The Daily News Batavia, Genesee County, New York State August 10-1883 Sad Fate of an Old Hero. James LAFFERTY, an old man of seventy years who has been in the Erie jail a drunken wreck, and whom the authorities of that city propose to turn adrift--"banished from Rome"--was the hero of a tragedy many years ago. Old citizens will recall the burning of the steamer Erie between Angola and Silver Creek in 1841, by which several hundred lives were lost. LAFFERTY was the wheelman who stood at his post, never swerving from his duty as he held the wheel and steered the burning steamer toward the beach. But the doomed vessel became unmanageable, and burning to the water's edge, sunk. LAFFERTY terribly burned and almost blinded was saved to become in his old age a homeless drunken vagabond, to be turned out into the world helpless and forlorn. *** Sudden Death. Mr. George S. MURFEY, of New York, father of Mrs. G.T. SOUTHWORTH of this village, died at his residence in New York on Wednesday. Mrs. SOUTHWORTH started for New York on Tuesday to visit her mother, who was quite ill, and after her departure a telegram was received announcing the serious illness of Mr. MURFEY, and he expired a short time after his daughter's arrival. *** Studley-Ford. The marriage of Prof. Duane STUDLEY of Cleveland, Ohio, and Miss Ida FORD, took place at the residence of the bride's parents, in Elba, last evening at 8 o'clock. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Dr. WILBOR, and was witnessed by a large number of guests from this locality and from other places in this section of the State. There were hosts of handsome and costly gifts, and the wedding repast was splendidly gotten up. The contracting parties are well known in this county, Mr. STUDLEY having formerly resided in Byron and Miss FORD having an extended circle of acquaintances, and the congratulations and good wishes of all will be extended. Mr. and Mrs. STUDLEY came to Batavia last night, and took the Cincinnati express for the East, where they will pass a fortnight. *** A Surprise and Donation Party. Mr. and Mrs. Rev. H.C. ZIMMER, were happily surprised by the ladies of the German church on Ellicott street yesterday afternoon. With baskets and parcels of valuables in their arms about twenty ladies entered the parsonage to the great surprise of the family. After having deposited their packages and baskets, the president of the society, Mrs. Charles WALTERS, stepped forward and presented the lady of the house with a handsome little purse of gold coin. Supper was then served by the ladies of the society, after which a happy entertainment of sacred songs and conversation followed. The entertainment will be a bright star in the record of the society and to the memory of the ladies. *** submitted by Linda C. Schmidt *********************************************