From the Rome (NY) Sentinel newspaper dated 1/6/1874: "A Boy Drowned at the Ridge -- Saturday afternoon two little sons of Cadet T. Rougeot -- Peter Francis, (incorrect-name was Francis Peter) aged 7 years, and Thomas, aged 10 years -- and Willie Sherman, aged 12, went upon the ice of the Black River Canal, a few rods below the saw-mill, at the Ridge. Another boy, aged 14 years, named John Dennison, accompanied them to the ice, and seated himself upon the lock-gate. Willie Sherman and Thomas Rougeot wore skates, and Peter Rougeot followed them, running upon the ice. Suddenly the ice gave way, and the three lads were precipitated into the water. Young Sherman, in falling, clung to the edge of the ice till he was drawn out by his companion, Dennison, who ran to the assistance of his friends when the ice broke. Seeing that he could do nothing for the Rougeot boys he gave the alarm, and George Bennett, who lives in the house adjoining the Ridge blacksmith shop, answered his call and waded into the water. He first found Thomas, the elder of the two boys, in a vertical position, head downward. Taking him out Mr. Bennett handed him to some bystanders, by whom he was taken home, and after several minutes continuous labor resuscitated, although he lay in a semi-unconscious state nearly an hour. After rescuing Thomas, Mr. Bennett groped along the bottom of the canal a few feet farther, and found the younger boy, Peter. He was taken to the mill, near by, and everything done to restore him to life. Dr. Flandrau was sent for, but it was apparent before his arrival that life was extinct. The boy's funeral took place yesterday. Under the circumstances, (that level of the canal being nearly full of water, and all of the boys near the middle of it,) the escape of Masters Sherman and Thomas Rougeot is considered providential. Mr. Rougeot desires, through the Sentinel, to thank his friends and neighbors for their great kindness toward himself and family in their affliction."