TWO FIRES

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 16, 1892.

Two Fires.

   A few minutes past 9 o'clock last Sunday morning, Messrs. H. G. and E. E. Reynolds, of the Cortland Drug Company, and one of their employes [sic], started to take the train on the E. C. & N. road for Albany. Mr. E. E. Reynolds had occasion to stop at the factory in the second story of No. 14 Port Watson-st., where he discovered a smart fire raging in the partition and ceiling of the office. He gave the alarm and box No. 432, corner of Main and Port Watson streets, was pulled. The department turned out quickly, the Orris boys having the first and only stream necessary to extinguish the flames. The  Hitchcock Hose did excellent work with their small chemical engines.

   The fire originated from a furnace which rested on a brick foundation on a hard wood floor. The furnace was used to parch corn over, and charcoal was used for fuel. It was supposed that the fire had nearly gone out when employees left the factory Saturday night. Iron shutters had been placed on the windows and this prevented a draft and also prevented the flames from being seen from the outside. It is supposed that the floor underneath became so hot as to start a spark and that the fire had been smouldering all night. It was fortunate that Mr. Reynolds had occasion to visit the factory or the fire must have found its way throughout the building.

   The damage will amount to several hundred dollars, besides greatly inconveniencing the firm. They manufacture the justly celebrated Nelly Bly Cough drops, and other goods of a similar nature. The goods meet with a ready sale to the wholesale trade, and the members of the firm and their travelling men were to start that morning to be on the ground Monday to call on their customers.

   At 6:30 Monday evening fire was discovered in the southwest corner of the second floor of the small two-story brick building in rear of the Messenger House. An alarm was turned in from box 432 and Orris hose was soon on the ground followed by the Emeralds and the rest of the department. Orris soon had water on the flames and with a stream from the Emeralds, the fire was soon put out. The rooms in the second story of this building are occupied by the dining room girls. The two who occupied this room lost all their clothing except what they had on. One of them had $14 in currency in a pocket book that she had placed in her muff. There are no signs of the muff left and but very little of the pocket book, but the money, which was packed in the purse was found, badly scorched, but not spoiled.

   The boarders and guests of the house raised over $60 for them the next morning. The damage to the building can be repaired for an even hundred.

                                      Telephone Meeting.

   A meeting of citizens was held in Firemen's hall last Friday night, to discuss the telephone question. The meeting was called by President C. H. Price at the request of interested parties. Since the announcement was made that the telephone company intended to raise the price for the use of their instruments from $36 to $48 per year, many of our business men have been laboring under more or less excitement in regard to the matter, and the meeting was called to protest against the advance as many thought the price was extravagant.

   The meeting was called to order by Mr. Price who nominated Maj. A. Sager for chairman. Mr. F. Cy. Straat was elected Secretary and the call for the meeting was read.

   Mr. H. L Storke, president of the Telephone company being present, was invited to explain the position of the company. Mr. Storke said that the company had kept a careful account of the earnings and expenses of the past year and had found that they were operating the plant at a loss. When the plant was put in they thought they could render the service for $3 per month but that they were mistaken. The average gross revenue each year had been $3,875.58. For the current year the total income had amounted to $4,787. Expenses for local exchange $2,152.38, repairs $452.13, royalties $1,245.75; the proportion of this exchange to the general expense of maintaining Central office $1,304.10 making a total of $5,124.26. This plant cost $5,000 and must be rebuilt and a more expensive one put in. Mr. Storke said they had continued running the plant at a loss of more than $500 per year in the hope that business would improve and that it would finally become self sustaining.

   Hon. L. J. Fitzgerald, H. M. Kellogg, C. F. Thompson. G. T. Maxson, R. C. Tillinghast, J. D. Reid, S. N. Holden, Delos Bauder, C. H. V. Elliot, Theo. Stevenson and I. H. Palmer made some remarks, and nearly all, while admitting the convenience of the telephone, thought the price charged for its use was high enough.

   Mr. Fitzgerald said that another company stood ready to come here and furnish citizens for $24 per annum. A committee consisting of Messrs L. J. Fitzgerald, C. H. Price and G. T. Maxson was appointed to investigate the offers of the new company and report at a meeting to be hereafter called by them.

   On motion the meeting adjourned.

Meeting of the County Medical Society.

   The Cortland County Medical Society held its semi-annual meeting at the supervisors' rooms, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 8th. There were present, Drs. Angel, Bennett, Dana, Edson, Higgins, Jewett and Reese of Cortland, Hendrick and Forthee of McGrawvllle, Trafford of Marathon, Neary of Union Valley, Hunt of Preble, and Green of Homer.

