Thursday, December 31, 2015

CONCERNING GRAND JURIES, MR. KELLY AND MRS. STROWBRIDGE



The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 19, 1891.

Concerning Grand Juries.
   The last Grand Jury took occasion to make a written statement to the court, signed by the foreman Mr. Charles T. Peck of this place, and J. W. Patrick of Truxton, clerk. The statement condensed is as follows:
   At the town meeting held in Solon last February, Henry Kelley, the supervisor of the town, and a candidate for re-election on the Democratic ticket, acted with the Justices as a member of the board of inspectors. That "gross and almost inexcusable irregularities appear," and that "the certificate of election signed by said board, whereby they certified to the election of a candidate who had a lesser number of votes than another candidate running for the same office at such election, and contrary to law, and by allowing said supervisor to appoint a certain officer to hold office, who had not been elected thereto, according to law, upon the simple authority of an unreliable newspaper comment, instead of making themselves conversant with the election law and strictly adhering to its provisions.
   The statement was entirely unnecessary and uncalled for, and the publication of the same in the Standard of last week was intended to make political capital and at the same time injure Mr. Kelly, who is an honest man and a worthy citizen.
   The paper referred to is the Cortland DEMOCRAT, and its statements are as reliable as are those of any member of the late Grand Jury. The law had just been passed and the provisions of the law were given as carefully and correctly as possible without having a copy of the same in hand, and it turned out that it was entirely correct, and the only trouble was in understanding its exact meaning. We venture to assert that not a single member of the Grand Jury knew anything about the law at the time, further than the condensation of the same published in the DEMOCRAT. Why then should they censure Mr. Kelly for not being possessed of information that it was impossible for any one to obtain?
   Here is the great crime which Mr. Kelly committed and for which a gang of republicans tried to procure his indictment. At the town meeting in February last, there were more candidates on the ticket for Inspectors of Election than the law required, the law having been changed after the tickets were printed and before election, and it became necessary to select one of the candidates on the democratic ticket when the board canvassed the votes and leave the other off. Henry Monroe was one of the candidates but the other candidate was appointed with the full concurrence of the board. It turned out that Monroe had one more vote than the man appointed, and Monroe, egged on undoubtedly by certain republicans who were anxious to create trouble in the democratic party in Solon, went before the Grand Jury and endeavored to have Kelly and the Town Board indicted. Was ever such a row raised over such an insignificant matter? The office is important to the public but not to the individual as the fees are hardly as much as the service is worth.
   If Kelly and the board had committed a crime, why didn't the grand jury indict them instead of offering an apology to the Court for their neglect to do so? The board of canvassers of the town of Cortlandville, always Republican, have committed the same crime for which Kelly is censured repeatedly. For many years the board appointed from the Democratic ticket the candidate for inspector who had the least number of votes, simply because they knew that the other candidate understood the law and would be better able to protect the interests of the Democratic party than the one they appointed. The district attorney should present these parties to the next grand jury. The DEMOCRAT promises in advance to furnish the evidence.
   The DeRuyter New Era of last week [June 11, 1891, County & Vicinity, page two—CC editor] contains the following:
   "The Cortland county grand jury failed to find an indictment against the notorious Mrs. Strowbridge. An uncle of the young man most interested was made foreman of the jury, and the district attorney is said to have slighted the case very noticeably."
   The DEMOCRAT begs leave to suggest that the Hon. Walter Lloyd Smith is entitled to a statement or apology, on account of the deception evidently practiced upon him in procuring the appointment of the foreman of the late grand jury, and we are not particular whether the same be signed by the foreman or the district attorney, or by both. A district attorney who desires to do his duty would not permit a man to be appointed foreman of a grand jury, whose relative had an interest in the findings of the same, if he could prevent it, and there is no question but that he could prevent it if he chose to do so.

He Took an Overdose.
   Bird S. Brink of Marathon, registered at the St. James Hotel in Syracuse last Saturday evening, as "B. S. Brink, Cortland," and was assigned a room. Sunday he did not appear and as the employes could get no answer from repeated knockings on the door, the proprietor forced the same open and found Brink in an almost unconscious condition. Empty morphine, chloral and alcohol bottles were found in the room.
   Dr. A. C. Benedict was called and under his ministrations Brink was slightly revived and is expected to recover. Brink was in the habit of taking large doses of drugs and liquor, and it is thought he must have taken an overdose. He was acting as agent for a bookholder chair attachment, and his books showed that he had been very successful in taking orders. He is well known in Cortland.

