"THE PEOPLE VS. O'NEIL"

Benton B. Jones, editor and proprietor of the Cortland Democrat.

William H. Clark, editor and proprietor of the Cortland Standard.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, July 20, 1888.

“People vs. O’Neil.”

   The editor of the Standard, like the average incorrigible small boy, is continually cutting up some caper that is sure to invite the inevitable and well deserved spanking. Both seem to heartily enjoy it and both get it. Not content with the sound drubbing received two years ago in the Judge Fish controversy, brother Clark is continually referring to the matter in his peculiarly offensive style. The O'Neil case [alleged arson and insurance fraud at O'Neil's wagon factory in February 1884—CC editor] was recently decided by the General Term and the decision of the trial court sustained. In commenting upon the decision, brother Clark takes occasion to express himself as follows:

   "Malicious partisan attacks were made thereafter, both upon the presiding Judge and district attorney, their conduct of the trial being severely criticised and they themselves treated as if guilty of even greater offenses than the prisoner."

   Of course this refers to the very mild criticism which appeared in the DEMOCRAT soon after the adjournment of the term of court at which Judge Fish presided. We challenge the editor of the Standard to point out a sentence in the article referred to, that warrants him in making the above statement. In fact we did not know the politics of Judge Fish when we wrote the article and we should have published it if he had been a Democrat. It was not a political article in any respect whatever, and only called the Judge’s manner of holding court in question. No allusion was made to the O'Neil case, whatever, and the district attorney was not referred to in any manner. We did not find fault with district attorney Bronson’s "conduct of the trial" of that case for the very reason that he did not try the case. He acted simply as a spectator and nothing more.

   The case was very ably tried on the part of the people by Hon. O. U. Kellogg, Ex-Judge A.  P. Smith and Hon. N. C. Monk, of Albany, all lawyers of ability and standing. These gentlemen did not require the services of an ordinary layman in conducting the case. The indictment was draw by I. H. Palmer, Esq., during his term of office and Mr. Bronson's connection with the case made him simply a spectator, although the Standard gave three or four [columns] to his praise immediately after the trial.

   The real object of the Standard in alluding to the case last week, was to slide in a puff for Mr. Bronson, who is having rather an uphill job in making his canvass for a renomination. It must be refreshing to the other candidates, but a candidate who relies entirely on newspaper reputation for his success, sooner or later meets his Waterloo and is sized up for all he is worth and he can generally be measured with an ordinary pocket rule.

   The criticism made by the DEMOCRAT, considers Fish is abundantly sustained by the Judges of the General Term, when they say of the verdict of the jury "accepting their verdict as being sustained by the evidence, we are constrained to allow it to stand, notwithstanding some passages are found in the (Judge's) charge which we are not inclined to [comprehend] as precedents."

   Should the DEMOCRAT be censured for [contradicting] Judge Fish, when even the Judges of the General Term feel constrained to do the same?

Another Smash-Up.

   Last Tuesday evening Lon Thompson went into the Dexter House barn and took therefrom a horse and buggy owned by Frank Johnson, of McGrawville, and proceeded to take a ride around town. While going down Main street at a furious rate he locked wheels with the buggy of Geo. L. Williams that was standing in front of Peck's shoe store, throwing out Melvin Reed who was sitting in the carriage. The wheels of Thompson's buggy were completely demolished, but no further damage was done.

   Mr. William's horse started up Main street, but was pursued by Fred Hilligas and caught in front of the National Bank. The horse was taken from the barn without Mr. Johnson’s permission, and when no one was around.

A Serious Accident.

   Last Saturday, while Thomas Lynch, a conductor on the E. C. & N. railroad, was on top of a freight car setting a brake, the handle broke and he was thrown to the track. The train was making a flying switch and was running at the time at the rate of twenty miles an hour, but he managed somehow to roll from the track before the rear cars passed over, and thus saved his life. Lynch was picked up unconscious and carried to his home on Park street, and Dr. McNamara called.

   It was thought at first that his skull was fractured, but it was afterward ascertained that his injuries were confined to several severe bruises and cuts around the head and face. Under the skillful care of Dr. McNamara, he is rapidly improving and expects to soon be able to resume his duties.

Robbery at Preble.

   Last Thursday night a young man apparently about twenty-one years of age stopped at Klock's Hote1 in Preble and asked for a room, for which he paid in advance. Early Friday morning, before the house was astir, he was seen to leave in a surreptitious manner, and the suspicion was excited that something was wrong. Search was immediately made, when it was found that two gold watches and a considerable sum of money were missing.

   Mr. Klock and several others pursued and overtook him in the swamp north of the D. L. & W. depot. When overtaken, the property was found on his person, and he was brought to Cortland to await the action of the grand jury.

   On the day preceding, Baum entered the cigar store of Chas. Cleary in this village and endeavored to contract with him for 15,000 of a certain brand of cigars, saying that a party by the name of Eckles had bought Chapman's drug store in Marathon, and had given him authority to get these goods. Mr. Cleary informed him that he had only 1,200 of these cigars on hand, but that he could get the others for him. Baum then endeavored to have Cleary take the 1,200 cigars and go with him to Marathon and close the contract with Eckles.

