NEW YORK CITY NEWS, NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, HENRY HOWES, PAN-AMERICAN AT HOME, AND DEATH OF JOSEPH BUSHBY

 

Yates Hotel, Syracuse, N. Y., Library of Congress photo.

 

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, Nov. 22, 1901.

OUR NEW YORK NEWS.

GANG BOLDI.Y STEALS FULL EXPRESS WAGONS.

Five Wagons and Loads the Record of One Week—Tried to Lynch Bold Thief in Fifth-ave.—Girl an Heiress by Hidden Will—Novel Hotel Scheme.

   New York, Nov. 18.—A bold gang of organized thieves have been working in the most crowded parts of the city for the past week with amazing success.

   The gang's plan is simple as it is brazen. It steals express wagons, horses, trunks, valises and packages, and all by following a wagon about until the driver and helper go into some house for a trunk. The thieves dressed like expressmen, simply get in to the unguarded wagon and drive off with it.

   Within the past week five express wagons with their contents of trunks, valises and other baggage have been stolen. The futility of the police efforts to stop the robbery and catch the thieves is one of the extraordinary features of the crimes.

   ◘ Fifth avenue crowds, enraged by the daring of a highwayman who held up two men at a pistol point and robbed them of a sum of money on the fashionable thoroughfare while it was thronged yesterday, made frantic efforts to take the robber from a policeman, who nearly lost his life in capturing the man.

   Several hundred men and women, many fashionably garbed, surrounded the policeman and his prisoner and followed them for blocks shouting, "Lynch him," and "Kill the thief!" Although a few minutes before the robber had fought to shoot down the policeman, the latter with his club kept off the crowd and landed the man in the West Forty-seventh Street Police Station unharmed.

   ◘ By the accidental breaking open of an old bureau it was discovered that Hazel Graham, eight years old of No. 150 East One Hundred and Twenty-sixth street is heiress to $30,000. She is the daughter of Edward Graham, an actor, and Mrs. Kate Graham, an artist. Her grandfather, James McKenzie, of Woodside, L. I., is a retired civil engineer who is accounted wealthy. His second wife died not long ago and, as the children by his first wife were well provided for by their father, she made her own daughters her heirs.

   One of these daughters was the late Miss Belle McKenzie of Woodside, an elderly spinster, who has a great love for her half-sister's little girl Hazel. She used to take the child upon her lap and tell her long stories, adding that when Hazel was a woman she would have money enough to live like a princess. As Hazel's father was poor and his "acting" was not very remunerative, the child could never see where her wealth was coming from.

   But she accepted the prophecy in good faith. When the spinster died little Hazel was one of the most heartbroken of the family. To cheer her grandfather Hazel was sent out to the village of Woodside, and has been there, the light and sunshine of the old house ever since.

   One of the treasures of the dead woman was an old mahogany bureau made in England in 1691. It had always been kept locked in the lifetime of the spinster and at her death the key could not be found.

   A family consultation was held and it was decided to break it open. This was done, the back falling out and revealing a secret compartment. The first thing that came to the eyes of the startled women was a faded bunch of American Beauty roses that had been in the bureau for years.

   Under these were two bunches of yellow letters tied with ribbon and addressed in a man's firm hand to "Miss Belle McKenzie." Tied to one of the bundles was a package marked "secrets." This the women opened with tender hands and reverend thoughts. In it was the last will of the dead sister, which read like this:

   "These letters are not to be read by any one while I am alive. At my death they are to be given to my beloved father. My whole estate I give and bequeath to my sweet niece, Hazel Graham." It was signed in the prim, delicate handwriting of Belle McKenzie.

   ◘ Milo Like, the former proprietor of the Vanderbilt hotel, Syracuse, and before that connected with the Yates hotel at the same place, almost has completed a scheme whereby he hopes he will become the proprietor of a big Broadway hotel. He has organized a stock company composed of upstate capitalists and a large number of commercial travelers. No individual stockholder can own more than one share of stock which is at the par value of $1,000.

   Every stockholder obligates himself to stop at this hotel for at least one day each time he comes to the city, which would make a regular steady patronage, irrespective of that which the merits of popularity the hostelry would achieve with the general public.

   He already has 755 subscribers to the stock and expects to get 1,000 in all. As all of those interested are Mr. Like's personal friends he has absolute assurance that he will be made manager of the new hotel.

 

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

News Gathered and Condensed From Our Wide-Awake Exchanges.

   A large asphalt plant is to be erected at Syracuse.

   Cows in Delaware county are selling for from $60 to $75 each.

   Albert Ellis was fined $50 at Oswego for sending in a false fire alarm.

   Cooperstown merchants say the trolley is bringing them increased trade.

   A Deposit man shows an ear of corn 17 inches long, containing 450 kernels.

   George Rice of Norwich counted his cucumbers gathered from five hills for pickles and reports 1,627.

   The New York Central railroad has bought 400,000 tons of bituminous coal delivered at $1.25 a ton, the lowest price ever known.

   Within a few days after the barbers of Schenectady advanced the price of a shave to fifteen cents the hardware merchants had sold over 400 razors.

   A Canastota correspondent says the click made by the voting machines, used in that village Tuesday for the first time, clearly indicates that the voter is voting a split ticket.

   John Whitney of Downsville has four yoke of oxen to sell, "all newly shod and ready for business." He's almost as old fashioned as Mr. Palmer of Franklin, who laid 122 rods of [stone] wall the past year.