Important.
   Those of our readers who have no system of sewerage where they live, should be warned to be scrupulously careful about the manner in which they dispose of dishwater, washing suds and the like. Never have one place to empty these but distribute them at the roots of various trees and shrubs and away from the well or cistern. Washing suds should never be allowed to stand. Throw them away as soon as the washing is finished. Above all things avoid a barrel sunk in the ground as a means of drainage.—Exchange.

Cortland County Medical Society.
   The Cortland County Medical Society held its eighty-third annual meeting in Cortland on Thursday afternoon. June 11.
   The members present were Drs. F. D. Reese, J. Angel, F. W. Higgins, H. S. Edson, A. J. White and H. T. Dana, of Cortland; D. H. Stone, G. D. Bradford and F. H. Green, of Homer; L. G. Smart and C. R Trafford, of Marathon; H. C. Hendrick, of McGrawville; H. D. Hunt, of Preble; W. Y. Bliss, of Tully, and Dr. Tours, of Buffalo.
   The officers elected for the ensuring year are:
   Pres.—Dr. L. G. Smart.
   Vice-Pres.—Dr. D. H. Stone.
   Sec'y.—Dr. F. W. Higgins.
   Treas.—Dr. H. S. Edson.
   Librarian—Dr. F. H. Green.
   Board of Censors—Drs. H. D. Hunt, H. T. Dana, G. D. Bradford, and W. Y. Bliss.
   The President's address was read by Dr. F. D. Reese, giving a history of bacteriology, the rise of germ theory, and some practical deductions.
   The society gave a vote of thanks to Dr. Reese for his able address.
   The Secretary gave a report of the work done by the society during the past year. The total attendance has been 51; the number of scientific papers read 18.
   Dr. L. G. Smart, delegate to the American Medical Association at Washington, D. C, gave a report of that meeting.
   A discussion on Eczema was opened by Dr. D. H. Stone on Cause, Dr. M. L. Halbert on Symptoms, Dr. J. Angel on Prognosis, and Drs. W. Y. Bliss and C. B. Trafford on Treatment, with a case cited by Dr. H. T. Dana.
   A general discussion followed, showing that a great diversity of opinion prevailed in regard to the disease. Still many valuable suggestions on treatment were presented.
   The society adjourned at 5:30 to meet in August at Tully on an invitation of Dr. W. Y. Bliss.
   F. W. HIGGINS, Sec'y.

G. A. R.
   Late Wednesday afternoon, a telephone dispatch from McGrawville, announced to the comrades of Post Grover No. 98, G. A. R., that Inspector Walker of Tarble Post, with a delegation of about a dozen comrades and ladies of that Post and Corps, would be present at their annual inspection that evening in their rooms.
   Although the notice was short, the ladies of Grover Relief Corps rallied to the support of their comrades and the Post rooms were filled with a jolly company and a most enjoyable social evening was passed; after refreshments were served, speeches, singing and story-telling was the order of business until a late hour. It was suggested that the clock be stopped in order to get a little more time to finish up.
   Inspector Walker proved himself a "talker" as well as did Chaffee, Smith, Parker, Hendricks, and Henry. Major General Tripp spoke eloquently for the Relief Corps. Cliff "Wiles" bugled for Homer. Wright, Sager and Kellogg held the fort for Cortland, while Palmer and Edgcomb, assisted by Mrs. Dunsmoore at the organ, led the crowd in singing the old soul-stirring Army songs of the Camp.

Where to Spend the Summer.
   Cortland county people who contemplate visiting the Thousand Islands during the present season may hesitate in making a choice of quarters. Grand View Park, located on the point of land known as the Head, on Wells Island, has a magnificent, unobstructed view of the river for seven miles, while the grounds are admirable made especially so by abundant products from the floral gardens of Messrs. Hopkins, of this village. Muskalonge [sic] fishing is superb. This pleasant resort opened June 1 under the management of Mr. Geo. Babcock, late of the Empire House, Syracuse, and formerly a resident of Homer and Cortland. Descriptive information furnished on a lithograph map by sending 5cents to Grand View Park Hotel, via Thousand Island Park, N. Y. Parties leaving Cortland on the morning train will arrive at the Park in time for dinner.  

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

SCHOOL DRAMA AT LORING'S STATION AND TOWN REPORTS



The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 12, 1891.

TOWN REPORTS.

