory damaged by fire. The Current Topic Club gives a resolution to the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution in honor of Queen Victoria's birthday. The Rome Club defeats the Rome cyclers at base ball 32 to 12.
26—Acting Chief Leonard Briggs appointed permanent chief of the fire department.
27—A ten percent dividend ordered for the Fort Stanwix National Bank. An earthquake shock felt in Rome. John G. Dennison declared insane and sent to Matteawan.
28—J. Winslow Jones arrested at Hazelwood, near Pittsburg, Pa., charged with assisting in the wrecking of the Fort Stanwix National Bank of Rome.
29—The Utica Packing and Provision Company's establishment burned.
30—Memorial day. Hon. J. S. Gross of Owego makes an address in Sink's Opera House.
31—The house at 608 Mercer street, owned by G. W. Davis and occupied by Daniel Mintis, damaged by fire. The base ball season in Rome opened. Rome defeats Oneida 9 to 5. Samuel W. Freeman of Lee dies suddenly with apoplexy.
June
1—May was a very chilly and rainy month and June has started in with cold weather. Snowflakes were seen in the air today. At noon the mercury stood at 47.
2—First open air band concert of the season.
3—Annual meeting of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Utica district of the M. E. Church in Rome. A fierce electric storm sweeps over this section, blowing down and unroofing buildings, doing thousands of dollars worth of damage, principally in the town of Westmoreland, where the storm took the form of a cyclone. Mrs. Charles Cook of Westmoreland killed by the blowing down of a barn.
7—The common council, by a vote of 10—6, passes an ordinance driving all bicycles off the sidewalks. Skillin Post fire 13 guns in honor of old Fort Stanwix.
8—The anti—bicycle ordinance causes great commotion among the people, who denounce it as unjust. J. M. Brainerd elected treasurer of the Rome State Custodial Asylum in place of W. G. Cornwell, deceased. Grenville W. Williams's house in Utica burglarized and $1,000 in money and jewelry stolen. Wilson C. Williams of Utica knocked down and robbed of $500.
9—Frank Spring convicted of assault on Lucy J. Hoban of Clarks Mills and sent to Auburn for four years. Charles Schultze pleads guilty to burglary and larceny and is sent to Auburn for nine years and three months.
10—Mayor Kingsley suspends the operation of the bicycle ordinance till the next council meeting.
11—Edison's Projectoscope begins a three nights' engagement in the Washington Street Opera House.
13—Children's day is celebrated in the churches.
16—St. Paul's Church, Paris Hill, celebrates its centennial.
17—At base ball the Auburn state league team shuts out Rome, the score standing 8 to 0. The Sons of the American Revolution celebrate the anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill.
19—James McCurn of Ridge Mills falls dead from his wagon.
20—Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Orth and Miss Libbie Orth drowned in the Erie Canal.
21—The council has another long session over the bicycle matter, but accomplishes nothing. The aldermen fail to pass the mayor's veto over his head and no other ordinance is adopted. Patrick Hughes of Deerfield killed by an electric car in Utica. H. M. Crumb of Rome drops dead in a field where he is at work.
22—Eugene A. Blancher a Utica carpenter, falls from a scaffold and breaks his neck.
23—The Gillams of Canajoharie beat the Rome Base Ball Club at Canajoharie 16 to 22. Benjamin Newhouse of Wright Settlement drops dead in a field while at work.
24—James Burns of Clinton killed by the cars.
26—Frank Conte, aged 8, killed by a trolley car in Utica. The Rome ball team defeats Canastota on the Rome grounds 11 to 4.
27—Y. M. C. A. anniversary.
29—While painting a sign on the front of Stowell's bargain house a swinging scaffold gives way with Evan W. Parry and he falls 40 feet to the ground, sustaining severe injuries. The nude body of a young child found in the canal near Oriskany.
30—Dewitt C. Bowdish of Boonville found dead in bed.
July
3—Death of A. F. Chase, assistant chief engineer of the Rome Fire Department. A hot wave strikes this region. A falling lamp in W. B. Williams's cafe causes an alarm of fire. At Canastota the Canastota base ball nine defeats Rome 9 to 3.
