CHINESE RESIST THE RUSSIANS, MAXIMO GOMEZ, INSURANCE RATES, AND CORTLAND'S BASEBALL SEASON IS OVER

 

Li Hung Chang.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, July 11, 1901.

TO RESIST THE RUSSIANS

Chinese Soldiers and Bandits at Manchuria Get Together.

   PEKIN, July 11.—It is reported that the Russians are rapidly completing the Manchurian railway, and that they will employ 50,000 troops for the defense of the line.

   Li Hung Chang proposed to withdraw all the Chinese troops from Manchuria with the object of avoiding all chances of a collision with the Russians. If this is done Russian troops will be needed to preserve order in the province, as only Chinese policemen will be employed there according to the definition now given to the Russo-Chinese agreement regarding Manchuria.

   It is stated that the Chinese soldiers have combined with bandits to plunder the people and resist the Russians. It appears that no control is exercised over the Chinese soldiery there.

 

Chinese Troops Meet Defeat.

   PEKIN, July 11.—Two thousand mounted Chinese Mohammedan rebels met and defeated 8,000 imperial troops at Poyeh, near Pao Ting-Fu, capturing all their arms and ammunition. Li Hung Chang has ordered 1,000 of Governor Yuan Shi Kai's foreign-drilled soldiers to proceed against them.

 

Maximo Gomez.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Why Gomez Is Here.

   General Gomez, who came up from Cuba a week or so ago, has dispelled the mystery of his presence in the United States, though why there should have been any mystery attached to the visit of the battered old patriot, who has now sheathed his sword and is a private and peaceful citizen of the island, no one can quite understand. After much importuning by the metropolitan newspaper reporters General Gomez issued a statement, saying: "The sole object of my visit to this city has been my great desire to embrace my old true and loyal friend, Mr. Tomas Estrada Palma, whom I have not been able to see since peace was re-established and, of course, to pay a visit to President McKinley, to whom we Cubans owe so much."

   The general declares that, as the Cubans are all anxious to establish self government, they are all working toward this end. Although this is hardly an exact statement of fact, it is a pardonable exaggeration coming from a leader whose struggle for independence has lasted 20 years and who can hardly be blamed for intimating that annexationists are not Cubans as he understands the word.

   In concluding his statement General Gomez indulges in a fine bit of Iberian eloquence and distributes compliments broadcast. He adroitly says: "On again setting foot in this free land I feel happy, for in every American I see a friend who, having shed his blood side by side with us for Cuba's freedom, has earned our eternal gratitude and established the mutual obligation between the two people to maintain the peace and the independence of the island of Cuba." While the language is somewhat extravagant and takes for granted some things which may not be regarded as wholly settled, the enthusiasm of the old hero as he sees the near approach of the "Cuba libre" for the accomplishment of which the better part of his life has been given is natural and wholly commendable.

 

NEW INSURANCE COMPANY.

May do Business in Cortland County on Co-operative Plan.

   ALBANY, July 11.—A certificate has been filed with the secretary of state announcing that the Chenango County Patrons' Fire Relief association has enlarged its field of business operations so as hereafter to include in its territory the counties of Madison, Cortland, Broome and Otsego.

 

Chance for the Dog Catcher.

   A message was telephoned to The STANDARD office this afternoon requesting us to recommend that the dog catcher go up on Maple-ave., where dogs without collars are said to be thicker than toads after a thunder shower. A tagless dog was also discovered seated in front of the post office looking up Tompkins-st. as though waiting for the dog catcher to come from his home and gather him in. The collarless dogs which went into innocuous desuetude on Monday are beginning to get bold and come out of their retreats seeing that no harm comes to them.

 

INSURANCE RATES

TO BE RAISED VERY SOON IN CITY OF CORTLAND.

Underwriters Claim It is by Reason of Defective Fire Alarm System—Local Agents do Not Believe It, but Claim It is simply Because the Rates War is Ended and a Higher Price Can be Secured.

   The following recommendations have been sent out by the state board of underwriters of fire insurance to the local insurance agents in regard to the fire alarm system and fire department of Cortland, according to an inspection of Oct. 13, 1893, and a re-inspection of May 27, 1901:

   1. The present defective fire alarm iron wiring should be replaced by first-class copper wiring. The wire should also be either placed underground, or elevated above the tops of poles by extension arms, so as to insure safety and prevent contact with other wiring. Divide the present single circuit of fire-alarm wire, and make at least three circuits; introduce lightning arrestors and fuses as a precaution against damage by lightning and electric light currents.