LORING'S STATION.
   The great event of the week at Loring's Station is to be a drama played by the young people of this place, at the school house Saturday evening June 13th, admission 15 cents. The proceeds to be used for the benefit of the school. The following is the cast of characters:
"AMONG THE BREAKERS."
      David Murray, keeper of Fairpoint Light, J. S. Conrad
      Larry Divine, his assistant, Alva Harmon
      Hon. Bruce Hunter, Ranny Phillips
      Clarence Hunter, his ward, Will S. Byram
      Scud, Hunter's colored servant, Merton Conrad
      Peter Paragraph, a newspaper reporter, George Pierce
      Bess Starbright, cast up by the waves, Lena M. Pierce
      Miss Minnie Daze, Hunter's niece, Lillie Bentley
      Mother Carey, a reputed fortune teller, Nellie S. Byram
      Biddy Bean, an Irish girl, Mary J. Bishop
FARCE.
"PADDY MILES,
The Limerick Boy."
      Dr. Coates, George D. Pierce
      Harry, his son, J. S. Conrad
      Paddy Miles, Alva Harmon
      Reuben, W. S. Byram
      Job, a gardener, Aiden Grant
      Mrs. Fidget, Nellie S. Byram
      Jane, her daughter, Mary J. Bishop

TRUXTON.
   Drouth still continues.
   Mr. A. W. Pierce and wife were in Cortland Wednesday.
   Dr. J. C. Nelson was called to Apulia last week to see a number of sick.
   Supervisor Muller has J. J. Bosworth employed painting and paper hanging.
   Albert Pierce and wife, of Mont Clair, N. J., are still here and both are apparently in good health.
   Messrs. Hilton & Patrick have a number of workmen busy at work on the barn they purchased of Wm. Baldwin, fitting it up for a store.
   We were misinformed in regard to the pension received by Mrs. Rhoda Peters. The amount is eight instead of twelve dollars per month.
   Carl Weigand has returned home from Cornell, to spend the summer vacation. From all reports Carl is making rapid progress in his studies.
   Mr. J. B. Lewis a resident of Truxton previous to 1853, and now of Grant Park, Kankakee Co., Ill., has been visiting friends and acquaintances here lately.
   M. E. Kenney and wife, of Utica, have been in town since the 7th inst. Mr. Kenney has built a new barn and made other repairs on the premises owned by him, and now occupied by J. J. Bosworth and Robert Hall.
   It seems to be the impression generally that there is no necessity for a saloon to be kept here, and as the present board of excise will grant no license to such an institution, any one attempting to run one in the place will find no very smooth sailing.
   The Ladies' Home and Foreign Missionary Society held a meeting at the Baptist church Wednesday the 10th inst. Miss Mary Day addressed the meeting in the forenoon and the afternoon was mostly devoted to business matters. Miss Day, who is a fine speaker, was born in Burmah, her father being an American missionary residing in that country at that time, and she herself has acted as missionary there 11 years, leaving about two years since on account of impaired health. She will return to Burmah soon.

GROTON CITY.
   Mrs. Isaac Webster is in Auburn staying with her daughter Nellie.
   Mr. Dwight Hatfield visited friends in Chenango county last week.
   Mr. Francis Webster has traded horses with Mr. Henry Parker, of Cortland.
   Mr. C. L. Steadman has Mr. Frank Geralds' boat on the pond this summer.
   Mr. Levi Steadman has gone to Norwich to visit his daughter, Mrs. Mary DeBarr.
   Mrs. Lute Corl has gone to Little York to take care of her brother-in-law who is sick.
   Hon. A. P. Smith is having his house in Groton City repaired. Mr. Langdon who occupies it is doing the work.
   Mr. Chet Morehouse, of Norwich, is moving his goods into the house formerly owned by Dr. E. E. DeBarr.
   A small, brown and white dog was found the other day by Mr. G. A. Bliss, entangled in a scarecrow on his cornfield.
   AUNT CELESTIA.

SUMMER HILL.
   Mr. Norton, of Homer, is visiting his uncle Deacon Arba Rice.
   The Misses Ranney of Groton were in town the forepart of this week.
   Miss Annette Van Buskirk has returned from a several weeks stay at Moravia.
   There will be a Children's Day concert at the Congregational church next Sunday evening.
   Repairs have been made on several of the bridges and sluiceways in town, adding much to the safety of the roads.

