James S. Cushing, Abolitionist, and Cortland County Fair Announcement

The Cortland News, Friday, August 13, 1886.

Death of an Old Resident.

   James S. Cushing, one of the oldest residents of this county, died at his home in Little York on Wednesday of last week, aged 84 years. Mr. Cushing was born in Plymouth, Mass., and was a descendant of the Mayflower pilgrims, and married [there] Miss Deborah Bradford, a great granddaughter of the famous governor of that province. In 1827 he moved to the town of Homer, buying a farm on the west road about a mile south of Little York. After a few years he sold his farm and bought the saw mill property near where Cold Brook enters the Tioughnioga. In 1844 he gave up that property and went to Pennsylvania. After remaining there about a year he returned to Little York and entered the mercantile business, being associated with Gideon Curtis. He was appointed postmaster in 1846, and held the position continuously up to the time of his death, making one of the longest terms in that office held by any individual in this State. He was one of the earliest advocates of the Abolition party and in connection with Orin Cravath kept a station of the "underground railroad" for passing colored people to Canada.  Although many times urged to take public offices, he always declined, and many times after being elected to some town office, refused to qualify. The funeral was held from his late residence, and the remains were interred in the Little York cemetery.

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   The Cigar Makers Union, of this place, will send a delegation to the workingmen's picnic in Syracuse next Monday, Sept. 16.

   Some of the persons are known who take the flowers from the graves in the cemetery and if they persist in so doing they will be summarily dealt with. A word to the wise, etc.

   Daniel Gridley, who was arrested on complaint of his wife tor assault and who was to have been tried Wednesday, was released as the charge was withdrawn. It may yet appear that he is not quite through with it.

   The excursion train going to Oswego will leave this place at 7:30, Saturday morning. Tickets may be found at Peck & William's, D. C. Bliss, and H. H. Pudney & Co.’s store. The fare for round trip is only $1.25.

   As the senior editor, Mr. S. H. Strowbridge, is away on a vacation this week, our readers will please excuse any little mistake that may appear in the paper as it is something new for the present editor to gather news. After he returns home we expect to get out a much better paper.

   Now that the night police are no longer on duty everything runs wild [village trustees voted to discontinue two night watchmen on payroll—CC editor]. It will probably be allowed to continue so until there is a murder, robbery or a large fire before the people will get their eyes open to the necessity of having policemen on the streets evenings to protect property and keep good order in our village.

   Ida Wilcox, who was sentenced a short time ago to the Onondaga Penitentiary for vagrancy and common prostitution, was brought before Judge Vann, of Syracuse, last Saturday, on a writ of habeas corpus to obtain her release. Vann dismissed the motion, and she will have to serve out her time. Kennedy & McCarthy appeared for the plaintiff and H. L. Bronson for the people.

   Madison University at Hamilton has thrown open a number of scholarships to competitive examination. They have a value equal to a year's tuition and may be held all through the college course. Any New Yorkers over 14 years of age may try for one of them. Examinations will be given August 26th in Albany, Newburg, Ogdensburg, Auburn, Elmira and New York.

   Mechanics Band are trying to make arrangements for a picnic at Little York on the 27th of this month. This will make a very fine place to go and spend the day as there is a nice lake and other attractive places. It is not decided as yet whether they will go or not but in all probabilities they will. If it is carried out there will be dancing in the afternoon and evening, and before the dance in the evening the band will give a concert. The fare will be within the reach of all and trains will be run to accommodate the people if arrangements can be made with the D. L. & W. R. R. As the band is trying to make its own way now without asking any help from our citizens, unless they get the worth of their money, it is to be hoped that it will be well patronized in case they should go.

TOWN CORRESPONDENCE.

PREBLE, August 12, 1886.

   Our citizens are feeling proud of this little town again, for we have a poet that composed some fine poetry which was published in the Homer Republican last week.

   Richard Egbertson has taken up seven remains of their relatives from the old burying ground in Bennett Hollow, and re-buried them in the new cemetery. Part of them had been buried nearly fifty years, and they found clothing and also part of the handles which had retained their brightness.

   We learn that Prof. E. F. Norton has been elected principal of Morrisville Academy at Morrisville, county seat of Madison county, N. Y. Mr. Norton goes highly recommended and may success accompany him in his new field of labor.

