Wednesday, January 31, 2018

ROUGH ON RATS AND HOSPITAL UPDATE





Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, March 20, 1895.

ROUGH ON RATS.
FOUND IN FOOD PREPARED FOR MRS. NELSON BURGESS.
Her Husband Arrested for Attempting to Poison His Wife—Discharged on Her Failure to Appear Against Him.
   The STANDARD is in receipt of the following communication from Union Valley:
   To the Editor of the Standard:
   SIR—Union Valley is naturally one of those quiet, uneventful, cross-road  hamlets which completely bedeck our country from one end to the other. On March 4, when Officer Perry of Truxton left this town accompanied by Nelson Burgess whose home is on the western hillside about a half mile from the corners, all sorts of speculations and surmises were in the air as to what was up. This inquisitiveness was by no means lessened when it was learned that he had returned some time in the night, and that he and some of the neighbors who seemed to be in the secret were unusually full of business which seemed to center on the Burgess plantation.
   Not until Friday of that week was it definitely known that Burgess had been arrested, charged with attempting to poison his wife, that he had been admitted to bail by Justice [Lazelie] of Truxton in the sum of $500 and that William Baldwin of that place was his bondsman, and that the examination was to come off that week Saturday. Even then but little of the details surrounding the case were made known. Interest in the matter was by no means abated when the public was apprised of the fact that the principals had been to Truxton on Friday, the day before the one set down for the examination, and had signed certain "articles of agreement" wherein they agreed to a separation, and Burgess made over to his wife certain personal property, and that the examination would probably fall through owing to the non-appearance of Mrs. Burgess.
   The first intimation any one had regarding the case was the night before the great blizzard in the early part of February, when Mrs. Burgess, fearful lest she might drop out the ''haunts of men," apprised a neighbor of her suspicions that her husband was trying to poison her and left certain articles of food with this neighbor to have it examined by a physician or to be sent to a chemist. The storm cut off all communication with Mrs. Burgess for three days.
   On the Monday following the storm, when the shovelers, who went from the Valley to help open the road returned, one of the number carried a piece of strangely seasoned pie, which Mrs. Burgess handed him and which went to keep company with the articles she had left with the neighbor. During the work of opening the road Burgess talked a good deal about his wife's health and tried to impress the boys with the idea that she was badly off. In fact for some time previous he had been telling how poorly his wife was, and people had commented on his statements, as her appearance seemed hardly in keeping with his stories. Upon this occasion the boys found she had prepared dinner for them and was in the midst of the weekly wash.
   A day or two later he renewed his statements again; in fact his persistence was so great that Mrs. Burgess said she became convinced that her only safety lay in getting away. But how to do so without awakening his suspicions was a question difficult of solution as he manifested more or less opposition to her going anywhere. It is unnecessary to reveal all the circumstances leading up to her being sent for by her kinspeople at Truxton. Here she remained a little over a week, when her friends (the Mullers) having left for the South, she decided to return home once more. Several motives actuated her to take this step. Possibly her husband might have thought better about it and would give up the attempt, in which event she might live on awhile with him. Moreover she had been compelled by circumstances during the winter to surrender certain property rights in order to make good the promises of her husband to a party who had furnished funds for purchasing a farm on the opposite side of the road, and she hoped in some way to secure the interest thus surrendered before leaving him for good. Again, to return might be the means of securing additional proof of his intentions.
   While Mrs. Burgess was at Truxton Dr. Nelson gave her a prescription which she had filled before returning home. This bottle plays an important part in the closing scene of this strange story. Her husband it is said manifested much interest in the bottle, it seemed to have a peculiar fascination for him. Dr. Nelson's reputation as a physician was familiar to him, and he evidently had great faith in the efficacy of the prescription to restore her stomach to its normal condition, for he is said to have frequently urged her to take her medicine. This medicine, it is said, at first seemed to have a beneficial effect, but not a great while after her return home it lost its  potency for good. So marked was the bad effect upon her stomach that she abandoned its use for the time being, but instead of attributing this condition to the fact that the medicine had been tampered with, she was pleased to think it was possibly a change in her condition brought on by her surroundings and anxiety.