   Operations are under way for opening up some valuable quarries near Gouverneur where pure white marble has been found. The Central railroad is now engaged in building a branch line to bring out the stone.

   William Madrid was digging a well at Richfield Springs and was 15 feet down when a fellow workman accidentally tipped a load of cobblestones onto the surprised digger, who fortunately was in a stooping position.

   The bean crop in Schuyler county is one of the most profitable the farmers have grown this year. The average yield is upwards of 20 bushels and the prices range from $2 to $2.10 per bushel for red kidneys, the favorite variety.

   A woodchuck may bring W. H. Perry of Arbutus a fortune. His son in digging out a woodchuck found what is believed to be a valuable vein of magnate of iron, and New York capitalists are already negotiating for the surrounding land.

   Ex-Congressman Belden offered to the First Presbyterian church of Syracuse a magnificent residence, valued at $60,000, as a site for a new church, but the gift will probably be rejected, because the location is inconvenient to a large part of the congregation.

   A few nights ago some sportsmen of Penn Yan, passing a coon in the woods of Bluff Point, built a fire around a tree in which he was hidden, to smoke him out. Fifty acres of the surrounding forests have burned over, but the coon has not been captured.

   After spending a pleasant summer out of jail, a Binghamton prisoner who escaped four months ago has voluntarily returned to prison and asked permission to serve out his term. The north wind doth blow and we shall have snow, then what will the cold tramp do then, poor thing?

 

HENRY HOWES OF CUYLER, N. Y.

 

The Pan-American Here at Home.

   The great Pan-American has closed and the dreamland of light and beauty has faded away and become a splendid vision of memory. It is doubtful if such a picture of glowing light and beauty will ever be produced again in all its reality, but a wonderful reproduction of it has been accomplished by that remarkable wizard of science, Thomas A. Edison. His latest realistic moving pictures of the great exposition with the equally wonderful scenes, showing the last speech and funeral ceremonies of the late President McKinley will be shown at the Cortland Opera House on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov 27 and 28, afternoon and evening both days. The Wednesday matinee will be at 4 o'clock, but on Thursday, Thanksgiving day, the matinee will be at 3 o'clock, an hour earlier. This exhibition is under the arrangement of J. P. Dibble, who is well known throughout the country as one of the most successful of moving picture managers, and the entertainments have recently been shown before crowded audiences in Rome, Watertown, Utica and Oswego.

 

Death of Joseph Bushby.

   Joseph Bushby, who came from Joplin, Mo., a few weeks ago, died of cancer at the home of his brother, Robert Bushby, in this city Tuesday morning, aged 55 years Mr. Bushby was also a brother of Mrs. Charles H. Bates of Homer, and he formerly resided in that village. Another sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Westmoreland, resides in Syracuse. He was a member of the Tenth N. Y. Cavalry in the Civil war, and enlisted from Homer serving with bravery and distinction.

   The funeral will be held from the home of his brother this forenoon at 10 o'clock, burial at East Homer.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Lively War in Prospect.

   There is likely to be a lively fight precipitated among the Republican leaders of the state over the question of amendment of the Raines liquor tax law, and already the Republican papers are lining up on either side.

   Boss Platt has already placed himself on record as opposing any amendment to the Raines law as is favored by Governor Odell, Seth Low and Justice Jerome. Senator Platt declares that "any modification of the act lessening its rigor in matters of Sunday opening or increasing other saloon privileges is impossible as long as the Republican party retains control of the law-making power in the state."

   This announcement is in the nature of an open defiance to the incoming Low administration, and as well to Governor Odell. Mr. Platt undoubtedly expects to be able to control the legislature and thus be in a position to thwart any  attempt to modify the odious Raines law.

   If left to themselves the Republican members of the legislature might favor the proposed modification of the law, but if Mr. Platt cracks his whip, as he usually does, the easy boss, it would seem from present appearances, will have his way with the aid and cooperation of the old guard, and in despite of Governor Odell.

   If the governor, Seth Low and Justice Jerome persist in their determination to bring about a modification of the Raines law, a lively war will break out between the Republican state leaders.

 

HERE AND THERE.

   These are the mornings when many are called but few get up.

   A fire drill was held at the Normal school Wednesday afternoon, and it was a decided success.

   Sig Sautelle is negotiating for the purchase of the wire works building on Copeland-ave., Homer.

   Regular grange meeting this evening, with thirteen initiations in the first and second degrees.

   We dare any one to dispute the statement that the shooting star display came on time last Thursday night as advertised.

  A. L. Spicer of Homer, an employee in the Hayes chair factory, Cortland, lost the ends of two fingers in a planing machine last week.

   John Eagan, professional peregrinator, was sent up to Cortland for ten days last Wednesday for vagrancy.—Marathon Independent.

   By vote of the supervisors last week our people will have the privilege of riding on a county road that will be as smooth and hard as asphalt.

   The annual poultry show will be held in the Garrison block some time in December. A large number of birds from Connecticut will be on exhibition.

   This is the annual donation day at the hospital, the hours for receiving donations being from 2 until 9. All suitable contributions will be thankfully received.

   A Thanksgiving party will be given at the Virgil hotel on Thursday evening, Nov. 28, with music by Davis & Ripley's orchestra. Full bill $1.50. D. Metzgar, proprietor.

   The first series of stereopticon travel lectures by Rev. W. J. Howell will be given next Monday evening at the First Baptist church. His subject will be A Trans-Atlantic Voyage.

   A pleasant gathering will be held this afternoon at the Congregational church, when all charter members of the church will meet and enjoy a reunion. Supper will be served at 5 o'clock.

