TROUPSBURG Steuben County New York
NEWSPAPER TIDBITS

1875

A MURDER IN STEUBEN COUNTY. FATAL SHOOTING OF A BROTHER-IN-LAW – AN UNFORTUNATE MARRIAGE AND ITS RESULT – STORY OF THE CASE – THE MURDERER A LOCAL PREACHER. From Our Own Correspondent.      BATH, N.Y., Thursday, June 24, 1875.      George Eugene Hendricks, aged twenty-one years, was lodged in jail at this place yesterday, to await trial for the killing of his brother-in-law, William H. Dildine, near Troupsburg, on Sunday last. The killing was the culmination of a feud that had existed between Dildine and his wife’s family for some years past, and was brought about by his own conduct. The details of the tragedy are as follows:      Six years ago Helen Hendricks, then aged twenty years, and an accomplished and beautiful young lady, married William H. Dildine, contrary to the wishes of her family, which is one of the most respectable in Steuben County, being farmers, living about four miles from Troupsburg. Dildine was a young man qualified to occupy a high position in society and business, but his habits were such as to make him virtually a social outcast. After marrying Miss Hendricks he removed to Wellsville, Allegany County. Two years ago his abuse and neglect of his family having become public scandal, Mr. Hendricks went to Wellsville and took his daughter and her two children back home with him. Dildine a few days afterward compelled her to return to his house. The family feud, bitter before, then became still more intense, and during the past two years several buildings belonging to the Hendricks family have been burned down under circumstances leaving no doubt that the fires were the work of an incendiary. They suspected that Dildine was instrumental in having the buildings fired, but never took any measures that would lead to his detection.      When Dildine took his wife back from her father’s in 1873, he forbade her to have any communication with them, and increased his abuse. On Saturday last he took offense at something she said at the breakfast table, and hitting her on the head with a plate, knocked her down, and seizing her by the hair, battered her face against the floor until she was rendered senseless. He then left the house. When she recovered, she took her children and started for her father’s, reaching there Saturday night. During the evening she confirmed their suspicions of the cause of the frequent fires, by revealing to them declarations her husband had made to her in regards to firing the buildings, which she had never dared to divulge before.      Sunday afternoon between 5 and 6 o’clock, the Hendricks household was startled to see Dildine drive up with a horse and carriage, and alight. He came into the house, and seeing his wife, at once commenced to abuse her for leaving him, and demanded a private interview. She refused to grant it, and he attempted to force her into another room. Her father and mother interfered, and he did not succeed. He then swore that he would take his baby back home with him. The child had climbed into his mother’s lap when Dildine entered the house. The latter seized the boy, and tearing it despite its screams from its mother’s arms, started to leave the house. George Hendricks, the brother of Mrs. Dildine, now arose from his chair, and drawing a revolver, charged Dildine not to leave the house. He paid no attention to the young man, however, and hurried out into the yard toward the wagon, followed by Mrs. Dildine begging for the return of her child. Young Hendricks also went out, and without another word fired. The shot plainly took effect, when Dildine turned about, attempted to take a step forward, and fell to the ground with the child in his arms. His wife stooped down and took her child from him, and ran into the house. Young Hendricks went up to Dildine and saw at once that he was fatally wounded. Hendricks is a leading church member and a local preacher in Troupsburg. He took Dildine’s hand and leaning over him, asked him if he had any hope in Christ. Dildine replied that he had none whatever, and in a few seconds expired. Hendricks at once proceeded to North Cameron and told Coroner Ellison of the shooting. The Coroner took charge of the case, and on Monday held an inquest. The jury found a verdict to the effect that Dildine had come to his death at the hands of George E. Hendricks. He was taken into custody, and yesterday brought to this place and lodged in jail.      Dildine was shot in three places. One ball entered beneath his left shoulder, passed through his right lung and his heart, and lodged in his left lung. Another struck him in the right hip, and the other in his left leg below the knee.      Hendricks says he does not feel that he has committed a crime, and that God will hold him guiltless for his act. The New York Times (New York, NY) June 25, 1875.

1896

An Older Couple in Oregon.      Hood River claims a couple who have been married longer than Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Johnson, of Agency, Iowa, who were recently spoken of in The Oregonian as having celebrated their 61st anniversary. The Glacier says: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel D. Rogers, of Hood River, were married in Troupsburg, N.Y., April 24, 1834. Mr. Rogers was born February 4, 1815, and his aged companion November 22, 1816. This worthy couple retain the use of all their faculties unimpaired, and both of them are able to attend to their habitual duties about their home. They came to Hood River in 1878. Oregonian (Portland, OR) January 5, 1896; page 3, col. 2.

