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- 1900 Federal Census of Lowville, Lewis County, New York (12 Jun 1900)
Albert F. Bassett 32 Jul 1867 M MA MA MA Head Farmer
Celia M. 32 Apr 1868 F NY NY NY Wife
Bernard P. 9 Jan 1891 M NY MA NY Son
Clara M. 7 Jan 1893 F NY MA NY Daughter At School
Madelane M. 5 Oct 1894 F NY MA NY Daughter
& 2 servants.
1900 Federal Census of Lowville, Lewis County, New York (12 Jun 1900)
Albert F. Bassett 32 M Jul 1867 MA MA MA Head Farmer
Celia M. 32 F Apr 1868 NY NY NY Wife
Bernard P. 9 M ??? 1891 NY MA NY Son At School
Clara M. 7 F Jun 1893 NY MA NY Daughter
Madeline M. 5 F Oct 1894 NY MA NY Daughter
& 2 servants
(Married 13 years, 3 children, 3 living)
1910 Federal Census of Lowville, Lewis County, New York (16 Apr 1910)
Celia Bassett 43 F NY NY NY Head
Clara 17 F NY NY NY Daughter
Madeline 14 F NY NY NY Daughter
Bernard 19 M NY NY NY Son
(Living on Stowe Street)
1920 Federal Census of Oswego, Owsego County, New York (5 Jan 1920)
Albert F. Bassett 52 M MA US US Head Carpenter Railroad
Celia M. 52 F NY NY NY Wife
Bernard P. 28 M NY MA NY Son Painter Railroad
Madeline C. 24 F NY MA NY Daughter Stenographer Law office
(Living at 158 E. Second Street)
The Journal and Republican, Thursday, July 15, 1908
Creates Big Hullabaloo
Albert Bassett Left Lowville on Monday, July 6th
His Prolonged Absence Inspired Blood Curdling Stories
And the Sheriffs of Two Counties and Members of Local Order of Knights of Columbus Search for Him – Located in Canada
The disappearance of Albert Bassett, proprietor of the meat market on Shady avenue in this village, has caused no small degree of apprehension. On Monday morning, July 6th, Mr. Bassett took the 8:41 train north, ostensibly to go to Black River to hire a meat cutter. He went to that place but failed to make arrangements with the man he wished to hire. At about one o’clock he took dinner at the Black River hotel and told the waitress and bartender that he was going to Pine Camp to see the soldiers and inquired the best way to get there. He was told to leave the train at Great Bend, and go over from there, and the he could get a train at the camp at about 5 o’clock which would get him to Lowville at 6:48 p.m.
When Mr. Bassett left Lowville he had in his possession about $225 in cash besides some checks, which represented the receipts at his market from the close of banking hours on Friday, July 3d, up to Saturday night, July 4th being a holiday. Mr. Bassett had no opportunity to deposit the cash or checks. Those in a position to know whereof they speak say that his business is in good financial condition. His home relations are, and always have been, o’ the most pleasant character, which, coupled with the fact that Mr. Bassett has never used stimulants in any form, gave rise to the supposition of foul play. When Mr. Bassett left home he stated that he would return Monday evening, and his daughter went to the station to meet him. This was the first time he ever remained away beyond the stated time for his return, and it naturally gave rise to uneasiness on the part of his family and friends, which became more and more intensified as day after day passed. Sheriff George S. Hubbard, of Lowville, and Sheriff Bellinger, of Jefferson county, accompanied by D.E. Kent, of this village, instituted a search for Mr. Bassett last Saturday. They traced him as far as the Black River hotel, but no further. They visited Pine Camp, and on their return to Great Bend searched along the river bank, all to no purpose. On Sunday about 25 members of O.J. McMorrow Council, K. of C., of which Mr. Bassett is a member, went to Great Bend and devoted the day to a systematic search, but nothing new developed.
Two theories were advanced as to Mr. Bassett’s disappearance. One was that he had been murdered and robbed and his body thrown into the Black river or buried. As a result of these suppositions, sensational and blood curdling stories have appeared in several daily newspapers, and space writers have reaped a rich harvest. The other theory was that Bassett had probably become temporarily deranged and wandered away. In substantiation of this theory it was cited that for some time he has been subject to severe headaches. However, the search was continued from day to day and nothing tangible was unearthed until Tuesday of this week, when it was learned from Merrit Harris, a traveling salesman who represents T.B. Thomas, of Utica, saw Mr. Bassett at the depot in Carthage last week Monday afternoon; that he tried to sell him a bill of goods, but Mr. Bassett said that there was nothing he wanted in his line just at present. Mr. Bassett told Mr. Harris that he had a little business to transact in Carthage and would return to Lowville on the evening train. This was the last information obtained of his whereabouts until yesterday. Mr. Bassett carried a life insurance policy with the New York Mutual Life Insurance company, and the local agent, T. J. O’Conner, last Monday sent a newspaper clipping giving an account of Mr. Bassett’s disappearance, to P.J. Ryan, of Syracuse, the district manager of the company. Yesterday forenoon Mr. O’Conner received a telephone call from Mr. Ryan, who informed him that he had just received a letter from Bassett, dated Port Union, Ontario, July 12th, in which he enclosed $17 in payment of the premium due on his policy July 17th. The letter stated that owing to the fact that he was unable to procure a New York draft in Canada, he (Bassett) enclosed the cash, a part of which was in Canada money, and that if the same was not all right, he would make it so upon his return to Lowville in a few days. He directed that the receipt be sent to Lowville. This is the last information obtained in regard to the whereabouts of Mr. Bassett, and those who have been active in the search do not express any disposition to continued it further. They feel that no harm has come to him, and that when he gets ready to rerun he will do so without their aid, and can make his own explanations. Mr. Bassett may be off on a little pleasure trip, but be that is it many, the occurrence has served to create a big hullabaloo, and his friends have been put ton considerable expense and anxiety. Mr. Bassett formerly lived in Canada, and his mother and sister are still residents of Farnham, Quebec. This place, however, is a long distance from Port Union, Ont., from which village his letter to Mr. Ryan was dated.
