The Lovely Pair

Benton B. Jones

William H. Clark

The Cortland News, Friday, September 14, 1883.

The Lovely Pair.

   Last week the two Democratic editors got a wagon and went to the Marathon Fair together with the ostensible purpose of looking after the agricultural interests, but really to prospect among what neighbor Jones [Benton B. Jones, proprietor and editor of Cortland Democrat—CC editor] calls the "hayseed statesmen" in the interest of said Jones for Member of Assembly. Fortunately for the farmers, before they were attacked by this load, the other animals were mostly gone.

   They (these twins) had button-holed but a little while in pairs before Jones saw his mistake. His political thermometer went down at the rate of a degree and a half a minute as soon as the statesmen saw the lovely couple in such friendly communion.

   So Jones sent Clark [William H. Clark, proprietor and editor of the Cortland Standard—CC editor] home by some other conveyance, and pretended to be disgusted, and took "our esteemed citizen" along in his place. At last account Jones' stock was visibly improving. A good many of the Democracy got so along toward night that even an association with Clark wouldn't have injured Jones.

   We recommend attacks late in the day if these gentlemen are to be successful hunting in couples.

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   The McGrawville Union school began on the 3d inst.

   Messrs. Fish & Walrad have thus far sold sixteen lots on their Kinney purchase.

   Mr. Bert Gillen and Mrs. Kate Ryan are building houses on the extension of Lincoln avenue.

   Mr. A. Mahan [Village of Cortland president in 1883 and music store proprietor—CC editor] had some of his fine Estey and Palace organs at the Marathon Fair, on which he took first premium.

   Commissioner Davern is gravel grading portions of Clinton avenue and Main street, in the vicinity of the Cortland House.

   The New Home sewing machine, M. L. Decker, agent, took the first prize at the Marathon Union Fair over three competitors.

   Dispatches state that frosts have lately appeared all through the Northern States, and in some places have done much damage.

   Page & Santee received first premium at the Marathon Union Fair for best display of photographs. It was certainly a most attractive one.

   Miss Pamelia Hubbard has closed her bakery until the new block is completed, when she will occupy one of the stores therein on Main street.

   Mr. William Riley has sold his house on Lincoln avenue, now occupied by Dr. Dana, to Mr. Wm. Miller for $3,500. Possession given April 1, 1884.

   The cold weather of the past few days has thinned out the visitors at Glen Haven—some sixty or seventy leaving there in the course of a couple of weeks.

   Frosts, and some of them very severe, are getting quite common in this vicinity. Reports from correspondents are to the effect that snow was visible on the hills last Sunday morning.

   Mr. M. L. Alexander has exchanged a house and ten village lots with Mr. Jas. D. Doran for his farm of 167 acres, located about three and a half miles east of the village on the Groton road.

   Last Friday Mr. Manley Hobart, one of the most respected and widely known citizens of the county, died at his residence, a short distance north of Homer, at the age of 73. The funeral was held on Monday, and was largely attended, several from Cortland being present.

   Judge Duell was in Utica the first of the week, arguing in the United States Court in favor of consolidating the driven-well cases. The motion was granted and three months' given in which to select a case and prepare papers, the remainder of the cases to abide by the decision in that case.

   The Chenango Union in an article on the street railway crossing the tracks of S. & B. R. R., makes a pertinent remark when it says: "Why the railroad corporation, which has never paid a cent for the privilege of crossing the highway [present Route 11 between Homer and Cortland—CC editor] at that point, should have the power to prevent the building of a street railroad upon such highway, is what most people have failed to find out."

   In accordance with a resolution passed by the last Congress, calling for the appointment of Boards of Medical Examiners, to whom all claimants for pension must report, Dr, Caleb Green, of Homer, and Dr. H. C. Hendrick, of McGrawville, have been appointed examining surgeons, and with Dr. H. T. Dana, of Cortland, who has for the past nine years acted as such, constitute the Board appointed by the Pension Department at Washington for this section.

   The large, handsome elm tree which has so long ornamented Main street, in front of Taylor Hall, was felled on Wednesday. It stood erect until only about four inches remained to be sawed through, when it slowly and dignifiedly yielded to the inevitable.

   There is sound, practical, common sense in the talk to our readers this week by the firm of L. D. Garrison & Co., which will be found in its usual place in our advertising columns. It shows that these gentlemen know what they are talking about, which can readily be verified by trying their goods. Webster, the literary editor of this big concern, is a young man, but the muscles, cords and other anatomical apparatus of his neck join an old head to the vertebrae of Lev's backbone.

   A noticeable improvement has been made during the past year in the Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad. All along the route are handsomely painted depots. The cars are of modern construction, and have all the railway conveniences attached. Hon. A. A. McLeod, its general manager, has proven himself a manager of good judgment, and with his careful corps of conductors and attaches in all the departments has paved the way for an enviable success of this popular thoroughfare.—Cor. Bing. Rep.

   Col. Weaver, of Syracuse, will deliver the address at the reunion of the 157th Regiment next Wednesday. There will be no special or prepared Programme to be carried out at the meeting. Dinner will be had at the Messenger House about one o'clock, after which the veterans will assemble to hear the speech, transact necessary business, such as hearing reports of officers, committees, etc., and the election of officers, after which they will indulge in a general good time—talking, narration of war reminiscences, etc., in which sociability will be the presiding genius.