BLODGETT'S MILLS.
   Mr. Will Clark of Syracuse spent the day with Dell June Monday.
   Mrs. Fred Atwood and children of Groton are visiting friends here.
   Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burt visited friends in Peruville last Saturday and Sunday.
   Miss Mabel Graves of Cortland visited her aunt, Mrs. R. Reynolds, last week.
   John Hubbard has a good second-hand top buggy that he offers for sale cheap.
   A full delegation of singers from this place attended the convention at Cortland last week.
   Presiding Elder U. S. Beebe will preach in the M. E. Church this week Friday and Sunday evenings.
   Mr. Biggar and sister started Monday for Delaware Co., where they will spend some time visiting relatives.
   Children's day has been postponed until the third Sunday in June. An extra fine programme is being prepared.
   A sample cheese was cut at the M. P. U. depot Saturday night. It proved to be so very nice that it took three large cheese to supply the patrons [sic].
   The Free Methodists are making preparations to hold camp meeting in Miner Merrick's woods, commencing June 24. The camp ground is directly north of Dan Burt's residence.
   Mr. and Mrs. Nash made a flying overland trip to Lebanon last week, going one day and returning the next. Frank Parker's mustang, "Fleetfoot" was the beast that made the journey.

HARFORD MILLS.
   Frost for three nights here and not near enough rain yet.
   Mr. Charles Davis lost a good cow with milk fever last week.
   Wm. Stacy shipped another load of calves on Tuesday last.
   Doctor Morgan and family were visiting friends in town this week.
   Henry Gray's people have returned from California, where they have been spending the winter.
   Mr. George Wilcox has a new iron roof on his house and is giving it a new coat of paint. Al Beekman is doing the painting.
   Mrs. Vincent died at the residence of her daughter Mrs. Charles Phoenix, on Wednesday last. Her remains were taken to Fabius for burial.
   Strange that some of our young men that work in Tioga county, have to go Lang [sic] to Tompkins county to get shaved of a Saturday, but this is an age of strange things, for brothers are warring with one another, there not being room enough in Harford Mills so they take to Hunt's Corners for a stamping ground. The good alone are great.

SCOTT.
   Water is failing in many wells.
   Dennis Sweeney is very sick with the pneumonia, so we hear.
   Mr. John Weller and wife, near Syracuse, are visiting in town.
   Mrs. Effie Hutchinson, of Massachusetts, is visiting at her father's, Mr. E. H. Butts.
   Mrs. Martha Potter of Cortland is in town for a few days stopping with her daughter, Mrs. Gaylord.
   Mr. C. C. Clarke has just put an awning in front of his store and has succeeded in getting water by driving [a well.]
   Sherman Brown was buried on Monday, Rev. F. H. Dickerson officiating. He had been ill of paralysis of the throat for nearly a year. His age was 64. He was buried in Borodino.
   Mr. E. H. P. Potter is limping about, occasioned by getting his foot into the place where the maul fell. Mrs. Emily Clarke has a similar experience from the falling of a sadiron.
   Mr. Austin Brown and Will Pidge narrowly escaped death last Friday. They had been unloading a load of straw and had backed a pair of colts from the barn and were engaged in pitching the scattered straw from the ground, when suddenly some young cattle belonging to E. H. P. Potter and son, which had broken out, came rushing over the hill down toward the team, frightening them. The lines not being in reach, Pidge grabbed one by the bit, but in going down the steep hill it flung him in front and the team and wagon both went over him, leaving three gashes upon his head and a damaged hand, beside other bruises. About this time Mr. Brown had got hold of the bit of the other horse and down the hill they went, smashing him against the fence and a pile of boards, breaking both bones of his left arm and also his jaw, beside other less severe, wounds. Dr. Babcock was called to dress the wounds.

Surrogate's Proceedings.
   June 8th.—in the matter of the guardianship of Daniel Warden, Lizzie Warden, Nellie Warden, Mamie Warden and Eva Warden, of Solon, N. Y., minors. Petition for the appointment of guardian filed, bond and oath filed and letters of guardianship issued to James Dougherty Esq., of Cortland.

Chauncey M. Depew
Public Men at a Dinner.
   The remark is frequently heard "Chauncey M. Depew must have a powerful digestive apparatus to be enabled to eat so many public dinners." The fact is, Mr. Depew eats very little at a public dinner and he drinks less. He usually gives one the impression that he has eaten his dinner at home before coming to the banquet. Such, indeed, is the case with a very large number of public men who find it necessary to attend numerous banquets. Henry Ward Beecher scarcely ever ate anything at a public dinner, except perhaps, a few mouthfuls of fish or a little fruit. Roscoe Conkling was in the habit of skipping everything on the bill of fare after the soup, of which he was fond. Ex-President Cleveland eats very sparingly, and only touches the substantial dishes. Men who have only one or two opportunities a year of discussing a Delmonico dinner generally devour everything that is set before them, but the men who are summoned to the banquet board night after night fully appreciate the wisdom of passing the fancy viands by.

