The Cortland Democrat, Friday, July 17,
1891.
PUBLIC LIBRARY IN MARATHON.
A Wealthy Ohio Lady the Founder— Several
Citizens Remembered.
Marathon
is to have a Public Library, thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Marsena Brink
Peck of East Greenwich, Ohio, who died recently at the age of 90 years. She was
formerly a resident of Marathon. In 1884 her sister, Mrs. C. C. Peck of
Chicago, who was very wealthy, died leaving something like $160,000 to
different relatives and friends in Marathon, some of the bequests amounting to
$20,000 each. The Marathon Independent furnishes the following synopsis
of the contents of the will:
After
providing for the payment of her debts, etc., she gives to the descendants of Marvin and Alzina Atwater (her sister) the farm
upon which she died at East Greenwich, Ohio, with the personal property therein
contained. To her niece, Mrs. Caroline Squires of Marathon, $5,000; to her nephews
Charles G. Brink of Binghamton, $3,000; J. L. Brink of Marathon, $1,700 and
accrued interest; Antionette Carter of Marathon, $1,000; Jacob Starin of
Whitewater, Wis., $5,000; Mrs. Agnes Hinman of Marathon, $1,000; Mrs. Eliza
Johnson, formerly of Marathon, widow of the late Washington G. Johnson, $500;
to Mrs. Esther Hunt, Mrs. Sarah Adams, E. C. Carley, Mrs. Root Carley, and Mrs.
Ida Austin of Marathon, each $100; to a nephew, Clement Peck, $5,000; to the
Marathon Cemetery Association $1,000; to the Presbyterian Church of Marathon,
$5,000; to the Methodist and Baptist Churches each $100.
"I
give to James H. Tripp, Daniel B. Tripp and Daniel Whitmore, of Marathon,
aforesaid, the sum of Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000) in trust, for the
organization, furnishing and maintenance of a free public Library, in Marathon
aforesaid. The details for said organization, and for the purchase of books,
fitting up, and support of said library, I am obliged to leave entirely to the
discretion of the said trustees, with the hope that they will exercise their best
judgment, and so manage it, that it shall be of the best possible benefit to
the people of Marathon. The said trustees shall cause a corporation to be
formed for the above purpose, to which corporation the above trust fund shall
be paid for the purpose aforesaid."
The
remainder of her estate, which balance was substantially the amount willed to
her by her late sister, Mrs. C. C. Peck, is devised to the Home for Incurables,
founded and endowed by the latter at Chicago, Ill.
Furthermore,
this bequest for the Public Library is but the outcome of an agreement made and
understood between Mrs. Marsena Peck and her late sister, Mrs. C. C. Peck.
 |
| Frederick Douglass. |
PAGE FOUR/EDITORIALS.
Fred Douglass, minister to Hayti, has returned home with his luggage complete and it
is surmised by knowing ones that he has made a stupendous failure and was called
home by President Harrison. It is asserted that King Hyppolite and his cabinet
were not pleased with Mr. Douglass and rather resented the sending of a "Coon"
to represent the United States at the Coon's Court [sic].
 |
| James G. Blaine. |
The
reports in regard the health of James G. Blaine are very conflicting,
notwithstanding the fact that some of the big city papers are endeavoring to
learn the true facts in regard to his condition by sending special reporters to
Bar Harbor. One day we are informed that he is both a physical
and mental wreck, and the next day we are informed that all such reports are
purely sensational and false and that although he is not in the best of health,
he will be strong enough to resume his duties in Washington in the fall. It
will be remembered that similar reports in regard to the health of Samuel J.
Tilden were published, only to be denied by his friends, who stated that he was
in his usual health. His death not long after proved that his friends were
trying to conceal the fact that he was seriously ill for political effect. While
Mr. Blaine may not be in immediate danger of dissolution, the situation fully warrants
the belief that his political career is about ended and that his death will be announced
in the near future. He has been a hard worker all his life and the strain on
his great ability has undoubtedly proved too much for him. His career has been
a most remarkable one and even his worst enemy must admit that he is a brilliant
man and that his retirement will be a severe loss to the country.
Time to Act Together.
The
Buffalo Evening News under date of July 11 hits the nail on the head in
an article under the above caption which we copy:
"There
is good reason for the Courier's suggestion this morning that it is time
for the newspapers of this State to act together in defence [sic]
of their rights and interests. The secret execution law, with Warden Brown's
rifle guard to intimidate prisoners and his gag-pledge to witnesses of
the execution of the State's penalty for murder, only emphasizes
and centers attention on a state of things which has been gradually growing
more and more serious and now threatens the power and usefulness of the
press of the State.
It is not
only that the big papers in the cities are oppressed by such laws as the Gerry
secret experiment act, under which murderers may be put to death behind a screen
of armed men and the public know nothing but what a party of invited and pledged
guests of the warden see fit to give out ten days after. The country papers,
which are as useful and as necessary in their localities as the big papers in the
cities are in theirs, have their grievances, and serious ones. The law of
libel, which presupposes malice in truthful publications, is one of these.
