CAYUGA LAKE SEA SERPENT

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, September 28, 1894.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   TOMPKINS.—The Cayuga lake sea serpent, it is now stated, is a veritable reality. This being so, it should be captured and placed in the Cornell museum.

   It is stated that Mrs. Darius Teeter, of North Lansing, has a Maltese cat which weighs eighteen pounds. The cat has seven toes on each foot.

   James Coughlin, an Ithaca carpenter, was working Thursday on a building that is on the edge of the second fall, when he fell over the embankment, a distance of forty feet, and plunged into the water. He succeeded in keeping his head above the water until some men reached him and pulled him out. His head was badly cut.

   An old resident of the town of Lansing, James Jack, who has for some time made his home with Orin English, was found dead in the woods near there on Friday last. He started with a basket on his arm to gather ginseng roots. While engaged in this work he was stricken with apoplexy. The body was not found until the next day.  Jack was a one-armed man about 60 of age.

   Sid Barnes and Milo Howell were called on Monday to assess damages to the flocks of C. E. Smith and Henry Smith, of Lansing. The dogs were driven away in the morning and recognized by Mr. Smith and others. Henry Smith's flock were attacked the same morning and seven were bitten, evidently by the same curs. Allan Rose last week had one killed and several injured by dogs. A shot gun policy should be inaugurated for all dogs roaming at large.

  

CAYUGA'S SEA-SERPENT-REDIVIVUS.

   It has come at last. It seems impossible for a season to pass but that the green-eyed monster makes its appearance. The sea serpent is referred to. People have for years shivered with terror as the tales of the horrible sea serpent have been restarted. The old fellow is charitable in his appearance for as a rule he appears but annually in one locality. According to an old resident, who heard the narration here to be repeated, this is the sixty-ninth annual appearance of “old greeny” and a careful inspection of THE JOURNAL’S files substantiates this statement. The members of THE JOURNAL staff have been living in daily anticipation of the monster’s appearance, and have actually shunned assignments which would take them near the water’s edge for fear of being compelled to shudder and tremble at the sight of him The old boy is real cute, too, about coming on deck. 
   The warm summer sun has no charms for him, as it would allow the human race too great opportunity to inspect him. He waits until the cold north winds blow their chilly selves across the placid lake and ruffle its composure, until one would think that the lake itself is agitated by reason of its fearful guest. By selecting these times for his visit, the old boy knows that human courage cannot well brave the fury of a gale and the sight of him also, so he is safe.

   Following is the latest and most authentic version by on Ithacan whose veracity is unquestioned, and whose statement is substantiated by a companion and a tramp. "I was taking a pleasure drive this morning along the east shore of the lake with a friend, when I chanced to look out on the lake, and there about two hundred feet from the shore, I saw what at first glance filled me with fear, but at the same time riveted my gaze. I immediately guessed that it was the famed sea serpent. I quickly alighted from my carriage and with my companion walked to the shore. We were at McKinney’s at the time. The head of the animal was large and its body long and it disported in seeming glee among the white caps. It was certainly the sea serpent. I never saw an animal of its description before and it tallied with the accounts I have read of the serpent."

   The gentleman’s friend corroborated the story in every detail, and the tramp, a witness of the incident, also claimed the story to be true. The tramp stated that he threw stones at it and the animal lashed the water with its tail at the tramp’s missiles. From the character of THE JOURNAL reporter’s informant there was no reason to believe that the sight of the serpent was the result of the "whirl" last night.

LATER.

   The reporter encountered the tramp just before THE JOURNAL went to press, and in consideration of the price of a mug of malt extract, disclosed the fact that in his opinion the animal was a muskrat. Readers may choose between the word of one of Ithaca’s respected citizens or the tramp with a price.—Ithaca Daily Journal, Jan. 5, 1897.

David B. Hill.

IT IS DAVID B. HILL.

Second Day.

   SARATOGA, Sept. 26 —In the hall where two governors have already been placed in nomination, the Democratic convention met yesterday to add a third to the list of successful candidates whom it there had named. The county of Albany had placed in nomination its honored son, John Boyd Thatcher. Mr. Hitt made an able and eloquent speech. There was no other candidate. Everybody knew Mr. Gaynor and Mr. Whitney were out of the race.

