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Death on McComb Street

This is the school house on Trudeau Road now being remodeled as part of the Michael Boon property. The photo, on loan from Patricia Hesseltine Finn, was taken July 5th, 1895, so dated on the back, with this: “Summer term of school closes.” There are 35 kids in the picture and one teacher, who taught all eight grades, as was common in the day. Patricia’s grandfather, Judd Kelley, age 10 years, is pictured far right in the front row, next to the boy with the crutch and the tiny boy. Looked like awfully warm clothes to be wearing in July. The teacher, also identified on the back of the photo, is Miss Bella Vanorman of Malone. Mr. Kelley grew up to own and operate one of the early dairy farms in the area located on Trudeau Road. Judd Kelley married Carrie Moody, descendent of the first settler here, Jacob Moody. His daughter, Carrie married Morris Hesseltine, Pat and Ron’s mother. Whew! It’s a lot of info to get into a caption. (Photo courtesy of Patricia Finn)

(SLPD Blotter-July 1939)

3:15 a. m., 7-3-39 — “Fire alarm rang 25 (B’way & Prospect Ave.). Investigated by Higgins and Brown. Fire at 14 McComb St. Started on back porch, second floor, Johnny Martin’s apartment. Johnny claims that he and his mother, Virginia Martin went upstairs to bed about midnight. Says his mother set up for awhile playing cards (solitaire). He claims his mother told him she could smell smoke and about the same time heard something explode. Thought it was one of the preserve jars down cellar. [Jars preserved fruits and vegetables prepared and stored in sealed glass quart jars.] Johnny found the place to be afire. His mother and the rest of the family got out safely. Johnny’s mother then went across the street and collapsed in front of the garage at 11 McComb Street. When police arrived she was conscious. Helped Philip Macy bring her to her feet. Macy and Les Clark then started walking up the street with her. Later learned that she died at Macy’s apartment, 19 McComb Street. Went up there. Dr. LeRoy Wardner had been called. Mrs. Virginia Martin, age 75 years was Dr. Brumfield’s patient. He had been treating her for sometime for a heart condition. Dr. Brumfield had also been called.

“Police went to 38 Church Street to get Dr. William Wardner (Coroner) but he had been called out of town. His son, Dr. LeRoy Wardner said that Dr. Brunfield was going to sign the death certificate because Mrs. Martin was his patient and that Dr. Brumfield knew her condition. Had expected her to go for some time. Dr. Brumfield notified James Fortune [Undertaker] to remove the body. Johnny claims his mother lost her pocket book which he thought contained 10 or 12 dollars. Searched the grounds and street but could not find it. Says she took it with her when she left the house.

“Johnny thinks his mother took some ashes out of the stove and put them on the back porch in a box before they went to bed. There was a considerable lot of junk such as boxes, rags, and rubber on the porch where most of the damage was centered. Brought a lantern to the Police station. Same found on floor in room off the porch. It was burn up pretty bad. Has kerosene in it. House belongs to Mrs. Keet, 17 McComb Street. Mrs. Martin died at approximately 3:20 a.m.” — Brown

[The only explanation I can think of for having a fire in the stove in July was that the stove was used for cooking. That was common for many households in the 1930’s; and the lantern — they may not have had electricity in the house]

Lost on Mount Pisgah?

11 p.m., 7-6-39 — “Complaint from Cliff Brisette, Mt. Pisgah, that a car parked in his yard on the mountain this afternoon and a fellow and a girl went up the mountain with a picnic lunch. The car was still parked there, 5-F plates on it. Thought something happened to them. Investigated by Tyler and Higgins. We went up the trail nearly to the top of the mountain and as we got back they were getting in their car. [Remember — no ski hill then, just woods]. Identified as Frank R. Weiderman and Helen Parrish of 60 Lake Flower Avenue. They had gone up there on a picnic and got lost. Finally came out on Old Military Road and walked around to their car.” — Higgins

Daughter is found

6:05 p.m., 7-13-39 — “Call from Mrs. Pebbler, 51 Woodruff Street stating that she had a lost child there and couldn’t tell her her name. Investigated and found it to be a little girl. Saw a resemblance of Nan Raffell in the kid’s face. Took her up to Nan’s and sure enough found that it was Nan’s daughter, Ruth, age 4 years. Gave Nan hell and told her to look after her kids in the future.” — Tyler

Police give marriage counseling

1:15 p.m., 7-18-39 – “Call to Wallace Harvey’s home on Edward Street. A row [Webster explains, ‘a noisy dispute’] in the family. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey fighting. Told Mrs. Harvey that if she wanted anything done with her husband she would have to get a warrant from the Judge. She came to the Judge with us and Mr. Harvey came along voluntarily. No warrant issued. Parties advised to separate.” — Jones & Ryan

Kids playing always a problem

(Random times and dates)

“Complaint that kids were playing in the Broadway School yard. Warned kids about playing there and sent them home.”

“Complaint from some lady on Academy Street. Boys playing ball and making a lot of noise on Academy Street. Went there and put the run to them.”

“Complaint about kids in back of the Hotel Saranac. Investigated and sent the younger boys home. Warned the older boys about hanging around the hotel.”

“Complaint about kids playing ball in Prescott Park. Put the run to them.”

ALSO:

“Complaint about dog on the porch at 1 Riverside drive. Chased dog away from there.”

“Disposed of a cat for Gus at the Pontiac Confectionary.”

“Complaint that some small boys were throwing the paving bricks from a retaining wall built by the village on Terrace Street down to Broadway and drawing them away. Investigated and found they were selling them to John Doe for 2c a piece who was building a wall at his house. Warned Mr. Doe to discontinue buying bricks from any boys.”

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