Their American dream: It was more like a nightmare
Catherine "Kate" Major, a member of the first generation of American-born Majors on our family tree, married into a large family. Her husband, William J. Dougherty (often spelled Doherty), a native of Ireland, had 12 siblings, three of whom also emigrated to the United States, settling in or around Syracuse, New York.
Unfortunately, two of those siblings died young. William's brother John, employed at the Solvay Process Company, died in 1908 at the age of 24. His sister Sarah, who had married another Irish immigrant, John McGrory, died in 1909, about two months after giving birth to their only child, John J. McGrory, who soon found himself in the care of McGrory's sister, Mrs. Bridget Doyle of Syracuse.
That situation became permanent in 1915 after tragedy struck again. That tragedy is described below in a newspaper account that misspells McGrory's name, but in view of later articles I found online he must certainly be the John McGrory who married Sarah Doherty and fathered John J. McGrory.
As for Mrs. Doyle, well, the death of her brother wasn't the first unusual accident that affected her life. The following articles illustrate some of the hazards of life in those so-called good old days.
As for John J. McGrory, the boy who was orphaned about six years after he was born, well, I've yet to find any stories about his later life, but records of St. Mary's Cemetery in Skaneateles, New York, where he is buried, list him as dying in 1986. |
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Syracuse Journal, June 21, 1915
A man identified by Fred Carrington as John McGlory [McGrory] was run down and fatally injured by switch engine No. 122 of the N.Y.C. (New York Central) Lines at S. Clinton and W. Washington streets at 1 o’clock this afternoon. From all appearances, he was connected with the railroad, but he had no marks of identification about his person.
The engine was going slowly west on Washington st. when the victim and a companion started to cross south on the west side of Clinton st. The companion cleared, but the other man was hit by the fender and thrown back across the tracks. Traffic Officer Michael Barry saw the accident and shouted to the engineer, Michael Schmidt, to stop. Schmidt, however, failed to hear Barry, and the man was dragged along a distance of about 40 feet before the engine was brought to a stop.
One of McGlory’s [McGrory’s] legs was pinned under the front tracks and his head was crushed. When the engine was finally stopped, the man was unconscious, but owing to the peculiar position in which his body was wedged under the engine, it was impossible to extricate him. A hurry call was sent for an ambulance and physicians attempted to relieve the injured man’s suffering.
The wrecking crew was summoned and the engine was jacked up. McGlory [McGrory] was dead when finally taken out. Coroner Crane was notified and went to the scene to investigate. The body was removed to the County Morgue. McGlory’s [McGrory’s] companion, who started across the tracks with him, hurried away from the scene of the accident before his name could be ascertained, or before he could be questioned.
Coroner Crane found that the engine was going at a moderate rate of speed. Officer Barry said the young flagman stationed at the crossing saw McGlory [McGrory] and his companion attempt to cross the street, but thought that they saw the engine. An examination at the Morgue showed that McGlory [McGrory] had a fractured skull. This was probably caused by being dragged along the pavement stones for about 40 feet.
A large crowd gathered around the engine and it required several policemen to keep them sufficiently back to permit the wrecking crew and physicians to give what aid was possible. McGlory [McGrory] was under the engine for about 20 minutes. At no time was he able to talk. Coroner Crane had not finished his investigation late this afternoon. An inquest will probably be held. |
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[NOTE: A day later the newspaper changed the last name, but still had it wrong – McGoury. The article mentioned his sister, Mrs. Charles (Bridget) Doyle of Syracuse, and his son, John J., and also said he had a brother and four sisters in Ireland.]
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Syracuse Journal, July 6, 1915
Mrs. Bridget Doyle, administratrix of the estate of her brother, John McGrory, applied in Surrogates Court today for $312 to pay the bills incurred for board and clothing by her five-year-old nephew, John McGrory. Mrs. Doyle has taken care of the child since July 5, 1912, nearly two years before her brother’s death.
Syracuse Journal, June 5, 1916
Mrs. Bridget Doyle received permission from Surrogate John W. Sadler to accept a settlement of $500 from the New York Central in her suit as administratrix of the estate left by her brother, John McGrory, who was killed in E. Washington st. on June 21, 1915. |
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In between the time Bridget McGrory Doyle began caring for her nephew and the death of her brother, she almost lost her husband ...
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Syracuse Journal, June 17, 1914
Charles Doyle, 36, an employee of the Department of Public Works, was seriously and perhaps fatally injured at 8:30 o’clock this morning at the corner of Cortland av. and W. Kennedy st., when he was run into by a horse attached to a milk wagon. The force of the collision knocked Doyle down, resulting in injuries to his spine, neck and a concussion of the brain. He was rushed to the Hospital of the Good Shepherd, where it was said late this afternoon that his condition is very serious.
There were no witnesses to the accident. According to the story told by Doyle, he was engaged in putting a curbstone into place at the corner when a horse approached down W. Kennedy st. The animal was attached to a milk wagon and was proceeding along at a slow place, but nevertheless on a trot.
The horse was almost on top of Doyle before he saw that the rig was driverless, but just before the vehicle reached the place where he was standing, he attempted to stop the horse. As a result, one of the thills on the wagon struck him in the neck, inflicting an ugly gash. The blow caused the young man to fall over backwards and he struck his head. His cries for help were heard and several men ran to his assistance. A call was sent to Police Headquarters for an ambulance and the Hospital of the Good Shepherd was notified.
Doyle lives at 709 S. Geddes st. His wife was notified of the accident and at once went to the hospital. She remained at the bedside of her husband all day and would not leave.
Syracuse Post-Standard, June 18, 1914
The condition of Charles Doyle, 35, of No. 709 South Geddes street, who was run over by a milk wagon while repairing the pavement in Cortland avenue, near Kennedy street, yesterday morning, was reported to be slightly improved last night at the Hospital of the Good Shepherd, where the man was taken.
An X-ray examination of the man’s neck was made yesterday and Dr. Frank E. Eusten found Mr. Doyle did not have a fracture of the neck as was first thought.
Syracuse Journal, April 13, 1915
Whether Charles Doyle was nervous on account of the shock resulting from his injuries in an accident or whether he was merely excited over the outcome of his $10,000 suit against the city was a question discussed in Supreme Court before Justice Andrews today.
Doyle, while he was testifying, appeared to be excitable, and his attorney contended it was the result of the injury to the plaintiff’s spinal cord which had affected his entire nervous system.
Dr. Samuel Stewart was asked his opinion by Assistant Corporation Counsel Frank Hopkins. The physician did not believe Doyle was nervous because he was wondering whether he would recover several thousands of dollars. He said that he thought Doyle’s almost hysterical condition was the result of the injuries received.
Doyle was working on repair work in Cortland av. on June 17 of last year. He was run down by a milk wagon driven by Willis E. Rose. After being trampled on by the horses, Doyle was in serious condition which resulted in partial paralysis which he believes will be permanent. He claims that the city did not erect a barricade which would keep wagons from using that particular part of the street.
The defense – put up by the city – is that it is not imperative for them to erect a barricade or keep watchmen at a spot where repair work is in progress. Dorr & Seubert appear for Doyle with Mr. Hopkins and Assistant Corporation Counsel Frank Harris for the city. Doyle has another action pending in which Rose, driver of the milk wagon, is the defendant.
Syracuse Post-Standard, April 15, 1915
In the case of Charles Doyle against the city of Syracuse, in Supreme Court, yesterday, the jury failed to agree upon a verdict and was dismissed by Justice William S. Andrews. |
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