JOHN PECK OBITUARY

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, May 25, 1888.

Obituary.

   John Peck died on the family homestead in Solon, where he had spent his life, Monday morning, 21st inst., at the age of sixty-four years, eleven months and twenty days. From boyhood until within a year and a half of his decease, he was one of the most active farmers and business men in the county. Possessed naturally of a strong physique, and great power of endurance, of both body and mind, his untiring ambition never relaxed until summoned to yield to the call of nature, and now in submission to "Him who doeth all things well." He seemed never to realize in the prime of manhood, nor even in more mature years, that there was any obstacle too great to be overcome, and with persevering energy, and indomitable resolution, he found pleasure in toil, happiness in surrounding himself with the comforts of life, and consolation in educating his children and providing them with a comfortable home. 
   He was a man of practical ideas, far seeing, and had a purpose in life's work, and although he willingly listened to the opinions of others, yet his general action lay along the line of his own judgment. He was identified with the Baptist church of his town, of which his father was one of the founders, and contributed to its support.
   He was the seventh son of Captain Stephen N. Peck, who died on the same homestead in 1872, at the great age of over 96 years, and who was one of the early settlers in that part of the county in 1804. John Peck is a lineal descendant of deacon William Peck, a native of London, England, who was one of the charter members of the New Haven colony in 1838. His mother was Lydia, a daughter [of] Judge Phillips, of Chenango County, N. Y.
   Of this large family of seven sons and three daughters, only two children, Platt Peck and Mrs. Emily Burlingham, remain, the former of Solon, the latter of Cortland. John Peck married in 1862, Caroline, a daughter of Buel and Charlotte Ann (Leonard) Kinney, of Cortland, who survives him, together with their five children-- Mrs. John Peet of Fairview, Iowa, Linus W., Miles J., Ida L. and Cora E. Peck.

A Good Shot.

   Miss Carrie L. Couch, of Centre Lisle, shot a woodchuck one day last week with a Ballard Rifle, 32 calibre, at a distance of 23 rods. It would puzzle many of our experienced hunters to kill one of these animals at that distance. What a valuable prize Miss Carrie would be to a family on the frontier! We will add that this is not an exceptional shot, for she is an expert with the rifle.—Lisle Gleaner.

Ithaca’s New Salt Fields.

   ITHACA, May 21.—The recent discovery of beds of rock salt in this vicinity has led to negotiations looking to the formation of a large salt plant here. All indications point to a successful termination of the project. The Test Well company are to take $5,000 in stock for their well and Ithaca business men subscribe $25,000 in cash. The remainder of the $75,000 with which to start the plant is to come from Buffalo and New York capitalists. Actual demonstrations show enough salt underneath Ithaca to salt the world for a century. The works involve not only the employment of many people in salt making but in barrel and box manufacturing.

Bicycle Tournament.

   The Cortland Bicycle Club have arranged for a race meet and ball game at the Fair Grounds on Decoration Day. The Syracuse Cycling Club and the Binghamton Wheel Club will attend as clubs and many wheelmen from other places in Central New York are expected. The programme of the races includes a one mile novice, one half mile dash, one-half mile boys, two mile (6-45 class) and a consolation.
   The prizes offered are valuable. There will be a street parade at 2:30 and the races begin at 3 o'clock. The ball game will be called at 4 o'clock. E. J. Pierce, of Syracuse, will give an exhibition of fancy and trick riding between the races.
   The club is making every effort to give an entertainment well worth the price of admission, and worthy of the patronage of the public.

A Negro’s Revelations.

   MONTGOMERY, Ala., May 9. —A negro who was mortally wounded at Sandy Ridge, Lowndes county, has made some startling revelations. He says that Friday night last was the time to massacre the whites. Meetings were held by the lodges to raise money to buy ammunition to kill the whites if they attempted to arrest the negroes. The principal negro engaged in the plot was Bob Robinson, who was president of the meeting. Bob spoke bitterly against the whites and implored his brethren to rise up in arms against them.
   Neal Mangum was also deeply implicated in the plot. He was secretary and treasurer of the lodge. They claim to have large societies throughout the United States which have resolved to avenge their fallen ones and protect their color in the future at all hazards. The negro claims that Lowndes, Crenshaw and Butler counties have the largest clubs, and that they are fully competent to do their duty.
   They state that they have endured the mistreatment of the whites long enough, and propose to put an end to it or there will be bloodshed. All the members of the lodge were notified by the leaders that if they failed to be present at the meeting on Friday night and do their duty they would be put to death. This statement was made by Emerson Shepherd under oath in the presence of four witnesses. He has died of his injuries. Forty-eight of the negroes engaged in the riot have been arrested and jailed.

Page Two/Editorials.

   The Methodist Conference in New York, have elected Revs. J. H. Vincent, J. N. Fitzgerald and J. W. Joyce, to be Bishops of the church. 
   During the taking of the ballots on Wednesday, Bishop Merrill called attention to the fact that the ballot boxes were being stuffed. This isn't the first time that our Methodist brethren have seen fit to introduce politics into their religion.