   The Misses Wells, 98 Port Watson-st., gave a whist party yesterday afternoon to a number of friends. They were royal entertainers, and those present speak in high terms of the cordial reception given them.

   Supervisor Phelps of the Sixth ward generously entertained the supervisors at a chicken-pie supper at the First Baptist church Wednesday evening. They feasted and they feasted till they were too full for utterance.

   The grange social and peanut hunt at Mrs. Browne's last Friday evening was very enjoyable. The fact was demonstrated that Arthur Knapp has the keenest nose for peanuts in the entire crowd, as he found sixteen, thus winning the prize.

   An old resident states that on November 12, 1873, it began snowing in Central New York and continued for several days, covering the ground with sufficient snow to make good sleighing till December 1. Then a thaw came and there was no more sleighing during the winter. Are we to have a repetition of that experience?

   As the Democrat will go to press one day earlier next week than usual on account of Thanksgiving, our correspondents will see the necessity of sending their favors one day earlier than usual.

 

GOVERNMENT BUSY AT PANAMA, REVOLUTION CRUSHED IN VENEZUELA, RUSH FOR OFFICE, SUPERVISORS, AND HOMER NEWS

 

General Carlos Alban.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, Nov. 22, 1901.

LIBERALS IN CONTROL.

Municipal Affairs of Colon Now Administered by Them.

GOVERNMENT BUSY AT PANAMA.

Still Throwing Up Breastworks, and It Is Said General Alban May Return His Command From Chorrera to Reinforce the Garrison There.

   MEXICO CITY, Mex., Nov. 22.—General Pedro Ospina and General Holguin, the former minister of war of Colombia and the latter formerly finance minister, have arrived here to confer with General Reyes, a member of the Pan-American congress. It is understood they will offer him the presidency of Colombia, assuring him that his taking office will bring peace to his country.

   COLON, Nov. 22.—Everything is quiet here. The Liberals have taken over the reins of government and there is no sign of disorder. There seems no evidence at hand that would indicate that an attack on Panama is contemplated, at least not at present.

   The government at Panama is still busy erecting breastworks in the vicinity of the railroad property, in the direction of which the Liberal attack is expected.

   The mayor of Panama started in a launch belonging to the canal company Wednesday morning to report the state of affairs to General Alban. Since the mayor's return to Panama it has become rumored that he found the general at Chorrera, and that he decided to take his forces back to Panama by land and reinforce the garrison there.

   Certain sources of information have it that the canal company's largest launch was loaned to the government last Sunday to convey General Alban and troops towards Chorrera, and that it was sunk on Tuesday near Taboga.

   The political prisoners at Panama have been removed from their usual prison to a safer place of confinement at the farther end of Panama.

   United States Consul General Hezekiah A. Gudger, Captain Perry of the United States battleship Iowa, and the secretaries of the government, held a conference at Panama Wednesday. The last named averred that the conductors of the train should not have allowed armed Liberals to embark on the train at Las Cascades.

   Captain Perry replied that the government should protect free transit on the isthmus and ought to have prevented the embarkation of the Liberals. Subsequently, a letter was sent to the Colombian authorities by the American officials with reference to future action. It is not improbable that the Iowa will shortly land a force to protect transit.

   The following provisional appointments were made by the Liberals yesterday: Senor Esprella to be prefect; Dr. Valverde to the mayor; Dr. Franco to be postmaster and Senor Silva to be captain of the port. Other minor appointments were also filled.

   The treasury safe was opened yesterday afternoon in the presence of witnesses. It was found to contain 1,080 Colombian dollars, equivalent to $450 gold. The former postmaster also handed over to the Liberals the cash and the postage stamps in his possession.

 

Venezuela Revolution Again Crushed.

   NEW YORK, Nov. 22.—Gonzales Esteves, consul general of Venezuela at New York, received the following cablegram from Torres Cardenas, general secretary of the republic: "The revolution headed by General Matos, which was ready to break out, has been crushed and its leaders are now in jail. Country enjoys peace." The cablegram was sent from Caracas.

 

Ground to a Pulp.

   WATERTOWN, N. Y., Nov. 22.—Benton Robinson, 30 years old, was the victim of a terrible accident yesterday while working near a cylinder at the United States Talc company's mill at Dodgeville. He slipped and fell into a grinder used in grinding talc. His body was ground into pulp.

 

Seth Low.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

The Rush for Office.

   So great is the rush of office seekers in New York and so thoroughly has Mayor Low been besieged since election that he has been almost unable to perform the ordinary duties that come before him and has been obliged to make the rule that he will see people only by appointment. All applications for office must hereby be made to him by mall. The salaries paid to many officials in that city show the cause of the strife for public station. The mayor himself draws a salary of $15,000 or $5,000 a year more than the governor of the state. And there are several other positions at his disposal which rank well in proportion. The corporation counsel also gets $15,000, the city chamberlain, $12,000; president of the tax department, $8,000; commissioner of water supply, $7,500; commissioner of street cleaning, $7,500; commissioner of public charities, $7,500; fire commissioner, $7,500, and a score of others more than $5,000.

   ◘ They raise cabbages in Nantes, and they raise cabbages in Cortland, but it does not seem to be as dangerous to steal them in this country as in the Frenchman's country. Three tramps stole a cabbage each a few days ago in Nantes and three peasants pursued them with pitchforks. One of the tramps was killed, another wounded and the third, a woman, was dragged through the mud till she was insensible.

 

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

Good Roads Committee Continued—Employment of Prisoners Discussed.

