JUMPING FROM A BALLOON

Baldwin, his balloon and parachute.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, September 30, 1887.

JUMPING FROM A BALLOON.

From the Height of One Mile, by the Aid of a Parachute.

(From the Syracuse Courier, Sept. 22.)

   The 10,000 people who attended the fair yesterday, were not disappointed in seeing Professor Baldwin make his balloon ascension and terrific leap from the clouds. The filling of the monster air ship was completed in the morning and all was in readiness at the hour announced for the great event. Just before 3 o'clock several thousand people gathered around the balloon and precisely at one minute of 3 the balloon, carrying only Prof. Baldwin, shot up into the air amid the shouts of the crowd and the shrieks of the threshing engine whistles.

   In the car there was a monkey wrench tied to the side, an inch rope coiled in the bottom, and a cork life preserver in case the daring aeronaut should fall into a body of water. The parachute was attached to the top of the balloon by a string that would sustain a weight of 100 pounds and hung flapping at the balloon's side.

   The balloon took an easterly direction and at the altitude of about a mile came in contact with a big bank of clouds. It rose above the mass and then the professor could be seen making ready for the jump. A moment later his hands were upon the iron ring attached to the parachute, and then he began the descent from the balloon, which he had previously prepared for a collapse. Down he shot with tremendous speed through a mass of vapor in which he was lost to sight. He reappeared a moment later, and was in plain view afterward almost until he reached the ground. The spring from the balloon was made just five minutes after the start.

   The parachute came down on "Sid" Lewis' farm. Professor Baldwin let go of it as soon as he touched the earth and was thrown violently to the ground, rolling over several times. He was somewhat stunned and last night was feeling quite stiff. Near the place where the parachute descended, a man was plowing in a lot. As Professor Baldwin approached the earth, he shouted to the man, who upon looking up in the air was paralyzed at the sight which met his gaze. The farmer didn't read the papers and had heard nothing about the balloon ascension. When he saw a man descending from the clouds, he was badly scared and hadn't the slightest idea who he was or where he came from.

   Professor Baldwin shouted to the farmer with a sort of unearthly yell, and the next instant reached terra firma. As the professor struck the earth he let go of the parachute, which collapsed a few rods away. The balloon landed about two miles from where Professor Baldwin struck the earth, on the Lansing farm between Orville and Fayetteville. It fell upon a rail fence and was captured by John Masters, who packed it up and brought it to Syracuse. It is now on the fair grounds with the parachute, and will be an object of a good deal of interest to the visitors to the fair to-day.

   Before Professor Baldwin left the balloon in the clouds, he pulled the rip cord in the balloon, which tore the monster air ship in twain. Then the professor had to jump, as the gas began rapidly to leave the balloon. The professor shot down like an arrow for 100 feet, when the parachute filled out and his descent became comparatively steady, although the parachute swayed frightfully at first. He was about eight minutes in reaching the earth. He rose to the height of a mile, and declares that the ascension and descent by the parachute were the finest he has ever made.

   The ascension yesterday and the jump were the fifth made by Professor Baldwin. His first ascension was made in California, his second in Quincy, Ill., and his third and fourth at Rockaway Beach. His next ascension will be made at Quincy, Ill. The ascension was by far the best ever seen in this city, and was a perfect success throughout.

"Justice" in Politics.

(From the Syracuse Daily Journal, Sept. 27.)

   "Justice to Cortland" was the plea made for Onondaga's yoke fellow [Cortland County—CC editor], when the time was neared that a congressional representative was to be named. "Justice to Cortland'' was insisted upon, backed by threats of a bolt should that justice be denied. A well-equipped, representative citizen was put forward as the worthy recipient of the honor which it was demanded was that county's due.

   The claim for justice was in some measure responded to by Onondaga Republicans who were neither self-seekers nor traders in politics. What followed? As in other times, the suggestion came from Cortland itself that a division could be created there, which would destroy the unity on which the act of political justice could alone be maintained. Perhaps this suggestion was not necessary; indeed, so often had the plan of division and defeat been acted upon, that it came to be the feasible course.

   Rival towns were readily brought into antagonism; and the politics-for-revenue contingent easily affected the rest. "Justice" was sold out. Cortland's claim was bartered away. A merely nominal place on the State committee and the promise of a delegate to the National convention were among the considerations of this betrayal of "Justice's" cause. What more was involved, the parts of the immaculate Duell, the redoubtable A. P. Smith and the notorious Mantanye, beneficiary of the forged telegram in '82, who figured prominently in this "deal," conveys with a sickening, revolting force.