4—An oil stove explosion at Mrs. Julia Griffin's, 205 North George street, and a small fire in a straw tick in an Italian lodging house at 254 East Dominick street, called out the department. Little damage was done. The heat increases.
5—The Rome Athletic Association holds a celebration at Riverside Park. The Rome team defeats the Seneca Falls nine 21 to 3. The mercury runs up to 100 in the shade. Walter Charles of Utica and Lester H. Smith of New Hartford die from sunstroke.
6—D. F Snow and Ora Kinney scalded at the Fort Stanwix Canning Factory.
8—Death of Anton Springer.
9—Mrs. Joseph Kopps dies from spasms brought on by heat. Fire badly damages Luke Dowd's house on Pleasant avenue. G. Frederick Wilson of Utica dies from sunstroke. A high wind up roots trees at Dix.
10—Alfred Letson of Greenway struck down by the heat while drawing peas to the Fort Stanwix Canning Factory. The Rome team defeats the Shamrocks of Syracuse at base ball 6 to 4. The inquest on the child found in the Erie Canal concluded, but its identity not established.
11—An Italian named Pasquale Rannaglia, annoyed by some young men who kick a pail of beer from his hand, runs amuck with a knife on South James street at 1:30 A.M. and stabs August Brown, an innocent bystander. The wound not fatal. The heated term brought to an end by a cool wave.
13—The annual trotting meeting at Riverside Park begins today.
14—A barn on West Whitesboro street, owned by James D. Corcoran and occupied by Henry Wilbert, burned, together with three horses of Mr. Wilbert. Thomas Flanagan's house badly damaged. Hon. William B. Graves's store and dwelling at Taberg burned. During a storm this afternoon hail was piled in drifts six inches deep on the Phillips farm. Christian Nickel of Utica suicides. Frank Marcasey of Utica, a child, killed by a fall. Nicholas Gudel of Utica, aged 60, drops dead.
16—Races close after a very successful meeting. Ella T., in the free—for—all, reduces the track record to 2:10 3/4.
19—Joseph Savage of Montreal, while unloading coal from a canal boat here, has a part of two fingers taken off between a guy rope and a cleat on the boat.
20—Pasquale Rannaglia, the Italian who stabbed August Brown with a knife, stabs Adolph Yager of Vernon and John Lane of Camden, fellow prisoners in the jail, with a pair of shears. Heavy electric storm. Railroad track hands shocked by lightning. David Smith has a horse killed and Fred J. Smith a barn burned. K. P. Sampson of Western has a barn struck and burned. Nichols & Curran's pulp mill in Forestport burned. A. L. Blue's barn at North Gage burned.
21—Jerome Williams of New Hartford suicides. Michael C. Burns of Bridgewater accidentally shot and killed by Shirley Dye, aged 15. Chauncey Lamont, Mrs. Jessie Martin and Mrs. Sarah Hughes arrested on charge of robbing freight cars at Remsen.
22—Death of Dr. D. A. Crane of Holland Patent. Rain causes a big wash out in the Black River Canal feeder near Forestport.
23—Shirley Dye held; gives bail to await the action of the grand jury on a charge of manslaughter.
24—Romans beat Gillams at base ball 8 to 5.
25—John Phelps and wife of Utica killed by the cars near Capron. Circumstances indicate that the man held his wife on the track until the train struck them. He was jealous of her. The Spring House at Richfield Springs burned.
26—Death of Hon. George Graham of Oriskany. The Utica Daily Union suspends publication. Prof. Gentry's trained animal show in Rome for two days.
27—The annual session of the grand lodge of the Knights of Pythias convenes in Utica. Raini has fallen every day and night for a week. The ground is soaked and crops are spoiling. John Murtha of Utica has both legs crushed by the cars at Remsen. Death follows amputation.
29—George Bowen drowned in the canal at Whitesboro. Cary Coffin jumps from a train at Oriskany and is badly hurt.