This morning the family received from Mr. Ryan, of Syracuse, the letter written by Mr. Bassett at Port Union, Ont. It is in the handwriting of Mr. Bassett.
Mr. Bassett purchased the Shady avenue meat market form J.F. Kilbourn about one year ago, and at that time removed to Lowville with his wife and three children. Possibly he may have written his family in regard to his absence and plans, but if so, the letter went astray, for nothing has been received, since his departure ten days ago.
The Journal and Republican, Thursday, July 23, 1908
Still Missing
Nothing is Known of the Whereabouts of Albert Bassett,
Who Disappeared July 6th
The whereabouts of Albert Bassett, during the past year proprietor of the Shady avenue meat market, who disappeared July 6th, is as much a mystery as at any time since he took his departure. The last trace of him was at Port Clinton, Ontario, where he mailed a letter to the Mutual Life Insurance company on July 12th. Letters received from his mother the present week, who resided in Canada, state that Bassett has not put in an appearance at her home, and further that she has secured no trace of him. No particular effort is being put forth to locate Bassett. Those in charge of the Shady avenue market say the business is in good shape, and just why Bassett took it “upon himself to skiddo will be up to him to explain when he returns to Lowville – if he ever returns. What to do with the Shady avenue market, and how to do it, is a proposition, but probably some legal way will be found in which to handle it, provided Bassett does not put in an appearance in a few days.
Watertown Daily Times, Tuesday Afternoon, November 16, 1909
In Surrogate Court, Lowville
In the matter of the accounting of Celia Bassett, as temporary administrator of the estate of Albert Bassett, absentee, citation returned for judicial settlement of accounts of administrator and decree entered settling said accounts.
The Lowville Herald, Friday, May 8, 1911
Albert Bassett Returns To His Family
Former Proprietor of Lowville Meat Market
The culminating incident in a mysterious episode which had its beginning in this village about two years ago, and in which the central figure was Albert F. Bassett, at that time proprietor of the Shady avenue meat market, has been added, so it is reported upon good authority. It will be remembered that Mr. Bassett suddenly and unaccountably disappeared from this village about two years ago and exhaustive search revealed no clue to the reason for his strange action nor for some time discovered any trace of his whereabouts. Mr. Bassett’s financial affairs were found upon investigation to be in excellent condition and no other assignable cause was known for his strange disappearance. As it was known that he had a considerable sum of money on his person at the time there were suspicions of foul play and many wild stories were rife concerning his absence. A large encampment of soldiers was quartered at Pine Plains then and there were some who professed to believe that he had met his end on the plains. Searching parties were organized composed mainly of men from the Maccabees and the Knights of Columbus, both of which organizations he was a member and the country was thoroughly scoured for trace of him. Finally, however, information was received that the missing man had been seen in Canada and further search was abandoned. Attempts of interested parties to locate Bassett in Canada however were of no avail as he immediately departed from the place where he was first recognized. His family, consisting of a wife and children remained in this village until last fall since which time they have been living in Oswego. It is now authentically reported that Bassett had joined them at that place and that he has been living for some time past in Massachusetts.
The Fulton Patriot, Thursday, April 4, 1940
Death in the County
Albert F. Bassett, 72, Oswego, Mar. 29.
Oswego Palladium-Times, Friday, March 29, 1940
Albert F. Bassett
Albert F. Bassett, 158 East Second street, died Friday morning at his home, as the result of a stroke suffered several days ago. Mr. Bassett was a retired railroad man.
Born in Rutland, Vt., July 4, 1867, Mr. Bassett came to Oswego about 30 years ago and, for 26 years, was foreman of carpenters in the bridges and building department of the N.Y.O. & W. railroad, retiring April 27, 1937. He as a charter member of the Maccabees; joined Lowville, N.Y., Council, Knights of Columbus, and since his residence here had been a member of Oswego Council, 227, Knights of Columbus. He was a communicant of St. Paul’s church and a member of the Holy Name society.
Surviving Mr. Bassett are his wife, Mrs. Celia Bassett, two daughters, Mrs. R.W. Harvey of Kingston, N.Y., and Mrs. Jay D. Myers of Oswego; one son, Bernard P. Bassett of Oswego; also to brothers, Moses N. Bassett and Henry Macy of Northampton, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, in 1937.
Mr. Bassett was quiet in his tastes and mode of living. He held the confidence and respect of his railroad associates and personal friends because of his many fine trails of character. His death will be sincerely mourned by his family and by all who knew him.
The funeral will be held Monday morning at 9:30 o’clock from the residence and at 10 o’clock in St. Paul’s church. Burial will be in St. Peter’s cemetery.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1867 - 1940 (72 years)