LADIES LITERARY CLUB OF CORTLAND

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, April 4, 1890.

Ladies Literary Club.

   The members of the Ladies' Literary Club enjoyed, on Wednesday of last week, a meeting of unusual interest. The occasion was the tenth anniversary of the founding of the club, and was celebrated with a zeal and enthusiasm which says much for the vitality of the association and for the appreciation by its members of the good they have gained through its means.

   The meeting was held at the home of Mrs. Twiss on Church street, and of the thirty-two members, only three were absent, and those from unavoidable causes. The regular programme, consisting of studies of the art and architecture of Florence, was first completed. Then at six o'clock, the ladies were invited to the dining-room, where "the feast of reason and the flow of soul" were varied and accompanied by delicious coffee, chicken salad and other delicacies.

   After the supper was disposed of, the president, Mrs. M. M. Beach, called the members to order, and announced the first of the commemorative exercises: a history of the club since its organization, March 24. 1880.

   This was given by Miss M. F. Hendrick, who traced its origin, named the charter-members, of whom six still remain, and surprised her listeners with the hitherto unrealized extent of the literary territory which this industrious body has worked over in the search for hidden gems of thought and wisdom. The historian presented in startling directness the danger which the club had barely escaped in its tendency to dramatic literature and representation; and expressed some fear lest certain members should actually "take to the stage." She stated that not only the entire thirty-seven of Shakespeare's plays had been read, but also most of the later English dramas, with selections from the Greek, German and French stage. In this department nothing was left but the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan. Beside all this, the club had settled the Shakespeare-Bacon controversy, had written a novel, (unpublished) and was now taking fortnightly trips to classic lands.

   The historical sketch was followed by a paper by Miss M. Roe in which a tender tribute was paid to the memory of Mrs. Geo. H. Arnold, Mrs. Wm. P. Randall, Miss Annie Tanner and Mrs. Chas. W. Collins, formerly members of the club.

   A letter was read from Mrs. T. B. Stowell, now of Potsdam, N. Y., who, while here was an active co-worker, in which she expressed pleasant memories and cordial good wishes.

   The president called on various members for reminiscences of club happenings, and then introduced the prophetess, Mrs. J. W. Hughes. This lady claimed no Cassandra-like power to look into the future, but portrayed, nevertheless, with very distinct vision, a meeting of the club held in March, 1900, and her hearers were alternately moved to laughter and horror at sight of what awaits them in a veiled futurity.

   Miss M. L. Fairchild gave a fine rendering of Nasby's poem "Hannah Jane;" then a very innocent "lovingcup" made the circuit of the room, and when all had joined in the strains of "Auld Lang Syne," the company returned to the parlors, where they were entertained by the "musical members," Miss Force and Mrs. Twiss, in a beautiful duet, and with much merriment and pleasant anticipations of weal and work in the next decade, the club adjourned.

   A MEMBER.

TOWN REPORTS.

VIRGIL.

   Mrs. Frank Barnes is failing very fast.

   Fred Vereau is moving to-day, on to the widow Bakers farm.

   Quite a good many have been and are sick with the measles.

   Frank Seamans, of Lisle, has rented and moved on to the George Dann farm on the hill.

   A good many from this place attended the band entertainment al Dryden, March 25th.

   Miss Iva Ballou, who has been attending school at Blodgetts Mills, has returned home.

   A Mr. Bacon has moved in the David Sweet house. Few changes in town this spring.

   Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burt, of Higginsville, were visiting their sister, Mrs. Alice Hall, Wednesday.

   Our village school commenced the 17th, with Mrs. Aaron Overton and Miss Bertha Bundle as teachers.

   Died, March the 31st, 1890, Mrs. Merrilla Hutchings, widow of the late Andrew Hutchings, aged 76 years.

   Quite a number from this place were called to Cortland last week either as jurors or witnesses on the Griswold murder case.

   Madam La Grippe has been stopping with your correspondent, Topsy, for the past week, and she was not a very welcome guest.

   Mr. Frank Freer has exchanged his house in town with Mr. Augustons Bell, for his farm. Mr. Freer thinks the country air will agree with his health better than the city air did.

   TOPSY.

TAYLOR.

   Miss Madge Elwood is teaching the school on Potter Hill.

   Mrs. Jennie Brooks commenced her school in the Lineback district Monday.

   Orville Potter will move to South Cuyler soon where he has engaged to work on a farm.

   C. S. DeLong is moving his household goods to Cuyler where he expects to live in future.

   Ralph Harvey, of Cincinnatus, was through here Tuesday selling wallpaper, groceries, &c.

   Walter Angell, of Cortland, was in town last Friday endeavoring to dispose of his father’s real estate.

   It savors a little of favoritism when a trustee pays a teacher $7 per week, when others of equal ability offer to teach for $5 per week.

   CALUMET.

GROTON CITY.

   Mr. E. G. Youmans has let out his sugarbush to Mr. Harrington.

   We learn that Mr. Barzell Little has bought the Allen Adams place.  

   Several of our citizens have been subpoenaed on the Griswold murder trial which is being held at Cortland.

   Mr. Abiel Bliss is quite sick with pneumonia. He has the best of care and the doctor gives strong hopes of his recovery. He is attended by Dr. Hughes of Cortland.

   The funeral of Mr. J. Brong, of Summer Hill, was attended at the Congregational church of that place last week Tuesday. Rev. W. G. Hull, of Madison, N. J., officiated.

   We are informed of the marriage of Mr. Cyrus Buck, of Cortland, formerly of Groton City, to Miss Muncy, of Homer. We understand that they are going onto a farm in Virgil. We offer our congratulations.