30—The first day that no rain has fallen since July 20. Thirty thousand dollars' worth of sewer bonds sold at a premium of $2,751.
31—Hop Growers' picnic at Sylvan Beach. A shower in the afternoon interrupts an otherwise pleasant day. Charles Joseph Flynn of Woodside, J. J., while trying to jump a grain at Oneida loses an arm. The Shamrocks of Syracuse defeat the Rome base ball team 7 to 2.
August
2—The Sawtelle Dramatic Company begins a week's engagement in the Washington Street Opera House.
3—Martin Thalman appointed assistant chief engineer of the Rome Fire Department in place of A. F. Chase deceased.
4—William H. Young of Frankfort commits suicide in Rome. At base ball Rome defeats Canastota 13 to 3.
5—Owing to the break in the Forestport feeder the Mohawk River does not furnish water enough to run the pumps at the Ridge and three steamers are sent for to pump water into the mains and prevent a water famine. The board of education proposes the erection of a new academy at a cost of $65,000.
6—Two steamers arrive and are set to pumping water into the mains from the Black River Canal and upper pond.
8—The eighteen—months' old child of Elias and Kate Roberts drowned in a pond on the Saulpaugh farm at Lee, State road. Thomas Evans of Oriskany found dead in his house; heart failure the cause of demise. The general store of D. H. Morgan & Son, Sauquoit, burned. Charles Rowell's barn near Camden burned.
9—Postmaster Richard Hardy's safe blown open at Clayville and about $300 in stamps and money taken.
10—Reunion of the 117th regiment in Rome today and tomorrow. A heavy electrical storm does great damage in northern Oneida and southern Lewis counties. Charles Croniser of Osceola killed by lightning. The Mohawk River rises sufficiently to allow the pumps at the Ridge to be operated and the reservoir filled. William J. Lockheart of Utica dies in the street from heart disease.
11—Mrs. D. H. Tuthill of Camden dies of heart disease while at the dinner table.
12—The body of John Covenhoven of Utica found in the canal.
14—Charles Buck of Alder Creek found dead.
15—Severe electrical storm in Whitestown and Marcy. Edward Marson of Marcy has three cows killed by lightning.
16—A large barn of John R. Watkins of Steuben struck by lightning and burned.
17—Opening of the Trenton camp meeting. The Rome Prohibitionists hold a caucus and elect delegates to various conventions.
20—Rev. M. Mon Hughes nominated by the Prohibitionists for member of the assembly, third district.
21—First convention of sugar beet growers in Rome. A large attendance and much enthusiasm.
23—Anthony Cilento, an Italian, killed by a Central flyer.
24—President McKinley passes through Rome en route to the National G. A. R. encampment at buffalo.
27—The body of Mrs. Nancy Tanner of New York Mills found in the dike there; a case of suicide.
30—-—G. D. Frazier of Brookfield, Mo, run over by a trolley car in Whitesboro and fatally injured. Rice Brothers' blacksmith shop, Floyd Corners, burned. Mahar & Sons's store at Durhamville burglarized; $15 in cash and a quantify of goods stolen.
September
1—The Dazzler opens the amusement season in the Washington Street Opera House.
2—Samuel Lowenstahl of Syracuse killed by the cars in Oneida.
4—The body of an unknown man found in a pond at Forestport. Joseph Dixon of Higginsville drowned in the canal at Rochester. Oneida county veterans organize an association.
6—Labor day. No stated celebration in Rome. St. Johnsville downs Rome at base ball 15 to 12. The last sewer pipe laid.
7—Twin Saints in the Washington Street Opera House. James Graham of Utica and Herbert Roosevelt of Fish Creek killed by the cars at North Bay. Henry Williams badly hurt.
8—John B. Wilder of Sauquoit suicides.
9—The Republicans hold their town and ward caucuses.
10—Death of Deacon J. R. Thomas. Burt L. Hubbart of Trenton dies from the effects of a fall from a tree. Burglars enter the New York Mills Post office and steal $200.
