FROZEN TO DEATH

Cortland depot, E. C. & N. R. R.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, December 28, 1894.

FROZEN TO DEATH.

CHRISTOPHER BENSON THE MAN STRUCK BY THE TRAIN.

His Injuries Not Thought to Have Caused Death, but the Cold—Several Bones Broken.

   It was Christopher Benson of 180 Railroad-st. who was struck by the 7:20 train on the E., C. & N. R. R. yesterday morning about two miles east of the Cortland station. He was called "Christy" by his associates which gave rise to the report that came to The STANDARD yesterday afternoon that the surname was "Christy.'' The body was found between 2 and 8 o'clock yesterday afternoon, but was not taken to the house of Hector Cowan as was reported to The STANDARD a very short time before the paper went to press.

   It was found that life was extinct and it was decided not to move the body until the coroner gave permission. An engine was then sent for it and brought the remains back to the Railroad-st. crossing where the engine stopped and the remains were taken to the Benson house which is the next house to the track. O'Leary & McEvoy at once took charge of the remains.

   Corner Bradford returned from McGrawville at about 6 o'clock and through a misunderstanding went to the house of Hector Cowan to view the remains. Not finding them there he returned to the E., C. & N. station. Not finding them there either he went home to Homer and did not see the remains until 9:30 o'clock this morning. A further investigation and examination will be held at 6 o'clock to-night. It may not be necessary to hold an inquest.

   It is thought that Mr. Benson's injuries from being struck by the train were not sufficient to cause death immediately and it is believed that he was frozen to death. Both ankles were broken and his left leg was fractured above the knee. There is also a bruise on the back and a cut on the back of the head about three inches in length, which strengthens the conclusion that the train struck him in the back.

   The deceased came to Cortland from Clinton, Oneida county, about twenty months ago. He worked at the Cortland Wagon Co. for a year and since has been employed as trackwalker for the E., C. & N. R. R. He is said by those who knew him to have been a hard working and industrious man, and was highly esteemed by the many friends he has made during his residence here. He was 49 years of age and leaves a wife and six children, Mr. John Benson of Syracuse, Messrs. Christopher and James and Misses Katherine, Annie and Mary of Cortland and his sister, Mrs. Christopher Moore of Tacoma, Wash.

   The funeral will be held from his late residence, 180 Railroad-st., at 9 A. M. tomorrow and at St. Mary's church at 10 o'clock.

Fox Club Hunt.

   The Christmas meet at the Fox club was a grand success. Yesterday morning A. J. Barber, Ed Perry, Peter Nodecker and David Morris started out with two champion runners, Sport and Trump, the pride of the club, and started two of the red rovers. In less than one hour one was bagged, the brush being awarded to Ed Perry, and about 3 P. M., Peter Nodecker had the other. The story of the exciting chase was related by one of the party to the rest of the club, in a manner that showed he was a true sportsman. All present decided to go to the next meet, so as to share in the glory.

GEORGIA'S RACE TROUBLES.

Statement Issued by the Brooks County Commissioners.

   QUITMAN, Ga., Dec. 28.—The latest developments of the race troubles in this county is the following official statement of the disturbance issued by the board of county Commissioners of Brooks county:

   Whereas, several murders have recently been perpetrated in our county and three negroes shot down without provocation as far as we can ascertain, and other innocent negro men and women were abused and submitted to nameless indignities; therefore, be it resolved by us—

   1. That we deplore and most severely condemn the spirit of lawlessness that seems to pervade our county.

   2. That we feel that these crimes have left a blot on the fair name of our county.

   3. That we call upon the law abiding citizens to put down these crimes and we appeal to the courts to see that these criminals are brought to trial and justice meted out to them.

   4. That the report given in the Atlanta Constitution of Dec. 25 is entirely wrong and calculated to do our county inestimable damage; that there has never been any race riot in our county; that the negroes have never been under arms and that the whole trouble has been caused by about 26 white men, not over four of whom lived in Brooks county; that we invite and appeal for a fair investigation of the facts from the papers.

   S. S. ROUNTREE, Chairman.

FOREIGN HAPPENINGS.

Doings of the Day In Lands Across the Water.

   LONDON, Dec. 28.—A dispatch from Shanghai says that the Japanese after four hours fighting on Dec. 28, with a force of 6,000 Tonghaks, suppressed the rebellion at Lai Ju, in the province of Haido, where the rebels had deposed the governor and installed one of their number in his place. The Japanese have also dispersed the Tonghaks who defeated the Corean garrison at Chullado.