   At the close of Mr. Hitt's speech the county of Allegany was called. A delegate arose whose voice and name were not known to ten men in the convention. He shouted: "The first choice, last choice, and only choice of the united delegation of Allegany county is David B. Hill."

   With one motion, the convention arose on its feet; not only the delegates but the spectators, men and women. They all took up the cry: "We want Hill." The women waved their parasols, and the men threw their hats into the air and stood on the chairs and shouted. Everything else was forgotten. Every other candidate was dropped. Cheer after cheer resounded through the convention.

   Senator Hill stood up and pounded with his gavel on the table. "The secretary will proceed with calling the roll by counties," he said.

   The secretary continued calling the roll. The delegates could not contain themselves. Senator Guy, of New York, climbed on a chair and voiced the sentiment of the young men of the Democratic party, and appealed to the senator to fulfill his duty to the party and accept the nomination, which the party demanded he should receive at their hands.

   Bourke Cockran arose, and in behalf of the Democrats of New York city, appealed to Senator Hill to sacrifice himself to their demands. Mr. Cockran got on the platform, and standing close to the presiding officer, said:

   "By all the ties that have bound him in the past, by his hopes of the future, I demand that he will lead us and I now name him for governor."

   Turning to the convention, Mr. Cockran said: "Will you make the nomination unanimous?"

   Every delegate and every spectator, the women on the chairs, telegraph operators at their desks, the reporters at the tables with one voice shouted, "Aye."

   Turning to Senator Hill, Mr. Cochran thundered, "Senator Hill, we summon you to your duty."

   Senator Hill simply said: "The secretary will continue the calling of the roll."

   County after county took up the cry for Hill. The roll was finished for nominations. The only candidates named were Mr. Thacher and Senator Hill.

   Mr. Hitt got up on a chair and said that in view of the expression of sentiments by the convention he, too, would nominate Senator Hill.

   Several delegates moved that Senator Hill be nominated by acclamation. Senator Hill refused to put the question. He said that the secretary should call the roll of counties for their votes.

   Albany county headed the list, and Gen. Tracey said that Albany county cast its eleven votes for Senator Hill, the twelfth being Senator Hill himself. There was no doubt how any county would vote. Everyone was for Hill. Every vote was greeted with cheers. Every delegate vied with his fellows in showing his zeal and his enthusiasm.

   Secretary DeFreest announced the result that of the 384 delegates to the convention, 383 had voted for Senator Hill. The cheers arose again. Enthusiasm was redoubled. Then there was a lull.

   The convention waited for what Senator Hill would say. Cries came from all over the hall: "You must take it;" "We ask it of you;" "We demand it of you." "David B. Hill, first, last and all the time."

   After the lull, after the shouts, Senator Hill arose and simply said. "What is the further pleasure of the convention?"

   Lieutenant-Governor Sheehan moved that Daniel N. Lockwood, of Erie county, be nominated for lieutenant-governor. It was done by acclamation.

   James D. Bell went to the platform and said that Kings county wanted the nomination of William J. Gaynor for judge of the Court of Appeals. That nomination was also made by acclamation.

   Then the convention adjourned.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

 ◘ The Democratic congressional convention for this district held in Auburn last Saturday, nominated Eli McConnell of Penn Yan for member of Congress. Mr. McConnell is a prominent Democrat and a well known man of business of that thriving town.  
◘ The A. P. A. carried a majority of the wards in last night's Republican caucuses at Springfield. Mass. Their most notable victory was the defeat of ex-Mayor Bradford for Representative.—Syracuse Herald, Sept. 20.  
◘ The A. P. A. seems to be dictating the nominations of Republican conventions in other states as well as our own.  
◘ Last Sunday morning the jury empanelled to try Charles F. Wilson for killing policeman James Harvey of Syracuse, came into court and rendered a verdict of murder in the first decree. Wilson was sentenced the following morning by Judge Williams to be electrocuted in Auburn prison during the week commencing October 6. A few months since his brother, Lucius R. Wilson, or "Dink" as he was called, was electrocuted in Auburn prison for the same crime. The Wilson brothers were western desperadoes and when arrested by policeman Harvey [they] shot him dead. This crime might not have been noticed in the west but it was promptly punished in the empire state.  