   The end was the renunciation, by a dozen real delegates, of the claim and pretense that Cortland was entitled to consideration and representation. This is the act and confession of Cortland's own sons, and let there be no more heard of the claim of "Justice to Cortland," since the voluntary forfeiture of her right and suit has put her case beyond consideration. Political justice is scandalized by the acts of those who should have been the champions of that cause.

James J. Belden

[Page Two, Editorial.]

   As the DEMOCRAT predicted, the Onondaga republicans have taken both the Senatorial and Congressional nominations in this district, and they have done so with the apparent approval of one wing of the republican party in this county. While the editor of the Cortland Standard was threatening to bolt, should the Onondaga republicans by virtue of superior numbers take the nomination for Congress, the old "ring" element in this county, quietly had themselves substituted for delegates who had been regularly elected, and pretending to voice the sentiment of the party in this county presented the name of James J. Belden of Syracuse for the nomination.

   That he is or ever could be the choice of the latter element of the party here, no one will for one moment believe. As a rule the republican party in this county is made up of reliable men, who believe that only honest men should be elected to responsible offices. Men who entertain such views, would never have thought of placing James J. Belden in nomination for representative in Congress. Not one of his best friends even, has ever associated his name with the word "honest," for they know full well that an alliance of such incongruous elements would provoke nothing but derision. A few newspapers in the district have spoken of his ability, business tact, political shrewdness and great wealth, but not one of them has a word to say about his integrity. Is it because he is known to be lacking in this very essential qualification that commendation in this respect has been denied him? No other influences can well be drawn from their studious efforts to avoid the expression of an opinion on the subject.

   But the old ring saw an opportunity to score a point and they were quick to take advantage of it. The Cortland Standard had threatened to bolt. By attending the convention and taking the initiatory step in nominating Belden, they virtually told the Onondaga county people that there was nothing in the Standard's threat and that Cortland County republicans wanted Belden. At the same time they force the Standard to bolt or to support an unsavory candidate. If our neighbor [Cortland Standard] bolts, the force of the blow has been considerably broken by their action. If he supports the candidate, it will prove their assertions that there would be no bolt to be true. In either event, the influence of the Standard has received a palpable blow from which it will not soon recover.

HERE AND THERE.

   Mr. J. A. Gilkerson has leased his machine works in Homer to Messrs. Cook & Densmore.

   The republican County Convention to nominate county officers will be held in Taylor Hall, Oct 5th.

   It is expected that the new Wickwire building on Railroad street will be ready for occupancy by the holidays.

   Potatoes are bringing 50 cents per bushel in this market. Large quantities are being shipped at this place. The quality is very good.

   The foundation walls of the new First National Bank building have been completed, and bricklaying will commence in a day or two.

   Fred Melvin, of this place, won the one mile novice race at the bicycle tournament held in Binghamton, last Thursday. The prize was a gold badge.

   Hubbard & Buck have sold thirty Howe Ventilating Stoves since September 1st.

This is a pretty good record for the first stove month in the year.

   The Raymond House at Little York will be open to the public throughout the winter. Parties driving to that place can obtain warm meals at any seasonable hour. Fresh oysters are received daily and served in any style desired.

   At the Onondaga county fair B. R. Knapp took several first premiums on rose combed white Leghorns; Eugene Powers took first premiums on four varieties of Hamburgs; W. A. Bristol took first on white-crested Polish and H. D. Rose took all the premiums on golden bearded Polish.

   An exchange very sensibly remarks: No one should find fault with the town in which he lives, as dead and dull, so long as he spends his money made there, out of town. Make your purchases at home, and thus contribute your part to make the town lively and prosperous. Every man owes something in the place in which he lives, and he should be ashamed to talk of it as his home when he neglects to do his duty.

   The first of a series of free entertainments was given in the W. C. T. U. reading room, last Friday evening, with Dr. D. F. Smith, of the Normal, in charge. The stereopticon views of places which the Prof. visited in his journey to Switzerland, together with scenes along the coast of the Mediterranean, were indeed very fine. His graphic and interesting account of that romantic and rocky region showed that he knew "whereof he spoke," and his remarks were of such a nature as to carry his attentive listeners right along with him in thought and imagination till it seemed as though they were actually visiting the beautiful and magnificent scenery— clambering over the mountains and glaciers, going through the glens and artificial roads, cut through the solid rock. The reading room was filled to overflowing, and many could not gain admittance. The Dr. said, at the conclusion of his remarks, that he "never addressed an audience that paid such good attention," and well he might, for everybody was more than delighted with the entertainment, and would have remained longer, if Mr. Smith had.