   On the Sunday evening preceding his arrest, he took the little girl living with them, Gracie Ammerman, who is about eleven years old and a distant relative of his wife, and went to North Pitcher to attend church. This Gracie Ammerman is a bright girl for one of her age, and had been the one whose watchfulness and care have done much to throw light on the defendant's acts, as it is claimed. Upon this occasion she made an excuse for stopping at a neighbor's, who was aware of what was going on, stated that she and her aunt, as she called Mrs. Burgess, were very fearful that something new was up and requested them to go up there during their absence. This was done and it was during this visit that Mrs. Burgess upon inspecting her medicine became convinced that the same blue-like substance, which had been found in the articles of food, was also apparently abundant in the bottle of medicine. It may not be uninteresting to know that the medicine was carried away and was forwarded to Dr. Higgins of Cortland and that this like all the other articles sent, as Dr. Higgins stated, revealed the presence of arsenic. It may be interesting to the reader also to know that a bottle of similar size and shape was placed on the shelf in its stead, filled with sale molasses, ashes, etc , and that one of the first moves made by Burgess after being arrested was to secure this bottle which has not since been seen.
   Of course a great many of his acquaintances were unable to credit the report at first, but after his arrest and return to the Valley, and they had conversed with him on the subject, many doubts seemed to be removed. Not to the world at large has it been known that the [shiny], genial exterior which he put on in public was not always manifest at home and consequently many are at a loss for a motive. The property trouble has been mentioned and there are some who hint quite strongly that there is a woman in the case. But, it is not necessary to assign the motive at this time, nor is it perhaps proper to answer all the questions which will necessarily suggest themselves to the reader. It may not lessen the degree of interest as to the cause when it is stated that Mrs. Burgess is and always has been, a woman of exemplary character, faithful in the discharge of all her duties at home and to the community, and that her veracity is beyond question. Nor is it the intention to give the impression that Mr. Burgess was destitute of good qualities. As a neighbor, none was more kind and obliging than he. His services were ever at the command of those who were sick or needy. He was a member of the M. E. church at this place, and was actively prominent in the Lincklaen revival which was terminated by the blizzard. Since this affair became public he has withdrawn from the church.
   The statements which have been published to the effect that since the criminal proceedings at Truxton were dropped they had been living together is false. It is true that both returned to the old home, but it is said that the relationship of man and wife was never resumed and others were present with them. Both had interests there, but it is not so now, for Mrs. Burgess has bought him out and assumed the debts and he has gone. If he sought to break up his home, he has succeeded.
   * * * [Marks of the letter writer.]
   Since receiving the above we have communicated with Justice [Lazelie] of Truxton and from him have learned that the statements therein contained regarding the arrest of Mr. Burgess and the charges preferred and the signing of the "articles of agreement" and his discharge because of the non-appearance of his wife at the time set for the examination are true. We have also seen Dr. Higgins and have learned from him that he had received a powder, which he was told was taken from Mr. Burgess' pocket, also a quantity of pop corn, a bottle of medicine, a piece of pie and some bread and milk. He had made a chemical examination of the powder, of the pop corn and of the medicine. The powder he found to be rough on rats. He found traces of rough on rats on the pop corn and rough on rats strongly impregnated the medicine. The pie and the bread and milk he did not examine. Dr. Higgins said that arsenic is one of the chief ingredients which is used in the composition of rough on rats.
   Dr. P. M. Neary who recently moved from Union Valley to Cortland has been the medical adviser of Mrs. Burgess through this difficulty. He was seen by a STANDARD man to-day. He said that he had known all about this affair and he verified the main points in the above communication to the best of his knowledge and belief. This would seem to be a case that would call for the action of the grand jury.