George Gould

Jason Gould
Jay and George.
   I have read a good deal in the papers about Mr. Gould's ill health and general physical decay which had set in with him, and when he entered an elevated train recently and sat down opposite me with his son George, I looked at him with some curiosity. He has grown thin and old in looks. There is no doubt about that, but he has gained a look of alertness and quickness of movement which formerly did not distinguish him. The sinister look has disappeared from his face entirely, and his rapidly whitening beard and hair gave him almost a benevolent countenance. He smiled frequently and with great good humor as he talked with his son. The latter has grown stout and is a perfect counterpart of the Cubans whom one sees behind cigar stands. He is stocky, powerfully built, and solemn. The contrast between a profound and thoughtful-looking son and the amiable and chatting father was very strong. Mr. Gould only came a shade above George's shoulder and George Gould is very short for a man.
   The great millionaire nodded in a good-natured fashion to half a dozen brokers in different parts of the car. The brokers, who had all been waiting for recognition with breathless anxiety, took off their hats and bowed with extreme respect. After they had taken off their hats clear from their heads and put them on again Mr. Gould touched the rim of his own hat with his finger. The action was significant. It seemed to say to everybody that he did not care to have men raise their hats to him, but that he would acknowledge the courtesy in kind if it was necessary. Everybody seemed to know Mr. Gould and his son. The railroad guards threw open the gates and stood aside, and the passengers waited until they had passed out, and even the necessity of catching trains at Forty-second street did not lead commuters to rush in front of the two tranquil little men. Everybody whispered "there goes Jay Gould and his son George," and then people stood still and watched them pass by.
   There is no doubt that our aristocracy will be one of money if we ever have one in America.
  
SOME AMERICAN TREASURES.
Rich Jewels Deposited in the National Museum at Washington.
   The most valuable jewels in the National Museum in Washington, D. C. are the relics of our great men near the entrance. These are worth tens of thousands of dollars in intrinsic value of the gold and jewels of which they are made, to say nothing of the workmanship. There are swords by the dozen set with diamonds, guns inlaid with precious stones, and canes which have heads of gold in which gems are imbedded [sic]. A guard is detailed to watch them night and day. Each case has a burglar alarm connected with it, and the least meddling would set an electric bell ringing and call the museum army together.
   The Grant collection is one. It is made up of hundreds of gold articles exquisitely engraved, and brought together from all parts of the world; of rare stones, of china more valuable than though it were solid gold, and of other articles which, if melted down, would fully pay the President's salary for a year or more.
   In one case there is a complete collection of gold and silver coins of Japan, which has a wonderful numismatic value, as it is the only complete set in existence, except one in the Japanese treasury. Some of the gold coins are a quarter of an inch thick and as large around as the top of a dinner pail. Seven of them cost $5,000, and there are perhaps a hundred in the collection.
   In another ease there are half a dozen large elephant tusks, which the King of Siam gave to Gen. Grant, and there are six pieces of costly jade given him by one of the princes of China. All the swords presented to him are there, and many of them have diamonds set in the hilts.
   One of the medals which are in the collection contains $600 worth of gold and is as large around as the bottom of a tin cup. The gold articles in the collection would fill a peck measure, and many cities seem to have given Gen. Grant a gold box containing the papers in which their freedom was presented. The box which he received at Ayr, Scotland, is as large as a cigar box, and is of solid gold. The City of Glasgow gave him a still larger one, beautifully chased and the gold box which he received from the City of London is a wonder of artistic workmanship, bearing an engraving of the Capitol on one side and of the London Guildhall on the other. Enameled on its golden surface are the Union Jack, the Red, White and Blue and the Goddess of Liberty shaking hands with the British Lion.
   The order of the Shelekat, which the Sultan gave to Mrs. S. S. Cox, is also kept in the National Museum. It is a star larger around than a trade dollar, which sparkles with more than 100 diamonds. The diamonds are set in gold on brown, gold and green enamel. The star has five points, and there are twenty-six diamonds on each point. It has a beautiful ribbon sash connected with it, and was given to Mrs. Cox one night at the Sultan's palace, when she went there to dinner with her husband and ate Turkish viands served up by a French cook on gold plates. After the dinner was over the Sultan presented this insignia. She thought she was to have it forever, but it seems that his majesty only lends such presents for life, and when she dies it is to be returned to him.
 

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

BROTHER CLARK SHOULD GO



William H. Clark.
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 12, 1891.

