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As a staff writer for this newspaper, it has been my distinct pleasure to write about many diverse, wonderful and interesting people.
Not long ago, I interviewed Clyde M. Rabideau, local writer and book publisher. Among his books are several works on his family name, a vast collection of obituaries from Franklin and Clinton counties and vital statistics from those counties and Essex besides.
On one of our cross-country trips a few years ago, I tackled his book of Franklin County obituaries, 1887 to 1958. Now don't think I'm morbid or anything; when an obituary is written properly, it should paint a picture of the person to honor them and for the enlightenment of future generations.
In these clippings, I found tales that were very odd, very sad, very interesting "¦
There was one about Alice C. Stevens Smith, who was born in Fort Covington in 1841. One of three females to be part of the first graduating class of Potsdam Normal School, she was the first teacher appointed by the U.S. government to educate the St. Regis Indians. She went on to marry Joseph E. Orvis (there is an Orvis Street in Massena, by the way). After he died, she married the Rev. Edward J. Smith, a Baptist minister. She died at the parsonage in Burlington, Mich., in 1923.
SOLDIER'S LAST WORDS
During World War II, sadly, there were many obituaries reporting the deaths of local soldiers. One in particular struck my heart, bittersweet as it was. Sgt. Clifford L. Hoyt of South Bombay went missing in action in France on Aug. 29, 1944. He was a sharpshooter in Gen. Patton's unit. A letter he had written to his family, included in the obit and dated July 1944, must have held precious comfort in later days:
—¦ we are in the scrap up to our necks and believe me it isn't any fun. You will see by the news that we are doing o.k "¦ Now look, Mom, I know what you are thinking but don't you worry one bit. I will be home just so good as when I came. I don't believe it will last much longer; don't see how it can. France is a nice place, pretty much like home, only cooler. I like it just fine. Now don't worry. We will soon be home again. The Germans are lousy shots. Excuse writing as a foxhole isn't exactly a good place to write. I will write again when we get another rest."
Just imagine the importance of that letter leaving that foxhole and making it to wherever to be delivered to little Bombay. Sgt. Hoyt was 25 years old.
LEGACY LEFT
Then there was the Garrow family of Hogansburg. When the father, John S. Garrow, died in 1932 it broke up a family of very talented musicians. Mr. and Mrs. Garrow had 12 children. The obit stated all were musicians except the two youngest, who planned on taking up music as soon as they were older:
—¦ Mr. Garrow played a cornet practically all his life. He was so proficient as a cornet player he was offered engagements with circuses and traveled every summer "¦ Louis Garrow, the oldest son, plays many instruments including the trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, trap drums "¦ Solomon Garrow, the second son, plays a cornet "¦ Joseph Garrow plays the slide trombone and trumpet "¦ Thomas Garrow chose the violin and piano." The obit also states that John led the band in Hogansburg for more than 20 years and that his family was descended from the original St. Regis settlement. What a legacy Mr. Garrow left!
I will share more interesting obituaries in future columns, not as morbid news but as a tribute to life, the human spirit and legacies that still stand.
One last thought, as always: Please be kind to each other. The world needs more kindness.
Susan Tobias lives in Plattsburgh with her husband, Toby. She has been a Press-Republican newsroom employee since 1977. The Tobiases have six children, 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. They enjoy traveling to Maine and Colorado, and in her spare time, Susan loves to research local history and genealogy.
Reach her by e-mail at: writertobias@gmail.com