An Important Feature.
   In order to have the kitchen arrangements of his new house [on Tompkins St.] complete Mr. Duane E. Call has placed in that room a Magee range purchased from H. M. Kellogg, having a hood or canopy above it, the purpose of which is to catch and carry into the flue any smoke or steam which may arise from cooking. This is an important feature as it prevents any of these gases being diffused through the house.

At the Hospital.
   Mrs. C. H. Barber of Homer had a cancer removed from her left breast this morning at the hospital. The operation was performed by Dr. F. W. Higgins assisted by Drs. Reese and Sornberger of Cortland and Robinson of Homer. The patient stood the operation well and from present indications is in a fair way to be restored to perfect health.

THE CORTLAND HOSPITAL.
WILL BE BEADY FOR OCCUPATION ABOUT APRIL 1.
A Fine Building Well Located and Admirably Adapted to its Purpose—Brief Description.
   The Cortland hospital is about to be moved from its present cramped and in many respects inconvenient quarters [on Clayton Ave.] into the building purchased in January by the Cortland Hospital association for its permanent location. The purchase was a most fortunate one. It was a bargain to be able to secure that large lot at the head of North Main-st. with its commodious and well built brick home in good repair for $6,000. Few changes or improvements were needed, but such as were called for have been nearly completed and upon some evening before April 1 the whole building will be thrown open to the public upon the occasion of the annual hospital reception, and it is hoped that a large number of the residents of both Cortland and Homer will then be present and look over the house and also partake of the elaborate tea which is to be served.
   A STANDARD reporter was invited to inspect the house on Tuesday and spent an hour there very pleasantly. Since the house has come into the possession of the present owners steam heat has been introduced into every room in the building. The contract for this was let to E. P. Bates of Syracuse, and he has done his work in a highly satisfactory manner. New paint has been freely used upon the interior of the house, and several of the rooms have had new paper as well.
   If the house had been built specially for a hospital it could hardly have been arranged better. At the left of the entrance upon the first floor was the spacious parlor in the old mansion. This is to be used as the men's ward and will easily accommodate in case of need six or eight single beds. The office and reception room, which will be the only public room in the house, will be the large room at the rear of the hall. At the right of the entrance hall is a good sized room which will be used for patients whose ailments are of a surgical rather than a medical nature. In the rear of this is a small room which will be known as the preparatory room. The operating room opens directly from this on the north side of the house. In the preparatory room ether or other aesthetics will be administered before the patient is carried into the operating room and placed upon the table.
   The operating room in its location is most admirably adapted to its purpose. It is in a wing rather apart from the wards. It is splendidly lighted having three large windows to the north and a glass door to the east. A door opens from this into the diningroom which is in the rear of the public reception room. The diningroom has opening from it besides numerous closets, a large storeroom for medical supplies, a spacious pantry where the nurses can have abundant place to prepare medicines and food, and also a small bedroom for the hospital cook. The large kitchen is at the rear and will have all the conveniences that will be required.
   Four stairways lead to the second floor so that no steps need be wasted in roundabout ways to get up or down. The women's ward will be found in the two rooms at the northeast corner over the surgical room and the preparatory room. There are two rooms over the men's ward on the south side of the hall. The large, sunny room at the southeast corner has been selected by Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Beach as the Henry Merrick Beach memorial room which they endow for their deceased son. This hospital must always have a particular interest for Mrs. Beach, not only because of the memorial room, but because the house itself was built by her father long years ago. The other room south of the hall will be reserved as a private room for patients. At the rear of the front hall and over the public reception room is another large airy room with south exposure which is to be reserved for private patients. A long back hall opens from the front hall and extends to the extreme rear of the house. Upon the north side of the hall are three rooms—a small room to be used for the present to keep the linen in, a larger room for patients, and the third is a general storeroom. At the south of the hall are two fair-sized rooms for the head nurse and her assistants, and beyond is a bathroom.
   It is impossible to adequately describe in words the conveniences and the excellent points of this necessary and long desired building, but it is to be hoped that many will manifest their interest in the work of the Hospital association by being present upon the night of the opening reception, and then each can get a clear idea of the building and its equipments.




BREVITIES.
   —Four tramps spent the night in the cooler.
   —Advertise in The STANDARD'S "want" column.
   —A resident of Cortland says that one year ago last Monday night the frogs peeped.
   —On account of Lent there will be no Ladies' night in the Tioughnioga clubrooms to-night.
   —Cortland has lost more property by fire during the last two months than Ithaca has in five years.—Ithaca Journal.
   —The gentlemen who serve the supper at the Homer-ave. church this evening make a special request that the ladies be present and sample their menu.
   —There will be a special meeting of the board of managers of the Hospital association at the hospital to-morrow (Thursday) afternoon at 3 o'clock.
   —The following schedule has been fixed for the police by the new board of trustees: Chief Sager 7 A. M. to 9 P. M., Jackson 10 A. M to 10 P. M., Monroe 7 P. M. to 4 A. M., Parker 10 P. M. to 7 A. M. This will make two day and two night police.
   —The electric trolley wire connections from the Groton and Clinton-ave. lines of electric railway were made to-day. A car will soon be running on this branch. The small wires carrying the incandescent lamp circuit are also being replaced by the large wires.
   —Now is the time to advertise If you have houses or rooms to rent or if you want accommodations. If you have anything to sell, say so. People are every day buying and selling property, renting houses, securing help and getting places to work all through The STANDARD'S "want" column. Everybody reads it. You press the button, the advertisement in The STANDARD does the rest.
 

