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- George worked in the Town of Rutland, Jefferson County, N. Y. as a hired man in 1920. He worked for George Poh, Dwelling No. 112, Family 123 - in Black River Village. He is age 43 at the time and indicated he was widowed. The obit of George A. Eddy: Unidentified newspaper: 1952 GEORGE A. EDDY DIES AT THERESA Expert Cheesemaker Also Operated Farms in Area-- Rites Scheduled. Theresa, Nov. 10. -- George A. Eddy, 75, died at the Cardinal nursing home Saturday evening at 6:10 after an illness of several weeks, having entered the home in June. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2, from the Frederick Brothers funeral home here, Rev. M. E. Van Ornum of the Methodist church here officiating. Burial will be in the family plot in Oakwood cemetery here. He was born in Theresa, Jan. 7, 1877, son of the late Arthur and Mary Gray Eddy, and attended the schools here. He became an expert cheesemaker and had factories in different parts of the county. He also operated farms in this area. He was married to Miss Mae Nellis, her death occurring this summer. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Clifford (Ilda) Filbert, Gasquet, Califo., and a son, Carey Eddy of Theresa. Also, two sisters, Mrs. Austin (Ina) Slack, Peoria, Ill., and Mrs. Ernest G. (Florence) Cook, Theresa, and a brother, John of Theresa. Friends may call during the day or evening at the funeral home.
George A. Eddy of Theresa. N. Y- the self-confessed murderer of John F. Reid of Pulaski, who was shot and killed in the street at Pulaski last Friday night was arrested early this morning at River Gate, about two miles north of Pulaski as he was about to take the train to Watertown to give himself up. Eddy pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree, and in May 1910 was sentenced to Auburn prison for a term of not more than 20 years nor less than ten. He had served nine years when released May 20, 1919.
Newspaper Article - Wednesday. December 8, 1909 Pulaski Democrat - Pulaski, New York - He Shot to Kill - Pulaski Has a Real Sensation - Man Shot in Store Door - Murderer Captured - Last Thursday evening, a little before nine o'clock, as the village people were finishing up the shopping and returning to their homes shots were heard in the vicinity of C. H. Brooks' store. Not only one but two, three and the fourth cracked on the evening air and soon a crowd had gathered to the walk in front of the store to witness something, we understand, a man has never witnessed in this village before in its history, the body murdered in this village. It was the lifeless form of a young man named John Reid, who was clerking for Mr. Brooks. He had been about the store waiting on customers as usual when he was called outside the store and held a conversation with a man, stranger to everyone about the place, but probably not a stranger to Reid. The conversation was not in tones that say anyone could hear. Reid left his caller and started to enter the store but as he reached the threshold of the door the man with whom he had been talking stepped up behind him and fired a revolver at his back. Reid partly turned, gave a cry and by that time a second shot was fired and Reid fell. The assailant then fired two more shots and walked away down Mill street, leaving the spectators breathless with amazement and fear over his bold deed. One man. Joe Stewart, stepped towards the man as if to interfere but was warned to stand back or he too would be shot. The man was seen by one or two people down Mill street, but of course no one realized that he was a murderer, even if they had, no one unarmed would have interfered with him. He went out into the darkness and all search that night failed to give any clew [sic] to his whereabouts. The body of young Reid was removed to Enos & Morton's undertaking rooms. The next morning Sheriff Taft came to town and began the search for clues to the murderer. Letters found in Reid's room and pockets revealed the fact that he had been in correspondence with a woman at Theresa and with this bit of light the sheriff and officer S. W. Holmes went to Theresa and located the woman, who was the wife of George Eddy. She was induced to come to Pulaski and here she was taken before District Attorney Freelon J. Davis where she admitted corresponding with Reid and that her husband had discovered the correspondence by an intercepted letter and in his fury threatened to kill Reid and also his wife. This was a big step towards the identity of the murderer but not a clue to his whereabouts. On this evidence Coroner Hollis rendered a verdict that Reid came to his death by the hand of George Eddy and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The search was continued with all persistence. Sunday, a revolver was found near the water pump house which is believed Eddy threw away. It was empty. Reid's body was shipped to Collingwood, Ontario, the home of his father, but before it left the Eddy woman asked to sec it and when she looked upon the corpse she seemed greatly moved with sorrow and asked for a lock of Reid's hair. Reid's father gave out a statement to the effect that his son was about twenty years of age. He had been a wild fellow, and all he could do for him would not induce him to settle down and be a man. He was arrested for stealing once or twice before he left Canada. His tendency, according to his father, was for bad company and the opposite sex. He met the Eddy woman while working near Cape Vincent. She is about thirty years of age and has two children. She was adopted from the Watertown orphan's home when a little girl and has always lived near Theresa. It is needless to say she is possessed of a very weak or bad mind to have carried on the correspondence and held the position she did towards Reid, who it is claimed, successfully blackmailed her out of about five dollars a week, pretending he was sick. It should be distinctly understood while this case was committed in our village, the parties are all essentially foreigners. It is a misfortune to be so much before the public in this way. This should be a lesson to the people to be more careful about taking in strangers, who have no recommend with a to it, which is quite certain Reid did not possess. It would _ that such a shock would make the young people who recognized Reid, socially, _ _ in the future. [line missing] the town of Orwell, through Boylston into Lewis county, to Copenhagen, Carthage and Lowville spent his nights in barns, got food from farm houses,
