VACATING THE CORTLAND COUNTY ASYLUM

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 5, 1890.

Vacating the County Asylum.

   Pursuant to an order received by Superintendent of the Poor, Dwight K. Cutter, last week from the state commissioners in lunacy that the inmates of the County Asylum must be transferred to the State Institution at Binghamton, on or before the 10th inst., seven of the misfortunate males were conveyed to the parlor city Wednesday morning. The remaining five males and twelve females will be transferred to the State Institution before the time stated in the order.

   The commodious, well constructed and thoroughly equipped Asylum erected by the taxpayers of this county, will now be practically of no use to the county whatever. That the inmates were well and comfortably provided for is an acknowledged fact and many were the favorable compliments passed upon our Asylum privileges and surroundings by those competent to pass upon matters of like nature. The people join with those most interested in the welfare of those transferred that there may be a continuance of the home like surroundings and attention.

An Alternative Mandamus.

   At a circuit and special term of the Supreme Court held in the city of Binghamton December 2, 1890, Hon. Gerret A. Forbes, Justice presiding, ordered: That an alternative mandamus be issued under the seal of said court directed to the Board of Supervisors of Cortland county, commanding it to audit, allow and order paid the claim of Dr. William Y. Bliss for the sum of $158.70 for services as a medical expert in the case of Robert W. Griswold, who was on trial for murder in the first degree at the March term last, less the sum of $8.70 paid thereon. It is learned that the sum of $8.70 was allowed as actual, necessary expenses.

Enlarging the Omnibus Works.

   The DEMOCRAT has called attention to the fact that several of Cortland's manufactories were enlarging their works to keep pace with increasing orders for their due of goods. It is now, even in winter, pleasant to note that the blacksmithing department is being enlarged, another story added to the drying room, extensive enlargements made to the wood working building and other increased facilities being constructed whereby the Cortland Omnibus and Cab Company will be better equipped to meet the orders for their neat, durable and A No. 1 heavy vehicles.

   The order for twenty large omnibuses has been speedily followed by another for fifty from the Chicago Carette company, and it is worthy of mention that the award of the Chicago company is made to our local manufactory over all makers of this line of goods.

   Those who have noted the growth of any of Cortland's enterprises express themselves as convinced that her natural surroundings aided by push and perseverance has been the incentive for outside capital to locate within her borders and all such investments have been marked with success as is evinced from that of the 'Bus company, whose reputation for quality and finely finished work has nearly trebbled in the past four years as the extensive scope of territory from which orders are received conclusively show.

Severely Censured.

   Last week Tuesday morning it was reported about the streets of Homer that Bertha, the eight-months-old daughter of Mr. Clay Brown of Maple ave., in that village, was found dead in the cradle with its face buried in the pillows. The child slept in the kitchen and the parents in another part of the house. She was as well as usual the night before.

   Reports had been in circulation to the effect that the child had been neglected, and Coroner Bradford summoned a Coroner's Jury and investigation was had. The post-mortem showed that all the child's organs were in a healthy state except the lungs which were badly congested, and Dr. F. H. Green testified that in his opinion the child came to its death by suffocation. Mrs. Brown, the mother, was the first witness sworn and she testified that the child was all right when she got up during the night to attend it, but that it was dead when she got up in the morning. She said that there was but one fire in the house and that was from a wood stove in the kitchen and that was allowed to go out at night. The child had slept in the kitchen alone, since it was four months old.

   The husband testified that he had allowed the children to cry a long time and did not allow them to be petted, for fear it would make them cross. He admitted that he did not like the children when they were young, and that he had the child sleep so far away because he thought it best for the child as well as the parents.

   Frank McCormack, who occupied a part of the house, testified that he had heard the children cry for a long time on several occasions. Chas. S. Brown, father of Clay Brown, testified that he never knew of his son's punishing the child. The jury, after a short deliberation, brought in a verdict that said Bertha Brown came to her death by suffocation, and that the circumstances attending her death warranted them in pronouncing severe censure upon the parents as to the treatment and care of the child. The funeral of the child was held on Wednesday afternoon at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Brown.

KILLED BY A FALLING TREE.

Elmon Carr of Blodgett's Mills, Instantly Killed by a Falling Tree.

   As Mr. Solomon Carr and son Elmon were engaged in felling trees Monday afternoon, one became lodged and another was sawed down for the purpose of falling against the lodged tree. Due caution was taken to wedge the last tree that it might fall in the desired direction. Contrary to their anticipations, the tree when loosed from the stump commenced falling in the opposite direction. To escape the danger of the failing tree, Mr. Carr and son ran directly under the lodged tree, which became loosened at this time and fell, one large limb striking Elmon, breaking his neck and crushing his skull and head in a frightful manner. Mr. Carr was knocked senseless, his collar bone broken and shoulder dislocated.

   When Mr. Carr regained consciousness he was but about five feet from his son, who was in advance. Mr. Carr walked to the house, about one-half mile distant, and his daughter, although in feeble health, notified the neighbors and willing hands cared for the mangled body.

   Elmon was a young man scarcely twenty-three years of age, a general favorite with every one, a member of the M. E. Sunday school, and I. O. of G. T., and a christian. Mr. and Mrs. Carr have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement, the loss of their only son.

   The funeral was held at the family residence about two miles south of Blodgett's Mills on Wednesday. Dr. Smith of McGrawville was called to attend Mr. Carr and set the broken bones and made him as comfortable as possible.

The Prohibitory Amendment.

   The Prohibitory Amendment Committee, of this county, held a meeting at the office of Judge A. P. Smith, in this village last Saturday afternoon. There was a large attendance and a lively interest was manifested. The object of the meeting was to perfect an organisation [sic] to the end that the question of the adoption of a Prohibitory Amendment to the Constitution of the State of New York, which is to be submitted to a vote of the electors of the State next April, may be properly presented. The Committee propose to see that their arguments in favor of the Amendment are brought to the attention of the voters.

   The following named gentlemen constitute the committee: Hon. A. P. Smith, H. L. Gleason, Newton Cone, Col. Frank Place, L. V. Smith, Cortland; C. R. Warner, Cincinnatus; Hon. H. P. Andrews, Cuyler; Theo. Shepherd, Freetown; Dr. W. K. Hammond, Harford; Rev. Dr. W. A. Robinson, W. A. Coon, Homer; G. N. Valentine, Lapeer; Jas. H. Tripp, Marathon; E. M. Van Hoesen, Preble; J. G. Bingham. Solon; M. G. Frisbie, Scott; A. K. Bennett, Taylor; Freeman Schermerhorn, Truxton; Riley Hammond, Virgil; Ogden Burlingame, Willett. The officers are: Chairman, Hon. A. P. Smith; Secretary. H. L. Gleason; Treasurer, Newton Cone.

   The Committee will meet again at Judge Smith's office in this place, on Monday Dec. 8, at 10 o'clock A M., and it is particularly desired that every member of the Committee be present as the meeting will be a very important one. All others who may be interested in the work are also earnestly requested to be present.

Consecration of Calvary Church.

   Homer people and many others will be interested to learn that the newly modeled edifice of Calvary church parish will be consecrated and services attending the admission to Holy Orders of Mr. George F. Clover will take place at 10:30 o'clock Wednesday morning next, the 10th inst. An opportunity will be presented before the final close of the meeting for offerings which will be appropriated toward cancelling the church debt. Donators are requested to place their donations in an envelope with or without name accompanying the same as they may chose.