Ninth Day, Thursday, Nov. 21, 1901.

   The board convened at 9 A. M., and was called to order by Chairman Crosley.

   Roll call showed all members present except Messrs. Parker, Hunt and McBirney.

   The Journal of the previous day was read and approved.

   The following petition was presented from the assessors of the town of Cincinnatus, and the prayer of such petition was granted; on motion of Mr. Bennett, the petition is as follows:

   To the Honorable Board of Supervisors:

   WHEREAS, An error exists in the assessment roll of the town of Cincinnatus wherein the Bank of Cincinnatus is assessed as personal property, contrary to law. Now, therefore, we, the undersigned assessors of the town of Cincinnatus hereby petition your honorable body for the privilege of striking from the roll of said town said personal property and placing the bank stock of said bank of Cincinnatus on the assessment roll in accordance with the requirements of the statute in assessing bank stock.

   ABNER HARRINGTON, F. L. COOK, F. M. FISH, Assessors.

   The following petition was presented from Cuyler, which was read and the prayer of the same granted:

   To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Cortland County, N. Y.:

   We, the undersigned assessors of the town of Cuyler, Cortland county, N. Y., respectfully ask your honorable body to add to the assessment roll the names of the following persons who are liable to pay poll tax, the same being omitted from the assessment roll the current year.

   JOHN SNELL, W. C. PHILLIPS, CHAUNCEY GARNER, Assessors.

   The list affixed contained the names of 100 men of that town.

   The committee on settling with district attorney reported, and his claim for salary and disbursements was allowed in full, $992.80.

   On motion of Mr. Robinson:

   Resolved, That the clerk be authorized to add to the abstract of the town of Marathon the sum of $3.90, the same being the amount of tax of 1900 not collected.

   On motion of Mr. Peck:

   Resolved, That the unpaid taxes amounting to $146 be stricken from the assessment rolls of the town of Cortlandville and the city of Cortland, the same being erroneous and non-collectable.

   On motion of Mr. Rowe:

   Resolved, That the sum of $27.30 for unpaid taxes he added to the town abstract of the town of Cortlandville.

   On motion of Mr. Webb:

   Resolved, That the committee on road improvement be authorized to purchase the reversible horse roller, as delivered, according to the terms proposed by the Climax company.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

   The board reconvened at 1:30 o'clock P. M.

   On motion of Mr. Walrad, the rules were suspended for the balance of the day.

   On motion of Mr. Kinyon:

   Resolved, That the clerk be authorized to contract with the Cincinnatus Times for the publication of the town and county audits for $25.

   On motion of Mr. Shuler:

   Resolved, That the collectors of the several towns of Cortland county are hereby authorized to pay over to the supervisors of their respective towns the amount of money raised for school purposes, taking a receipt therefore, which receipt shall be allowed by the county treasurer in settlement with the collector.

   The matter of working the county prisoners was made a special order of business for Friday morning.

Tenth Day, Friday, Nov. 22, 1901.

   Roll call showed all the members present. The annual report of the county treasurer was read by the clerk and referred to the committee on county treasurer, and finally to the committee on appropriations. The total receipts were given as $136,851.30 and the disbursements as $135,228.34, leaving on hand $1,622.96.

   The committee on county treasurer reported that they had examined the books, papers and vouchers presented, and compared them with the report of the county treasurer, and that the same was found to be correct. They also reported that the systematic manner in which the books and papers were kept facilitated their work very much. The committee is made up of Messrs. Shuler, Robinson and Allen.

   The matter of working prisoners, which was made a special order of business, was discussed. Mr. Webb showed by statistics obtained at the sheriff's office of prisoners committed to the jail during the months of June, July and August last, that at no time was there a sufficient number of prisoners confined to pay any town to work the same. Concerning the rules that had been formulated by the board, he stated that these had been drawn by the committee without the benefit of any experience of other counties in this matter, as the rules under which prisoners are worked in other places were not obtainable by the committee. The committee had, therefore, formulated the rules as best it could. He saw no reason for thinking that the plant for building roads could not be used without the prisoners, or that the prisoners could not be used without the plant.

   The plan of working the prisoners was not opposed, and it was the opinion of many that the prisoners should be set at breaking stone by hand during the winter season.

   On motion of Mr. Bennett, the committee on good roads, consisting of Messrs. Webb, Kinyon and Rowe, was continued for another year.

 

Ladies' Literary Club.

   The Ladies' Literary club met Wednesday afternoon with Mrs. George H. Smith, 8 East Main-st. The afternoon was largely given up to the transaction of business.

   A short and interesting program was introduced. Miss Stephens read an extract, entitled "A French View of Art Education." A conversation on art as illustrated at the Pan-American was participated in by many of the ladies. The miscellany was in charge of Mrs. Jennison, who opened under this heading with a description of the National Art club. Miss Adams read an extract from Amelia Hussner, painter of miniatures. Miss Booth read an extract on the life of Henrietta Ronner, the woman who paints cats, Mrs. Jennison spoke of Marie Rosalie Bonheur, the animal painter. The program was brought to a close by a piano solo by Mrs. Smith.

 

SNOW DROPPED FROM A ROOF.

Frightened the Horses—Driver Thrown Out—Two Ribs Broken.

   Mr. John Curtin, an employee of the Cortland Beef company, was thrown from a delivery wagon last night and sustained two broken ribs on the left side and a fractured elbow.