skulked in fear about the country and finally wended his way back to his home in Theresa, arriving there about five o'clock. Sunday morning, went to his deserted and broken home, went in and laid himself down for rest after two days and three nights of awful torture by hunger, fatigue and cold. His brother, John Eddy, went to the house the next day and to his surprise found his brother. He staved with him that day and during the day an arrangement was made for Eddy to go to Rivergate, Monday morning, two miles this way and there meet an officer to whom he would surrender. He was brought to Watertown where Sheriff Taft met him and he was brought to Pulaski on the afternoon train, Monday. He was haggard and dejected. He was lodged in jail and held for examination and to attend the coroner's inquest, conducted by Coroner Hollis. While in Watertown he secured Attorney Jerome B. Cooper as counsel and Mr. Cooper came to Pulaski on the same train. District Attorney F. J. Davis is investigating the evidence, several witnesses have been sworn, but the inquest and examination is behind closed doors at the court room and little is known to the public. Witnesses sworn were C. H. Brooks. Dr. J. L. More, Joe Stewart Ray Hilton and Edward Parsons. Brooks identified the man as the one who came into the store that night before the shooting. Witnesses brought from Theresa to testify are John Eddy, a brother, Mrs. John Nellis, adopted mother of Mrs. .Eddy, E. A. Cook and Charles Henry. The latter sold the revolver to Mr. Eddy. - Eddy Insane - It is strongly probable that defense will attempt to prove Eddy of unsound mind, and this will be helped by the .fact his father and brother are insane. Eddy is weak and in poor health and probably caused by the conduct of his wife and Reid. He has the sympathy of his townspeople, many of whom saw him on the way to Watertown and offered sympathy and aid so far as they could give it. The inquest and examination is going on as we go to press.
Newspaper Article - Wednesday, May 18, 1910 Pulaski Democrat - Pulaski, New York - The Eddy Trial - Jurors Selected - Eddy in Good Spirits - Monday morning the town was alive with people from all over the county, brought here to attend court. The unusual interest and the large number of people was occasioned by the designation of that date for the commencement of the trial of George A. Eddy, accused of the murder of John Reed, in front of Brooks’ store in this village, last December. Eddy was brought to this village from Oswego by Sheriff Charles W. Taft and on their arrival at the station there were a half dozen cameras aimed at the prisoner. He was handcuffed to the Sheriff and both were taken in the Democrat editor’s automobile and carried directly to the Court House. Eddy was in good spirits and smiled as he looked out into the world once more and breathed the free air of the village which, a few months ago, he is charged with having made one of the most talked of communities in this part of the state. Court opened soon after the arrival of the Sheriff and his prisoner. The accused man was seated in the courtroom between two officers and as the jurors were called he took much interest in the proceedings of the court. Justice DeAngeles is the presiding Justice. The one hundred and twenty-five jurors were called in sections as they were called excuses were heard and some were permitted to go. Some delay was caused by the failure of Jerome B. Cooper to prepare for the trial by having assistant counsel, but Hon. N. B. Smith was soon called into the case and the examination of jurors began. District Attorney Freelon J. Davis is assisted by Don A. Colony and Harry Stacy. The first afternoon was occupied in jury getting with the result that only three were found acceptable to both sides. An evening session was called and two more were found who would be allowed to sit in the jury box. Court adjourned to Tuesday morning when the task of securing jurors was resumed. During the forenoon three more were secured. At the afternoon session some cases were heard by the Judge, outside of the murder case and the jury finding was resumed and continued until ten o'clock with the result that jurors were found acceptable. The complete list is as follows: Frank Brownell, Orwell, farmer. William Ruprecht, Palermo, farmer. Robert J. Northrup, Oswego, piano tuner. George E. Sickler, Fulton, laborer. Leonard L. Copeland, Oswego, farmer. Robert Foils, Amboy, farmer. Charles B. Davis, Scriba, farmer. Maurice Scanlin, Granby, farmer. Charles Stone, Sandy Creek, farmer. Henry Fravos, Mexico, farmer. Peter Fetcha, Mexico, farmer. Harrison Guinip, Granby, farmer. - Trial Begins - Court opened at half-past nine, today. District Attorney Freelon J. Davis made the opening address to the jury in which he recited a brief history of the murder. He said there would be no dramatic effort on the part of the prosecution, only cold facts would be used to convince the jury of the guilt of George A. Eddy, who stands charged with murder in the first degree. The first witness called was a civil engineer, Timothy Buckley, of Altmar, who has made a map of the Brooks store and surroundings. As we go to press Mr. Buckley is on the witness stand.
