Union and Advertiser
Rochester, NY
October 24, 1877

Death of John Heckel
Last evening a large portion of the community were pained to learn that Policeman John HECKEL was no more.  The intelligence came with all the more suddenness as but very few outside of his immediate friends knew that he was sick.  A day or two since he sent word to the Police office that he was not well enough to attend to his regular duties and the next news that was received at headquarters was of his death.  Mr. HECKLE was one of the oldest and most _____members of our Police force, and carried with him not only the respect of his superior officers, but also of the community in which he lived.  He was also a member of the Masonic order, who will pay the usual tributes of respect to his memory.

Union and Advertiser
Rochester, NY
October 25, 1877, page 2

The late John C. Heckel

In the notice given yesterday of the death of Policeman John C. HECKEL, it should have stated that he was a member of Germania Lodge, F. and A.M., also of the Masonic Relief Associates and various other societies of a kindred nature. 

The Police Benevolent Association held a meeting last night, and resolved to attend the funeral in a body to-morrow afternoon at two o'clock.

Officers LYNCH, MCARTHUR and HUGHES were appointed a committee to draft suitable resolutions.

Death of Mrs. Garin
Yesterday afternoon an old and respected resident of this city, Mrs. Mary GARIN, residing at No. 8 Catharine street, passed away.  The disease that eventually carried her off was dropsy, with which she had been afflicted for a time.  As the time of hr demise she was in her 70th year and will be mourned by a large circle of friends.  The funeral will take place from the residence to-morrow morning at 8 1/2 o'clock and from St. Bridget's Church at 9 o'clock.

Fatal Accident
A Boy's Legs Cut Off by the Cars

A very sad accident resulting in loss of life, occurred this morning, just before 9 o'clock on the State Line railroad near the depot in this city.  At the boulevard five or six boys were playing on the _____ of some freight cars that were standing on the track and while so engaged an engine _____down , struck the cars jarring one of the boys off, who fell between the cars and was run over by them, the wheels passing over both thighs, cutting one off and mangling the other dreadfully.

The boy proved to be Charles SMITH, aged thirteen years, son of Carlos SMITH, an old and respected citizen residing at 44 Trowbridge street.  The unfortunate boy had been away all summer visiting and returned home but a few days ago.  The morning he left the house with the intention of going to school at No. 2 where he was a pupil and wondered away with several ____ to-day.  Although dreadfully mangled he did not die immediately, but was taken home and ___ called who could afford him no assistance except to give anesthetics.  At 11 o'clock he was alive but the doctors said he could survive but a few hours.  The case is a very sad one as the sufferer was an intelligent and active little fellow, universally loved by all his acquaintances.  Since the above was set in type, death has relieved the child.  He expired shortly before noon.

The Late Constable Smith
Thomas SMITH, of Lake avenue, one of the constabulary force of the city, died after a brief illness night before last at half past eleven o'clock of inflammation of the lungs.  Mr. SMITH was well known here ____ as an old resident, having come here from the State of New Jersey where he was born, in 1837and lived here uninterruptedly since.  He was in his sixtieth year, being born March 5, 1827 and had been Constable ever since 1869 or 1870, and was respected in his official character by all who knew him.  We understand that the funeral takes place to-morrow at 10 o'clock from his home on Hanford's landing.


Union and Advertiser
October 29, 1877

In Memory of a Deceased Policeman
At a meeting of the Police force, held at Police Headquarters October 26th, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Whereas, It has pleased the Supreme Being of the Universe to remove from our midst our late comrade and friend, John Conrad Heckel, and
Whereas, While we bow in humble submission to the divine will of Him who "doth all things well" we cannot but deeply deplore our loss, therefore, be it
Resolved, That in his death his wife has been bereft of an affectionate husband, his children a kind and indulgent father, this department a useful member and society a good citizen.
Resolved, That we extend to the family of the deceased our sincere and heartfelt sympathy in this their sad and sudden bereavement.
Resolved.  That we will ever cherish his memory in grateful remembrance and as a token of our respect for the deceased we will wear the usual badge of mourning for ten days.
Resolved.  That these preambles and resolutions be published in the daily papers of this city and a copy transmitted to the family of the deceased.
William F. Lush
W. R. Mc Arthur
Peter Hughes

A Child's Narrow Escape from Drowning.
The family of Mr. John LOGAN, residing on West street, yesterday afternoon experienced the ______tion of narrowly escaping an affliction.  A little boy sixteen months old was creeping on the floor, and while he mother's attention was engaged in household duties, managed to find his way to a cistern outside, the trap of which was open.  He fell in, but Mrs. LOGAN fortunately missed the child and hastened to the cistern where she found him floating on the surface, insensible, with his face under the water.  The child was at once removed from the water and Dr. O'HARE sent for, who after operating on the inanimate form for nearly half an hour, restored it to consciousness and the child is now fully recovered from the effects of the accident.  psm