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

FRIENDLY SONS OF SAINT PATRICK




Saint Patrick.
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, March 19, 1895.

FRIENDLY SONS.

EULOGIZE AND EXTOL ERIN'S PATRON SAINT.
Splendid Banquet at the Cortland House—Eloquent and Witty Addresses by Many Speakers.
   The fifth annual banquet of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, which was held at the Cortland House last evening, was one of the best in the history of the organization. The guests began to arrive soon after 8 o'clock. Mangang's orchestra furnished some of their finest selections while the guests were spending the time in social intercourse in the parlors, halls and various rooms of the hotel, which had been tastily decorated with palms, and which were all thrown open for the occasion.
   The guests were cordially welcomed as they arrived by the reception committee, consisting of Jas. P. Maher, Rev. J. J. McLoghlin, Hon. J. E. Eggleston, Hon. O. U. Kellogg, Albert Allen, W. H. Crane, Edwin Duffey, T. H. Wickwire and Wm. Martin. Mr. M. F. Geary, chairman of the committee of arrangements, pinned a beautiful rose upon the lapel of the coats of each of the guests as they came in.
   At 9:45 o'clock all the company took their places at the dining tables, which were very tastily arranged in a square, with a table running diagonally through the center. The south side of the diningroom was decorated with a beautiful green flag, containing the sentence "Erin Go Braugh," under which hung a picture of the patron saint, St. Patrick. On the west side of the dining hall hung a green flag upon which was inscribed ''Welcome to our Guests,'' and under this in graceful folds the Stars and Stripes with a fine picture of Washington. The north side was set off by another picture of St. Patrick, while on the west side hung a green banner with the inscription, "Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, organized 1891."
   The menu was one of Landlord Bauder's very best and was highly complimented on all sides, while the service was all that could be desired. The menu in full consisted of:
   Little Neck Clams, Spanish Olives
             Consomme Royale.
   Baked Bluefish, sauce Madeira, Potatoes, Julienne.
             Lettuce, Radishes.
   Boned Turkey, Aspic Jelly.
   Wiltshire Ham, Terrine Foi Grau.
            Punch a la Lalla Rookh.
            Oysters, Fried.
   Poulet a la Newburg aux Champignons.
   Lobster a la Mayonnaise
   La creme aux Fleurs, Gelee de Cherries.
   Fruits, Gateaux Assorti, Kisses.
   London Layer Raisins, Macaroons.
      Le Café, Champagne, Cigars.
   After full justice had been done to all the good things, President Hugh Duffey put in nomination as toastmaster Mr. Thomas H. Dowd, who was unanimously elected. Mr. Dowd made a brief an witty speech, and then called upon Mr. James Devine to respond to the first toast, "The Day we Celebrate." Mr. Devine gave a fine tribute to Ireland's patron saint, to the past record of the Irish people, a eulogy of St. Patrick and stated that for the past seven hundred years Ireland's sword had not seen its scabbard and never would till she saw her rights. His address was brief and to the point and was listened to with much interest.
   Mr. Thomas W. Burns of Ithaca responded to the toast of "Ireland's Contributions to America." He opened his address with a number of brilliant and amusing stories illustrative of the stupendous meaning of Ireland's contribution to America. He then launched into an eloquent address, every sentence of which was listened to with the closest attention. He traced the advancement of the Irish in America and cited the facts that of Washington's army one-half was composed of Irishmen, one fourth of Englishmen and the balance of Scotch and other nationalities, He gave a brief review of what was due to Ireland through her contribution to America, that the dawn of the day of unity and peace was coming, that there was no race which was pushing toward this result more than the Irish nation and that which was the inevitable result—no race line, no creed and no line but that between heaven and earth. He vividly portrayed a number of ideas of long standing in a new dress.
   The next speaker, Mr. John Moore, editor of the Elmira Telegram, was a very eloquent speaker. He handled the response to the toast "Irish Journalists" in a manner which showed much thought. He brought out as the main points the quick wit and facile pen of Irish journalists. He gave a brief outline of Ireland's early newspapers, and compared the Irish newspapers with those of America and others and referred to the influence of the Irish press in advocating peace.
