A newspaper account from the local weekly publication, the Mohawk Valley Democrat, points out the death of a Mormon Elder formerly from Illinois in its July 18, 1868, publication. Neither Elder Clark's name nor that of James Caldwell are listed-with the sexton of the community later seeking the identity of Caldwell.24 There are no cemetery records, which date back to the early 1800s, indicating that Ezra James was officially listed in any of the Town of Mohawk cemeteries in Fonda or any other as well.

Ezra James was buried in Fonda. The exact location of his burial spot is unknown, but Yacobucci said that the only cemetery in the village limits with a lifespan dating back to 1868 is located near the Fonda-Fultonville High School on a hill in the western portion of the village overlooking the Mohawk River/Barge Canal, which would have been the Erie Canal at that point in history.

Elder Jacobs notes the pressure of those moments after Ezra's James passing before the departure of the train west, as follows: "During his illness, Brothers Parry (Kimball, some of the time for most the time) he (Ezra James) assisted me, William Grant and Robinson attended to him constantly up to the last. We were compelled to leave him at Fonda Fulton Company in charge of the town officers with instructions how to conduct his funeral, by Brother Parry & myself. Everything was done for his comfort and recovery but to not purpose he passed away. There were so many ill (about 30 in number) and Brother Grant was taken while attending Brother Clark that we did not deem it advisable for any of us to remain and attend the last labors bestowed on Brother Clark, so kept on. The officers promised to see him properly laid away." 25

In a rush

There was clearly a sense of rushing with railroad officials and with the saints who were afraid to get too far off the train for fear they would be left behind. The newspaper account that notes the fatal train ride for Elder Clark takes the railroad company to task for a number of problems.

24 Deseret News April 28, 1869

25 Reminiscences and Diary of Zebulon Jacobs, pages 123-124

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