   Dr. C. B. Trafford read the vice-president's address, the obituary of the late Dr. A. D. Reed of Marathon, and some of the older members added tributes of respect to their late follow member. It was requested that the obituary be published.

   Dr. Higgins followed with an interesting paper on "Astigmatism," which was discussed by Drs. Trafford, Jewett and others.

   Dr. Edson's paper on "Hereditary Syphilis,'' provoked a warm discussion on the question of transmission, etc. The paper was discussed at some length by Drs. Higgins and Dana.

   The last paper on the program was by Dr. Jewett, his subject being " Wounds of the Knee Joint.'' An interesting cast was cited of a wound in this joint where the entire joint was laid open, but under proper antiseptic treatment a good and rapid recovery was made, the patient having an almost perfect use of his limb. The paper was discussed by Drs. Hendrick, Higgins and Forshee.

   This completed the regular program. The papers and discussions made an interesting and profitable meeting.

   The committee on revision of the Society Manual and fee bill were instructed to report at the next quarterly meeting of the society.     

   F. H. GREEN, Secretary.

   Homer, Dec. 14, 1892.

Death of Mrs. Delos Bauder.

   Mrs. Delos Bauder, who has suffered greatly from an affection [sic] of the heart for the past two or three years, died Tuesday evening, aged 62 years. She was born in Herkimer county and came to Cortland with her husband about twenty-five years ago. By her quiet and unassuming manners she had won many friends who will sorely miss her kindly greeting and social companionship. She was a member of Grace church and was highly esteemed by the members for her many christian virtues. Besides her husband, three daughters survive her, Mrs. Dorr C. Smith, Mrs. A. L. Chaplin and Miss Anna Bauder.

   The funeral will be held from the Cortland House this afternoon at 2 o'clock.

Death of Mrs. Margaret Nottingham.

   Mrs. Margaret Nottingham, widow of the late George Nottingham, died at her home on South Main-st., Thursday evening, December 8, aged 59 years. She had been in poor health for some years past and for several months previous to her death was a great though uncomplaining sufferer. She was a kind neighbor, a devoted wife and mother and will be sadly missed by a large circle of devoted friends. She leaves a son Geo, H., and a daughter, Mrs. Alex. M. Duffey to mourn her loss. The funeral was held from the house on Saturday afternoon, Rev. J. L. Robertson officiating.

Normal School Notes.

   On Friday evening last, the Gamma chapter of the Clionian fraternity celebrated their second anniversary, after the exercises of the evening, which were greatly enjoyed by the assembled guests. Mr. Corey introduced a speaker, not down on the programme, Miss Hose Hubbard who, in behalf of the Y. M. D.C. and the Corionor, in a very pleasing speech, presented the Gamma chapter of the Clionian Fraternity with a beautiful picture of "Music." As "two year-olds,' the members of the society acquitted themselves very creditably.

   The evening thus spent clearly proved that there was one thing lacking in the school, namely, a school social, held once every four or six weeks, which is the only way in which the students may become acquainted. The Gamma Sigma have a mock trial in the chapel on Wednesday evening, December 21, and guarantee to try in a most satisfactory manner a breach of promise case brought by Miss Susan Singleheart against Mr. Phil. Do-em-up. The price of admission is 10 cents, and you are sure of a hearty welcome.

W. C. T. U.

   The quarterly session of Cortland County Woman's Christian Temperance Union was held in Preble, Dec. 7th and 8th. Considering the weather and the traveling a good number of delegates and visitors were present. Those who were there received a hearty welcome and bountiful entertainment.

   Revs. McDonald and Leete were often in and spoke words of encouragement. Interesting and practical papers were read, one by Mrs. Mary Doud of Cortland, upon Narcotics, and one by Miss Sara Collins, also of Cortland, upon Heredity and Physical Culture.

   A model mothers' meeting was conducted by the county Superintendent of that department.

   Interesting and profitable discussions followed the reading of papers, and came up in the mother's meeting. The question box was in the hands of Mrs. Julia B. Stoppard. Mrs. P. H. Patterson gave a Bible reading at the opening of the afternoon session.

   The evening session was opened with a Bible reading by the county president Mrs. J. W. Keese. Five young ladles of Preble, with Mrs. Emma Van Hoesen of Homer, furnished very acceptable music. Mrs. Mary D. Ferguson, 1st vice-president of Onondaga county, who was present during the entire session as fraternal delegate, read an excellent paper upon "The Army Canteen." Mrs. Hammant of Syracuse, who is a fine elocutionist, gave several of her choice recitations to the delight of the audience.