   Mr. Curtin had driven the large black team of the Beef company near the express house at the Lackawanna station. While waiting at this place, a block of snow fell from off the roof and hit the team, causing them to start up suddenly, and throwing the driver to the ground. He was picked up and carried to Dr. Neary's office and treated. The horses ran to Port Watson-st. and there stopped.

 

The Local Paper.

   United States Senator Davis once said: "Each year every local paper gives from fifty to a thousand dollars in free lines for the benefit of the community in which it is located. No other agency can or will do this. The editor in proportion to his means does more than any other man. He ought to be supported not because you happen to like him, but because a local paper is the best investment a community can make. Today the editor of a local paper does more work for less money than any man on earth. Patronize your home paper, not as charity but as an investment."

 

HOMER, N. Y.

Gleanings of News from our Twin City.

   HOMER, Nov. 22 —Mrs. Jane Foster of Tompkins st., Cortland, spent Wednesday with Mrs. C. O. Newton.

   Yesterday afternoon about 1 o'clock as the children were returning to school, a horse and runabout owed by Sig. Sautelle and driven by one of his employees became unmanageable and ran down Main-st. As it reached the crossing at Main and James-sts., a young son of Henry Tower who was standing on the crosswalk became frightened and running in the wrong direction was knocked down and run over by the horse which the driver succeeded in stopping in front of the green. The lad was taken into the market of Fred Newcomb nearby, where Dr. L. W. Potter soon arrived and later Drs. Green and Bradford. Upon examination it was found that he was seriously, though not dangerously injured and was later removed to his home on Mill-st.

   The Brown block on Wall-st. has been rented to George Pratt to be opened soon as a boarding house.

   The Messrs. Sullivan of Springfield, Mass., were called home to attend the funeral of their sister Miss Kate Sullivan.

   J. N. Knapp of Syracuse was in town yesterday.

   Mrs. Ketchum of Elmira, who has been canvassing the town for pupils in dancing, has succeeded in securing a large number. The class meets weekly in Zimmer hall.

   Mr. Frank M. Miller of New York was in town Wednesday on business.

   Mrs. Milton Fairbanks of Scott Road, who several weeks ago underwent an operation at the Cortland hospital, has not improved as hoped and now lies seriously ill at her home.

   The work for lighting the Home [Brewster House?—CC ed.] by electricity is completed and the lights were used Wednesday evening for the first time.

   Yesterday afternoon at the Baptist church occurred the report meeting of the canvass on Tuesday and Wednesday in the interest of the Sunday-schools. The meeting was in charge of Mrs. J. R. Simmens, the state secretary, who called upon the workers, in turn, for their cards and anything of interest which had come under their observation. In some districts were found needy families without church connections who will now be brought to the notice of the various pastors.

   Miss Mabelle Adams of Syracuse is the guest of her mother, Mrs. L. T. Adams.

   Miss Alice Knickerbocker has accepted a position in the store of Yager & Crandall.

   The Intermediate department of Homer academy will give a public exhibition at Academy hall Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 27 at 2 o'clock. The program will be as follows:

   Chorus.

   Recitation—How John Quit the Farm, Beth Dickinson.

   Declamation—Headaches Before School, John McMaster.

   Piano Solo, Florence O'Connor.

   Recitation—True Friend, Lena Sager.

   Declamation—The Boy That Was Scart O' Dyin', Frank Fox.

   Chorus—The Mellow Hour.

   Recitation, Thanksgiving Eve, Zaida Brown.

   Declamation, Julian Fowler.

   Chorus of Girls—Largo, Handel.

   Declamation—Ginger Snaps, Carl Cooper.

   Topsy Turvy.

   Recitation—Annie's and Willie's Prayer, Irene Whitney.

   A Thanksgiving Exercise.

   Quick & Radway have sold their bicycle and repair shop to E. D. Richardson of Cortland. Mr. Will Nixon will continue the business for Mr. Richardson.

 

BREVITIES.

   —New display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, clothing, page 8; M. A. Case, drygoods, page 6; C. F. Thompson, Hulled corn, etc., page 5.

   —The Lackawanna Railroad company is providing a temporary waterway to drain the water off of Railroad-st. in the vicinity of the stations. The water will be carried over to Venette-st.

   —The regular monthly meeting of the executive committee of the First Baptist Sunday-school will be held this evening at 7:30 o'clock at the home of Mrs. S. J. Sornberger, 34 North Church-st.

   —The advance sale of seats for "York State Folks" tomorrow evening is already very large, and the indications are that the house will probably be sold out before the chart is removed.

   —"Egypta" in Syracuse did not net as much money as in Cortland. Here the Women's Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. netted $265. In Syracuse the local managers got but $200 for their share.

   —Mrs. A. M. Jewett very pleasantly entertained a party of twenty-five ladies at a 1 o'clock luncheon yesterday at her home, 15 Monroe Heights. Mrs. Jewett is giving a little series of parties and has another this afternoon and another tomorrow.

   —The Crawford Wagon Co. of Delhi, N. Y., will now enjoy a boom. A single day's orders last week included runabouts for President Roosevelt, for the Vanderbilt family of New York and for the Czar of Russia. All the fashionable people will now be trying to secure duplicates of these vehicles.

 

PANAMA IN DANGER, OUR INTEREST, CENTURY TELEPHONE CO., CONCERNING THAT SNOW RECORD, SUPERVISORS, AND DEATH OF MRS. CALL

 

Gen. Carlos Alban.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, Nov. 21, 1901.

PANAMA IN DANGER.

Colombian Rebels May Repeat Their Success at Colon.

ALL DEPENDS ON GEN. ALBAN.