Another is the picayune policy in publication of the session laws under
authority of statute in the counties of the States. It is a matter of little
importance in the cities, perhaps, but it is a matter of importance in the smaller
towns when the compensation for such publication is cut down to a starvation limit,
impoverishing and weakening the papers that have such work awarded to them
under the law. When a narrow-gauge county supervisor or briefless cultivator of
farm-line litigation gets into the Assembly and proceeds to make a record for himself
by attacks on the country press, and by such cheese-paring as has been a feature
of legislation lately, it is time for the papers to make a united front and show
whether the press is really the power for its own protection that it proves
itself to be in numberless crusades for the good of the general public.
It is
time for Mr. Dana to call his convention of editors—to knock out once for all
the arbitrary legislation against the free press of the State. It is time for
the big and little papers to make common cause. This is a lawyer-ridden State
and a ring-ridden State at present, and the more the press can be crippled the
less effective is their criticism likely to be against corrupt and imbecile
legislators. No wonder, then, that there should be an apparently systematic effort
to hamper the press, both city and country, by Gerry laws, by libel laws and by
starvation laws. It is time such laws should be appealed and their defenders relegated
to private life. It can be done if the editors act together.
It is
time to call Mr. Dana's convention."
To Bridge the Niagara at Buffalo.
OTTAWA, Ont.,
July 3.—The parliamentary railway committee to-day reported the bill
incorporating the Buffalo and Fort Erie bridge company. The company is authorized
to construct and maintain a railway bridge across the Niagara river or a tunnel
under the same river from Fort Erie, Ont., above the international bridge to a
point at or near Buffalo. Similar powers will be asked from Congress or the New
York state legislature. The capital stock will be $10,000,000. The bridge or tunnel
shall be commenced within five years and completed within ten years thereafter;
otherwise the powers granted shall cease. Among the promoters of the company
are several American capitalists.
Order From
Chaos.
In the
latter part of the 70s, George W. Clark purchased a tract of wild, and
apparently untenable land south west of the village of Cortland, among the
renowned hills bordering on the classic town of Virgil. Whatever opinion other people
might entertain relative to the outcome, of one thing Mr. Clark was positive:
that the land would produce in abundance if properly tilled. To cultivate a
chaotic wilderness was about the most absurd idea that could be advanced in past
decades; but gradually the obstacles were removed, small fruits and berries
were planted upon the gentle sloping hill at either side of a narrow glen,
until to-day the products of this garden are eagerly sought in Cortland markets.
Crates of
strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries, currants, baskets of grapes, pears,
quinces, plums, bearing the simple superscription "Clark, Cortland, N. Y.,"
are emptied as soon as delivered to the dealer, the customer knowing the high
quality of the fruit. To reach this rung in the ladder of success this pioneer
gardener met many rebukes and was forced to educate public taste to the fact
that cultivated fruit was wholesome and delicious. Mr. Clark also manufactures a
fine grade of wine from currants of his own growing, which is rapidly finding place
in private cellars.
Although competition
has sprung into the field the pioneer comes to the front with new delicacies each
season. This year he has a large and well cared for vineyard heavily laden with
the choicest varieties of grapes, while for currants and berries call at the groceries.
Mr. Clark's success is sufficient to encourage the transformation of many tracts
of now apparently sterile land throughout the country.
Item.
Gains
Smith, of Upper Lisle, a young boy about 17 years old met with a severe accident
Saturday afternoon while engaged with others in firing off a miniature cannon, which
they loaded with gravel, brick dust and powder. As he was on his knees, and in
the act of touching the match to the fuse, the cannon went off, lifting him and
completely turning him over so that he struck on his face. He sustained a
severe cut in the forehead and his face and eyes were blown full of powder and
gravel as was his breast and arms. His hands and right eye were burned and at
first it was feared that his eyes would be ruined. Dr. Lewis was sent for and
dressed the wounds and the patient is doing well and is as comfortable as could
be expected. The brim and front of the crown of his hat were torn completely
away.
HERE AND THERE.
Webster
Young of this place caught a three-pound bass at Little York, last Monday, with
a trout rod.
L. D. C.
Hopkins & Son are making some extensive additions to their green houses on
Groton avenue.
The
King's Daughters will meet with Mrs. A. M. Johnson at 32 Groton avenue, on
Saturday, July 18th, at 3 o'clock P. M.
Messrs.
Duell & Cleary, cigar manufacturers of this place, gave their employes [sic] an
outing at Little York, Tuesday, and footed all the bills.
The
officers of the Congregational church in this place have purchased a $3,000
organ, which is to be put in place in the church by Oct. 30th next.
The [trotting
and pacing] races at Kirkwood Park, Syracuse, July 21st to 24th, promise to be
very interesting. There are 160 entries and premiums to the amount of $5,000
offered.
A couple
of tarantulas were found in a bunch of bananas that were being unpacked at
Beaudry's fruit store, Wednesday. They were safely hived in a glass jar.
Hitchcock
Hose company took the prize for being the finest appearing company in the line
at Syracuse, last Thursday. The prize was a silver speaking trumpet, which is
on exhibition in H. P. Gray's show window.