British Troops Defeat Waziris.

   CALCUTTA, Dec. 28.—A dispatch from Kaniguram, via Jandula, dated Dec. 28, says that a detachment of 600 British troops has had a sharp skirmish with the Waziris near Karam. Several of the British force were wounded. Intense cold prevails, with heavy snow. The British troops blew up the towers and village of Karam.

USS Detroit.

Detroit's Officers In Rome.

   ROME, Dec. 28.—The officers of the United States cruiser Detroit paid a visit to Minister of Marine Admiral Morrin, who received them in the most cordial manner. Admiral Morrin afterwards returned the visit of the United States officers.

   The officers of the Detroit left Rome for Naples.

Turkish Garrisons Strengthened.

   TREBISOND, Dec. 28.—The Turkish garrisons in Armenia are being reinforced.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

◘ Not everybody knows that St. Paul was an Armenian, and that Tarsus, where he was born, is a town still existent in the little country where the Turks are said to have massacred 10,000 men, women and children in cold blood. The Armenian Christians have clung to their faith with a heroism which can only be compared to that of the ancient Christian martyrs. For 1,500 years they have been Christians, and during most of the time they have been steadily persecuted. They claim to have been the first nation that embraced Christianity. The Mohammedans blotted the Armenians out as a nation in 1375.

◘ A Chinese gentleman educated in America explains the cause of China's downfall. He says it was caused by political corruption. That was what was the matter with ancient Rome. It was also what whipped France in the Franco-Prussian war and got Alsace and Lorraine away from her.

◘ In England it has taken only a year to build two great battleships, the Magnificent and Majestic, and fit them out complete.

Cheering Signs.

   One who cares anything at all about the happiness and well being of a world outside himself and his own family sees much that is hopeful in the present aspect of society. Amid all the losses and misfortunes of the past year or two there are signs so gladdening, so bright for the future of mankind, that a thoughtful person must rejoice. The disturbances of both nature and society seem to have been only clearing the ground and purifying the atmosphere for a better state of things to come.

   Things are never so near being bettered as when they seem to be at their worst. The black revelations of municipal corruption in American cities are a sign that the American people will tolerate this disgrace and rottenness no longer. Municipal corruption has been just as bad for 20 years in this country as it is now, but those who profited by it were strong enough to keep it covered up. Now they are so no longer. The people have risen and will demand clean, honest, economical municipal administration everywhere.

   The poor, the lowly and the slum people never had such helping hands held out to them as they have now. The college settlements, the interest of wealthy and benevolent individuals, the enthusiasm of the churches manifested in a practical, common sense way, will at least early in the twentieth century clean out foul tenement houses and vile, wicked slums from civilized cities. Doubt it not. Indications that man begins to recognize that he is his brother's keeper in a noble, helpful way were never so bright or so sure.

   Civilization has started on its bright upward road and will not pause till it has cleansed man internally and externally. It is a striking sign of the times that along with the tearing up and overhauling of city governments in this country there have also been a turning inside out and overhauling of city bakeries. The revelations of the filthy and dangerous condition of the majority of them are something sickening. We are going in future to have not only clean city government, but clean bread.

   The science of health and sanitation was never so closely searched into as is being done at present. The recent discovery of antitoxins, the establishment of free public baths in towns and cities, the cleaning of city streets, the establishment of good roads in the country, need only be mentioned in proof. All omens point to great changes for the better in the immediate future—changes moral, social and physical. On the whole, let us thank God and take courage. Let us look to the future full of hope.

Cortland County almshouse and farm.

THE HOLIDAY VISIT

Of the W C. T. U. to the Cortland County Almshouse.

   A delegation from the W. C. T. U. made their annual Holiday visit to the county almshouse on Wednesday, Dec. 26. Secretary Osterhout, who was to have given a talk to the inmates, was unable to do so, on account of the severe illness of his mother. Rev. Geo. H. Brigham was delighted to till his place.

   To say that he refreshed, cheered and gladdened all who heard him puts its very mildly. Mr. Brigham outdid himself. He said he didn't believe that there was another family of its size in Cortland county which had two Christmases in one year, referring to the Christmas dinner they had had on the previous day. The response was a general laugh, and "that is so," from the inmates. The significance of the day, the tender loving words of sympathy to those whom misfortune had overtaken, the strong appeal to each to do all in his or her power to bless each other's lives with the sunshine of kindness and good will, combined with the mirthful vein which sparkled here and there throughout his talk brought frequent peals of laughter and was keenly appreciated. The entire program was as follows:

   Singing—All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.