PAGE FOUR/EDITORIALS.
   The DEMOCRAT thinks that brother Clark should go. Let the question be submitted to a vote of the people of this village, and the DEMOCRAT will not only agree to abide by the result, but promises in advance to be entirely satisfied with the people's decision.
   If brother Clark will resign, much will be forgiven. [Mr. Clark, editor and publisher of the Cortland Standard, was chairman of the Local School Board. He and the Local Board requested the resignation of Dr. Hoose, principal of the State Normal School in Cortland—CC editor.]
   Hon. John A. McDonald, premier of Canada, died last Saturday evening.
   Dr. Cheney may be a good man and possibly weigh two hundred pounds, but Cheney is not Hoose.
   If Brother Clark had located in Potsdam in 1876, instead of Cortland, would Cortland's loss have been Potsdam's gain? It isn't much of a conundrum after all.
   The Standard was dumb as an oyster last week, on the subject that is agitating the citizens of this village and vicinity. It repeated the dose this week. Silence is sometimes golden but not always. The President of the Local Beard virtually says to the people, "What do you propose to do about it?"
   The directors of Union Theological Seminary voted to retain Dr. Briggs as a professor by a vote of twenty to two. The General Assembly of Presbyterians held in Detroit recently, voted four hundred and forty to sixty to have him go. The seminary seems to have the best of it thus far.
   The Kansas Farmers' Alliance proposes to start a farmers' bank in that state with a warehouse attachment for the loan of money on produce. The farmers of that state seem to think a bank is a bank and of course must have oceans of money. Experience may teach them a sad lesson.

Gov. S. J. Tilden
FROM EVERYWHERE.
   Wyoming will become a State on July 6.
   Scranton lost $175,000 by fire last month.
   "An inch of rain" means 22,000 gallons, or one hundred tons, to an acre.
   Seventeen thousand one hundred and sixteen emigrants arrived in New York last week.
   At 35 years of age S. J. Tilden did not own $500, yet at his death he possessed $15,000,000.
   Last year Germany produced 5,342,043,000 quarts of beer, or over 106 quarts for each of its population.
   The libel suit of M. W. Van Auken against the Utica Observer resulted in a verdict of no cause of action. An appeal will be taken.
   The census of British India, recently taken, shows a population of 286,000.000 of whom 220,000,000 are under the direct government of the Queen, and 65,500,000 under the sway of feudatory princes.
   An Owego cat is nursing three little woodchucks with her litter of four kittens. The woodchucks were dug up before they had yet opened their eyes, consequently the cat will be the first mother they have ever seen.
   Five million two hundred and forty-six thousand six hundred and thirteen immigrants arrived in the United States in the decade from 1880 to 1890, besides such as surreptitiously came over the borders from Canada and Mexico.
   The new [proposed] elevated bridge across the Hudson river at New York will cost $50,000,000. It is to be 155 feet above the the water. It will contain six railroad tracks, two for passengers, two for freight and two for express trains.
   James Hughes of Chicago, master workman of the Union Clothing Cutters, Trimmers and Tailors of North American Trades Assembly 231, Order Knights of Labor, convicted in Rochester of extortion, was yesterday sentenced to one year in State prison. Hughes is 37 years of age, a widower with no children.
   E. D. Thayer, president of the Brando, Vermont, National bank, had $40,000 in notes and mortgagee stolen from his seat in a Rock Island sleeping car, not far from Chicago, yesterday. When nearing Chicago he went into the dining car, leaving his satchel on his seat, and when he returned it was gone. Mr. Thayer is 80 years old.
   A railroad conductor says that female tramps are on the increase. They are not as daring as the men in jumping on or off trains, but they are found hanging all over a freight car, on the trucks or clinging to the truss rods by hands and feet, in fact in dangerous places that a male tramp would never think of getting in.
   The sun-spot observer of the Rochester Democrat states that if the present spottedness continues, we may experience a year without a summer, in which frosts may be expected every month. Spots are as numerous now as in the maximum of 1885. The sun is an interesting object now to those who take an interest in the changes going on in our variable star and the consequent weather changes.
   Politics are notoriously rotten in Oneida county. Hon. T. E. Kinney testified in the Van Auken libel suit that on one occasion thirty dead men were voted in the first ward of Utica.
  
Our Top-Heavy "Education."
   An interesting story is told, and it is a true story, of a merchant who inserted an advertisement to the effect that he wanted a book-keeper, married, of irreproachable private character, an expert accountant, one speaking French, Spanish and German preferred, to whom, reference being satisfactory, would be paid $500 salary for the first year—less than $10 a week. To this advertisement, which was originally ordered inserted for a week, came the first day seventy-four answers. The advertisement was taken out. Now here is a curious condition of affairs. The men who applied were men of education; many of them had seen the traditional better days, yet they were willing to accept $10 a week, a trifle less, at the very time when the great army of labor is striking for an increase from $4 a day of eight or nine hours' duration.
   The question naturally arises, is it better to teach one's sons a trade or to give them what is technically known as an education? There is a heap of thought in that, and if the material prosperity of the housesmiths and the workingmen of whatever name may be taken, on the one hand, and the nervous, feverish anxiety of the educated men seeking clerical situations may be taken as an index on the other, is it not a fair inference that there is something rotten in this particular State of Denmark?—N. Y. Press.

