May 9, 1893
At about 2 PM Wm. Woolridge was riding in a wagon driven by Geo. McCurdy. Two other boys were also in the wagon. Woolridge was riding backward with his legs hanging out of the rear end of the lumber box. Going up Church St. the horse struck a lively pace which young McCurdy was unable to check. It is probable that Woolridge became frightened and attempted to jump or climb out. At all events, when a little east of the public school, he fell violently to the ground and did not move. He was picked up and taken to Mr. McCurdy’s house, where the family tried to revive him. A doctor was summoned and quickly arrived. The injured man had a bruise on the top of his head and a cut a little lower down. He was also bleeding from the mouth and one ear. He soon rallied and was taken to his home in Hammertown. Shortly after he became quite violent, but a little later settled into a stupor, which continued until 9 PM, when death resulted. Deceased was in his 45th year and had always lived in Pine Plains. He was a quiet man, uneducated and uncultivated, but having a good heart but strictly honest and true. Many a man of wealth and education has been of less to a community than Wm. Woolridge, who never had an enemy and will be remembered kindly by all who knew him.