   At the Republican caucus held Wednesday evening at Fireman's Hall, Maj. Sager called the meeting to order and nominated M. M. Waters chairman, and he was unanimously elected by a viva voce vote, and on motion of R. H. Duell, F. Hatch was in the same manner elected secretary. Mr, Duell named G. S. Van Hoesen and Robert Bushby, and W. H. Clark named H, J. Harrington and J. C. Carmichael, as delegates to the Senatorial Convention, and they were likewise and in the same manner elected. J. E. Eggleston named B. A. Benedict and J. W. Strowbridge, and W. H. Clark named C. P. Walrad and C. W. Collins delegates to the County Convention, and they were also likewise and in the same manner elected. And then the meeting, the thirty or forty persons composing the caucus, adjourned.

   Mr. D. C. Johnson, who has been the past summer building a house for his own use on Madison street, moved into it last Saturday in a very quiet manner. The neighborhood, in which Mr. and Mrs. J. are very popular, decided to "make it warm" for them, so word was passed, and in the evening about fifty persons assembled at one of the neighbor's and marched in a body to Mr. Johnson's residence, and when the inmates opened the door in answer to a knock the look of astonishment that appeared on their faces when they saw the house surrounded, as it were, by the crowd, was immensely amusing. The army having taken possession, proceeded to dedicate, and having gone prepared with loads of creature comforts, the evening was passed in a right joyous manner, which would probably have continued all night had not 12 o'clock ushered in Sunday. During the evening a handsome pendant lamp was presented to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson as a token of good will.

   Ex-Supervisor H. W. Blashfield of Homer, who resides about half a mile south of Little York, met on the night of the 4th inst. with an accident, the result of which, under the circumstances, must be deemed wonderful that it was not a fatal, or at least a more serious one. With his wife and two children he passed the evening at Mr. A. B. Raymond’s, in the village of Little York, and about midnight started for home in his democrat wagon. Darkness of the darkest kind prevailed, and the only guide he had was the tops of the trees ahead on each side of the road as faintly outlined against the clouds. On reaching the bridge, which is an iron suspension, with an arched railing over the race leading to Mr. Mudge's mill, the horse's feet were heard to strike the plank, and the next moment the family felt the wagon tipping over. Mr. B. threw his arms about his wife and little son, and all four were precipitated into the water, which was over four feet deep, but of course not in motion. The horse, it would seem, had not fairly obtained a foothold on the bridge, for he and the wagon fell into the water beyond the family, and without touching them. He was afterward found a little distance away, headed up stream. The darkness was so intense that the position of things could not be ascertained, but Mr. Blashfield having found his daughter close at hand and all of them safe, their cries brought out the neighbors with lanterns, and they were relieved from their uncomfortable and rapidly getting to be chilly and painful position. They returned to Mr. Raymond's, where they received necessary attention, and where they stayed the remainder of the night. And what is strange, besides a cold which attacked the daughter, and which was severe for two or three days, a slight injury to one of Mrs. Blashfield's fingers, a bruise on one of the horse's feet, the breaking of a thill and the cross-bar of the wagon, and a part of the harness, no damage was done. It was indeed a fortunate escape tor all concerned, and they have good reason for rejoicing.

The Agricultural Fair.

   The annual Fair opened on Tuesday in a very flattering manner, nearly a thousand entries being made, half of which were of live stock. Floral Hall is filled as it never has been before with exhibitions from our merchants and manufacturers, and it is no exaggeration to say that the hall is a scene of beauty and elegance which surprises all. The weather has been good on the first two days, but yesterday rain fell during most of the time and the night previous, so that but few attended, and of course the races were postponed until to-day. Each and every exhibit deserves special mention, but to do this requires more space than we can possibly devote to it this week, and we therefore defer descriptions until our next issue.

MARATHON.

Correspondence of THE NEWS, Sept. 12, 1883.

   It seems rather unfair that two fairs in our sister villages should be held this week. And as we cannot attend both, and don't wish to be partial, we will stay at home.

   The song of the threshing machine is the music that we hear most these days. Oats are a good crop in this vicinity, but alas for the corn, it is all spoiled; none ripe as far as we have heard.

   There was a very fine exhibition at our fair last week. Among the things we noticed a fancy table-spread. The design was called the "crazy" pattern, but certainly the person that did the work must have had a level head, for it showed great taste and skill in the way it was made. Miss Helen Hinman is the owner of the spread.

   Last Friday, while working in the tannery, Charlie, son of John Robinson, was caught in some of the machinery and his arm broken and otherwise badly hurt. At first it was feared the arm would have to be taken off, but they now hope to save it.

   It is said that one of our young widowers has a great deal of business over on Academy street, but as he is one of our business men it is all right.

Village Ordinance.

   It is hereby ordained that no locomotive, car, or train of cars, shall be moved at a rate of speed exceeding eight miles per hour between a point eighty rods south of the center of Port Watson street and a point eighty rods north of Grant street, in the village of Cortland, under a penalty of fifty dollars for each and every offense.