Plans were announced in January 1911 that brothers Jay Ansley Witter and Ora Floyd Witter planned to open a grocery in the building formerly owned by Mr. N. M. Marsh.(1) The grand opening was held Saturday, January 28, 1911. The new store was up-to-date and boasted an attractive meat market, as well as an outdoor light that was "a great benefit to the town" according to the Hinsdale newspaper column. Jay passed out pink carnations and cigars to visitors of the store. However, that same night, he and his brother Ora took the Erie train departing for New York City. Their brother-in-law, John DeBaum, had passed away, leaving their sister Myrtle a widow. (2)

He returned home on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 1911, and fell ill with quinsy and tonsillitis. (3) A week following the report of his travels to New York City, he was said to be "much improved" after being sick at home all week.(4) By the next day, however, black diphtheria had racked the Hinsdale community, shutting down schools and cancelling social gatherings of every description. Jay was found by Dr. Loughlin of Olean to have an unfortunately bad case of it, and his other sister Ruby had taken ill with it as well. In a late insertion to the news, the columnist sadly writes, "No hope is entertained for Mr. Witter at this hour." (5)

The next day, at 2:30 a.m. on February 8, 1911, Jay Witter passed away in his home. Besides his brother and two sisters, he left his wife, three children with a fourth on the way, his mother, and many friends. (3)

Only three days later, the local news spoke optimistically of the epidemic's containment due to strict quarantine efforts, noting that the schools were closed, church services were cancelled, and the Witter store was closed. (6) No more mention of the Witter grocery is found until March 20, 1911, when a small item ran stating that Ora Witter had sold the inventory off to Mr. Brown and Mr. Hogue of Maplehurst, and referring to the previous name, noting "the Marsh store will be closed again." (7)


All citations are from the Olean Evening Times.
(1) “Ladies’ Aid Gave Social. Baraca Society Entertained. – Other Hinsdale Items by Correspondent.” January 11, 1911. Page 3.
(2) “Reception For Mrs. Leland. Occasion was Her Birthday Anniversary. –Other Hinsdale Notes.” January 30, 1911. Page 4.
(3) "Five Deaths Reported. Jay A. Witter." February 8, 1911. Page 4.
(4) “Late News From Hinsdale.” February 6, 1911. Page 6.
(5) “Black Diphtheria Is Epidemic. Hinsdale Suspends Social Activities – Schools May Close.” February 7, 1911. Page 4.
(6) “Hinsdale Diptheria (sic) Cases. Patients Much Improved.—Death of Mrs. Burlingame.” February 11, 1911. Page 8.
(7) “Happy Hinsdale’s Daily News Budget. Personal Happenings and Various Doings in Hustling Town.” March 20, 1911. Page 8.