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| Photo copied from Grip's Historical Souvenir of Cortland. |
BURGLARS AT WORK.
RESIDENCE
OF T. H. WICKWIRE ENTERED LAST NIGHT.
A Watch,
Sixty Dollars in Money and a Quantity of Silver Taken—How They Entered a
Mystery.
Burglars have again appeared in Cortland.
The elegant residence of T. H. Wickwire on Tompkins-st. was entered last night
and the intruders made quite a successful haul. They secured Mr. Wickwire's
valuable gold watch, his purse containing about sixty dollars in money and a
quantity of silverware. There is no clue whatever to the identity of the
robbers, and the manner in which they made an entrance to the house is a
mystery. Every window is fitted with a strong and intricate fastening, and all
were secure this morning. Every door has both a lock and a bolt, and all were
made fast last night. The bolt on the rear door, however, has been out of order
for a few days and upon this door only the lock was used. The door was locked [through] this morning and the key shows no signs of having been tampered with by
nippers or any instrument. The east door was found unlocked this morning, but
the bolt upon it could only have been turned back from the inside. The west
door was unbolted, but the night latch was on and the door was locked.
It is thought that the burglars went out
through this door and closed it behind them, as part of Mr. Wickwire's clothing
was this morning found on the lawn near this door. The front door was
undisturbed. The cellar windows were all right and the door leading from the
cellar to the first floor was found bolted this morning as usual. The only
conclusion is that some one must have stolen in yesterday and secreted himself
some where in the house and waited for the opportunity to begin operations.
Mr. and Mrs. Wickwire were aroused about 6
o'clock this morning by voices and talking upon the first floor. In a moment
the gas flashed up from every burner all over the house. It can be lighted by
pressure upon an electric button down stairs. Mrs. Wickwire recognized down
below the voice of her brother, Mr. H. J. Woodmansee, who is a member of the
family, and called to inquire what was the matter. He answered coolly,
"Oh, nothing much." But she knew by his lighting all the gas that
something of considerable importance had occurred, and she asked, "Has any
one been in the house?'' "Well, it looks like it," was his reply. Mr.
Wickwire sprang up and reached for his clothes which he always leaves upon a
chair next the head of his bed. There was nothing there except his shoes and
stockings.
As soon as possible they all dressed and
began an investigation. Nothing was disturbed upon the second floor, where the
family all sleep, except the removal of Mr. Wickwire's clothing. The sleeping
room occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Wickwire is near the head of the stairs and they
always leave the door open leading into the hall, so they can hear the children
if they should be unwell or should call. Mr. Wickwire says that once in the
night he heard his little son Jere call out in his sleep. He sat up in bed and
started to reach for the electric button near his head to light the gas to go
to Jere's room to see what was the trouble, but it appeared to be only a
child's call in his sleep and hearing no more he soon went to sleep again. This
is all the noise heard by any one in the night.
Down stairs things were pretty well
ransacked. All the silver upon the dining table and the sideboard was gone. There
was considerable silver in some cupboards though that was not disturbed. Mrs.
Wickwire inclined to think that the thieves were not experts in the judgment
of silver, for along with the solid silver they took, they carried away
considerable plated ware, and they also left behind them quite an amount of solid
silver which was in plain sight.
Part of Mr. Wickwire's clothing was found in
the diningroom, but his shirt and trousers were on the lawn on the west side of
the house. His purse was gone which contained about sixty dollars—much more
than he usually carries. His watch was also taken. Mr. Wickwire thinks the
burglars' idea in taking away his shirt was to secure his diamond stud,
but last night he removed it from his shirt bosom and laid it in a tray on the
bureau, where it was found this morning.
Down
stairs a closet opening from the hall, where the family hang their coats and cloaks,
was investigated, and the pockets were rifled. Mini Celia Hinman, Mrs. Wickwire's
cousin, found upon the floor her purse which she had yesterday left in the
pocket of her sealskin cloak. The purse had contained about $1.45, but it was
empty this morning. Mrs. Wickwire's purse containing about $11 was evidently
overlooked in a search through the table drawers where it had been left, for it
was all right.
Mr. H. J. Woodmansee is the treasurer of the
Presbyterian Sunday school. He had allowed the Sunday collections to accumulate
on his hands until he had nearly two quarts of small change. Mrs. Wickwire had
several times suggested to him that he had better deposit it in the bank, and
last Tuesday he did so, thus securing about one hundred dollars which would
undoubtedly have been taken, as the place prior to being deposited was well
looked over by the thieves. The collection last Sunday was still in the envelopes
in which it was taken up, and these were put together in a box which once
contained Huyler's candies and was so marked. Evidently the burglars had no
sweet tooth and did not care to investigate a candy box, for they picked the
box up, and handled it over in their search, but never opened it.
