Obit for M. J. Hutchens, formerly of Redwood, N. Y.

Jan. 14, 1929

Obit incomplete and what follows may be bits and pieces of different articles.

M. J. Hutchens,
Editor, Expires

Native of Redwood Dies in Salt Lake City
Recently Resided In Butte

Resigned as Editor of Montana
Free Press a Month Ago to Enter
a Sanatorium in Salt Lake City
Where Death Came Suddenly Fri-
day---Interment in Antwerp.

Butte, Mont., Jan. 14, -- Martin J. Hutchens, a native of Redwood, N. Y., and a newspaper man of national reputation, former managing editor of the Chicago Interocean, Chicago Journal, Helena, (Mont.) Independent, Missoula (Mont.) Missoulian (sic), Missoula Sentinel, Butte Miner and Montana Free Press, died Saturday afternoon at Holy Cross hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah.

While Mr. Hutchens had been in failing health for several months, his condition was not considered critical. News of his death came as a shock to his hundreds of friends in Montana. Mr. Hutchens was born at Redwood, Jan. 1, 1867. He was graduated from Hamilton college in 1888 and began his newspaper career on the Rome, N. Y. Sentinel the same year.

In 1889 he came to Montana with George Lyman of the New York Sun to take the city editorship of

(several lines missing - paragraph ends with) remained in New York for several years, working for the Sun World and American.

(Perhaps from another newspaper) -- the following:

Mr. Hutchens was a colleague of Arthur Brisbane of the World. When Brisbane first entered the employ of William Randolph Hearst he earned a reputation in the metropolis as a writer of stories of western life and was sent to Europe for a year as staff correspondent of the Sun.

Upon his return from Europe, Mr. Hutchens went to Chicago where he managed the editorial departments of the old Interocean and the Journal. He remained with the last named paper for 15 years. He was then appointed chairman of the Illinois Democratic state committee.

Mr. Hutchens married Leila Kennedy of Syracuse in 1897. Mrs. Hutchens is now sojourning with her son, John, who until recently was drama editor of the New York Evening Post.

Since 1917, Mr. Hutchens had been managing editor of various Montana newspapers including the Missoula Missouilan and Sentinel, the Butte Miner and the Montana Free Press.

He left the Free Press just a month ago to enter a sanatorium at Salt Lake City, where death came to him suddenly Friday.

Besides his widow and son the departed is survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Mary F. Hutchens, of Antwerp, N. Y., and a daughter, Mrs. Eugene Finch of New Haven, Conn. Funeral services will be held at Antwerp and interment will be made in the family plot at Redwood cemetery.

As an editorial writer, Mr. Hutchens was considered without a peer in Montana. His editorial columns were of the vanishing type of militant editorial comment. He never failed to interest his readers with the diversity of subjects, the intimate knowledge he possessed of many things, a quiet but trenchant humor sometimes verging into irony, and a serious concern with everything human.

He was held in reverent esteem by the men who worked under him, each of whom held him in considerable awe because of his metropolitan experience in the days before standardized newspaper methods.

The Montana Free Press in an editorial printed in tribute to Mr. Hutchens today said:

�The passing of Martin Hutchens leaves a gap in the Montana newspaper fraternity that will be hard to fill. Many old timers of his own calling and others in this state will miss his friendly smile and genial talk, and feel his death with deep sorry and regret.�

(Perhaps from another article)--the following:

After graduating from college he secured a position on the Rome Sentinel. Later he went to Helena, Mont., where he was city editor of the Helena Independent from 1889 to 1893. After severing his connections with the Helena paper he went to New York where from 1893 to 1902 he worked in various capacities for The New York Evening Journal. In 1901 he went to Chicago where he became managing editor of the Chicago American. Later he was managing editor of the Chicago Inter-Ocean and for 15 years was managing editor of the Chicago Evening Journal. In 1917 he went to Missoula, Mont., and until 1926 he was editor and publisher of the Daily Missoula Sentinel. In the fall of 1927 he became editor of the Butte, Mont., Miner. This paper was sold and on Oct. 1, 1927, he established the Montana Free Press of which he was editor at the time of his death.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Leila Kennedy Hutchens; his mother, Mrs. Mary F. Hutchens of Antwerp, one daughter, Mrs. Eugene Finch, New Haven, Conn., and one son, John Hutchens, former movie critic of The New York Evening Post but now assistant editor of the Movie Art magazines in New York.