Fate of Government Hinges on His Success at Chorrera—Rebels Careful Not to Disturb Isthmian Transit or to Cause Our Interference. Marines Landed.

   COLON, Nov. 21.—According to the latest news received here from Panama nothing has yet been heard in that city concerning the outcome of General Alban's expedition against the Liberal forces at Chorrera. It is said that information of the capture of Colon by the rebels has been sent to him.

   In the meantime the [Columbian] government troops at Panama, numbering about 300 men, are busily engaged in the construction of earthworks and barricades at the railroad bridge going into the city in anticipation of an early Liberal attack.

   Colonel Shaler says that no request has been made upon him for a special train to convey government troops to Colon. If such a request is made it will be granted, but Colonel Shaler does not consider it likely. The Liberals claim to have at least 700 men in possession of the different railroad stations on the line between here and Panama. These men would doubtless do their utmost to prevent the transportation of government troops to this point.

   Traffic across the isthmus by the railroad continues uninterrupted. Marines from the Machias are guarding the railroad station and property here.

How Colon Was Captured.

   The attack on Colon, it is understood, was decided on by the rebels on receipt of the news that General Alban, the military commander of the isthmus, had started to attack the Liberals at Chorrera, near Panama. One hundred and sixty men, under General Patino were sent to the attack. This force embarked on board a train, bound from Panama to Colon, Tuesday evening at Las Cascades station, previously cutting off telegraphic communication across the isthmus. On arriving at the outskirts of Colon, where the government usually maintained a small guard, the Liberals left the train and in the initial skirmish, which began soon afterwards, Patino was killed.

   The command of the Liberals then devolved on Colonel Frederico Berrera, and they continued their march on Colon, arriving there a few minutes after the train, thus surprising the whole town. The government troops at Colon were outnumbered by the Liberals.

   Fighting immediately began at the barracks, which was soon taken. There Senor Jaen, a judge of the criminal court, was killed, and Senor Muskus, the district representative of the department of the interior, was mortally wounded.

   Fighting subsequently occurred at the town hall, which was also taken by the Liberals. Among the prisoners captured there by the Liberals were the prefect Guardia, and the commandant of police.

   Senor Paredes, the mayor, managed to reach the gunboat General Pinzon, which sailed immediately for a destination unknown, probably Carthagena.

   The whole affair was over in less than three hours.

   Communication with Panama was restored yesterday. This reveals that no fighting has occurred there, that everything is quiet, and that the city is still in the hands of the government.

   The issue now entirely depends on the result of the fighting which is doubtless now occurring at Chorrera, news of which is anxiously awaited here.

   The Liberals are now busy raising reinforcements locally. They are reported to have several hundred men at different railroad stations between here and Panama.

 

ALL DEPENDS ON GEN. ALBAN

If He Defeats Insurgents at Chorrera, Colon Could Easily Be Retaken.

   WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.—The news of the situation on the isthmus came to the Colombian legation here yesterday in the following cablegram from General Argona, acting governor of Panama, in the absence of General Alban who is leading the Chorrera expedition:

   "Panama, Nov. 20.

   "Colon is being attacked. Scarcity of troops here. Traffic may be interrupted."

   While the above dispatch did not state that the city had fallen Mr. Herran, the Colombian charge d' affaires, credits the news to this effect that has come through diplomatic and naval channels.

   When asked as to what results may be expected from the capture of the city Mr. Herran said: "It will depend entirely upon the success or failure of the expedition under General Alban, which is headed for Chorrera to engage the insurgents at that point.

   "If General Alban is successful, the recapture of Colon should be a comparatively easy matter. But if, on the other hand, the government expedition should be defeated, the results undoubtedly would be disastrous, for the insurgents then would have, temporarily at least, undisputed sway over the entire isthmus."

   Mr. Herran naturally was considerably concerned at the news, especially because of the close proximity of Colon to Panama, the leading city on the isthmus and second only in importance to Bogota…General Castro is known to be a staunch friend of the deposed President San Clemente.

 

USS Iowa (BB-4).

OUR INTERESTS SAFE.

Orders Sent to Our Consul and Warships to Keep Isthmian Transit Clear.

   WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.—The confirmation of the reported capture of Colon by the Colombian Liberals caused a decided commotion in the state and navy departments yesterday. There were long conferences between Secretary and Admiral Crowninshield and between the admiral and the acting secretary of state, Dr. Hill. Later the latter two went over to the White House and saw President Roosevelt. This was the first time since 1885, when Admiral Jouett opened up transit across the Isthmus of Panama, that communication had actually been stopped in such fashion as to seem to require the interference of the United States naval forces.

   The first news of the trouble at Colon came from United States Consul General Gudger at Panama. He telegraphed the state department that a considerable number of Liberals had taken passage on the railroads (he did not indicate where) and arriving at a certain point had cut the telegraph wires and taken up a rail, thus breaking communication.

   Later there came a second message from Consul General Gudger announcing that Colon had been taken. This was confirmed more explicitly by United States Consul Malmoros, stationed at Colon. The latter official said that Colon had been taken by the rebels Tuesday night. While all business is suspended, transit is not interrupted and American life and property are safe and not likely to be in danger.

Must Not Block Transit.

   Taken altogether these dispatches were regarded by the officials here as indicating a lack of purpose on the part of the Liberals to interfere with transit across the isthmus.

   Still, as a result of the consultation, Secretary Hill cabled Consul General Gudger a direction to notify all parties who are engaged in molesting or interfering with free transit across the isthmus that such interference must cease. He was also directed to consult freely with Captain Perry, the commander of the United States battleship Iowa, now lying at Panama.