The doors of the refrigerator were opened,
but so far as can be noted nothing was taken from it.
It is impossible yet to estimate the loss in
silverware as Mrs. Wickwire has not yet been able to make out a list of the
missing articles, but the loss will be large.
Numerous robberies have been committed of
late in the surrounding country, particularly in Tioga county, and it is
possible that the gang of thieves who have been operating there have come up to
try Cortland county. At any rate it is advisable for every one to lock up
securely and to keep
very little money in their houses.
On motion of Mr. Brown:
ROYALIST
UPRISING FEARED.
Alleged
Discovery of a Plot to Restore Hawaii's Ex-Queen.
HONOLULU, NOV. 12 per steamer Mariposa via
San Francisco. That the government is slightly in fear of a Royalist
uprising has been evident during the last week. All the guards in the suburbs
have been doubled and a close watch has been kept on all suspected persons.
The cause of this sudden activity is alleged
to be the discovery of a plot to restore the ex-queen. The restoring party was
supposed to be led by a San Francisco newspaper man, who for a time after his
arrival here, soon after the recent revolution, was an active supporter of the
new government.
His house has been closely watched for weeks
past, and some days before the departure of the steamer Australia last Saturday
he was told by Attorney General Smith that it would be much better for him to
take that steamer than to remain here.
He did so, but the government has not
relaxed its watchfulness on account of his departure.
One of the most prominent and richest
Royalists in the city said a few evenings ago: "People who think our cause
is dead will be surprised in the near future by events which will make them open
their eyes."
It is known that a considerable number of
guns and ammunition have been secretly brought here during the last few months
and the Royalists evidently intend to make use of them.
No uneasiness, however, is felt by the
government that it will not be able to hold its own.
Turkish
Massacre of Armenians.
BOSTON, NOV. 23.—M. H. Gueliasan, secretary
of the United Friends of Armenia, has received a letter from a friend dated Sasson, West of Bitlis, Oct. 3, in which he gives an account of the massacre of
his fellow countrymen and women. He states that thousands have been hacked to pieces,
and that in one instance seven men were covered with kerosene and set on fire.
The Boston branch of the United Friends of Armenia are arranging for a massmeeting [sic]
to be held in Faneuil hall tonight.
FITZSIMMONS
EXONERATED.
But the
Grand Jury Will Also Investigate the Case.
The coroner's jury which has been seeking
for the cause of the death of Con
Riordan, who died suddenly after receiving a blow from Robert Fitzsimmons in a
public exhibition of boxing in Syracuse last week, after being out two hours
and twenty minutes, brought in a verdict exonerating Fitzsimmons. The verdict
says, "We find that Cornelius Riordan's death was caused by hemmorrhage of
the brain, which was occasioned by an accidental blow struck by Robert
Fitzsimmons, while they were engaged in a legal sparring exhibition on the
stage of H. R. Jacobs' opera house, and we exonerate the said Robert Fitzsimmons
from any criminal intent." The verdict was signed by T. W. Durston, D. M.
Edwards, William Herrick, George Rauch, Moses D. Rubin, I. Henry Danziger,
Arthur Jenkins, N. H. Chapman, David F. Hall, C. H. Shattuck, E. G. Seymour and
William Schillinger, jurymen
The case will be presented to the next grand
jury and everything rests upon the decision of that jury and the evidence that
will be brought out at that time.
CRUSHED BY THE CARS.
BAD
ACCIDENT AT DERUYTER THIS MORNING.
Brakeman
Charles Reed was Caught Between a Coal Car and the Shed of the Coal Dump.
(Special
to the STANDARD.)
DERUYTER, Nov. 23.—What proved to be a very
serious accident happened at the E., C. & N. station at a little before 10
o'clock this forenoon. While the engine of the local freight was placing the
first car of coal on the new coal dump, Chas. Reed, the brakeman, formerly of
this place, now of Cortland, was caught between the side of the car and the
doorpost of the shed over the dump and was terribly crushed about the hips. He
was taken to the home of his father on Utica-st. His wife was telegraphed for
and came on the 10:31 train which was held some time at Cortland for her. The
seriousness of the accident cannot yet be fully determined, but Mr. Reed is now
very low.
SUPERVISORS'
PROCEEDINGS.
Ninth
Day, Thursday, Nov. 22.