   The next toast, "The Sons of Toil," was discussed with forcible argument by Mr. A. M. Dewey. He compared the primitive methods of farming, of the carpenter, printer and all classes of labor of a few generations ago with the improvements of to-day. He stated that there was no over-production in America while wheat was stocked in the elevators, while there was no bread for the poorer classes and while the shoe manufactories were overstocked, while the employees and their families were almost barefooted. He said that the solution of the labor question must come through an intelligent organization and when once this was effected there must be an intelligent use of the ballot and better laws. He claimed that immigration was a great curse to labor; that short hours, strikes or boycotts would not solve the question of labor, but that education of the people to the rights of the masses, education of the masses to their cause, a consideration of the injustice to womanhood and a better appreciation of citizenship would solve the question.
   Owing to illness in the family of Mr. George W. Driscoll of Syracuse he was unable to be present and respond to the toast "The Irish on American Battle fields." In his stead Toastmaster Dowd called on Mr. Robert McCarthy of the same city, who in his very original and impressive manner delivered a most interesting speech. He proved himself among the best of orators. His words were among the most patriotic of the evening and were purely impromptu.  He argued that we should honor and obey the laws of our country, America, in the same manner in which we swore to love, honor and obey our wives.
   The toast "Partisan Politics, the Safety of the Nation" by Mr. George B. Curtiss was a fitting closing to the toast list. His speech contained the entire political situation from this point of view in a nutshell. It was not only concise, but showed a careful, conservative study and a treatment of the subject in an understanding manner. It was very eloquent and was illustrated with a number of witty stories. Although it was nearly 4 o'clock this morning when he spoke, yet the attention of his audience was held throughout.
   A vote of thanks was tendered to the speakers on closing and in return a number of them responded expressing the honor and pleasure of speaking before such an audience.
   A general handshaking followed and at about 4:30 o'clock the annual banquet was at an end.
   Those in attendance were Messrs. John H. Mourin of Glen Haven, T. W. Burns, D. P. Van Vleet of Ithaca, F. C. Atwater, John Connors, W. H. Crane, C. S. Pomeroy, E. Mourin, E. W. Hyatt of Homer, J. F. Kennedy, J. F. Sullivan, Patrick Rady, T. E. Moran of Corning, George B. Curtiss of Binghamton, Robert McCarthy, John Hackett, James Devine of Syracuse, Capt. M. H. Hogan of Rochester, P. C. Harp of Oneida, Hugh Morris of Solon, John Moore, Cornelius Connelly of Elmira, M. O'Melia of Oswego, A. M. Dewey, Washington, D. C., Dr. H. T. Dana, Judge J. E. Eggleston, James Boise, F. L. McDowell, James McDonald, Rev. J. J. McLoghlin, B. H. McNiff, William McAuliff, John McGraw, Edward McEvoy, A. J. McSweeney, Thomas Nolan, P. Nodecker, Tim Noonan, A. J. Lucy, N. L. Miller, E. E. Mellon, John Morris, Wm. Martin, J. P. Maher, H. C. Maxwell, John Davern, William Donegan, Thomas Fitzgerald, Ed Fitzgerald, G. L. Griffith, F. P. Hakes, Daniel Hennesy, James K. Harriot, M. B. Ingalls, S. K. Jones, M. J. Kane, John Kennedy, Laurence Keefe, Herbert Longendyke, Thomas Lynch, James Lee, J. O'Connell, J. H. O'Leary, County Clerk E. C. Palmer, R. T. Peck, C. H. Price, Patrick Ryan, Daniel Reilley, M. T. Roche, Jas. Riley, W. A. Stockwell, A. P. Smith, F. C. Straat, C. Eugene Shirley, Joseph Smith, Jerome Squires, Thomas Smith, M. E. Sarvay, B. F. Taylor, Jesse Tandenberg, A. D. Wallace, Jas. Walsh, G. L. Warren, John Walsh, John Andrews, F. Byrnes, A. S. Brown, C. F. Brown, E. S. Burrows, A. S. Burgess, C. V. Coon, Jas. Corcoran, J. J. Connors, Chas. Corcoran, John Corcoran, Hugh Corcoran, Henry Corcoran, M. F. Cleary, T. H. Dowd, Robt. Dunston, Edwin Duffey, Jas. Dougherty, C. H. Drake, Hugh Duffey, Thomas Drake, J. F. Dowd, Albert Dowd, E. Dowd.
   The following committees who had the banquet in charge are entitled to much credit for the success of the affair:
   Arrangements—M. F. Cleary, John T. Davern, B. F. Taylor, Hugh Corcoran, James Walsh, Henry Corcoran, William Grady, John Courtney, Jr., Ed Mourin, John F. Dowd, M. V. Lane, B. H. McNiff, DeWitt Howard, Thomas Drake, Peter Nodecker, John Kennedy.
   Reception—James P. Maher, Rev. J. J. McLoghlin, Hon. J. E. Eggleston, Hon. O. U. Kellogg, Supt. Albert Allen, T. H. Wickwire, W. H. Crane, Edwin Duffey, William Martin.
   Program, tickets, toast and speakers—Hugh Corcoran, James Dougherty and J. C. Barry.


