Dies in Fonda
Ezra James officially died in Fonda, New York, a small little village located along the old Erie Canal-now the Barge Canal-in Montgomery County. The small community, today numbering about 1,250 is best known as the county seat. The railroad in Fonda runs parallel to the Barge Canal/Mohawk River. The river and canal are the same body of water through the part of a small stretch of mountains where the predominant peaks are known as the Big Nose and Little Nose.
No death records were kept in Montgomery County until 1880, according to Kelly Yacobucci, Montgomery County Historian, so being specific about the cause of death is not possible. All signs and accounts confirm sunstroke as one of the causes—although Ezra James' weakened condition was evident from the time he left England.
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| The Mohawk River/Barge Canal makes its way through Fonda, N. Y., located in Upstate New York |
There are details in his final days that speak much about the character of Elder Clark. He was ill through much of the 11-½ day voyage home but Ezra never lost sight of the fact that he had to care and watch over the Saints under his charge.
Pushed ahead
After landing, when the effects of being in extreme conditions began to take their toll on the weakest of the saints, including himself, Ezra James continued to push ahead in filling his responsibilities.
While Elder Jacobs notes that he and others on the train made arrangements to have Ezra James properly buried, there is no indication that the village officials left with that task had any idea of whom they were dealing with.
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