ACCIDENT IN PREBLE.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, April 27, 1888.

Accident in Preble.

   Last Saturday morning three boys, named Willie Cobb, Leroy Dickinson and Orlie Munson, boarded a coal train at Homer with the intention of stealing a ride to Preble and then returning in the same manner. They seated themselves between the cars and reached Preble safely and then attempted to jump from the train while it was in motion. Cobb fell as he struck the ground and was caught under the cars and instantly killed. His body was horribly mangled and one arm and one foot severed from the trunk. The body was nearly cut into across the chest and portions of the heart and lungs were strewn along the track. Dickinson sustained a slight contusion of the knee, and Munson escaped uninjured. They removed their comrade’s body to the side of the track, and notified Mr. Wright, the agent, giving him the name of the dead boy, and then started for Homer on foot.
   Coroner Bradford was at once notified, and as soon as possible was on the spot. He empanelled a jury and proceeded to hear the evidence and to view the remains. The verdict was accidental death, and the railroad company was fully exonerated from all blame, and its employees from any negligence. The boys were found by officer Shirley at Homer, and brought before the Coroner. They testified that they were in the habit of boarding trains for rides in this manner, and had been for some time past. If some punishment milder than death by accident could he administered to a few of these offenders by the officers of the law, it might possibly have a salutary effect on others, and prevent such accidents happening in the future.

A Good Selection.

   Last week the local board of the State Normal School at Oneonta, unanimously elected Prof. James M. Milne, of this place, to be principal of that school, which will be ready to open a year from next September. In selecting Prof. Milne for this responsible position the Oneonta board has made no mistake, and we predict that the school will, under his management be successful from its opening day to the close of the professor's administration. Prof. Milne is a thorough scholar, an excellent disciplinarian, a good business man and a gentleman. If other qualifications are required, we believe he possesses them. Professionally and socially his departure will be a loss to Cortland, but no one can blame him for accepting such an excellent position, so gracefully tendered, and that without solicitation.

Some Improvements.

   Mr. Bauder, of the Cortland House, has been recently making a number of improvements at that popular stopping place that add greatly to the attractiveness of the house. The reading and bar rooms have been newly papered with an elegant gold pattern and the wood work newly varnished. The ladies' entrance and dining rooms have also received a similar treatment, and are models of beauty and artistic skill. Last Monday, three elegant engravings, surmounted by heavy frames, were hung in the reading room, and have proved a source of great attraction to the guests, while they add greatly to the homelike appearance of the room Mr. Bauder is determined to leave no effort untried that shall add to the large popularity his house now enjoys, and the liberal patronage with which his efforts are meeting shows that they are appreciated by those for whom they are made.

HERE AND THERE.

   All the stores and rooms in the Grand Central have been rented.
   D. Bolles is making extensive repairs at his pleasant residence on Railroad street.
   The famous Engle clock is on exhibition at the Garrison block and attracts large numbers of visitors daily.
   The village library was removed, Wednesday, from Mahan’s store into the Franklin Hatch Library building.
   The Cortland Corset Co. are now making between ninety and one hundred dozen corsets daily, but are unable to keep up with orders.
   Will Milton of East Homer was carried over the dam at Crainsville the other day while hunting muskrats. The neighbors had quite a time fishing him out.
   The Cortland Bee-Keepers' Association will hold their spring meeting in Union Hall, Cortland, May 8th, at 10 o'clock A. M. All bee-keepers are requested to attend.
   A new law has been passed in this State and received the Governor's signature, requiring circuses and menageries to pay a license of $250 per day for local purposes. As a result, such exhibitions will only be able to appear in the cities.
   Civil Engineer Place, of Cortland, was in town last week and staked out the half mile trotting course near the depot. A meeting of the stockholders was held Monday evening and steps taken to file the articles of incorporation at once and commence grading as soon as the ground is in condition.—DeRuyter Gleaner. 
   A meeting of the Republican club was held at their rooms in the Grand Central block, last Monday evening, at which resolutions of regret for the death of ex-Senator [Roscoe] Conkling were adopted. Speeches were made by Hon. W. H. Clark, ex-Judge Duell, I. E. Eggleston, George S. Sands, H. A. Dickinson and others.
   Messrs. H. C. Beebe and Fayette Reynolds returned last Monday morning from their trip South. They purchased of the McShane foundry at Baltimore, a new fire bell weighing 3400 lbs. The bell will be shipped in about two weeks. They also state the Union Fire Alarm Co. are now heavily engaged in making the boxes for this town, and that the work of stringing the wires will be begun in a short time.

Personal.

   Joseph E. Eggleston, of this place, will deliver the memorial address at Homer this year.
   Capt. J. W. Strowbridge spent several days with his son Clarence at Hamilton, this week.
   Glen Tisdale has resigned his position as manager of the Western Union Office in this village.
   Louis L. Waters, Esq., formerly of this place, was admitted to the bar at the General Term held in Utica, last week.
   C. V. Kinney, Esq., formerly of this place, has accepted an engagement as editor of the Russell Springs, (Kan.) Republican. 
   Rev. J. P. Foster, of Geneva, N Y., will deliver the address on Decoration day in this place. Mr. Foster was formerly pastor of Grace church.
   Geo. B. Jones, Dr. H. C. Gazlay, W. H. Clark, Lewis Bouton and Harrison Wells have been chosen delegates to the National Anti-Saloon conference to be held in New York, May 2nd.
   The Moravia Register says that E. W. Hayes, of this county, is making arrangements to open a circulating library in that place. If we mistake not there are parties in this county who are very anxious to see Mr. Hayes.
   Chief Engineer Thompson was in New York last week, calling on the different fire departments in that city. He says the Volunteer Firemen's Association to the number of 150 will visit Cortland during the State convention in August. As many from Brooklyn will be in attendance.