   2. The present central fire department building on Main-st. should be remodeled, so as to secure suitable quarters for four horses, and accommodation for the firemen. This station and apparatus is located in the business-section, and should be maintained in first-class condition.

   3. One combination chemical and hose wagon, with double 25-gallon capacity cylinders, also carrying 800 feet of hose, should be obtained, and located at the central fire station; also permanently employed driver and two horses.

   4. An ordinance should be adopted, establishing fire limits, to include the entire business section, and regulating building construction; also regulating the sale and storage of oils and combustibles.

   Insurance inspectors, representing several of the largest fire insurance companies, are now at work revising the rates of insurance for Cortland, and it is the general belief of the local agents that the rates will go up to where they were in 1895, before the rates war was begun. The rating of 1895 was the last one issued for Cortland, although several revisions of these rates have been made. In the city there are over 800 different rates, varying from risks that are very good to those that are considered very poor. For instance the different rates for the different blocks range from $6 on each $1,000 to $10 on each $1,000, for one year.

   The former rates of $6 on each $1,000 for three years on dwelling houses, that had been reduced in the last two or three years to $5 on the same amount for the same time, will most likely be resumed, and the rates on blocks will be raised in proportion to this. The reason for the increase is given by the local insurance writers as being that the rates were so low that the companies were not making anything out of their business and that the companies had combined to raise the rates of insurance to where there would be some profits for them in the enterprise.

   In regard to the matter of the fire department, the local agents are mostly of the opinion that it has nothing to do with the increase of rates that is bound to come. The large fish have swallowed up the small ones during the rates war, and now the companies are ready to do business at the same rates they had before the war was started. The most of the local agents are of the opinion, however, that the fire alarm system should be overhauled and the wires placed where they will not come in contact with high current wires, because of the danger to the lives of those who try to send in alarms.

   One of the agents suggested that the alarm system might be done away with entirely, and that the new telephone system be used in its place. He contended that the new telephone company had telephones in all parts of the city and that the alarms might be sent to the engine house over this line. It might puzzle the one sending in the alarm in the excitement that generally accompanies such occasions to tell the number that the superintendent ought to ring to locate the fire and there would probably be other objections to such a system, all of which, however, might be overcome.

   The insurance men are looking for the new rates in from one to two months. The inspectors, they say, do not tell them what is going to happen, but that the rates are to be raised materially on account of the rates war being ended is assured.

 

GRASPED A LIVE WIRE.

Fred Snyder Climbed a Tree and Grounded the Wire.

   Fred Snyder, aged 8 years, who lives with his mother Mrs. Frederika Snyder in the Squires block, got hold of a live electric light wire, leading into the hotel today having climbed up into a small butternut tree back of the Messenger House. His cries of pain brought Michael Kelley, porter at the Messenger House, to his assistance at once, and the lad was pulled off the wires. His hands were badly blistered and he says that it made him shiver all over, and without doubt it did. A current of 2,000 volts was going over the main electric light wire, but this was reduced by a transformer to 104 volts on the wire leading into the Messenger House which the lad had grasped. But because the tree was wet forming a perfect conductor and the boy was in the tree, thus grounding the wire, he made a connection through the tree and the ground with the main line and consequently was receiving the full current of 2,000 volts through the ground, and this was pretty hot for him. In fact, as Mr. Bugler of the Traction company said, it was like the bite of a mosquito in the hand and the kick of a mule in the back. But except the blisters he is none the worse off for his experience.

 

SHIRTWAIST NO FAD

Because not Frivolous Boys but Older Men are Ordering Them.

   Lawrence Dillon, the custom shirt-maker in the Sugerman building, was inquired of as to what he had to say about masculine shirtwaists, and replied, that he believed in there. This is not because he makes them for he had just as soon make a negligee shirt for a man as a shirtwaist, but because he has worn them and finds them comfortable. Last year he made nearly all negligee shirts, but this year the percentage is quite reversed. Now every one who comes to him wants a shirtwaist rather than a negligee shirt. He did not wear one himself at first, but continued his negligee till he was led to put on one he had made for his brother. He found this so good he has worn no other style since. He is assured that the shirtwaist craze is no fad because the demand does not come from the young men who are given to fads, but from the older men who dress simply for comfort. Mr. Dillon concluded by saying that the shirtwaist, in his opinion, is here to stay.