A New Enterprise.

   A few months since Mr. P. H Whiting who has conducted a wagon repairing shop on Port Watson street, for some time invented a new spring for light vehicles, that is meeting the approbation of all who have given it a trial. It does away with much of the cumbersome machinery in ordinary use and makes a very light, easy riding and good-looking vehicle. Mr. H. Malmberg is engaged with Mr. Whiting in the manufacture of these buggies. At the Onondaga county fair last week Mr. Malmberg sold fourteen of them and orders are coming in faster than their limited facilities for production will warrant. The wagon is hung low and will carry the heaviest weight on any part of it without disturbing the equilibrium of the springs. Parties who are on the road a good deal, will do well to examine this wagon.

The [Cortland County] Fair.

   There was a large attendance at the fair on Wednesday and a goodly number of people were present on the day previous. The exhibition of stock was good and the races gave excellent satisfaction. For want of time and space we are unable to give a full report. The following is the result of the races:

FIRST DAY, TUESDAY.

NAMED RACE.

   G. W. Davenport, g. g.. Lodi Boy…1 2 2 1 2 2 1

   F. Maddaugh, bl. m., Winnie M…...5 4 2 2 1 1 2

   H. Coon, bl. m., Minnie C…………4 3 4 5 3

   H. H. Greenman, b. s. Albert Goldsmith…3 5 6 6 4

   W. Pritchard, bl. m., Meldren H…………. 6 6 5 4 5

   T. J. Gifford, b. g., Harry S……….. ……..2 1 12 dr.

   Time 2:45, 2:43 1/2, 2:42, 2:44 1/2, 2:48 ¾, 2:51, 2:46 1/2.

RUNNING RACE, PURSE $50.

   G. W. Lason, ch. s., Tom Maxwell, won first money, C. H. Porter's Wild West, second, T. C. Daley's Nettie B., third, T. A. Gifford's Billy Barlow, fourth.

SECOND DAY, WEDNESDAY.

3:35 CLASS.

   F. N. Harrington, bl. g., Christopher…1 1 1

   Dr. Cook, b. g., Harry Cardinal 2 2 2

   Jas. Bowker, bl. h., Spurgeon 3 3 3

   Time 2:38, 2:30 1/4, 2:34 1/2.

RUNNING RACE, PURSE $100.

   G. W. Lason, ch. g., Tom Maxwell 4 1 1 1

   T. C. Daley, b. m., Nettie B. 1 3 3 3

   C. H. Porter, bl. g., Wild West 2 2 2 2

   Jas. Byron, b. g., Honest John 3 4 4 4

   Time 1:55 1/2, 1:55, 1:55 1/2,1:56.

   Thursday's races had not been concluded when we went to press. The dog races were a great feature of the fair.

Across the Line.

   The businessmen who have interested themselves in the Cortland Corset Co. crossed the twenty thousand dollar line in just ten days from the date of their first subscription, which shows the interest Cortland people take in the enterprise.

   It looks now as if we could have what has long been needed, employment for women, and the day is not far distant when the hum of two hundred sewing machines will mingle with the musical notes of the trip hammers.

Homer’s New Building.

   The Tripp property, located at the northeast corner of the park in Homer has been sold to G. N. Copeland and W. A. Kellogg, of that place and Emmett A. Fish and C. P. Walrad of Cortland and we understand that the new owners contemplate the erection of a handsome brick block on the site at an early day. It is certainly an elegant location and cannot fail to be a first class investment for the owners. The village of Homer is improving very rapidly and parties who invest in real estate in that thriving town will make no mistake.

ENTERPRISING AND SUCCESSFUL.

What Can be Said of the Cortland Manufacturing Company.

(From the Syracuse Herald, Sept. 22)

   It goes without saying that the finest exhibit of carriages made in any one year since the Onondaga county fair was established is that seen this year at the tent of the new and enterprising Cortland Manufacturing Company of Cortland, N. Y. The company began business on January 1st, 1886, and at once took a position in the wagon trade second to none in the country. Being young and enterprising, they have been successful to a degree almost unprecedented.

   The first year of their business exceeded all of their expectations, and the close of this, their second season, shows that their volume of business is nearly double that of the first year. They exhibit all of the standard styles, and their display was not manufactured and finished for exhibition purposes, but has been selected from their stock, and any vehicle shown at their tent can be duplicated in a few hours at their extensive manufactory in Cortland.