Pasquale Rannaglia, who was arrested for stabbing August Brown July 11 and who stabbed John Lane and Adolph Yager, fellow prisoners in jail, July 20, stabs Louis Ward, a friend who called to see him. His weapon was a wire sharpened to a point. He is evidently insane.
13—A little child of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Huggins of Clayville drowned in a rain barrel.
14—Charles R. Pratt of Lee assaults Mrs. Fred Cummings with an axe and cuts his own throat and dies. Mrs. Cummings badly hurt but will recover.
15—Thomas J. Congdon of Sauquoit shoots his brother—in—law, Frederick Cook.
16—Frederick Cook of Sauquoit dies. The Republican county convention in Rome nominates W. H. Reese of Utica for sheriff, George D. Frank of Utica for County Clerk, Louis Mittenmaier of Rome for superintendent of the poor and Thomas G. Neck of Rome for coroner.
18—Frank B. Smith, who has worked in Annsville for several years, killed by an R. W. & O. train two miles north of Rome. Thomas Bradley killed by an O. & W. train near Clinton. John Whitmyer stabbed by George Delvechio. L. M. Martin of Clinton nominated for the assembly by the second district Republicans.
20—Gov. Black pardons from state prison Joseph Thornton, Thomas Murray and John Farrell, who were in 1895 wrongfully convicted of robbing the Vernon National Bank. County fair week in Rome. The Frederick H. Wilson Company opens a week's engagement in the Washington Street Opera House. Mister Bob in Sink's Opera House for the benefit of the kitchen garden.
21—Republican judicial convention in Rome. Delegates instructed for Justice Williams of Watertown. Holland Patent has a $10,000 fire.
22—John Whitmyer dies from the effects of the stabbing by George Delvechio. The county Prohibitionists hold a convention in Rome and make the following nominations: Sheriff, John Squires, New Hartford; county clerk, John E. Jones of Utica; superintendent of the poor, Elliott W. Johnston of Westmoreland; coroner, Dr. W. D. Towsley, Camden.
24—Rain falls nearly all day and puts an end to the county fair. Today's races postponed till tomorrow.
25—The coroner's jury in the Delvechio case finds that John Whitmyer came to his death from a knife wound feloniously inflicted by Delvechio.
27—Thomas J. Congdon, who killed his brother—in—law, Frederick Cook of Sauquoit, arraigned at Clayville charged with first degree murder. He waives examination and is held for the grand jury. Henry Bussey of Annsville falls down stairs and receives fatal injuries.
28—The Democratic county convention meets in Rome and nominates Michael Doll of Utica for sheriff, Joseph Wurz of Utica for county clerk, Edward J. Pepper of Floyd for superintendent of the poor and Dr. Scully of Rome for coroner. John O'Hanlon and Isaac Monroe, firemen, killed by being buried under falling walls at a fire in Utica. Patrick Welch of North Gage killed by the kick of a horse which crushes his skull. O'Hooligan's Wedding in the Washington Street Opera House. John E. Mason of Rome nominated for assemblyman by the third district Republicans. A small fire occurs on the roof of a shed at the locomotive works.
29—Delvechio arraigned before Recorder Carmichael charged with murder in the first degree in killing John Whitmyer. He waives examination and is held for the grand jury. D. E. McElhinney of Oriskany Falls nominated for assemblyman by the second district Democrats. Harmony Lodge of Good Templars organized in Rome. John E. Williams of Utica nominated for the assembly by the first district Republicans.
October
2—At Camden the Rome Free Academy foot ball eleven defeats the Cazenovia Seminary team. Fire destroys a small barn on East Dominick street owned by the Fisk estate. A barn belonging to Thomas Churton of Vernon Center burned. A rig driven by George Dixon of Lairdsville struck by an O. & W. train near New Hartford. The horse killed and the buggy wrecked but Mr. Dixon unhurt. A second convention of second district Democrats meets at Whitesboro and nominates Lanzon G. Salisbury of Oriskany for member of assembly.
6—The beet sugar factory starts up. Annual meeting of the Woman's Home Missionary Society of Utica district of the M. E. Church in Rome. Annual meeting of the Oneida Baptist Association at Clayville.