Imprisonment for Life.

   Edgar L Tracey, the Afton murderer, who has been undergoing trial at Norwich the past week for the murder of his aunt, was sentenced on Tuesday morning to imprisonment for life in Auburn penitentiary by Judge Forbes. The Judge's address to the prisoner was very severe. He said that it evidently was a case of too much whiskey and he blamed the man for being led through vicious appetites to commit such a henious crime. Tracey said that he had no ill will towards his aunt when he killed her but did it in the heat of passion. He will be taken at once to the penitentiary.

1894 magazine illustration of "wheelwomen."

HERE AND THERE.

   Forster [forecaster] says a killing frost will visit the eastern states between Sept. 27 and 30.

   The sharp frost of Tuesday night killed off the vegetable growth in this section.

   The Pomona Grange will meet in Good Templars' Hall at Cortland, Tuesday, Oct. 2nd, at 10:30 A. M.

   The regular meeting of the board of managers of the hospital association will be held at the hospital, Monday, Oct. 1, at 3 P. M.

   Miss Maggie Peak, pension attorney of this place, has secured an increase of pension for John G. Smith of Virgil from $30 per month to $50.

   The regular meeting of the Woman's Relief Corps, No. 96, will be held next Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock sharp. A full attendance is desired.

   Next Monday evening the celebrated play "Alabama" will be presented in the Opera House. It drew a large house here a year ago and as the play gave excellent satisfaction it is safe to say that the house will be crowded this time.

   On account of the Saratoga Convention and a press of other news matter, we are compelled to limit the number of sketches of Cortland's leading business interests in this issue. We will, however, continue them in our succeeding one. We most cordially thank our townspeople for their hearty co-operation.

   Messrs. T. M. McMahon and J. C. Carmody of Buffalo have leased the shop in the rear of the Cortland Foundry and will commence the manufacture of boilers, stacks, standpipes, oil and water tanks, etc., in about two weeks. They are practical workmen and thoroughly understand every detail of the business.

   Eugene Rodey, a young man, son of Freeman Rodey of Summer Hill and twenty-four years of age, committed suicide by hanging himself to a rafter in his father's barn, Friday last. The family are unable to state any cause for the rash act, unless it be financial matters which had been worrying him of late. Coroner Ryan of this village was summoned and after viewing the body issued a burial permit.—Moravia Register.

   The Cortland City band will give a concert and dance in the armory this evening. Admission fifty cents. Ladies free. The boys ought to have a large attendance.

   Mr. Henry Salisbury has sold his carriage repair shop on Port Watson-st. to Messrs. Neil Jennings and John Livingston who will continue the business and who will also build new work.

   The power house of the electric road will be built near the first bridge on the D. L. & W. road. The track will run from Elm-st. through Pomeroy-st. to Port Watson-st. and will cross the river bridge on one of the present tracks.

   A few evenings since [ago] several young ladies of this place were seen riding wheels in bloomer costume. An evening or two later a well known citizen ran to the assistance of a lad who had tumbled from his wheel on Union-st. It proved to be the lad's sister who was dressed in her brother's tights. Dress reform is coming on rapidly in Cortland.

   The regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. will be held in their rooms Saturday, Sept. 29 at 3 P. M. Crusade day will be observed also special prayer and humiliation before God for our national sins, in conjunction with other christian bodies; and the prayer for divine guidance and blessing upon the coming State Convention of the W. C T. U. at Jamestown.

   Messrs. Coon Brothers have purchased the Court-st. bakery of Messrs. Doud & Chaffee and have taken possession. Besides everything in the line of bake-stuffs they have a fine line of fruits and confectioneries which they sell at very low prices. The new proprietors thoroughly understand the wants of the trade and they will spare no pains to merit a fair share of public patronage.

   Bingham & Miller, the popular clothiers, have a new advertisement on our last page.