Newspaper Article - Wednesday, May 25, 1910 Pulaski Democrat - Pulaski, New York - Eddy Trial Ends - The trial of George A. Eddy, of Theresa, which was in progress when we went to press Wednesday, came to an abrupt close, Friday morning, when Eddy pled guilty to manslaughter in the first degree, withdrawing his former plea of “not guilty” to the charge of murder in the first degree. The people finished their side of the case Thursday and the defense was opened by N. B. Smith in a strong statement of the case for the defense. Thursday evening a conference was held among the attorneys and it was decided, as it was Eddy’s wish to do so, that the plea of not guilty on the charge of murder be withdrawn and the prisoner plead guilty to manslaughter. This was done and the Judge in a very impressive address pronounced sentence on Eddy, which was, “not more than twenty years or less than ten years at hard labor in Auburn prison.” Eddy was the picture of despair until the Judge made the sentencing announcement, then it seemed as though his face told of relief. He knew where he stood and what he had to meet. He was taken to Oswego by Sheriff C. W. Taft on the afternoon train and Saturday he was taken to Auburn. Before he was taken away he was allowed a private interview with his wife in which the meeting was most affecting. He begged her to go home and help care for the little ones and wait for him to return. Though the woman had been the real cause of all this trouble, Eddy will not throw her over and if he lives to be free, and she is still waiting, he will go to her and take up life with his family again. This position of Eddy seems strange, but the Theresa people believe it is a true sample of the man. Eddy must have been thought well of for many of the best people of the village of Theresa came and were eager to express their friendship to the unfortunate man and all had a kind word for him. Of Mrs. Eddy not so much in favor of her can be said. She must be as she looks, exceedingly shallow and lacking in character and stability. The murder of the viper, John Reed was the culmination of a style of conduct which has too much sway. When a man invades the home of another as did this man Reed, he is traveling awful near to trouble and if he meets it he has no one to blame but himself. Reed not only trespassed on the sacredness of Eddy’s home but he practiced fraud and blackmail to get money from the poor weak minded Mrs. Eddy, as the published letters showed, where he represented himself ill and at the same time was working for wages. His death was a riddance of a bad specimen of humanity. This case should be of some value to young women who are too often ready to take notice of and associate with men of whom they know nothing. Reed was making himself a social place, as it would seem, where his admirers would soon have been counted by a larger numbers that the community would have enjoyed, had Eddy allowed him to live. This was the first homicide ever recorded in this town. The whole story of this tragedy is as strange as fiction. Eddy, a farmer on Grenadier Island employed Reed who had been a cook on a boat. He soon discovered that Reed was too friendly with his wife. He sent him away and went to Cape Vincent in 1909 and went to making cheese. Reed soon appeared there, he then moved to Theresa and leaving his wife with $90 went west to see if he could not get rid of trouble and regain mental comfort, but soon drawn back by some unseen influence and on his return he confronted his wife and she confessed all her conduct with Reed and Eddy found a memoranda in his wife's hand writing showing that she had sent Reed the greater part of the money he left her to keep herself and children and not only that, she had let Reed have her wedding ring. On December 2 he intercepted, by accident, a letter from Reed, pretended to be written by a Mr. Clark. He started for Pulaski to see Reed and get him to stop his attentions to Mrs. Eddy. He had an interview in which Reed said he would do as he pleased, Eddy by the intense _ to which he had been driven fired the shots which killed the scoundrel, Reed, and the results is told in the story above. The friends of Eddy met Mr. Smith and thanked him for coming into the trial as he did, and with no preparation _ as good results as were secured, which was also, in a measure due to the _ in the _ of Judge DeAngeles who is not only one of the best judges on the bench but one of the _ towards those who have to stand trial before him. His position and rulings were such that neither side had reason to complain.
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1877 - 1952 (75 years)
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