7—Third district Democrats nominate John Singleton of Rome for member of assembly. Karl A. Scherberger of Utica drowned in the Erie Canal. death of ex Ald. Broker.
8—Annual reunion of the 146th regiment at Westmoreland. First batch of sugar produced at the beet sugar factory.
9—The Rome Free Academy eleven defeats the Colgate academy eleven at foot ball by a score of 14 to 0. Hon. Edward Comstock and W. R. Huntington nominated for school commissioners.
10—The body of Mamie Lampert of Utica found in the canal; a case of suicide.
11—Sudden death of Dr. Andrew J. Forbes of Trenton.
12—The first white sugar produced at the beet sugar factory.
13—The veterans of the Second New York Heavy Artillery hold a reunion in Utica. Black Patti's Troubadours in the Washington Street Opera House.
15—The weather is very warm for the season. The mercury goes to 83.
16—Death of James M. Sturdevant.
17—During a drunken row among Italians in Utica John Denafrio shoots and kills Augustino Giordano and escapes. Utica prisoners fail in an attempt to break jail. James Bogert of Utica, while hunting, is hurt by the explosion of a pistol. Dayton Roth, another hunter, goes to Mr. Bogert's assistance and accidentally shoots himself in the leg.
18—Gas struck in a well on J. S. Haselton's premises. Denafrio captured at Niagara Falls, Ont.
19—The Presbyterian Synod of New York meets in Utica.
20—The 97th Regiment hold a reunion in Utica. Four barns on the McGuire estate, Forestport, burned.
21—When London Sleeps in the Washington Street Opera House.
22—John Haley's barn burned at 1 A.M.
23—The Rome Free Academy team defeats the Boonville High School team at foot ball.
24—The new St. Peter's Church consecrated by Bishop Ludden. Mgrs. Martinelli and Conaty of Washington, D. C. Bishops McQuaid of Rochester and Gabriels of Ogdensburg and many clergymen present.
25—A Trip to Coontown in the Washington Street Opera House. Natural gas struck on the premises of J. S. Haselton.
27—Sudden death of E. C. Hainault of Taberg.
29—Miss Mary E. Gould of Lee dies from morphine poisoning.
30—A young babe left on the doorstep of Mrs. Henry Shoemaker, 729 South James street.
31—Mrs. Thomas Caddick badly burned by the overturning of a lamp.
November
1—Bessie Morton Company opens in the Washington Street Opera House for a week. Mrs. Caddick dies from the effects of her burns. Joseph Heinzman of Utica and John Shepherd of Chadwicks killed by the cars.
2—Election day. Heavy rain. The Republicans elect all their candidates on the county ticket. The Democrats carry the state. Mayor Kingsley starts his gas well. Death of H. G. Wright.
4—George Keeler, aged 16, killed by a trolley car in Utica. Dewitt C. Luce of Utica found dead in his house, asphyxiated by illuminating gas.
6—At Watertown the Rome Academy foot ball team defeats the Watertown High School team.
7—A few snowflakes seen in the air today.
8—Clair Tuttle Company opens in Sink's Opera House for a week.
9—Brooke and his Chicago Marine Band in the Washington Street Opera House. Supervisors meet as county canvassers.
10—The board of supervisors convene in annual session, electing John W. Potter of Marcy chairman. The Charles street bridge over the Erie canal falls with two teams and their drivers. One horse belonging to Thomson Rogers drowned. Charles Thayer, a driver, hurt. Joseph Star and Anna Liebeler, who claim to hail from Syracuse, arrested in Rome for wholesale shoplifting. Death of Dr. R. E. Sutton.
11—Thomson Rogers's second horse dies from the effects of the involuntary bath in the Erie canal.
13—First wedding in the new St. Peter's Church, James P. Gubbins and Miss Mary E. Spellicy. The Rome academy eleven defeats the Highland team of Syracuse at foot ball by a score of 22 to 0.
14—James Bush of Sangerfield found dead in his barn.
16—The new buildings dedicated at Hamilton College. James Young plays David Garrick in the Washington Street Opera House.