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   John M. Lown of Benton, Yates county, has a pure white woodchuck with pink eyes, the only one of the kind on record.

   ''Billy'' Fuller, a well known commercial traveler, has exchanged Syracuse property for Peter Launt's hotel at Walton.

   Fayette Carpenter, of Oxford, shot a fish-hawk a few days ago which measured five feet and six inches from tip to tip.

   Jacob Mendell, a Laplander living in Syracuse, has been arrested on charge of passing counterfeit money. The police expect to unearth a gang of counterfeiters.

   The school tax for the whole State is $3,900,000, of which New York and Brooklyn pay $2,300,000, or 60 per cent of the whole amount.

   Ringling Brothers' Circus was struck by a tornado at Niagara Falls Saturday night. The tents were torn to ribbons and much of the paraphernalia was destroyed.

   When the steamer Egyptian was in the middle of Lake Ontario a few days ago, a carrier pigeon all tired out flew into the rigging and was easily captured by one of the men. It was fed and cared for and Captain Beggs turned it over to Joseph Gill to keep unless called for by the owner. There is a metal band on the bird's leg marked "2,467."

TOWN REPORTS.

Marathon.

   Ground has been broken for the cellar of Dr. R. L. Smith's new house which will be built at once.

   Much regret has been expressed by the older residents, that during the recent session of the Presbytery held in this place, owing to some oversight or misunderstanding, Rev. Huntington Lyman was not accorded the privilege of addressing the people. Mr. Lyman was pastor of the Presbyterian Church in this place for thirteen years, about twenty years ago, and is remembered with affection and esteem by many of our townspeople who would have greatly enjoyed listening to a few remarks from the aged minister.

   E. Clark Carley, who has been ill for the past three weeks, died on Wednesday morning at 4 o'clock. In the death of Mr. Carley, Marathon loses one of her best known and most respected citizens—a lifelong resident, and of a genial, sympathetic nature, he was identified with all the interests of the place, and up till within a few weeks of his death he was daily seen about town, and at nearly every entertainment at the churches, halls, etc., he was present. Although his health has been failing for some time, it was not supposed that he was in a critical condition and his death seems very sudden. He is survived by a widow, one daughter, four sons and several brothers and sisters. The sympathies of all are with the bereaved friends.

Scott.

   Ernest Barber has been hired to teach the north village school the coming winter.

   John Hazard and John Weller and wife of Syracuse have been visiting friends in town.

   Miss Elizabeth Clark and daughter, Neva, go to live with her brother Randolph Clark in Pennsylvania soon.

   Revs. Huffman of West Virginia and Burdick of New York city are holding meetings every evening this week at the S. D. B. Church. Considerable interest is already manifest. Everybody invited.

   We notice the only reference in the late republican state platform looking to the saloon question is a promise of passing a satisfactory excise law. Can anybody tell us what that means? Is it a sop to the temperance men, or the saloon men? To whom, pray tell us, is it to be satisfactory? Who can answer? Why did they not pass such a law at the last session? They certainly had everything in their own hands, having a large republican majority.

Elm Stump.

   Mr. Ira Shedd is very sick.

   Carpenters are busily engaged in the work of erecting Timothy Smith's new barn.

   Relyea Smith sold 37 bushels of onions in Blodgett's Mills Monday in an incredible short time, at 70 cents per bushel.

   Another one of our community has passed away. Mrs. Louisa Smith, wife of the late Edwin Smith, died Sept. 20. She has been in feeble health for many months. She leaves a son and daughter.

   Monday evening, while Jesse Judd and David Munson were in pursuit of a squirrel, their revolver was accidentally discharged, the ball hitting Jesse on the thigh and embedding itself it the flesh to such a depth that the doctor could not extract it. It is thought, perhaps, the wound will heal, without causing any permanent lameness.

   Mrs. Dora Oaks wishes to say through the columns of the DEMOCRAT, that her brother and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Forshee of Hunt's Corners, earnestly thank their neighbors and friends for their kindness during the sickness and death of their only son which occurred Sept. 21. Mrs. Forshee is known by many in this place who sincerely sympathize with her in her great loss.