   Very nice maple sugar is being made in this vicinity by our farmers in spite of predictions that this would be a poor sugar year and that the article made would be of inferior quality. We have been shown some very fine samples.

   People in this vicinity are investigating their hen houses and finding that their fowls have most unaccountably disappeared. Some persons do not seem to realize that there is any difference between mine and thine. It would seem as if the House of Correction was the best place to bring up some children.

   AUNT CELESTIA.

EAST HOMER.

   Mrs. Phoebe Maycumber is very low. Dr. Johnson, of Cortland, attends her.

   Thomas Bell has sold his summer butter to Hilton & Patrick. Price $14.50 per firkin.

   Joe Allen has commenced the cellar for a new house. D. A. Burnham is doing the stone work.

   The damage to the Calkins mill that was reported as partly burned last week, is reported to be about $300. The mill will be running again this week.

   At a meeting of the patrons of the cheese factory held last Monday evening, it was decided to make half skims and butter. The salesmen are J. E. Mynard, J. B. Henry and John Kirkup.

   UNCLE SI.

SCOTT.

   Lee Scott has gone to Syracuse to work.

   Mrs. Leonard Coon, of DeRuyter, is the guest of Harlan Potter.

   Fred F. Burdick returned to Cortland Sunday to resume his school as teacher.

   We don't hear of very much changing about this spring. Such bad roads may be the reason.

   Mr. Coon, of Spafford, was buried last week. He was an elderly man and dropped down dead.

   The Ladies' Aid Society held a mite literary entertainment last Saturday evening. All passed off pleasantly. The receipts were a little over $3.00.

   Who says Scott is not going to have a railroad. We understand Mr. Forbes, in getting logs down the steep side hill south of Glen Haven, accidently [sic] tore through a covering of earth and found coal. We also learn that a chunk has been sent to Scranton and that it has been pronounced genuine soft coal. If that monstrous hill should prove to be full of coal, we shall be obliged to have a railroad and at no distant day. More of this in the future if it proves to be as some are talking.

   Mr. Benjamin P. Barber, of this town, died Sunday morning last of pneumonia and heart trouble. He was dressed the day previous to his death. He was a much respected citizen; of a quiet and pleasant disposition and nearly always at home. He was one of our oldest residents. His last Republican vote was given to J. G. Blaine. Since that he has been a steadfast Prohibitionist. He was never married, but for several years past made it his home with his brother-in-law, Morgan Maxon. His age was about 71 years. Funeral on Tuesday at the S. D. B. church. Sermon by Rev. W. D. Fox.

FREETOWN.

   Mr. Byron Grant has just built a nice corn house.

   Bertha Dickinson is visiting at Arthur Borthwick's.

   There was an organ left at Mr. Nelson Moons last week.

   There will be Easter services in the M. E. Church next sabbath.

   The robin came, the bluebird too, another set in and away they flew.

   Thanks to Hon. J. J. Belden for public documents sent to this office.

   Mr. Eugene Baum, of Cortland, is a guest at his uncle's, C. Baum.

   Our school commences next Monday the 7th. with Miss Clara Early of Marathon, as teacher.

   The donation for E. Topping was well attended. He received about thirty-five dollars.

   Rev. E. Topping preached to an attentive audience from words found in John 12 Chap. 32 verse.

   S. S. Hammond had the misfortune to damage his evaporator quite badly by leaving too much fire under it.

   The Good Templars Lodge will meet in the evenings the second and fourth Saturday of each month at the Grange Hall.

   The W. C. T. U. will meet at Mrs. Chauncey Tuttles on Saturday evening of this week. All members are requested to be present.

   Mrs. Carrie Tripp is quite sick with the three days measles, and Miss Mertie Carson is assisting her and caring for Mrs. Tripp, who is still feeble.

   Sugaring still continues. It seems our winter has just commenced. More snow has fallen in the last week than at any other time the past winter.

   KATE.

HARFORD.

   Miss May Hathaway has been quite sick with measles.

   Mr. George Seaman is very sick with lung trouble caused by la grippe.

   Mr. Milo Day, of Harford, was in Cortland last week attending the trial of Griswold.

   Mr. Seymour Hults, of Hunt's Corners, was spending a few days last week with his uncle, S. Hyde.

LITTLE YORK.

   J. S. Lord, one of the jurors in the Griswold trial resides in this place.

   B. L. McNamara attached one of Ryan Green's matched greys during his attendance at Court and removed it to this place.

   Robin and Rollin Wright will act as a battery for any ball club in this vicinity who may desire their services. They are good "uns."

   They are now sending about sixty cans of milk each morning from this depot. They have ice enough to run them well through the season.

   Mrs. Sally Albro, who resides with her son-in-law A. B. Raymond, has been seriously ill, but under the care of Dr. R. A. Goodell, is improving.

   Lewis Babcock having sold his farm to John Roe, has taken the Durkee farm on Cold Brook. Mr. Durkee having the past season built a house in Homer, moves into it.

   All the sugar makers have been kept busy. What with rain and snow it has been hard work to make the "luscious sweet" the past week. More are putting up the syrup than ever.

   There has been very little produce shipped from this station this season. Only a few carloads of potatoes and some lumber, with an occasional car of green tow. Protection makes us a home market.

   John Gillett is now drawing his milk, but as soon as grass comes will follow the example of his grandfather and fill the market with Gillett's cheese. If he can equal the original make it will find a ready sale.

   The double wedding at Frank Pratt's last week was largely attended, but presented to the guests a dilemma. They must either duplicate their presents or select to which couple they be presented. All passed very pleasantly and the contracting parties took the late train southward for a short trip.

   ULI SLICK.