The people of Potsdam were surprised and shocked on Friday afternoon by the announcement that Mr. Hollis Snell had died at his residence on Pierpont Avenue, very suddenly, of pneumonia. Mr. Snell had been ill for ten days, and the fact was generally know about town but his case was not supposed to be serious. In fact a doctor was not called until Tuesday, and « 1891 at 7 o'clock p.m., of that Tuesday afternoon he was up and about the house. Wednesday morning he was suddenly worse, and continued to grow rapidly worse until death ensued. Mr. Snell's oldest son, Bertrand, arrived home from college on Wednesday. He remained constantly at his bedside until death put an end to all efforts in his behalf. Funeral services were held at his residence Tuesday morning, Revs. Loners, Bennett and Bascom speaking words of comfort and cheer to the relatives and friends assembled.

Mr. Snell was born in Jay, Clinton county in 1843, and was accordingly 48 years of when he was about eight years of age he removed with his parents to Potsdam, where resided one year, after which they removed to South Colton. Mr.Snell had six brothers and one sister; of whom only four brothers are now living. In August 1864, at the age of 18, he enlisted as a private in the 18th New York Cavalry.Co. F. served one year being wounded March 12,1865, near Vienna, Virginia, in a skirmish with guerrillas. With twenty others he was going from Vienna to Fairfax with dispatches. Of the 21 only three escaped. Mr. Hollis was one of them and escaped with three gun shot wounds. The eighteen were either killed or taken prisoners. The other two, one lieutenant and a sergeant, escaped unharmed, the three cutting their way through rebel lines. Mr. Snell was wounded in the shoulder,across back of his head and through the right breast,but, although bleeding profusely, rode 2 1/2 miles before leaving his horse. He suffered from the wound in his shoulder until the time of his death. Returning to South Colton in 1865, he was unable to do anything for two or three years, on account of his wound. His first work was to take charge of W. A. Griswold's business up the Rackett general superintendent. Afterwards he had charge of the Sissonville Mill, for three years and was general superintendent for Luke Usher about the same length of time. Afterwards he was in company with F. F. Flint in the mercantile business at South Colton. Since his removal to Potsdam five years ago, he has helped to found the People's Bank, and has been engaged with others in large lumbering operations, hiring the men and teams and purchasing and forwarding supplies.

Mr. Snell was also interested in various philanthropic enterprises, and will be sadly missed by those interested with him in the advance of public interests and public morals. A wife and two sons, Bertrand and Kimball, remain to mourn his loss, and have the kindly sympathy of the entire community.

--The St. Lawrence Herald., December 25, 1891