 

A HANDSOME DEMI-COACH.

Built Under Special Order for Use Here in Cortland.

   Mr. R. H. Beard of the firm of Beard & Peck has just received a handsome demi-coach from the James Gould Co., of Albany, which he will use as a family carriage for funeral purposes. The coach was built for Mr. Beard by the company under his special order and supervision and is certainly one of the best coaches that was ever brought into Cortland. It is elegantly upholstered in drab, with tufted satin roof and satin quarters to match. The bevel plate glass windows are curtained with silk which also matches the other inside decorations. Outside the coach is equally well decorated and handsomely built. It is provided with a rubber head spring, rubber tires, spring washer axles and other late improvements to reduce noise to a minimum. The body is black with dark blue panels and stripes of the same color and very narrow stripes of gold. A patent leather dashboard distinguishes it from the ordinary hack and gives to it the appearance of a private carriage. This would make a swell turnout for a wedding party.

   Though this coach is Mr. Beard's personal property and is not owned by the firm of Beard & Peck, it will be used at the funerals at which this firm officiates.

 

BALL SEASON IS OVER

So Far As Cortland is Concerned—Team Transferred to Waverly, N. Y.

   President John H. Farrell of the New York State league is in Cortland today, preparing to transfer the Cortland team to Waverly. All the men will go to Waverly with the exception of Gannon and Cooper who have been released. The men will be tried out in Waverly with the local players there and the team will be selected. The game this afternoon with Schenectady was postponed on account of rain, thus the last game of professional ball that is liable to be played in this city for some time has been witnessed.

 

BREVITIES.

   —There will be a meeting of Canton Cortland this evening at 8 o'clock.

   —New display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, Clothing, page 8; W. J. Perkins, Ice cream Soda, page 6,

   —The choir of Grace Episcopal church will rehearse tonight at 8 o'clock. Every member is especially requested to be present.

   —The annual meeting of the Woman's Home Missionary society of the First M. E. church will be held at the home of Mrs. C. O. Smith, 61 Groton-ave., tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. A full attendance is earnestly requested.

   —Five vacation schools have this year been opened In Syracuse this summer and more than 1,300 children are enrolled. The capacity of these schools has been reached and all further applicants have to put their names on a waiting list.

   —A flock of guinea hens is said to be the surest and most economical means of ridding the farm of the potato bug pest. Farmers who have given this noisy little fowl the right of way on the farm have been enabled to say goodby to Paris green.—Ex.

   —The time has about expired which Ryan & Hall had allotted them in which to move their building off the lot needed by the Lackawanna railroad for a new station. Nothing has yet been done by them, though they have several places in view for the location of their store and building. They expect to come to a decision about the matter next week and take action at once to comply with the railroad company's request.

 

MANY CONDOLENCES, FROM ITHACA BY MOTORWHEEL, NEWS FROM THE GLEN, AND DIBBLE CARDING MILL ON N. MAIN ST.

 

Andrew Dickson White.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, July 10, 1901.

MANY CONDOLENCES.

Mrs. F. D. White Receives Hundreds of Messages of Sympathy.

   SYRACUSE, July 10.—A cablegram was received from Ambassador Andrew D. White yesterday afternoon acknowledging the receipt of the dispatches announcing the death of his son, Frederick D. White in this city. The cablegram contained nothing to indicate the intention of Ambassador White to resign, and his family here deny that they have ever received any suggestion from him to the effect that he intended to resign from the diplomatic service.

   Mrs. F. D. White has received hundreds of telegrams from all over the United States expressing sympathy and condolence. She has partially recover from the shock following the discovery of her husband's body, and last evening was able to rest.

   The funeral of Frederick D. White will be held Thursday afternoon at the family residence and will be strictly private.

 

How White killed Himself.

