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- Newspaper Obituary - Thursday, April 14, 1881 Pulaski Democrat - Pulaski, New York - Death of D. R. Averill - News was received in this village by cable last Thursday of the death of D. R. Averill, which occurred at Delft, Holland, on the forenoon of that day. For some time, Mr. Averill had been suffering from impaired health, partially induced by inhalation of chemicals used in his laboratory, and by the advice of several eminent physicians left last summer for a year in Europe, in the hope that the change of climate and other obtainable sanitary advantages might effect a cure. Within a very short time of his decease nothing had occurred to interfere with disbelief; indeed, there was every reason to suppose that the hopes indulged in were likely to be realized. Writing under the date of March 12 to Capt. Tyler of this village, Mr. Averill spoke hopefully of his condition and intimated his intention of returning to his home at the expiration of the year as originally planned. On the day that this letter was received at this post office, announcement arrived by cable of his death_ Mr. Averill was the inventor of the celebrated Averill chemical paint, and for years was one of the company's largest stock holders. For some little time, however, before leaving for Europe he had withdrawn from active anticipation in the company's affairs. Some years ago, Mr. Averill erected at New Centreville an elegant residence, Buena Vista, which was subsequently destroyed by fire. The family, however, had previously removed to this village, where Mrs. Averill and her children still reside. As a citizen, Mr. Averill was openhearted and benevolent, interested in whatever seem to him to pertain to the well-being of the community. Immediately upon the receipt of this sad announcement, intelligence was sent to his daughter, Miss Stella Averill, at Keble School, Syracuse, who has since returned to her home here. We understand that the remains of the deceased have been embalmed, and are now on their way to this place for internment. Below, we print Mr. Averill's letter, to which we have access through the courtesy of Capt. Tyler:I am, as you see, among the Dutch, and really Holland and its people are exceedingly interesting. As to the country of the Netherlands, it is, as its name implies, a low, flat section of the footstool, once very similar to our black ash swamps. In order to live here, the industrious Dutch dug out trenches or canals (nearly as wide as our Erie canal) all over the country. The dirt formed embankments to keep the water in, and the farming land is kept dry by thousands of huge, old-fashioned windmills which pump the water, or rather dip the water up and discharge it into the canals. The farms are equally divided into regular, long strips, the cross ditches forming fences. From these ditches the windmills pump the water and empty it into the canals, where it slowly runs toward the North Sea. All around the coast of Holland towards where the water runs, are huge dykes furnished with the immense gates. Now, when the tide is out in the sea, the gates are raised in the water runs out. When the tide changes, the gates are shut down to keep the sea water from running back into the canals. Thus the gates are open and shut twice in twenty-four hours. This has continued for hundreds of years. The land averages about eight feet lower than the water. The soil is a regular black ash muck; is cold, yet very productive of grass, oats, cabbages, potatoes, etc., but no corn, pumpkins, squashes, melons or broom corn, or any of those things which require a like warmth, but the best butter, milk, cheese, pork and beef. I ever saw. The horses and cattle here are far above the average of hours in America. I see many Belgian horses; they are about as thick as they are long. The people are just thankfully divided into classes. There are the nobility who are always among the officers of the government in all the various gradations. Then the Army and Navy officers of higher grade and the rich, who live on incomes. These two classes are quite numerous. Then come the merchants and professional men, such as doctors, lawyers, burgomasters. Then the shop-keepers, grocers, mechanics who are bosses or carrying on a business. Then come the laborers, or servants as they are called here. Then there is a distinct class called "skippers." These all belong to the canals. Many raise families, live and die in the small cabin of the canal boats, of which there are many thousands in Holland. Another distinct class are the fishermen. These people, all in their different vocations, dress differently, or dress like all others of their kind or class. The fish women can carry a "runt" of fresh fish on their heads (a runt is three bushels, nearly.) They wear a huge wide-brimmed hat from 26 to 30 inches wide, and made of a course reed or stick, that will stand the banging. These women are large and strong, and could shoulder such a man as George Woods with ease, or knock down a horse with their fist, and a kick from one of their huge wooden shoes would be simply annihilation. The better classes of the people of Holland are very proud, polite, very dressy, extremely neat, very kind, very good, very high strung and quick-tempered, strict observers of etiquette, stubborn, brave, honest, affectionate and tender-hearted; in fact, they possess all the better traits of character which make good men and women. I believe the Holland housekeeper is the best and neatest in the world. The streets in the cities of Holland each has its canal running through it, and one sees boats passing their windows at almost any moment. The canals are about 50 feet wide, and bricked up on each side. The street on each side of the canal is about 25 feet wide, and is carefully paved. One notices that once the fine mason work and paving in Holland. The streets are very smooth, and are washed, actually scrubbed clean, with brooms twice a week, and most people have the street washed in front of their homes every day. Yea, verily, Holland is neat, no nation on earth like them! I see buildings here over six hundred years old. The church, where for centuries the royal family of Holland, have been buried, stands in the next block to where I write this. * * * I would like to hear from Pulaski often. I have received a good letter from Lorenzo Ling, and one from Charles Clark, each filled with kind words and good wishes. They did me much good. I only know one person with whom I can talk. He happened to come over on the ship with me from New York. He formerly lived here, and came on to settle the family estate. His father was very rich. I think my health better than when I left home. I had the best of medical advice, which, with the mineral waters, climate and method of living, has helped me through so far. I hope to get home again within the time set when I left, one year. * * * D. R. Averill.
Newspaper Obituary - Thursday, April 14, 1881 Pulaski Democrat - Pulaski, New York - Died - Averill - In Delft, Holland, April 7th, 1881, Damon R. Averill, aged 54 years.
Newspaper Article - Thursday, April 21, 1881 Pulaski Democrat - Pulaski, New York - The remains of D. R. Averill were shipped from Amsterdam, Holland, on Saturday last. The body will probably reach this village about May 5th.
Newspaper Article - Thursday, May 12, 1881 Pulaski Democrat - Pulaski, New York - The remains of D. R. Averill arrived in this village on Thursday last and were interred in Pulaski cemetery. The funeral was held at the late residence of deceased, on Jefferson street. Rev. Robert Paul conducting the service. The floral tributes were very beautiful. The included a pillow from friends in New York, bearing the words "Grandpa" in purple letters on a white ground; a crown from Mrs. Lorenzo Ling of this village; a cross and an anchor, the flowers for one of these being from the grounds of the deceased at Buena Vista. On arriving at the grave, the remains, which had been placed in an airtight metallic case enclosed in a coffin of solid oak, were exposed for the purpose of identification. Among those present at the funeral from out of town where: Mr. Seeley, of the Averill Chemical Paint Company, New York; Mr. Frank Averill, son of the deceased, also of New York; and Dr. A. S. Low, of Watertown.
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1828 - 1881 (52 years)