1911

Miss Calvin Gregory is sick. Mr. and Mrs. D. Rogers visited Canisteo last week. Mrs. Kirk Perry of Hornell is here taking care of Mr. Perry's mother, Mrs. Rhoda Perry, who is very ill. Rev. and Mrs. M. V. Wright are entertaining company from East Groveland. Mrs. Jennie Brooks of Hornell and N. M. Harrington of Cameron are here selling the estate of the late N. M. Brooks they being the administrators. Canisteo Times (Canisteo, NY) March 1, 1911.

1918

CHURCH BURNED AT TROUPSBURG Other Nearby Buildings Were in Danger From the Sweeping Flames.      Troupsburg, Jan. 30 - Fire believed to have started from an overheated furnace totally destroyed the Baptist church of this place, Sunday afternoon at about 3 o'clock.      Little was saved with the exception of the piano and organ and several of the seats.      For a time it was feared that the residents of George Resue and Mrs. Mary DeMun, situated nearby, would burn also, but the swift work of the men, who had gathered at the fire alarm, saved them.      The loss on the church is estimated at about $4,000.      This is the second large fire that Troupsburg has experienced within two weeks, the barn of John O'Hargan being totally destroyed recently. Evening Tribune (Hornell, NY) January 30, 1924.

1931

Local Talent Play by Troupsburg Folk The younger people of the Troupsburg and Young Hickory Baptist Church are putting on a local talent play, which they expect to have ready about Feb. 27th. "Tony, the Convict" is the title. The actors include: Hiram Bennett, Walter Rodney, and LeRoy Plaisted, Lynn Benton, Edmond Hopper, Andretta Bennett, Alice and Joycelyn Plaisted. Admission 15c and 30c. Children under 7 years free Canisteo Times (Canisteo, NY) Thursday, February 19, 1931.

1956

TROUPSBURG NEWS THANK YOU      Mrs. Ida Symonds of Woodhull RD wishes to thank everyone who was so kind and thoughtful in sending her cards and letters during her illness. RETURNS TO BASE      James Stone, who has been spending a few days at his home here from Bainbridge, Md., left Wednesday from Rochester by plane for a base in Norfolk, Va. SUPPER POSTPONED      On account of the death of Fred White, the Fellowship supper planned for Friday evening was postponed until March 16, and will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Francis White. ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED      The engagement of Joyce Irene Elwell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fay Eddy, to Sgt. Wayne E. Tripp, son of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Tripp, has been announced. The wedding will be held March 31 in the Methodist Church.      Miss Elwell is a graduate of the Troupsburg Central School, class of 1955, and has been attending Hornell Business School for the past seven months. Sgt. Tripp is stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., and has been in the Army for the past several years. He attended TCS. HELD BRIDAL SHOWER      Mrs. Arlowine Swimeley entertained with a bridal shower for her sister, Miss Florence Fisher, on Saturday night. Miss Fisher will be married in the near future. DINNER HOSTS      Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Leach, Rev. and Mrs. Guy Rose and Lee White were Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Donald White in Addison, honoring the birthdays of Mrs. Leach and Donald White. BUILDING FUND COMM. MET      The building fund committee of the Methodist Church met with the Rev. Melvin Nida Sunday night. Plans were made for a pancake supper to be held sometime during this month. A SON      Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morehouse (nee Mary Lou Cook), are parents of a son born in Wellsboro Hospital Sunday. ATTENDED FUNERAL      Sam Makasian of Washington, D.C., attended the funeral of his foster-father, Fred White, Thursday. Mr. and Mrs. Francis White and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Myron Austin, Mrs. E. H. Austin and Mrs. Lawrence Lewis, Sr., attended the funeral. MYF MET      The Intermediate MYF met at the home of Melvin and Judy Bliss Sunday night. They worked on scrap books and refreshments were served.      The Senior MYF met Sunday evening with Sandra Wheaton, with 8 present. Refreshments were served. ANNIVERSARY HONORED      Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hulbert attended a dinner in Elkland, honoring the 28th wedding anniversary of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were married in the Troupsburg Baptist Parsonage Feb. 29, 1928, by Rev. A. J. Wayman. Attendants were Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Thurston of Elkland. ATTENDED FUNERAL      Mr. and Mrs. Charles Elwell, Mrs. Aletha Payne and Gary Payne attended the funeral of Walter P. Kilburne, Jr., in Austinburg Methodist Church Thursday afternoon. BAKE SALE      A bake sale for the benefit of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Fire Dept., will be held March 10 in the afternoon, chairman Betty Wheaton has announced. IN HOSPITAL      Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Hulbert were at St. James Hospital Saturday night to take their daughter who fell causing a bad injury to her lip. Several stitches were taken to close the wound. Canisteo Times (Canisteo, NY) March 8, 1956.