Upon the return of the several members from
their visit to the Normal school, the board was called to order by Chairman
Crane. The roll was responded to by all. The minutes of Wednesday's proceedings
were read and approved.
The superintendent of the poor submitted his
report which was accepted and referred to the committee on appropriations.
Mr. Smith submitted his annual report, from
which it appeared that the bonded indebtedness of the town of [Cortlandville],
incurred for the building of the Ithaca and Cortland railroad, is $178,700, of
which $50,000 are bearing interest at 3 1/2 per cent, and $128,700 at 5 per
cent. There will be due this next year $1,000 of principal upon the 3 1/2 per
cent bonds and $7,000 of the 5 per cent bonds. There will also be due of
interest $8,185, of which $1,750 is upon 3 1/2 per cent bonds and $6,435 is
upon the 5 per cent bonds—a total sum of $16,185 to be paid. Since the last
report $2,000 of bridge bonds have been paid and $10,000 of railroad bonds.
During the year $50,000 of 5 per cent bonds have been refunded by 3 1/2 per
cent bonds.
Mr. Cardner submitted his annual report, in
which he stated that the present bonded indebtedness of the town of Cuyler is
$60,500, the bonds bearing 4 per cent interest. The amount of principal due
July 15, 1895, is $1,000 and of interest due Jan. 15 and July
15, 1895,
$2,408—a total of $3,408.
Mr. Potter, chairman of the committee on
supervisors' and clerk's bills, submitted his report which, on his motion, was
adopted and referred to the committee on appropriations.
Mr. Brink, chairman of the committee to
settle with county clerk and sheriff made his report, which on his motion was
accepted and referred to the committee on appropriations.
Mr. Frisbie, chairman of the committee to
settle with county treasurer, presented the report of his committee and also
the report of the county treasurer, which reports on the motion, were referred to
the committee on appropriations.
Mr. Brink, chairman of the committee on
equalization, submitted the following report, which was laid over for the day:
To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Cortland
County:
GENTLEMEN—Your committee on equalization
would respectfully submit the following report:
Resolved, That the supervisor of the town of Harford be authorized to levy and collect
the sum of $2,140 to pay principal and interest on town bonds becoming due on
March 1, 1895, in said town.
On motion of Mr. Bingham:
Resolved, That the supervisor of the town of Solon be allowed to add the sum of
$14.09 to the town abstract of said town, the same being rejected taxes in 1893.
On motion of Mr. Kinyon:
Resolved, That the medical society of the county of Cortland be allowed the free
use of the supervisors' rooms for the purpose of holding their meeting when it
does not conflict with sessions of the board.
On motion of Mr. Brink:
Resolved, That the sheriff's compensation for the board of prisoners for the
ensuing year be hereby fixed at forty cents per day, and that three meals and
one lodging constitute a day's board.
On
motion of Mr. Frisbie:
Resolved, That the committee on county buildings be authorized to make a contract
with the sheriff for the care of the courthouse and jail, also for the laundry
of prisoners.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At 1 o'clock the board reassembled and was
called to order by the chairman. Mr. Brink moved the suspension of the rules
for general business. Carried.
On motion of Mr. Brink:
Resolved, That the chairman appoint two committees of three each to apportion the
state, county and school commissioners' tax among the several towns.
The chairman announced the following
committees:
To apportion state tax—Messrs. Brink, Kinyon
and Surdam.
To apportion county tax and school
commissioners' expenses—Messrs. Holton, Bingham and Frisbie.
Mr. O'Donnell, chairman of the committee to
settle with district attorney, presented the report of his committee which was,
on his motion, accepted and referred to the committee on appropriations.
On motion of Mr. Gardner:
Resolved, That the persons selected
by the supervisors for the several towns as grand jurors be and each of them
are hereby designated and selected to act as such jurors for this county during
the ensuing year and until a new list shall be returned.
On motion of Mr. Kinyon:
Resolved, That this board return its thanks to Dr Francis J. Cheney for his kind
invitation to visit the State Normal and Training school, and that we take this
occasion to express to him the high gratification and pleasure the visit
afforded our several members. We also wish to express to the several members of
the faculty, as well as the many students of the school, our appreciation of
the kind and gracious reception accorded us. Our visit to the several
departments during their hours of work has impressed upon our minds, much to
our gratification, the knowledge that the Cortland State Normal and Training
school is under the wise and skillful direction of Dr. Cheney, being placed upon
a plane second to no other school in the state, and be it further resolved that
the clerk of this board transmit a copy of these resolutions to Dr. Cheney.