________

Born at Redwood 61 years ago Martin J. Hutchens was another northern New York boy to lend luster to newspaperdom, and after a service which had taken him into the employ of the greatest newspapers in America--the old New York Sun, the New York World, the New York American and the Chicago Interocean as well as the leading dailies in Montana--he was one of the editors recognized by the Carnegie Foundation in 1927. At that time, Mr. Hutchens was chosen to tour Europe and study economic conditions. He was then editor and one of the owners of the Missoula Daily Missoulian of Missoula, Mont. He sold his newspaper, however, and did not go to Europe.

Perhaps his most distinctive work in newspaper letters was performed in Montana, to which state he went for permanent location many years ago. There, he became a writer of militant editorials.

As the editor of the Missoulan for several years, and in the last months of his life as editor of the Butte Miner and the Montana Free Press, both of Butte, Montana, the great copper state, he wrote some editorials so outspoken and trenchant, on governmental conditions there, that he was blackjacked in an alley one night only a few months prior to his death. It was notice to him to get out of the city in three days. Instead he chose to remain, determined to learn the identity of the assailant and then to take the law into his own hands and kill him.

It was attributed by Mr. Hutchens as only another step in the conflict between the Anaconda Copper company and the W. A. Clark interests, the latter embracing millions accumulated in the copper mining and smelting business by --------------------(torn off) W. A. Clark-----------?------- (possibly several paragraphs missing)

He went to Butt and started in in a mild way to criticise the methods of the big company, which for years has held an iron grip on the state government. Clark sustained him in hisposition and under the terms of the elder Clark's will Junior was left in chage. Then the Anaconda made a deal with the other heirs to buy all of the Clark interests in Montana, mines, mills, smelters, a street railway, large timber ineterest, newspapers, and a good eal of other property amounting in all to about $10,000,000, all this for the purpose of putting the Miner out.

Notwithstanding that the company's candidate in the state was given a bad beating in the July primaries. After purchase the Miner was consolidated with the Anaconda Standard under the name, Montana Standard, but Clark was a game fighter and over the telephone he instructed Hutchens and others to start a new afternoon and Sunday newspaper. This was done and Hutchens became its editor.

The story of Martin Hutchens' life during the year or more that he was on the Butter Miner and the Montana Free Press is as colorful as anything that has come out of the west in the last half century.

"A short time ago I got a rap on the head while passing an alley, and a few kicks in the ribs, but before I could turn over and get my gun out the fellow was lost in the alley," Mr. Hutchens said recently. "This is supposed to be a notice to get out of town with three days, and has been worked often before.

"I was laid up a few days but went back on the job."

About a month ago Mr. Hutchens resigned his position as editor of the newly organized Montana Free Press of which W. A. Clark, jr., was the president and controlling factor. Ill health compelled him to do so.

Coming back east he went to New York and from 1894 to 1896 was a reporter on the New York Sun. At that time the Sun was (lines missing) exceedingly clever and its stories were written in an unusually attractive manner.

For three years he was reporter and staff correspondent on the New York World, always on of the best in the country and from 1899 to 1903 he was with the Hearst interests on the New York American and later as city editor of the Chicago American and Examiner. He was successively city editor and managing editor of the Chicago Inter-Ocean and managing editor of the Chicago Journal.

With George C. Rice and Lester L. Jones he purchased the Missoula Daily Missoulian and the Missoula Sentinel from former United States Senator Joseph M. Dixon in 1917.

�Martin Hutchens was the son of the late Dr. Martin Hutchens, for many years a practicing physician at Redwood,� said Attorney Delos M. Cosgrove today. �Dr. Hutchens married Miss Mary Fuller, a sister of the mother of Attorney A. Raymond Cornwall of this city and Fuller F. Cornwall of Alexandria Bay. She was also the sister of Mrs. William M. Thompson of Alexandria Bay, mother of Judge Thompson.