   On Wednesday of last week a select party started at nine o'clock from this village for Glen Haven on a picnic excursion. The sky was clear and the day cool which made the trip enjoyable. On our way over we noticed most of the farmers were leveling the grass right lively while others were cultivating potatoes which seemed to be a little out of order, yet we said nothing about it. We arrived at the Glen at eleven o'clock, then took the loaded baskets and made for the picnic grounds, which was nice and everything convenient for all such occasions. After dinner we marched to the new hotel which the most of us had not seen. One of the proprietors, Mr. Mourin (who is the right man in the right place) gave us free access to the building and ground, we then viewed the $5,000 cottage which is owned by C. T. Bedfield, of Syracuse. We then walked down to the dock and stepped aboard of a catamaran and sailed to Fairhaven and back. The next in order was a supper (or a cold lunch if you please) and then started for home and arrived about dark. Both the day and the trip were delightful. When shall we go again?

SOUTH CORTLAND, August 12, 1886.

   Early potatoes are a light crop through this section.

   Dell Gridley has been very sick the past two weeks with typhoid fever, but is now gaining. Dr. Robinson attends him.

   D. P. Griswould is building a large addition to his house, and also enlarging his cellar.

   Warren Nye has purchased a new top buggy and gold plated harness. Now girls look out, for Warren is just as young as he used to be.

   Mr. and Mrs. Frank Haskins are visiting this week with friends in Auburn and Oswego.

   Fred Francis started his steam threshing machine last Monday. He is doing good work and threshes as cheap as any one.

   As there is a good many threshing engines in this section, the owners of which should remember that a recent law makes it the duty of owners of threshing engines that are passing in public highways to send a messenger ahead one-eight of a mile at least, to give warning. In the evening a red light must be carried. Failing to do this subjects the owner to the payment of all damages.

   Our townsman, Adison Rowley. has had a large sale of mowing machines and binders. He represents the McCormick company, of Chicago, which machine stands equal to any now in use.

CORTLAND COUNTY FAIR.

To be Held September 14, 15 and 16—About $1,000 Offered in Premiums.

   The managers of the Cortland County Agricultural Society are doing everything in their power to make the fair a success. They have added numerous kinds of amusements that have never been held on the grounds before, and if a person cannot go there and enjoy themselves it will not be the fault of the officers of the society as they will do all they can to make it pleasant for all present. In all probabilities this will be the best fair ever held on the grounds.

FIRST DAY.

   The first day, Sept. 14, there will be two horse races. The first will be a named race for a purse of $50, which will be called at two p. m., and the second will be a stallion race, at 2:30 p. m., for a purse of $50. The secretary, E. M. Keator, will be on the grounds during the day to receive entries. All entries must be made before nine o'clock on this. It is the wish of the officers that people wishing to make entries would do so as soon as possible, so as to avoid the rush that will necessarily follow if everyone waits until the first day to make them.

   There has been one change made which will probably meet the approval of the people wishing to make entries in the cattle department. Cattle must be entered on the first day but are not obliged to be on the grounds until the second day, and may be taken away in the evening, as the judges will make the awards during the day. This will make it very much more pleasant for the reason that the farmers can exhibit their live stock and return them home the same day, thus giving them a chance to enjoy themselves during the remainder of the fair. It is to be hoped that a good collection will be entered, so that we may have as good a showing as other county fairs, and that it may not be said that Cortland county was behind. Let everyone bring something even if they do not receive a premium. Hay and corn will be furnished by the society for cattle.

SECOND DAY.

   On this day the Cortland County Cyclist Club, numbering forty wheelmen, will ride for prizes in a succession of races, for gold and silver badges. This will be something very interesting as there are a number of very fine riders in the club. A foot race is also on the programme for boys under sixteen years of age, the prize for which will be a suit of clothes to the winner, given by Collins & Daehler.

THIRD DAY.

   The third day, Sept. 16, will be devoted to a wedding, and as an inducement F. N. Harrington will present to the groom a stylish wedding suit of clothes, and no doubt some generous friend will present the bride with a silk dress. It is a chance for some one who intends marrying, to get a good suit—one that will last him a long time, and save him considerable money, which will go a long ways toward furnishing a house. The wedding will take place at 2 p. m.

   At 2 o'clock the 2.40 race [sic] for a purse of $250, will take place, and immediately following will be the free for all trotting and pacing race for a purse of $250. This will conclude the day's entertainment. A catalogue will be issued the first of the coming week containing a detailed list of premiums and amusements, which may be secured by writing to the secretary E. M. Keator.

   Judging by the efforts of the officers of the society, the patrons will be well pleased for the time given to visiting the fair and as they have a goodly number of premiums offered, amounting to about $1,800, there should be quite a competition. Double and single horses, in harness, will be exhibited on the last day at ten a. m.