   Then Captain Perry was cabled by Secretary Long to land marines if necessary for the free transit across the isthmus in accordance with the treaty rights and obligations of the United States. At the same time Captain Perry was enjoined to avoid bloodshed if possible. Meanwhile news came that Commander McCrea of the Machias, which is now lying at Colon, had anticipated this instruction from the navy department by landing a force of bluejackets at Colon and occupying the railway station. The understanding at the navy department was that the landing party consisted of about 100 sailors who are employed in lieu of marines, of whom the Machias has an insurgent force.

   The text of Commander McCrea's dispatch is as follows:

   "United States Steamer Machias, Colon, Nov. 20.

   "Secretary Navy, Washington:

   "The insurgents have possession of the city. At the request of the proper authorities I have landed force for the protection of the property of the railroad. M'CREA."

   A cablegram received from Captain Perry at Panama confirms what Consul General Gudger communicated to the state department yesterday. It does not appear that Captain Perry has yet landed a force.

 

Emilio Aguinaldo.

ALGUINALDO'S REQUEST.

Wants to Plead Filipino Cause Before Congress.

ANOTHER AMERICAN VICTORY.

Marines Overcame Many Obstacles, Attacked and Destroyed Three Almost Impregnable Camps and Killed 30 Insurgents—Trying to Save Torres' Life.

   MANILA, Nov. 21.—Aguinaldo has written General Chaffee, the military governor of the Philippines, asking the latter's permission to go before congress and express the desires of the Filipino people.

   Aguinaldo further requests to be accompanied by eight friends, whom he designates, four of whom are prisoners at Guam, while the others are prominent in Manila.

   MANILA, Nov. 21.—Major L. W. T. Waller of the marine corps has cabled Rear Admiral Rodgers at Manila a full and detailed account of the attack Nov. 7 by the men of his command upon the rebel stronghold at Sohoton, near Basey, island of Samar.

   Three insurgent camps were destroyed, 40 bamboo cannon were captured and much rice and other stores were destroyed. The rebel stronghold was almost, impregnable. The trails leading to it were lined with poisoned spears sticking from the ground and were hidden with hidden pitfalls.

   Major Waller's command attacked the enemy unexpectedly. To do this they had to scale a cliff 200 feet high, and they climbed barefooted over bamboo ladders. At the top they found boulders piled ready to precipitate upon an attacking party. Major Waller says he was personally not present at the action.

   He praises Captain David D. Porter and Captain Hiram I. Bearss for their splendid work and says too much praise cannot be given the marines themselves, whose behavior he characterizes as brilliant in every respect. The major considers the scaling of cliffs 200 feet high as a new feature of warfare and says such men would be able to do anything anywhere. Thirty of the enemy were killed. The marines sustained a few trifling wounds.

   Rear Admiral Rodgers has replied to Major Waller congratulating him in this successful action by his command.

 

Trying to Save General Torres.

   MANILA. Nov. 21.—A fund is being raised by the Federal party in Manila for the purpose of attempting to prevent the execution of the Filipino General Isidore Torres, who surrendered to the American authorities in the early part of this year and who was later tried on charge of having violated the rules of warfare and sentenced to death. Several congressmen will be asked to exert influence in favor of General Torres.

 

 

CENTURY TELEPHONE CO.

Independent Long Distance Company Trying to Reach Cortland.

   A representative of the Century Telephone Co. spent last week in the town of Dryden securing the right of way. The line follows the Bridle Road to Willow Glen, thence to Updike Cut, with a loop to Freeville. From the cut the line follows the road to Burlingame's corner, with a loop to Dryden village, and thence over the hill to Cortland.—Dryden Herald.

   The Century Telephone Co. is an independent long distance company which does no local business. It has extensive connections in the West and has lately secured a charter to erect its poles and operate in New York state. It has already made a New York connection with Buffalo and is building offshoot lines connecting the different local independent companies. It is understood that negotiations are now in progress between the Century Telephone Co. and the Home Telephone Co. of Cortland for a local connection with this company, and that a conclusion will probably be reached within a few days.

 

Concerning That Snow Record.

   Mr. Benjamin Smith of Prospect-st., Cortland, has kept a pretty careful record of the weather for years and is able to tell by looking back at his diary pretty nearly what was the state of affairs each day for a good many years. His record for twenty-eight years ago does not tally exactly with the recollection of Mr. Spencer published a few days ago, that the early snow continued all winter. He says the snow fell on Nov. 8 to quite a depth, but it went off in a few days and a period of warm and pleasant weather followed. Christmas day that year was warm and the grass on his lawn was nearly as green as in June.

 

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Majority and Minority Reports on Erroneous Assessments.

   At the Wednesday afternoon session of the board of supervisors, on motion of Mr. Phelps, the rules were suspended for the remainder of the day, and the committee on erroneous assessments reported. The committee consisted of Messrs. Phelps, O'Donnell and Parker. The committee was unable to agree throughout and majority and minority reports were both put in. The former was signed by Messrs. Phelps and Parker, the latter by Mr. O'Donnell, The two reports were identical with the exception of two particulars. The majority recommended that the petition be granted of the assessors of the town of Willet that $12.87 collected from the executors of the estate of John Miller be refunded and that the sum of $12.87 be added to the abstract of the town of Willet for the purpose of refunding the same. The minority report was the same except that it did not specify that the amount be added to the abstract of the town of Willet for the purpose of refunding.