   SYRACUSE, July 10.—The coroner's investigation of the manner in which Mr. White took his life shows that after he entered the bathroom he removed the shoe from his right foot and standing the rifle on the floor placed his mouth over the barrel. With his great toe he pressed the trigger and sent a 44-calibre bullet crashing upwards through his brain. The ball came out through the top of the head. Portions of the brain tissues were spattered on the wall nearby.

 

Minister Wu Ting Fang.

CHINA ASKS INDEMNITY.

Claim Based on Persecution of Chinamen in Butte, Mont.

HALF MILLION IS AMOUNT ASKED.

There Is a Suggestion That the Occurrence Was Similar to the Boxer Trouble, But Reversed—New Point of International Law Raised.

   WASHINGTON, July 10.—The Chinese government, through Minister Wu Ting Fang, has filed a claim for indemnity to the amount of half a million dollars on account of the alleged outrageous treatment of Chinese at Butte, Mont.

   There is a suggestion of Boxer outrages reversed in the presentation of the case to the state department, the treatment inflicted upon the Chinese at Butte being claimed to have been cruel and oppressive. It is charged that some of them were killed, others lost their property, and nearly all were ruined in business and many of them were driven out. The claimants number several hundred.

   The outrages date back to 1886, and it is declared that the city council of Butte upheld the rioters and the boycotters; that the state courts held upon appeal, in language so unjudicial as to be itself a subject of complaint, that the city council was right, and finally that relief could be obtained only measurably through an appeal to the United States circuit court. The claim raises some novel and extremely interesting points of international law.

 

TEACHERS FOR PHILIPPINES.

Out Thousand to be Sent from United States for Work This Fall.

   WASHINGTON, July 10.—One thousand school teachers, male and female, will be appointed to positions in the Philippines. Their selection has been left to the principals of ninety-two colleges, scattered among thirty states. About 600, the first allotment, will leave San Francisco on the transport Thomas, sailing July 23. Transportation from their homes to Manila is furnished gratuitously by the government and their salaries will be from $75 to $125 a month in gold.

   Their qualifications are as follows:

   Applicants must be either Normal [state teachers’ school] or college graduates. They must have had several years' successful experience in school work and been engaged in teaching.

   They must he physically sound and be able to withstand a tropical climate, and willing to accept whatever location may be assigned them by the general superintendent of education.

   They will teach in English only and are not required to possess any knowledge of Spanish. No criticism of any religious creed or any attempt at proselytizing will be tolerated, though priests or ministers will be allowed to give religious instruction half an hour three times a week to those children whose parents desire it.

   Primers will be the text book most used and will correspond to those of American schools. A history of the United States, most flattering to this country, has been written for study in the higher grades, and is printed in both English and Spanish.

 

                             PAGE FOUR—BRIEF EDITORIALS.

   ◘ The war that is being waged against mosquitoes by the owners of Long Island and New Jersey summer resorts is said to be quite effective. In places that have been sadly infected by the pests it is found that by trimming the trees, clearing away the underbrush and sprinkling crude petroleum on every pool and damp place the mosquitoes have almost wholly disappeared. If New Jersey and Long Island can thus get rid of mosquitoes, there is hope for the rest of the country.

   ◘ Not content with the enormous indemnity of 450,000,000 taels which China has promised to pay, the European powers contemplate the addition of several millions for the maintenance of military forces at Peking. It seems evident that nothing short of the partition of the Celestial empire will satisfy the greed of the European nations.

   ◘ When Thomas A. Edison was asked to advise a young man how to succeed in electricity, his characteristic reply was, "Don't watch the clock." This advice may well be applied to the study of almost anything where success out of the ordinary is striven for.

 

From Ithaca by Motor.

   Mr. E. B. Richardson of the City Cycle Co. recently made a fast trip from Ithaca to Cortland on his motor wheel. He arrived in McLean in forty-two minutes from the time he left Ithaca and was held in McLean a short time on account of a storm. Had it not been for this he would have made the trip in an hour. The time was when Mr. Richardson covered a great deal of territory in quick time relying wholly upon his own leg power to propel his wheel, but this beats those days all to pieces.

 

THE LAUREL CAFE

To Change Hands—John McDermott to be the New Proprietor.

   Negotiations are in progress for the sale of the Laurel cafe in the Democrat building from Mrs. Clara Jamieson to Mr. John McDermott. The inventory was taken this afternoon and the matter will probably be closed up and papers passed by night.

