From the Chenango Union of Norwich, NY
Thursday, January 23, 1873

Fatal Accident on the Auburn Branch

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   On Monday forenoon last, the body of a man was discovered on the ice, near the first railroad bridge crossing the main stream of the Canasawacta Creek, above Frinkville, about five and a half miles from this village. The person who made the discovery drove to Frinkville, and notified several persons of the fact, who at once proceeded to the spot. Coroner Ormsby, of Plymouth, was notified, and the body was removed to the Hotel of E. Dimmick, where an inquest was held on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Augustus C. Aldrich, Asaph Dimmick, Horace Johnson, John Trass, Frank Crumb, and Orrin Sexton, composed the jury.

   From the evidence given by the conductor and hands upon the train, it appears that the name of the deceased was Peter McDermott; that he was employed as forward brakeman upon the train which leaves this place for Cortland at 9:55; that on Monday morning he was not missed from the train until it reached Beaver Meadow, when it was supposed he had been left behind at Norwich, as he was to go on an errand to the machine shop, about the time the train left. He undoubtedly slipped from a car, and falling upon the ice, was instantly killed, as he neck was found to be broken, and the base of his skull crushed. The verdict of the jury was in accordance with the facts.