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| Elmer Sperry |
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| Chicago Board of Trade Building |
A CORTLAND BOY’S TRIUMPH.
Elmer A. Sperry’s Electric Light Blazes Forth to
Light the Wicked Citizens of Chicago on Their Weary Way.
On New Year’s Eve the highest and most powerful
group of electric lights in the world blazed forth around the tower of the
Board of Trade Building in Chicago, Ill., a little over 300 feet above the ground.
While the building was in process of construction Elmer A. Sperry, who went to
Chicago from Cortland and formed an electric light, motor, and car brake company,
suggested the idea of crowning its highest point with a ring of lights, but various circumstances prevented the execution of
the scheme until the present time. Mr. Sperry's company puts up the lights, the
Board of Trade furnishes the power, and the other expenses are paid by
subscription from the owners of surrounding property, including the Federal Government
and several railroad companies.
In
the collection of lights there are 20 lamps of 2000 candle power each, fastened
to a ring of four inch gas pipe 29 feet in diameter and are connected to a 20-light
dynamo in the basement. The carbons [carbon-arc] will burn for fifteen hours if necessary and
the lamps are to be used every night in the year. On the night of the trial the
glowing crown was visible from every part of the city and for miles away, even
so great a distance as Michigan City, 60 miles distant across the lake. They
could also be seen from a point in the lake a few miles off from Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
A Co-Operative Manufacturing Company
Contemplated.
For a
week past there have been rumors flying about the town to the effect that the
Knights of Labor were about to form a co-operative manufacturing company here
for the employment of those who are members of the Knights of Labor organization.
Last Friday and Saturday, Grand Master Workman, T. V. Powderly, of Scranton,
Pa., a member of the executive board and Mr. Henry Menta, of Ithaca, of the
co-operative board, were in town to settle difficulties if possible and also to
consider the advisability of a co-operative manufacturing company here. The
plan conceived was to purchase the factory property of Mr. Willett Fisher, now
used for the manufacture of gears and bobs, and carry on a manufacturing business,
enlarging their buildings as they found it necessary.
As a
result of this movement a meeting of the Knights of Labor was held on Tuesday
evening last in the hall of the Knights of Pythias and the meeting proceeded to
elect officers and directors of a company to be styled "Homer
Manufacturing Company (Cooperative)." M. F. Cleary, of Cortland, was
chosen president; Will S. Santus, secretary and treasurer, and Willett Fisher, B.
F. Griffin, Fremont Parks, Dennis Dobbins, James White, D. D. Owen, Luke Gerard
and L. D. Morse directors; R. D. Webster, Dennis McAuliff and Jerry Horan,
auditors.
The
stock which will be issued after the company is incorporated will be divided into
shares of $1 each and will be taken by different assemblies all over the
country. The capital stock will be $50,000 and the members say that they
anticipate no difficulty in disposing of shares to that amount. No individual
is allowed to own more than $5,000 in stock, and all employees are to be stock
holders.
In
conversation with Mr. Willett Fisher, he said: "I have no doubt that the Knights
of Labor will be able to carry out their plans of forming a co-operative
company here. They have already made an agreement for the purchase of my works,
and appraisers have been chosen by us to decide upon the value of my machinery,
fixtures etc. I shall retain my patents, and the Company will pay me a royalty for
the use of them. We will proceed to incorporate the company under the laws of
this State, and we expect to be able to commence business before long. Some people
have said that this movement was all talk, but we mean business and intend to
carry our plans into effect. We think it will be an advantage to the town and all
business men in it."
There
have been other co-operative companies for manufacturing organized by the
Knights of Labor and now doing business, but none of them are manufacturing patented
articles. As soon as the certificate of incorporation is obtained the stock
will be issued and then more definite statements as to the matter can be made.
Much interest is shown in the town in this movement, and it is generally hoped
that it will be successful.—
Homer Republican.
Stove Manufacturers
Issue a Proclamation Against Organized Labor.
PITTSBURG, Jan. 6.— Local stove moulders and Knights
of Labor are considerably excited about a circular that has been issued by a
committee of the National Association of Stove Manufacturers stating
that eighty per cent of the foundries are non-union and advising the employers
to boycott all union workmen in the trade. The former will hold a national convention
at Louisville, Ky. next month to discuss the committee's advice. The union
moulders say they are strong enough to resist any such movement with a boycott
against non-union manufacturers.
East Scott, January 6, 1886.
Quite
a pleasant affair occurred at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Stoker on
New Year’s Eve it being the marriage of their sister, Mary L. Stoker to Eugene H.
Underwood, both of East Scott, by Rev, W. A. Robinson, of Homer. Miss Estella
Thompson, of Preble, acted as bridesmaid and J. B. Underwood, brother of the
groom, as best man. Over fifty invited guests were present, mostly relatives. After
the ceremony was performed and usual congratulations were over, the company was
invited to the dining room where a fine supper was served in a magnificent style,
to which all did ample justice.