The
entertainment given by the members of St. Mary's church, in Wells' Hall, last
Saturday evening, was well attended and proved to be a grand success in all
respects. Over $300 was the net result which goes towards paying for the new parochial
residence.
A
one-legged man is about the country begging money in order to get him a cork leg.
At Malone he collected $800. His racket is a good one, and, as an exchange remarks,
if he bought legs with all the money he has collected he would now be a regular
thousand-legged worm.—Ex.
The concert given by the Trovatoire Club in
the Opera House, last Friday evening, was not largely attended, but it proved eminently
satisfactory to those who did attend. The club made such an excellent impression
that we predict a full house whenever the entertainment is repeated.
Mr. Fred. I. Graham, of this place, has
purchased the stock of drugs, medicines and paints of Mr. E. E. Reynolds, at
No. 17 Railroad-st., and has taken possession. Mr.
Graham is well and favorably known to the citizens of this place as an upright,
honest business man, who, from several years' experience, has become thoroughly
acquainted with the drug trade.
John Green, of DeRuyter, a section man on
the E. C. & N. railroad, was run over by the cars near Cuyler, last Tuesday
forenoon, and had one leg cut off below the knee, and
part of the foot of the other leg was also cut off. He attempted to cross the
track ahead of the train. Both legs were amputated by the physicians, but he died
from the shock Wednesday morning.
A very valuable supplement will accompany the
next number of Harper's Weekly. It will be devoted to some special
features of the eleventh census, and will present in tabulated form such facts
and figures with reference to the progress, industries, and resources of the
different States as are of most general interest to the public. It will be
worthy of study and preservation.
The important case of Etta P. Frink vs. Sheriff
Borthwick et. al., of Cortland Co., to recover for her property sold on
judgments against her husband, O. E. Frink, the late Virgil cheese-maker, has
been decided in favor of the plaintiff, who receives a verdict of about $325
and costs. H. C. Miner for plaintiff; Duell, Benedict & Kellogg for
defendants.—DeRuyter Gleaner.
No reader of the DEMOCRAT should fail to
peruse the serial now running in this paper entitled "The Exiles." It
is one of the most interesting stories ever published. The terrible suffering
of the Siberian exiles is graphically described and the reader's interest is
kept up from beginning to end. The story was commenced last week. Begin at the
beginning and you will not miss a number.
Little Geo. Harkness, aged 14, son of David
Harkness, living upon the Wells place, east of the river, fell upon a sharp scythe,
Tuesday morning, cutting the knee joint entirely open, and more than half severing
the lower part of the leg from the thigh. The wound was a formidable one, and
the doctors have little hope of preserving the joint even if the leg can be
saved. Dr. Jewett, assisted by Dr. Frank Green, dressed the wound.
Judge Walter Lloyd Smith refuses to grant a
peremptory mandamus in the case of Dr. W. G. Bliss against The Board of Supervisors
of Cortland county. This is the decision of the court in the action brought by
Dr. Bliss, of Tully, to compel the Board of Supervisors of this county to pay
him for services as an expert in the case of The People agst. R. W. Griswold, who
was tried for killing Dennis O'Shea, of Preble, two years ago. Dr. Bliss made a
contract with the District Attorney of this county for his services, for which
the latter agreed that the county should pay Dr. Bliss $25 per day for his
services. The Board of Supervisors refused to pay the amount, but allowed $50,
in full, claiming that the District Attorney had no authority to make such
contract for the county. We have not seen a copy of the opinion, but conclude
that the court took the same view of the question. The amount claimed by Dr.
Bliss was upwards of $100.
Mr. G. F. Beaudry has just put upon the road
an elegant delivery wagon, from the Hitchcock Manufacturing Co.
Johnny, the three-year-old son of John Brown,
residing on Crandall-st., in this village, was taken with spasms on Tuesday last,
and died Wednesday morning. Drs. Henry and Dana, who attended him, pronounced it
a case of sunstroke. The funeral will be held on Friday, at 3 P. M.
Mr. W. R. George, of New York, was in town
last Tuesday, making arrangements for the care of the children to be brought
from New York to Freeville for an outing. It was proposed that each of the
churches in this vicinity furnish provision for one or two days. The churches here
have agreed to furnish their share.
Cleveland's Minstrels were greeted with a
large audience in the Opera House, on Wednesday
evening. To say that the entertainment was first class in all respects, is
awarding the performance but faint praise. The stage was handsomely draped and
presented a magnificent appearance. All the acts were good and the instrumental
music was of a high order. The dressing of the performers in the first part in
tights was the only thing about the entertainment that showed questionable
taste.
Few
Are Healthier.
The May bulletin of the state board of health,
issued this week, shows the number of deaths in the state during the month to
have been 10,213, or a death rate of 21.50 annually per 1,000 of population.
There were fifteen deaths in Oneonta during
the month of May, 7 in Norwich, 10 in Cortland, 8 in Delhi, 4 in Cooperstown
and 7 in Walton.
The following is the annual death rate per
month, per 1,000 population: Walton, 23.90; Cooperstown, 16; Oneonta, 25.21;
Delhi, 32; Cortland, 13.23; Norwich, 15.10.
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