   Mr. McDermott is one of the best known and most popular residents of Cortland. He has a remarkably wide acquaintance throughout the county and in towns of neighboring counties where he has so often been with his orchestra. All of his friends in these places will be likely to call upon him for meals when in the city. A first Class Chef will be in immediate charge of the restaurant, and it is the intention to keep the service beyond criticism and make the place a quiet home-like resort to drop into when in need of a good meal at a moderate cost.

 

NEWS FROM THE GLEN.

SEASON BEGINNING TO BOOM AND HOTEL TO FILL UP.

Optimist Gives a Dissertation on Masculine Shirt Waists and Preaches a Short Sermon to Girls on Judging People by Their Faults—Fourth Is Past and Now for Guests—Some of the New Arrivals.

   GLEN HAVEN, SKANEATELES, July 9.—A change has come over the spirit of Glen Haven's dream. We have heard of "Old Glen Haven," of "Slow Glen Haven" of "Sleepy Glen Haven," but now we find a most wonderful awakening here. We are finding a dash, a brilliancy, and the promise of a whirl, not too rapid for any real enjoyment, but just enough to add needed spice to the change and enjoyment that we seek in this outing time. Glen Haven is ever increasing her attractions for the summer visitors, and each year new comers are initiated into her many charms, while old friends are ever loyal and return season after season.

   The coolness of the early days of June rather delayed the rush, but recent fine weather has proved more encouraging, and if all promises are fulfilled there is a very busy time in prospect here. Although the season does not really open until after the 15th of July, yet the regular routine life, excepting that of the weekly hop and daily bathing have not yet started, la unite the same as in the very height of the season.

   Glen Haven's gaiety always culminates toward the end of the week. Men proclaim that there is no place they would rather spend the summer than Glen Haven, and yet the Sunday afternoon boat takes back to town almost every man in the place, to remain away until Friday or Saturday afternoon, when they return on a so to speak special boat.

   Let it not be imagined, however, that through the week the women have by any means a dull time. The people know each other very well and do not consider it necessary to have any one meeting place where they can have their say. The broad veranda affords opportunity enough to discuss their neighbors and to exchange news about the gay world generally. These little social parties have always been quite a success here as elsewhere. The women may be a bit fond of gossip, but they take the remarks made about them very good naturedly, and in spite of various rumors that reach the outer world, the women are on remarkably good terms with each other.

   Summer and Glen Haven have at last gotten together and now, with deference to the gentlemen whose hands are on the weather valves, we submit that a cool wave now and then is relished by the wisest men. For several consecutive days during the past week the sun has shed its bright rays continuously from the time it arose in the morning until it sank to rest like a big golden ball in the evening. This one ray of hope has revived the fading spirits of the boarding house keeper, the livery man, the bath house keeper, the cottager and was reflected in the jovial looks of the hotel Boniface [manager] who had read that the temperature throughout the country was rising rapidly, with "no relief in sight," and it is safe to believe that if they had control of the hot air machines our cities would have been given several extra editions of torrid waves long before this. When one takes into consideration the backwardness of the summer this year the hotel men and other interested parties appear blameless for having a lurking desire to bake the outside world.

   The change in the wearing apparel worn by the promenaders on the hotel veranda has been as magical as has been the coming of the crowd. A few evenings ago heavy wraps were the rule rather than the exception. Last evening the great majority of the women promenaders were dressed in light airy gowns and the men with light flannel and serge suits; while the much discussed shirt waist was largely in evidence.

   While your correspondent does not wish to inject himself into the controversy of the shirt waist problem, a problem which the appalling heat and humidity of the past few days is solving for those whom it directly concerns; but he begs leave to submit his opinion that the people who have set their faces against the wearing of the negligee shirt—for that is what they mean when they talk of the male shirtwaist—will have their trouble for their pains. Common sense is on the side of the shirt waist, and common sense exercises a greater influence upon the masses of the people than some of the "authorities" seem to think. It requires only a look at the men of intelligence and fashion who are this year braving conventional criticism by appearing in shirt waists in public places to prove that the discarding of coat and vest is no longer a fad. The Man in the White House has just borne testimony to this effect, and while he would probably be the last in the world to do anything for mere effect, he has certainly struck the popular chord. In brief, his testimony is that the man who has on neat trousers, proper shoes, a clean shirt, collar, et cetera, will be welcomed at the White House as long as he occupies that building, and we take off our hats to him for the decision.