   Prayer.

   Singing—It Reaches Me.

   Remarks—Rev. Geo. H. Brigham.

   Singing—Blessed Sunshine.

   Recitation—A Christmas Story, Miss Lillian Allard.

   The Christmas tree made ready by the good keeper and his family hung with gay bags of popcorn, handkerchiefs and stockings, while close by on the dining table were pretty cups and saucers for each of the women, together with the gifts of the visitors, which were choice and abundant, were then made the subject of interest and were received with evident delight.

   A song by Miss Sarah Chapman, a blind woman, was sung with pathos and sweetness. The words were written by Charles Simons, another inmate. Taylor Bryant presented Mrs. Wire with a pretty and well-made stand for a winter garden, which he had made. Tears were in many eyes as he told her she had been good to him and expressed the same feeling for the rest of the household. Superintendent Angel made a few remarks which were most befitting the occasion. "We'll Never Say Goodby in Heaven" was then sung. As the visitors took their leave they felt that although the new superintendent and his keeper will undoubtedly prove very capable and acceptable, yet in parting with the present incumbents the county poor part with friends who have served them loyally and kindly, and to Mrs. Wire in particular they seemed deeply attached, for the thoughtful kindnesses which she has favored them with form a bond not easily broken nor soon forgotten.

   To the session of the Presbyterian church and to individuals whose generosity made it possible to provide so abundant and rich a treat; to any and all who contributed to its success and pleasure, the Woman's Christian Temperance union extend thanks. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me," said the Master.

Clayton Avenue hospital, Cortland, N. Y.

HOSPITAL NOTES.

New and Competent Nurse in Charge—Instruction for Pupils.

   Miss Georgianna Maynard, who has been engaged as matron and head nurse of the hospital, entered upon her duties Wednesday morning. She is a graduate of the Long Island College hospital and since her graduation three years ago, has been engaged in professional work in New York and Brooklyn. To thorough training as a nurse she adds practical knowledge as a housekeeper, executive ability and womanly qualities which eminently fit her for the position to which she has been called. She has many warm personal friends who will gladly welcome her to Cortland.

   Another pupil nurse will now be received and if those who have already made application for the place will bring a physician's certificate of good health and also one from some responsible person as to character their claims will be considered in the order of application. Candidates must be over twenty-one and under thirty-five.

   The demand for competent nurses is greater than the supply and it is the aim of the managers to provide these as rapidly as the accommodations of the hospital will permit. To those having physical strength and an aptitude for the work, it offers a prospect of profitable employment.

BREVITIES.

   —The Broome county almshouse was burned Wednesday night. There was no loss of life, but the loss in buildings and contents is estimated at $12,000. The insurance is $7,000. The fire is believed to be of incendiary origin.

   —In police court this morning John Sheehan of Cortland was given his choice of going to jail for ten days or paying a fine of ten dollars for public intoxication. C. H. Barnard of Vermont, who was arrested last night by Officer Jackson on the charge of vagrancy, was given the same choice.

   —Two ladies whose identity could not be learned drove the runner of their cutter into the frog at the upper end of the street car's long turn out on Main-st. about 2:30 this afternoon. The cutter was upset and the runner broken, while the ladies were unceremoniously dumped out in the street.

   —The snow blockade on the New York Central railroad yesterday was worse than on either of the roads which pass through Cortland. Few trains passed through Syracuse at all and every one was many hours behind time. Some Cortland people who left here yesterday for the West had to spend the night at Syracuse. A train due from the East at 7 A. M. reached that city at 5 P. M. and was there abandoned. This was a sample.

   —The Buffalo Express advocates a police force for country districts. It may be surmised that such a force, to be effective, will be somewhat expensive. The Binghamton Republican thinks that the best police force for country districts will be a greater diffusion of rifles and revolvers, and a knowledge by the people of how to use them with neatness and dispatch. The tramp nuisance will have to be wiped out by a bull dog and repeating rifle at the door of every farm house.

Mystery Solved.

   A mulatto came to police headquarters a few days ago and claimed the dagger which was found on Lincoln-ave. [Cortland] with a bottle of whiskey. He said that it was one he had used to cut deer throats while he was West. The dagger was returned to him under the condition that he would not carry it. He returned in about two hours and said that if any one was stabbed he did not want to have the credit of it and accordingly left the dagger which has been placed in Justice Bull's collection of curios.