Fairgrounds and Driving Park, 1894 map.
HERE AND THERE.
   Farmers should consult Brown & Maybury's ad this week, before buying Paris green.
   Miss Lettie Graham, a wayward young girl of this place, has been sentenced to the industrial school at Rochester by Justice Bull.
   The eighth annual encampment of the N. Y. Division of Sons of Veterans will be held at Binghamton, June 23d, 24th, 25th and 26th, 1891.
   Mr. W. S. Freer will give a social party at his hall in Higginsville, N. Y., on Friday evening, June 19th, 1891. Music by Daniels' full orchestra. Bill, $1.25.
   The Cortlands defeated the Normals last Saturday on the fair grounds by a score of 15 to 8. This is the first time the Normals have been defeated this season.
   From a social standpoint Cortland has been well favored with church and lawn socials, picnics and the like, this week. There has been from one to three each day, with a liberal patronage.
   The Binghamton Driving Park Association will hold their spring meeting on their grounds June 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th. Ten purses of $400 each are offered for trotting and pacing. A very large list of entries have been made.
   The regular semi-monthly mothers' meeting (west) will be held at the residence of Mrs. W. H. Hatfield, No. 143 Tompkins street, on Thursday, June 18th, at 3 P . M. Subject of last week continued: "The relation of the child's body to its soul and the outer world." All ladies are cordially invited.
   The Cortland County Sunday School Association will meet in convention at the Methodist church, Virgil, on Wednesday, June 17th, commencing at 10 o'clock A. M. Delegates from the various schools of the county will be entertained. An excellent program has been prepared for the occasion.
   Wednesday afternoon, as the E. C. & N. yard crew were running out to the Elm street station, brakeman Estabrook, who was standing upon a car deck, came in contact with a telephone wire, knocking him down. Usually the wire is at a proper height, but as some repairs were being made to the line the wire hung low. A cut close to the left eye was the result.
   The Sons of Veterans have secured the services of Mr. Mark Madison, of Boston, who will produce for them, 4th of July week, the romantic military drama by General Judson Kilpatrick, entitled "Within the Enemy's Lines." The play is said to be one of the most successful American dramas ever written, and will be presented with beautiful scenery, costumes, and one hundred people.
   A three-round pugilistic ring encounter took place near the fair grounds last Tuesday afternoon, between James Matthews and Edward Rittenhouse, two factory employes, to settle a personal grudge. A draw had been declared before the officers arrived upon the scene. Later, Matthews appeared before Police Justice Bull, acknowledged his guilt as a participant, and was fined five dollars.
   News was received here from Middleport, N. Y., Tuesday, of the fearful accident that occurred to the son of Frank Burghardt, formerly of this place. It seems that while the boys were playing, the youngest son, Howard, had a pistol and by accident shot his brother Linez in the face, putting out one eye and disfiguring the face quite badly. The bullet lodged in the brain. At last account he was alive.— Whitney's Point Reporter.
   Both gutters on Homer avenue, from Fitz avenue [West Main Street] northward to the driving park, have been plowed out and the accumulation been used in raising the center of the first named avenue for some distance south of Graham's blacksmithing shop. Preparations are also being made to widen Homer avenue, north of Barber avenue, by moving the west walk several feet from its present position, thus making a continuous walk to the driving park.
   An exchange says in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and all things therein. He then created man and woman; and left the loafers on the corners, and in due time they multiplied and then spread into the post-offices, and depots and the stores. In the latter place they sit and explain state and national problems that have vexed great minds, and exist partially by sampling goods. While he is thus engaged his wife is out washing for her neighbors, and the poor helpless children are left at home to care for themselves as best they can. There is nothing more noticeable than a loafer.
   A brass band has been organized in Marathon.
   A cross walk is being laid from Argyle Place to the east side of South Main street.
   The interior of Dickinson & McGraw's shoe house is being neatly decorated by painter F. P. Coffin.
   The young ladies of Lincoln Lodge will give a sociable in the Lodge rooms next Wednesday evening.
   The Cortland Wheel Club will hold their first annual tournament on the fair grounds Saturday August 1st.
   Delos Bauder's "Maxey B" won the first two heats in the 2:27 class at Elmira on Tuesday. The second heat was made in 2:26 1/2.
   The Marathon, Texas Valley, Freetown and Killawog Sunday School Association will hold its next session at Texas Valley, June 18th.
   Never drink iced milk. It breeds colic. Never drink a goblet of milk at a time. It will form a hard and semi-indigestible curd.—Exchange.
   The Odd Fellows of Cortland District have arranged for a basket excursion to Maple Bay, Onondaga lake, on June 27th. Tickets, $1.
   An improvement is being made at the junction of Lincoln and Homer avenues by flagging the gutter and making a level surface of the street proper.
   Hitchcock Hose have their annual picnic at Floral Trout Park, Saturday of this week, afternoon and evening. See that the boys have a liberal patronage.
   Rev. W. A. Smith, of Groton, will address the Homer Academy Alumni next Wednesday evening. Subject: "When to marry, and what sort of a wife to choose."
   Game Constable Grassman desires us to give notice that the law prohibits the spearing of fish of any sort, and that persons who violate the same will be promptly prosecuted.
   June 17th is the date for the next convention of the Cortland County Sunday School Association. The exercises will be held in the M. E. church at Virgil 10:30 A. M.
   Reports from several Cortland residents are to the effect that the continued drought is seriously affecting the supply of well water, and city water connections [to Water Works—CC editor] are constantly being made.
   Mr. Bert Bently, organist of the Baptist church in this place, has composed an anthem which was given in the church last Sunday evening, by the choir. Good judges of music pronounce it a first-class composition in every respect, and Mr. Bently is receiving hosts of congratulations.
   Not only the farming community, but business men as well, are entertaining grave forebodings from the continued season without rain. Meadow lands are good sod, but aside from orchard grass no growth is perceptible. Wheat and rye are of good color, corn and potatoes are looking up, and that is about the extent.
   The Governor has signed the Saxton ballot law amendment, which among other things provides that election districts may contain 400 voters each. The blank ballot is abolished; and the number of ballots for each fifty voters is reduced from 200 to 100; ballot clerks need not write their initials on the ballots. Election districts shall be divided before August 1st.
   Farmers who desire to secure the bounty on maple sugar, next spring, should file their applications with A. Von Landberg, Collector, at Syracuse, before July 1st. Section 232 of the tariff law reads: "The producer of said sugar, to be entitled to said bounty, shall have first filed prior to July 1st of each year, with the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, a notice of the place of production, with a general description of the machinery and method to be employed by him, with an estimate of the amount of sugar proposed to be produced in the current or next ensuing year, including the number of maple trees to be tapped, and an application for a license to so produce, to be accompanied by a bond in a penalty, and with sureties to be approved by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, conditioned that he shall faithfully observe all rules and regulations that shall be prescribed for such manufacture and production of sugar."