The
presents were elegant and quite expensive and amounted to over $75. We wish the
happy pair a long and prosperous life. Following is a list of presents received:—A
decorated china tea set; two silver cake baskets; seven dollars in cash; one
six-bottle silver caster; one silver pickle caster; one doz. silver knives; six
silver tea-spoons; one silver sugar spoon; six silver nut picks; a large
photograph album; one easy chair; a marble top Bible stand; a pair of pillows;
a glass water pitcher; six goblets and one doz. Cut glass sauce dishes; one
large lamp; five hand-painted vases; a hand-painted ebony paper receiver; one
colored table spread; four pairs of linen towels; one white damask table
spread, and eighteen damask napkins.
A Pleasant Surprise.
On
New Year’s Day the friends of Mr. Manley Wadsworth made him a visit at his residence
on Fulton street, Homer. From almost 2 p. m. until evening their number
increased till about fifty were present. A bountiful repast was spread with the
abundance of good things brought in mysterious bundles and packages. A
thoroughly social and enjoyable time was had, and though none of the guests
were invited by the host he gave them a most hearty welcome.
Mr. Wadsworth
has been greatly afflicted with cataract upon his only remaining eye, and for
several months was entirely blind till a few weeks since when a successful
operation was performed, so that now he is able to recognize his friends by
sight, and to get about without a guide. It was a special pleasure therefore for
him to meet his friends and receive their greetings, as it was also to them to
find him so far recovered from his blindness.
A
purse of almost twenty dollars in silver was presented in behalf of the company
with a few cordial and appropriate words by Mr. Amos Hobart. Mr. W. in reply
said he knew not how to express his thanks for the pleasure his friends had given
him in the surprise visit, and in this substantial token of their kindness. He could
only say "thank you."
We
are sure that not only those present but many others who cherish sincere regard
for Mr. Wadsworth will heartily join in the wish that many and happy years may
still be his.
CORTLAND AND VICINITY.
H. A.
Dickinson, Esq., has opened law offices in the new Bank Building, and proposes to
grind out counsel of a new and improved form.
A
great deal of sickness is prevailing in this vicinity at present, in marked
contrast to that a year ago. An open winter may prove beneficial to coal bins
but it tends to aggregate disease in the human system.
Dr.
E. B. Nash has gone to deliver a course of lectures on the Theory and Practice
of Medicine in the Homeopathic College of Missouri, at St. Louis. Willie R. Cole
accompanied him.
R. C.
Duell, of this place, has been appointed Postmaster of the State Senate, he
having received the Republican Caucus nomination at Albany last Monday evening,
We wish "Dick" success in his new position.
The
village of Greene, N. Y., which was recently visited with a $30,000 conflagration
is taking steps towards better protection in the future from the fiery element. This reminds us somewhat of the fable of
''locking the stable door after the horse has been stolen," but then, they
may have another horse, sometime.
Ticket
No. 11 on the New Home Sewing Machine given away by this office, was held by
George G. Sperry, of Hamilton, N. Y. Mr. Sperry was among the first to take
advantage of our offer, and when the announcement came that No. 11 had drawn
the machine he was obliged to hunt up his ticket in order to find out if he had
not drawn it, and was much surprised and elated at his good fortune. The
machine will be shipped to him the first of next week.
Friday
evening last Ed. Hollenbeck was taken to his house on Pendleton street in an
intoxicated condition and put to bed. About 3 o'clock the next morning his wife
went to his room and attempted to awaken him, but could see no signs of life. She
summoned Charles Etz, a neighbor, to her assistance, who went after Dr. Bennett.
On the arrival of the doctor he pronounced the man dead. The coroner was
notified and held a post mortem examination and decided that Hollenbeck came to
his death from alcoholic poisoning.
W. A.
Locke, proprietor of the Dryden House at McLean will have a five mile fox chase
at that place on Thursday, Jan. 14, 1885, for a purse of $16.00, divided as follows:
$8 to first, $4 to second, $2 to third and $2 to the last dog. A special prize of
a championship collar will be given to the first dog, to be worn until the next
race. Entrance fee $1. Good accommodations will he provided for man and beast.
References:
1) Elmer Sperry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmer_Ambrose_Sperry
2) Cortland Contrarian: http://jeffpaine.blogspot.com/2012/06/who-am-i-number-7.html
2) Cortland Contrarian: http://jeffpaine.blogspot.com/2012/06/who-am-i-number-7.html
3) Chicago Board of Trade Building: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Board_of_Trade_Building#Early_history
4) Knights of Labor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_of_Labor
5) Cataract Surgery: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataract_surgery
4) Knights of Labor: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_of_Labor
5) Cataract Surgery: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cataract_surgery
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