WILL HAYES, GEORGE L. GAGE AND DAN FISHER

ARTICLE FROM OXFORD TIMES

 "GUILFORD GLEANINGS"

   Death and disaster have spread their gloomy pall over our village in the last week.  The death of Will Hayes, which was chronicled in the last issue of the Times was a terrible shock to the community, as he was a young man beloved and respected by all who knew him; quiet and unassuming, honest,, upright and reliable, he had endeared himself to those with whom he came in contact, and his sad and untimely death comes with heavy force upon all, especially his widowed mother and sisters, who survive him.  His funeral was largely attended on Tuesday last from the M. E. church, Rev. Mr. Frisby officiating.  His remains were taken to Oxford for interment.

   On Friday last our quiet village received still another terrible shock by the tidings that George L. Gage and Dan Fisher were drowned in Backett Pond in the town of Oxford, and lying between Guilford and Bainbridge.  

   The particulars as far as can be learned are as follows:  Mr. Gage, proprietor of the Guilford House, and Mr. Fisher, of the Centre, went to Brackett pond on Thursday for a day's fishing through the ice, intending to return that evening.  Failing to do this, men were sent on Friday morning in search of them, and soon was received the awful news that they were drowned, as their fishing tackle, etc., had been found on the ice.  Parties at once started for the pond, supplied with large grappling hooks and other apparatus for recovering the bodies.  They were found in the center of the pond near the place where last seen.  The ice was broken for a space of about six feet, and the bodies were only about three feet apart.  They were removed to the residence of Mr. Loomis, where the Coroner, Drs. Clark and Spencer were summoned.  Our undertaker, Aaron Bradley and Lewis Pearsall were promptly at hand and the sad procession started for home, reaching here about midnight Friday.  

   Mr. Gage leaves a wife and one child, beside his aged parents, and many other relatives.  Mr. Fisher leaves a wife and three children.  Both of these estimable, stricken families have the deep sympathy of all in their terrible affliction, and may the God of the widow and fatherless sustain them in their sorrow.