Mr. Greene, chairman of the committee to
settle with the superintendent of the poor, presented the following report,
which was, on his motion, accepted and referred to the committee on
appropriations:
To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of
Cortland County:
GENTLEMEN—Your committee selected to settle
with A. W. Angel, superintendent of the poor of said county, report that they
have examined the books, vouchers and accounts of the said superintendent and
find that the amount required for the maintenance of the poor for the year
commencing Nov. 21, 1893, and ending Nov. 21, 1894, was $9,632.13.
Receipts
by superintendent $770. 41.
Poor fund
appropriations $5,000.
G. A. R.
appropriation $1,000.
Total
$6,770 41.
Leaving an
indebtedness of $2,861.72.
Respectfully
submitted,
JEFFERSON
GREENE,
J .G.
BINGHAM,
MYRON H.
POTTER, Committee.
At 4 P. M. the board adjourned for the day.
Tenth
Day, Friday, Nov. 28.
The board was called to order at the usual
time by Chairman Crane. A quorum was present. Thursday's journal was read and
approved.
The regular order of business having been
passed, Mr. Brink asked the suspension of the rules for the balance of the day
for the purpose of transacting any business that might come before the board.
Granted.
Mr. Brink, chairman of the committee on
equalization, moved that the report which was read yesterday and laid over for
the day be adopted. Mr. Brink
called for the ayes and nays on his motion. The clerk proceeded to call the
roll, with the following result:
Whole number voting, 15.
For the motion, 15.
Against the motion, 0.
Chairman Crane declared the report of the
committee adopted by unanimous vote.
The board devoted the rest of the day to
committee work.
HOMER
DEPARTMENT.
Gleanings
of New From Our Twin Village.
It was not from any desire to gull the
public that the statement concerning Mr. Norton's flag appeared as it did in
The STANDARD a few nights since. The flag on exhibition is the one that
gentleman carried at the dedication of the New York state monument at
Gettysburg and not at the battle some thirty years before, as was misstated in
this column.
The new building which is now being raised
on the site of the cutter wood factories on Fulton-st. is to be occupied by the
Industrial works of this village. The new
firm is composed of Messrs. E. C. Olney and C. D. Rumsey who will engage in the
manufacture of the Rumsey patent friction clutch pulley and of friction clutch
for all purposes. The new building will be of corrugated iron and will be used for
the office and pattern room of the concern. The castings will be let out on contract.
What is supposed to have been a performing bear
started through town with his keeper this morning. Owing, no doubt, to the
inclemency of the weather he did not give any exhibition of his sagacity and
prowess much to the disappointment of the small boy and his friends, who
followed in his wake.
BREVITIES.
—Mr. R. G. Lewis has a new sign over his
feed store on Tompkins-st.
—35,913 volumes were added to Cornell university
library last year.—Ithaca Democrat.
—The Clover club have completed arrangements
for a most enjoyable party this evening.
—There are 230 candidates for advanced degrees
attending the university—Ithaca Democrat.
—A foreigner with a bear was in town this
afternoon giving exhibitions in the rain and mud.
—Mr. W. S. Copeland has greatly improved his
beautiful place on Homer-ave. by taking down the hedge.
—Bills now before the board of supervisors
show that the notorious chlorine case will cost the county $5,000.—Ithaca Journal.
—The Merry Bachelors will give their second
party in Empire hall Thanksgiving eve. All friends of the order are invited to
be present.
—This has been a regular April day. The
crosswalks have been in horrible condition and the mud has been steadily growing
deeper. Where, oh where, is the street commissioner and his force of men?
—The work of the board of supervisors is
virtually over, and it is expected that the board will adjourn at an early hour
to-morrow morning for a week or ten days to enable each supervisor to make out
the tax list. They will come together at the end of that time to sign the
warrant for taxes and then adjourn for the year.
A SAD
PARTING.
Jennie
Dickerson Sentenced to the Rochester Industrial School.
Chief of Police Sager arrested Jennie Dickerson
this morning on a warrant sworn out by her father. The girl has been very wild
of late, and about two weeks ago took her mother's cloak and is supposed to
have gone to Binghamton. When arrested this morning she cried, but was not very
contrite. Before going to police headquarters she went to her home, where there
was a very sad scene in bidding good bye to her mother. Justice Bull sentenced
her to the State Industrial school at Rochester.
Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson are both hard working
and eminently respectable people and the blow falls very heavily upon them, but
under the circumstances it was thought to be the best thing for the girl, who
will not be sixteen years of age until January 10, 1895.
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