   As Mr. Cleary was unable to get away that day, he told Baum he would do so soon, and on Monday he went to Marathon where he found Mr. Chapman at work dispensing drugs, and Eckle scraping cowhides in the tannery. Neither had learned of the proposed bargain, and were considerably surprised when informed of the deal by Mr. Cleary. Eckle said Baum had worked by him in the tannery for two days, and that he had nothing more than a speaking acquaintance with him. Just what scheme Baum was endeavoring to work on Mr. Cleary is not at present apparent.

   The Marathon Independent of this week says that Baum left an unpaid board bill in that town, and that prior to his departure he went through the trunk of another boarder in the house and took a sum of money therefrom. He is evidently a professional, but made a mistake in choosing Cortland county as the field of his operations.

HERE AND THERE.

   Five car loads of excursionists left this village Tuesday morning for Pleasant Beach [Onondaga Lake]. The excursion was for the benefit of the Congregational Sunday school.

   The members of Orris Hose have put themselves under the instruction of Captain B. E. Miller, and are rapidly getting in shape for the Firemen's convention.

   Last Tuesday afternoon, three bricks in the cap of one of the third story windows of the Schermerhorn block, became loose and fell to the sidewalk below. Fortunately no one was injured.

   Dr. L. T. White, the popular dentist, has purchased a cottage at Sylvan Beach. The doctor is enthusiastic over the beauties of the Beach, and regards his property there as a most desirable investment.

   Three able bodied tramps were discovered in the vicinity of River street a few days ago, and were promptly arrested and brought before Justice Squires, who gave them leave to visit the Onondaga Penitentiary and stay 60 days.

   Peck Brothers have sold their grocery business to County Treasurer A. S. Brown, of Solon, who will take possession August 1st. Mr. Brown is a thorough business man, and will no doubt maintain the high reputation which Peck Bros. have won for the store.

   A large crowd was out last Thursday evening to listen to the [Mechanics'] band concert, and all were pleased with the fine programme presented. The band is growing better every day, and rapidly taking a very high rank under Mr. Muncy's capable and efficient leadership.

   The Board of Trustees have changed the name of Adams St. to Homer Ave., which name now applies to the street from its intersection with Groton Ave. northward to the Homer line. North Main St. will terminate with its intersection with Homer Ave. at the corner by the residence of Mr. W. S. Copeland.—Standard.

   E. D. Meacham brought to this office on Saturday a snake of a variety rarely seen in this section. It is about 14 inches in length, black above and yellow beneath, and is identified by several as a genuine black snake. Dr. Aldrich recognized it as a species common in Pennsylvania, where it rarely attains a size larger than this specimen. The largest black snake recorded in Appleton’s is seven feet long.—Marathon Independent.

   Last week the Homer Republican appeared in an entire new dress and enlarged to a nine column paper. The paper is very ably conducted by Messrs. Stevens & Dates, and is being well supported, not because it is an organ, but because it is a newspaper. The citizens of our neighboring village have every reason to be proud of the enterprise exhibited by the proprietors of the paper. We wish the Republican the best of success in everything except its exceedingly bad politics.

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   The population of Rochester, according to the last directory, is 135,000.

   The New York Central will build a new railroad station at Niagara Falls which will cost $20,000.

   It takes 5,520 eggs for one meal at the Willard asylum. In the bakery over one ton of flour is daily used.

   The free library given by George W. Vanderbilt to the city of New York has been opened to the public.

   A Tully man expects to harvest between 200 and 300 bushels of raspberries from three acres of ground.

   Boyd's Directory census of Syracuse shows the city to have a population of 83,540— a gain of 2,210 during the past year.

   The old men of Cazenovia who voted for Harrison in 1840 have formed a Tippecanoe club. It consists at present of three members.

   Edward Alonzo Deacons, the murderer of Mrs. Ada Stone, was hanged at the Monroe county jail last week Tuesday morning.

   The Republican ticket: For President, Grandpapa's boy; For Vice President, Wall Street's pet, The Republican platform, Dear clothes and cheap rum.

   John Wanamaker of Philadelphia, Pa., now carries $1,000,000 insurance on his life, the largest amount, it is said, carried by any

individual in the United States.

   Hattie Leslie, the wrestler, of Buffalo, and Alice Leary, a club swinger and athlete of Bradford, Pa., are about to sign articles of agreement for a prize fight for from $500 to$1,000.

References:

The People, respondents against Hugh O’Neil, appellant: http://books.google.com/books?id=guQKAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA100&lpg=PA100&dq=The+People,+respondents+against+hugh+o'neil,+appellant&source=bl&ots=DsXKu_7Vks&sig=GeNrHxA8itw_LBm9RA_ydIfJHI8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=g9poVPaTM4v-yQTS6YHIBA&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=The%20People%2C%20respondents%20against%20hugh%20o'neil%2C%20appellant&f=false

The People, etc., The New York Supplement: http://books.google.com/books?id=V447AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA119&lpg=PA119&dq=The+People,+respondents+against+hugh+o'neil,+appellant&source=bl&ots=WiZkyJoXX7&sig=3Fvtq3tKEXlkMcYIP62u1H8WucU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=g9poVPaTM4v-yQTS6YHIBA&ved=0CEMQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=The%20People%2C%20respondents%20against%20hugh%20o'neil%2C%20appellant&f=false