�Dr. Hutchens was a man of very great talent and his wife was one of the finest of women. Martin Hutchens was a fine, talented fellow, who made a marked success in the newspaper business. He attended school at Redwood and then went to Hamilton college, where he was a classmate of Principal Gary M. Jones of the local High school. He was also a classmate of A. E. Kessinger of the Rome Sentinel, and I believe started his newspaper career on the Sentinel with Kessinger. He had a brother, Dr. Frank Hutchens of Antwerp, who was also very talented.

�Matt Hutchens was in my class at Hamilton, and was one of the most popular men of his time in that institution,� said Principal Gary M. Jones today. �He was a member of Sigma Phi fraternity and an A1 chap in every respect.�

BODY TO BE BROUGHT TO
ANTWERP FOR BURIAL

Antwerp, Jan. 14. -- The body of Martin J. Hutchens who died Saturday at Holy Cross hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah, will be brought to this village for funeral and interment. Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been completed but it is expected burial will be made in Hillside cemetery in this village. The remains will arrive here in about three days.

Mr. Hutchens was born in Redwood, Jan. 1, 1867, a son of Dr. Martin Joy Hutchens and Mary Fuller Hutchens. He attended the Redwood schools and Kirkland preparatory school. Later he entered Hamilton college, graduated with the class of 1888. On Dec. 31, 1887, he married Leila Kennedy of Syracuse.

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Abstract of Obit for Mrs. Grace S. Hoover, 84
Date of death: February 8, 1969

With Photograph

Mrs. Grace S. Hoover was killed in a car crash
on Route 26 (Redwood road)

Born: Sept. 9, 1884 - Philadelphia

Parents� Names: Fred and Anna Cheney Shurtleff

Marriage: Anson S. Hoover - at Theresa - a cousin of the minister, Rev. E. S. Cheeseman

Couple ran Hoover Brothers, plumbing and hardware in Theresa, N. Y.; later their own plumbing and sheet metal business. He died at age 83 on Aug. 21, 1965

Survivors: Son, Robert.

Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Theresa, N. Y.

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Unidentified newspaper clipping - 1939

Concerning the motion picture �Drums Along the Mohawk�

and the Helmer family of Jefferson County.

�Drums Along the Mohawk�

Will Be a Motion Picture

Historian of Helmer Family

Says It Will Be Under

Different Title

Herkimer, July 31. -- Walter D. Edmonds� �Drums Along the Mohawk� will be presented in motion pictures out under a different title, according to Pascoe Williams, Albany, historian of the Helmer family, at the reunion Sunday afternoon at Brookwood Park.

Before the motion picture is presented the producers will contact the Helmer clan relative to the interpretation of the life of John Adam Helmer, Revolutionary Scout, whose 23-mile trek from Edmeston to Fort Herkimer warned settlers of an attack.

Howard P. Helmer, Herkimer, was reelected president. Other officers: fice president, Earl L. Helmer, Newport; secretary and treasurers, Mrs. Clarence G. Willett, Brockville; chaplain, James D. Curtis, Richland; director, Merton Helmer, Oneida.

J. Fred Smith, officer of the Herkimer County Historical society, spoke and conducted the Helmer clan through the society�s building at Herkimer.

There were seven birth during the year. Those who died included Sewell F. Helmer, Clinton; James D. Maydole, Webster Helmer, Clinton; Mrs. Dora Helmer Lortscher, Evans Mills; Joseph Helmer, Parma, Mich.; Grace Helmer Donnelly, Old Forge, and Mrs. Leonard Lieterman, Clayton.

Letters were received from the following who were unable to attend: Ralph W. Helmer, Oklahoma City; Byron Cristman, Mrs. R. H. Ganter, Watertown; Martha Bowen, Chicago, Mrs. Anna Winniger, Fred Helmer, Helmer Winniger, Parma, Mich.; Elizabeth Helmer, Buffalo; Mildred Stanton, Mt. Vernon; Lucille Lieterman, Clayton; Mrs. F. J. Helmer, New York; Charles Helmer, Carroll, Ia.; Margaret L. Helmer, Old Forge; Mrs. Hazel Kinney, Bolivar; D. R. Helmer, Evans Mills, and Edson Walrath, Syracuse.