Cortland Wins.
   The Cortland Sportsmen's club held their first match shoot on their grounds near Homer last Saturday. A. M. Schermerhorn and E. C. Rindge represented the Cortland club, and Win. Crittenden of Cazenovia, and Edward Roberts of Canastota, the Madison county club. The following remarkable scores were made:
Thirty single kingbirds, known angles.
Schermerhorn, 29
Rindge, 26
Roberts, 25
Crittenden, 19
Thirty single kingbirds, unknown angles.
Sehermerborn, 30
Rindge, 24
Roberts, 29
Crittenden, 26
Twenty pair double kingbirds.
Schermerhorn ,37
Rindge, 29
Roberts, 24
Crittenden, 19
   This gave the local team 33 birds ahead.
   Schermerhorn's record shows that he broke 96 out of a possible 100, which is a score that would be hard to beat.

Death of D. C. Cloyes.
   Mr. David C. Cloyes, a well known and highly respected citizen, died at his home on Church street last Saturday evening, aged 75 years. Mr. Cloyes was born in New Hartford, Oneida county, in 1816, and was a resident of that county until 1851 when he moved to Cortland. Mr. Cloyes was a contractor by occupation and for some years followed that calling. Sometime in the fifties he opened a grocery store in the building now occupied by W. B. Stoppard on Main-st., which he conducted for several years. In 1866-7, he engaged with J. T. Bosworth and Jed W. Jones in the lumber business, occupying a part of the site now owned by H. F. Benton. Rev. J. L. Robertson officiated at the funeral services on Wednesday. Mr. Cloyes leaves a widow and three children, Mrs. W. J. Mantanye, Mr. W. D. Cloyes, and Miss Mary J. Cloyes, all residents of this place.