   The root of their success has been that every carriage turned out by their workmen has been built on honor from the best material. The Cortland Manufacturing company's products are now sent all over the country, which speaks for them in higher praise than all the hollow vaporings of rival concerns. They make a specialty of light work and use nothing but thoroughly seasoned number one stock. In the finish and trimming they take especial pains, and in this branch of their work they are second to none.

DEMOCRATIC COUNTY CONVENTION.

   The Democratic county convention met at Firemen’s Hall on Saturday afternoon, and was called to order by Hon. O. U. Kellogg, Chairman of the County Committee.

   Henry E. Wilson, of Marathon, was elected chairman and David W. VanHoesen, Secretary.

   The roll of towns was called and the following delegates were found to be present:

   Cortlandville—J. B. Lamont, O. U. Kellogg, A. J. McSweeny, Sidney Gooding, Gershom W. Bradford, Bernard McNiff.

   Cuyler—William Petrie, Luther Holmes, Menzo Campbell, Charles Vincent, B. F. Taylor, W. W. Salisbury.

   Homer—O. Porter, J. M. Coats, Daniel Donahue, W. S. Stephenson, J. J. Murray.

   Lapeer— Perry Hazen, P. W. Blodgett.

   Marathon—D. D. Hunt, M. D. Burgess, H. E. Wilson, J. A. Cole, George R. Lovell, Ames Johnson.

   Preble—H. D. Hunt, Anderson Francisco.

   Solon—Patrick Kerrigan, James Dougherty, James Warden, Henry Kelly, Loran Phelps, Dennis Hanley

   Truxton—L. L. Pierce, David Wallace, Anthony Nix, J. O'Connor, P. Comfort, John O'Donnell.

   The following resolutions were adopted on motion of O. U. Kellogg:

   Resolved, That the democracy of Cortland County in convention assembled take this opportunity to express their entire approval of the conservative wise and economical administration of national affairs by Grover Cleveland as President of the United States; and of the skillful management of the affairs of State by David B. Hill, as the chief executive officer of the Empire State; and we commend with pride their administrations to the admiration and support of men of all parties desiring an honest administration of public affairs, economically administered.

   Resolved, That we acknowledged the compliment paid to the democracy of this county by the democracy of the State in the nomination and election of one of our prominent and respected citizens to the honorable and responsible position of Treasurer of the Empire State; and as an endorsement of the efficient and faithful manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office, we instruct the delegates to be elected at this convention to present his name to the State convention for nomination; and we request Mr. Fitzgerald to name the delegates he claims to represent him in the State convention.

   The following gentlemen were named by Mr. Fitzgerald and thereupon elected as delegates to the State convention: —

   John Courtney, Jr., of Cortland; James Dougherty, of Solon; William N. Brockway, of Homer.

   The following were elected delegates to the Congressional convention:—

   Perry Hazen, of Lapeer; Clayton E. Rowley, of Cortland; W. S. Stephenson of Homer; Herman D. Hunt, of Preble; John O'Donnell, of Truxton.

   The following were elected delegates to the Senatorial convention:—

   Frank M. Benjamin, of Cincinnatus; Matthias VanHoesen, of Preble; R. Walworth Bourne, of Cortland; Samuel Sanders, of Homer; Benj. F. Taylor, of Cortland.

   The following was elected delegate to the Judicial convention:—

   David W. VanHoesen, of Cortland.

   It was moved and carried that the delegates elected be empowered to appoint their own substitutes and if they failed to do so that the delegation itself fill the vacancy. It was moved and carried that the delegates from those towns that were represented in the convention proceed to select the county committeemen for those towns.

   The several delegations selected their committeemen as follows:—

   Cortlandville—Hugh Duffy, B. F. Taylor, J. Courtney, Jr., O. U. Kellogg.

   Cuyler—William Petrie.

   Homer—W. W. Salisbury, Samuel Sanders.

   Lapeer—W. E. Hunt.

   Marathon—G. A. Hulbert, H. E. Wilson.

   Preble—H. D. Hunt.

   Solon—James Dougherty.

   Truxton—John O'Donnell, J. C. Nelson.

   The remaining towns retain their old members for the ensuing year, completing the committee as follows:—

   Cincinnatus—F. M. Benjamin.

   Freetown—S. L. Woods.

   Harford— William Stacy, R. F. Chappuls.

   Scott—John Gillett, John D. Cottrell.

   Taylor—L. D. Finn.

   Virgil—W. A. Holton.

   Willett—Wilson Greene.

   On motion the convention adjourned.

Recommended:

Thomas Baldwin: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Scott_Baldwin

James J. Belden: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_J._Belden