Mrs. Nahun Helmer, Oneida Castle, who is past 86, was the oldest member present, while David Vance Helmer, nine months, son of Mr. and Mrs. Vance Helmer, Little Falls, R. D., was the youngest.

A memorial service was conducted for deceased members by Mary Lou and Ruth Willett. Madeline Helmer read a resolution paying tribute to the late Joseph Helmer.

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Obit for Burton Helmer, 76

Unidentified newspaper - date not apparent

Burton Helmer, 76

Dies in Plessis

Had Been Life Long Resident of the

Town of Alexandria -- Funeral and Burial

Held Wednesday

Plessis: Burton Helmer, sr., aged 76, passed away Monday at the Noble Foundation hospital, Alexandria Bay. Mr. Helmer had been in poor health for a number of weeks, but had not been confined to his home until the later part of December. He was taken to the hospital Saturday of last week.

Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon in the Methodist church, Rev. Kenneth Jones officiating.

Mr. Helmer was born in Barnes Settlement, Nov. 28, 1868, son of Marvin and Delia Hill Helmer. He married Nellie Hagan in Redwood in 1900 and the couple have always resided on a farm in Plessis.

He is survived by his wife; eight sons, Burton, jr., Ralph and George of Plessis; and five sons in the service, Pfc. Welliington Helmer, Rome air base; Sgt. Glenn Helmer in India; Pvt. Guy Helmer in Holland; Sgt. Ernest Helmer in the West Indies; and Sgt. John Helmer, Italy; one daughter, Mrs. Lawrence (Garland) Flath, Redwood; and eight grandchildren.

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Abstract of Obit for Gustavus S. Hardy, 78

Unidentified newspaper - November 29, 1944

Gustavus S. Hardy, born in Town of Rutland

Once Taught in Towns of Adams and Rodman

Died in North Brookfield (near Utica), N. Y.

Born: Aug. 29, 1866, Town of Rutland

Parents� Names: John Calvin and M. Julia Scott Hardy. He was a grandson of pioneer Robert Hardy.

This genealogy statement was found in the obit:

�Robert Hardy, born in Dublin, N. H., in 1789, settled in the town of Watertown, near Burrville, in 1811. With his brother, Phineas, he purchased and cleared 112 acres of land. About 1818 he moved to the town of Rutland. He married Abigail Stone of Dublin, N. H., in 1815, and John Calvin Hardy was their ninth child.�

Education of Deceased: Early education in Rutland schools. Potsdam Normal School in 1895; Clarkson College of Technology.

Occupation: Taught in and principal at high schools in Middleville, Trenton, Adams Center, North Brookfield, Rodman and Middlesex; also worked in the carpenter�s trade.

Marriage: Irma Burnyte (sp.?), North Brookfield.

Burial: North Brookfield, N. Y.

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Abstract of Obit for Charles H. Heath, 62

Chas. H. Heath of Plessis
He was a native of Canada

Died at his Plessis home

Drank Muratic Acid

Born: Aug. 23, 1876, Rockport, Ont.

Parents� Names: Charles and Lucinda Brucker Heath

Married: Gertrude Rhines at Watertown, N. Y. - Sept. 5, 1897

Came to the United States when he was 14

Survivors: Wife, Gertrude; two daughters, Mrs. Harry (Hazel) Forester; Mrs. Kermit (Gladys) Thornhill; four sons, Leland, Raymond, Stanley, Clark; nine grandchildren.

Predeceased: Son, Clarence

Burial: Brookside Cemetery, Plessis

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Abstract of Obit for Mrs. Nettie Inglehart, 80

Watertown Daily Times- July 9 - year not apparent

Mrs. Nettie Inglehart

Native of Theresa

Died in a Binghamton Hospital on July 9

Date of Birth: Feb. 16, 1871

Parents� Names: Munson and Dellilah Jolly Pool

Marriage: Edward Inglehart - 1894

Lived in Oxbow for 15 years

Survivors: son, Paul; two sisters, Mrs. Mayfred Miller and Mrs. Harry (Fern) Heller

Predeceased by: Husband, Edward

Religious affiliation: Episcopal Church

Burial: Oakwood Cemetery, Theresa

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