17—James Young in the Merchant of Venice. A flurry of snow.
18—Flurries of snow make the ground white.
19—About an inch of snow fell last night and today. Death of Clark Potter.
22—The last sugar beets of the season shredded at the factory today. Bates Brothers' Comedy Company opens a week's engagement in the Washington Street Opera House.
24—Gas struck in Mayor Kingsley's well.
25—Thanksgiving. Rain falls nearly all day. Rome Academy and Watertown High School foot ball teams play a game at Rome; score 0 to 0. Verillo E. Dillenbeck accidentally killed in Utica. Mrs. Louise Welzenbach of Utica fatally burned by a lamp explosion.
20—The trial of W. Daniel Smith of Stittville for wife murder begun in Rome. Alexander Van Dresar of Western commits suicide.
30—The Hearthstone in the Washington Street Opera House. About two inches of snow fell last night and the first sleighs of the season are on the streets. The taxpayers vote to bond the school district for $65,000 to build a new academy. The vote stands 359 for and 241 against.
December
1—Katherine Ridgeway Concert Company in Sink's Opera House, the first of the Y.M.C.A. entertainment course.
2—With about four inches of snow and clear freezing weather the sleighing around town is very good. William Richards of Utica commits suicide by drowning. Supt. of the Poor Mittenmaier accidentally burned by the explosion of a carboy of vitriol. James Gawkins of Ridge Mills held up and robbed in Utica.
3—W. P. Ruff has his jaw bone broken by accident.
4—Gov. Black visits Rome and inspects the custodial asylum and the deaf—mute institution. A heavy rain practically uses up the sleighing.
5—Lawrence Ryan of Hinckley fatally shot by accident while hunting.
7—Several inches of snow make good sleighing again.
8—William Daniel Smith, after 11 jurors had been secured to try him for murder in the first degree, withdrew his plea of not guilty to that charge and pleaded guilty to murder in the second degree.
9—William Daniel Smith sentenced to Auburn state prison for life.
10—Mild weather has used up the sleighing again. Smith taken to Auburn prison. Death of Highway Commissioner John Hartman.
13—The body of James Haley, who has been missing for two weeks, found in the Erie Canal. Death of Street Superintendent Thomas Casey. Dr. Lyman B. Sperry lectures in the Y.M.C.A. course in Sink's Opera House.
14—The battle flags of Oneida county regiments presented to the Oneida Historical Society. The Heart of Chicago in the Washington Street Opera House.
15—Charges against Assistant Chief of Police Smith are filed with the board of fire and police commissioners and he is suspended from pay and duty pending investigation, which is set down for Dec 20. A Royal Box in the Washington Street Opera House.
16—The coroner's jury finds that James Haley came to his death by drowning in the Erie Canal.
18—Primrose & West's minstrels in the Washington Street Opera House.
20—Uncle Tom's Cabin in Sink's Opera House. A Breezy Time in the Washington Street Opera House. The fire and police board begin the investigation of charges against Assistant Chief of Police Smith. The Republican common council appoints two Democrats to office—Henry Wilbert, street superintendent in place of Thomas Casey, deceased, and Job Moshier, third ward highway commissioner, in place of John Hartman, deceased.
21—Dr. Harold Marquisse sent to Auburn prison for three years and six months.
23—The supervisors adjourn sine die. Death in Rome of Casper Weismantle of Grove Springs.
25—Christmas passes quietly. There is sufficient snow for fair sleighing. The Manhattan Burlesquers in the Washington Street Opera House.
27—Investigation of charges against Assistant Chief of Police Smith continues. Four witnesses sworn and an adjournment taken to Jan. 15, 1898.
27—Carrie Cobb dies in Utica from asphyxiation by illuminating gas at the Imperial Hotel.
28—Out of Sight in Sink's Opera House.
29—John Karl jr. of Utica, the companion of Carrie Cobb, dies from asphyxiation. Joe Ott in the Star Gazer at the Washington Street Opera House. Mrs. W. J. P. Kingsley gives her second annual banquet to pour children in Sink's Opera House.