Main Street looking north from Court Street, Cortland, N. Y. Photo copied from Grip's Historical Souvenir of Cortland.

THE FIRST MEETING.

The New Board of Village Trustees Enter Upon Their Duties.
   The new board of village trustees met for the first time last night at the office of Clerk Hatch. There were present President F. W. Higgins and Trustees B. L. Webb, E. J. Warfield, J. J. Glann and F. J. Doubleday, The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The following bills were presented, audited and ordered paid:
STREET COMMISSIONERS' PAYROLL.
   A. H. Decker, labor, $28.00
   Cyrus Hike, labor, 28.65
   George Towne, labor, 11.40
   Mike Butler, labor, 8.70
   Dan Murray, labor, 9.15
   Luke Doyle, labor, 5.70
   W. Newton, labor, 9.75
   John Callahan, labor, 6.45
   E. H. Baldwin, labor, 4.50
   Charles Moshier, labor, 10.20
   Charles Leonard, labor, 3.00
   Fred Simmons, labor, 3.00
   Eugene Wiggins, labor, 1.50
   Chauncey Genung, labor, 9.75
   John Flood, labor, 3.00
   George Alexander, labor, .45
   A. B. Springer, labor, 10.31
   G. Sherman, carting boat, .50
INSPECTORS OF ELECTION, POLL CLERKS, BALLOT CLERKS.
   The following were paid $3 each for services in the above capacities at the village election on March 12:
   First ward—H. R. Rouse, W. R. Cole, W. F. Kelley, W. J. Perkins, F. H. Morse, F. L. McDowell, Hannon Williamson.
   Second ward—M. C. Missilier, George Leach, John A. Nix, Frank G. Dibble, John F. Dowd, Edmond C. Alger, Henry Williams.
   Third Ward—Theodore Stevenson, Duane Howard, John Lanan, C. H. Gaylord, E. H. Bates, Jerome Squires, M. B. Howes.
   Fourth ward—A. C. Walrad, T. P. Keefe, F. H. Dowd, T. F. Brady, W. E. Phelps, F. L. Simmons, Burdette Richardson.
RENT OF POLLING PLACES.
   A. B. Frasier, First ward, $10.00
   Harrison Wells, Third ward, 10.00
   Mrs. A. M. Duffey, Fourth ward, 10.00
MISCELLANEOUS.
   S. J. Parmiter, repairing 24 ballot boxes and making 24 keys, $4.00
   Police force, 98.00
   B. B. Jones, printing notices of election, 75.00
   W. J. Moore, health officer, 10.75
   F. A. Bickford, salary as janitor, 25.00
   George Towne, labor, 25.00
   Maxon & Starin, coal, 15.00
   Martin & Call, coal, 64.90
   I. Edgcomb, supplies for fire department, .25
   The bill of J. A. Graham for $75.70 was referred to Trustee Warfield to look up and report upon.
   A written request was received from Janitor F. A. Bickford of the engine house asking that the salary of the janitor be increased from $600 to $800 per year.
   On motion of Trustee Doubleday, seconded by Trustee Webb, the following resolution was adopted:
   Resolved, That on account of the insufficient amount of funds in the treasury of the Cortland Fire department the janitor's salary be fixed at $50 per month as heretofore.
   On motion of Trustee Warfield, Trustee Glann was appointed a committee of one to purchase supplies for the fire department.
   On motion of Trustee Webb,
   Resolved, That the treasurer be and is hereby required to present to this board at its next meeting his official bond in the sum of $150,000 in such form and with such sureties as shall be approved by the board on the presentation of such bond.
   The four policemen had been invited by the board to be present at the latter part of the meeting. They were on hand and President Higgins spoke to them at some length pointing out to them some of their duties and urging them to co-operate with the trustees in the enforcement of law.
   On motion the board adjourned until April 15 at 7:30 o'clock.

