Finger Family Genealogical DatabaseLast Update

Penn Yan, Jan, 17 - Edward Cummings, aged 23, recently employed by the Philips Construction Company, was fatally wounded yesterday while on a hunting trip, dying in the Sailors and Soldiers hospital in this village less than two hours after the accident. A gun in the hands of Howard McMillan, 275 Pulteney street, Geneva, was accidentally discharged, the entire charge penetrating the victim's right side, tearing away five ribs and entering the lungs. His companions immediately carried him across the fields to their automobile and thence to the hospital, calling the institution from Benton-Center as they passed through. The party consisting of Cummings, McMillan, Merlin Rolfe of Waterloo, brother-in-law of the dead man and Milton Race of Benton Center, had gone on a rabbit hunting trip, being armed with three guns. Pausing for a few moments to rest McMillan was about to place his gun against a tree when it was discharged in some manner, Cummings being about ten feet away. The entire party remained at the hospital until after the young man died when they accompanied state troopers and the coroner to the scene of the accident. They were not held after the examination but allowed to return to their homes. As the coroner, Dr. O. C. Paciualla was walking through the fields to the scene he suffered a badly wrenched leg which at first was thought to be broken. For that reason the inquest was not completed but a further examination into the circumstances will be continued later. Mr. Cummings was married a little more than a year ago to Miss Leora Rolfe of Waterloo who was overcome with grief when told of the accident. For a year he had worked, for the Philips Company but was laid off last week. He had been employed for five years previously in the Stratum restaurant m this village and at present was living with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Cummings on the Ridge Road in the town of Torrey. He is survived by five brothers, Charles and William of Sodus, Leo of Benton, John and Calvin of Torrey five sisters, Mrs. Nellie Fredericks of Buffalo, Mrs. Mabel Sutherland of Elmira, Mrs. Maude Clayton of Penn Yan, Mrs. Jane Albertson of Penn Yan and Anna May Cummings, living with her father and mother in Torrey. Funeral services will take place Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family home Ridge Road, northeast of Penn Yan. Geneva Daily Times January 17, 1929