   The majority report recommended that $22.96 be refunded to the estate of the late J. B. Parker, having been erroneously assessed, and that this sum be added to the abstract of the town of Cortlandville. The minority report recommended the refunding of this sum, but recommended that the county of Cortland refund $8.33 and the town of Cortlandville refund $14.63.

   All joined in recommending that the request of the Solon assessors be granted adding to the assessment roll of that town the omitted assessment of Lee Maybury amounting in valuation to $1,400, also that $9.44 previously erroneously assessed and collected from George Ryan in Solon be added to the assessment roll of that town for refunding; also that the assessment on the Connic place in Truxton be reduced from $2,000 to $1,500, the former figures being the result of a clerical error; also that the assessment of $500 for personal property against Mason K. Blanchard of Truxton be stricken from the roll as he has no such property; also that the assessment against the E. & C. N. Y. R. R. in Truxton for five highway crossings be stricken from the roll, as the assessment is erroneous and illegal, as the law under which the assessment was made was repealed in April, 1901; also that the petition of the assessors of the town of Truxton reducing the assessment against W. R. Woodward be reduced from $200 to $50, the former being a clerical error; also that the assessment of $500 against Mrs. John Steele of Truxton for personal property be stricken from the roll, as she had no such property; also that the omitted assessment of $1,800 against Stephen Parker of Cuyler be added to the assessment roil; also in the matter of the petition of the assessors of the town of Homer in relation to the assessment of the stockholders of the Homer National bank, that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, and that the sum of $8 be deducted from the assessed value of each share of such stock.

   On motion of Mr. Hunt, the majority report of the committee on erroneous assessments, submitted by Messrs. Phelps and Parker was, after the roll call, declared carried. The vote was as follows:

   Aye—Kinyon, Walrad, Johnson, Allen, Peck, Kingsley, Phelps. Wavle, Bennett, Robinson, Hunt, Webb, Crosley—13.

   Nay—Barber, Mynard, Shuler, Jordan O'Donnell—5.

   Absent—Rowe, Parker, McBirney.

   The following report was submitted by the special committee appointed by the chairman the seventh day.

   CORTLAND, N. Y., Nov. 20, 1901.

   Your committee to consider the care of indigent children would recommend that the superintendent of the poor be directed to pay the existing bills for the care of such children and charge the same back to the towns where such children had a settlement so far as ascertainable, and the balance be paid by the county. That hereafter the care of such children be a town charge under the direction of the poormaster of such town.

   JOHN O'DONNELL, A. H. BENNETT, N. JAY PECK, Committee.

   On motion of Mr, Jordan, such report was accepted and adopted.

 

Death of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Call.

   Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Call, wife of Mr. J. D. Call, died at her home, 138 Main-st., Cortland, this morning at 6:15 o'clock, aged 51 years, 3 months and 6 days. The funeral will be held from the residence Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

   Mrs. Call was born in New York City, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Meldrim. With her family she moved to Truxton while she was yet a young girl, and it was there that she married Mr. Call on Jan. 1, 1868. Seventeen years ago they moved to Cortland, where they have since resided.

   Mrs. Call was the mother of four children. Messrs. William A. Call, Arthur LeRoy Call and Joel D. Call, and Miss Florence Elizabeth Call, all of whom survive her except the youngest son, Joel D., who died about ten weeks ago. Aside from these she is survived by a brother, William Meldrim of Manley, Ia., and by a sister, Mrs. J. J. Lambert of Patterson, N. J., and by the following half brothers and sisters, Mr. J. J.  Meldrim, Miss Hattie Meldrim, Mrs. Isabelle Frost of Truxton, and Messrs. Charles and Frank Meldrim of Cincinnatus.

   Mrs. Call has been ill from cancer of the bowels for the past three years, and her death is due to that disease, hastened by the death of her son, for whom she mourned constantly. She was a patient sufferer in all of her afflictions, a good mother and a devoted wife.

   A strange coincidence in her death and the death of her father is worthy of mention. He died twenty-one years ago, on the 21st day of November as did Mrs. Call, and at the identical hour of the day.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The New York State Dairymen's association will convene at Olean, N. Y., Dec. 11 and 12.

   —There will be a meeting of the official board of the First M. E. church at the church parlors tonight after prayer meeting.

   —Fourteen applications for admission to Cortlandville grange, No. 461, will be presented at the regular meeting tomorrow night.

   —The STANDARD is indebted to Mr. J. D. F. Woolston for copies of the Lewiston, Me., papers containing accounts of the National grange in session there.

   —New display advertisements today are—Warren, Tanner & Co., Corsets, page 6; Gardner's 5 and 10 cent store, Special sale, page 4; C. F. Thompson, Malta Vita, page 5.

   —Mr. John Hartnett of Rickard-st. fell and broke both bones of the right arm just above the wrist while carrying coal up a flight of stairs last evening at his home. Dr. F. D. Reese was called and reduced the fractures.

   —Mrs. G. T. Chatterton entertained the members of her Sunday school class in the First M. E. church Tuesday afternoon from 2 to 5 o'clock at her home, 68 Elm-st. An elaborate dinner was served at 5 o'clock and a very pleasant time enjoyed.

   —On account of the difficulty of making exact schedule time with the heavy snows during the winter the three car service on the Homer division of the electric car line will on Sunday and thereafter be changed back to the two car service. Cars will leave both Cortland and Homer on the hour and half hour as formerly. To give a twenty minute service and reach the proper meeting points the cars must be exactly on time, which is not always sure in the winter.