A PAIR OF HORSES.
Taxpayer Claims that the Village Will Save Money by Owning Them.
   To the Editor of the Standard:
   SIR—The article of March 15, "A Team Wanted" should have more than a passing notice with the property owners of this village. The property owners are the taxpayers, and what is for the interest of one, is of interest to both. The recent fire on Port Watson-st. shows that it is of the utmost importance that some means should be provided for getting the fire apparatus to the fires as soon as possible, especially the hook and ladder truck.
   Why not have the village own a team, and use it for that and other village purposes, that they now have to employ private teams for?  Some of the uses to which it could be put is cleaning the streets, drawing off snow and mud, clearing crosswalks, drawing coal for the engine house and the public schools. More than 150 tons of coal are now used by the schools and the engine house. Sprinkling the streets costs the village $400 or $500 each year and the team could do this.
   We have one of the best volunteer fire departments in the state, both as to men and apparatus. The Hitchcock Hose Co., the Emerald Hose, the Water Witch Hose and the Hook & Ladder Co., have each four bunkers who sleep in their rooms ready at any time of night to respond. There is a friendly rivalry between them as to which can first get to a fire and do the most to save property. The hook and ladder truck is equipped with all the latest devices for fighting fire, including extinguishers. Often if they were able to get to the fire quickly the extinguishers would be the means of saving much property that is now damaged by water, but as the truck is so heavy it cannot be drawn except by horses. Horses are cheap and by using them for other village purposes would easily pay for their keeping, and not be an extra expense.
   The writer would like to have the village authorities look the matter up, and see if it would not be a saving, not only in the expense now paid for work on the corporation, but also be the means of greater security to our property.
   A TAXPAYER.


BREVITIES.
   —A stout boy from 15 to 17 years old is wanted at the STANDARD office to learn the printer's trade. Apply at once.
   —The Alpha C. L. S. C. will meet with Mrs. H. L. Bronson, 66 Port Watson-st., Monday evening, March 25, at 7:30 o'clock.
   —The Cincinnatus stage horses made a lively run down Court-st. to Church and around the Railroad-st. corner this morning. They were captured on Railroad-st. before doing any damage.
   —Yesterday was President Cleveland's fifty-eighth birthday. He had many callers, but few of them knew that it was his birthday. One of those who did know, however, made the president laugh when he said that St. Patrick had beaten Mr. Cleveland by one day.
   —The annual meeting of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Y. M C. A. will be held in the Y. M. C. A. parlor, Thursday, March 21, at 3:80 o'clock. It is earnestly requested that every member be present, as the election of officers occurs, and other matters of importance are to come before the society.
   —The annual convention of the Epworth league of the Central New York Conference, which just closed in Elmira, passed a resolution strongly denouncing dancing. They say, we recognize that the influence of the modern dance is pernicious, that it is inimical to the highest interests of the soul and body, and that it ought not to be encouraged in Christian society.
   —The repairs on the new Cortland hospital building are nearly completed and it will be ready for occupancy April 1. A reception and supper will be given on the afternoon and evening of March 27. Supper will be served from 5 o'clock till 7. Every one is most cordially invited. Let all who are interested in a worthy cause remember the date and come out to this opening reception.
   —Mr. Edwin A. Chubb has received from the Five County Co-operative Insurance Co. the sum of $75 in settlement of his claim for damages to his household goods which had to be moved out of the house in the rear of the wooden building owned by the Cortland Harness and Carriage Goods Co., the night of the Cortland Cart and Carriage Co.'s fire. The house stood within a rod of the burning building. It was saved, but the goods were moved out very unceremoniously and were somewhat damaged. Mr. Chubb says the insurance paid covers the amount of the damage.