   I am going to preach a sermon this morning. I do not usually do that sort of thing because I have some old fashioned ideas on the subject, and think that he who preaches must practice. And that is really too much for one pair of ordinary shoulders. But I was listening to a coterie of girls expressing their opinions of their absent companions a short time ago, and it was really painful the number of faults these absent school friends possessed. My sermon is brief. Girls, do not, I beg of you, judge persons by their faults. Train yourselves to look at the good qualities of the persons you come in contact with. You cannot imagine how much fuller and happier your life will be and how much good you will find lying at your very doorstep. It is amazing, too, how many good traits one can find if one will but look for them. A character positively seems to develop goodness as you seek to find it.

   "Whoever thinks a faultless thing to see,

   Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'en shall be."

   Now that the Glorious Fourth has passed into history, society and the world in general, in so far as Glen Haven is concerned, is turning its attention to other means of diversion, of which this charming resort offers many.

   Mr. John H. Mourin, the genial and popular landlord of the hotel Glen Haven, invited all the guests of his hotel to attend the launching of the new steamer "City of Syracuse" at Skaneateles on Saturday.

   Mr. M. J. Myers, an expert electrician and widely known business man of Syracuse, can be encountered daily on the hotel piazza.

   Mrs. E. P. Hewes, a most charming lady of New York City, with her son Harry has been enjoying the cooling breezes of old Skaneateles for the past week. She will spend a portion of the summer here, sailing for Europe in September.

   One of the most fascinating guests at the Glen Haven over Sunday was Miss Florence Mourin of Homer.

   Mrs. J. C. Reynolds of New York City and her interesting family are at the Hotel Glen Haven where they have taken a suite of handsome apartments for the season.

   Judge J. E. Eggleston, attorneys N. D. Miller, James Dougherty and O. U. Kellogg, well known as prominent members of the Cortland bar, were noticed among the strollers on the grand verandas of the hotel one day last week.

   Miss Jessie Reynolds, a pretty and vivacious New York maiden, is an expert swimmer, and daily she can be seen diving from the spring board into the lake. She wears a natty Yale blue and white bathing costume.

   Mrs. E. Burns of Syracuse, her twin babies, daughter and maid have apartments in Schermerhorn cottage. Mrs. Burns is the daughter of Dr. D. W. Burdick, the resident physician of the hotel.

   Mrs. D. M. Willard, two children and maid of Philadelphia have taken possession of their rooms in Lake cottage, for a prolonged sojourn. Mr. Willard will join them later in the season.

   Mrs. Blair of New York will be a guest here for a few weeks. Mrs. Blair is a warm admirer of Glen Haven.

   Mrs. C. D. Casselberry, a most charming Philadelphia lady, is enjoying life at this resort. She will remain at the lake until late in the fall.

   Rowland L. Davis, Esq., city judge of Cortland, accompanied by Mr. Clayton R. Lusk, took dinner at the Glen on Sunday.

   Rev. S. R. Calthrop of Syracuse with Mrs. Calthrop has been spending a few days at the Glen. They will soon leave for the Adirondacks, where they will remain for several weeks. OPTIMIST.

 

THE FIRE COMMISSIONERS

Hold Up the Matter of Improving Alarm System for that Present.

   The regular monthly meeting of the [Cortland] fire board was held at the office of the city clerk last night with all the members present. The matter of improving the fire system was brought before the board by Commissioner E. J. Warfield, but it was decided to waive the matter until the common council and the Home Telephone company settle the matter of placing the alarm system wires on top of the latter's poles, in exchange for a franchise that the telephone company has asked for from the council.

   The following bills were allowed and ordered paid:

   E. E. Ellis, freight, $ .61

   Allen & Chubb, repairs, 10.00

   I. V. Johnson, feed, 11.54

   Smith & Beaudry, supplies, 8.23

   Cortland Foundry & Machine Co., repairs, 2.43

   H. P. Davis, salary and disbursements, 27.50

   Cortland & Homer Electric Co., Installations and lighting, 13.10

   Star Electric Co., zincs [batteries], 45.00

   S. N. Holden & Co. coal, 11.55

   D. F. Waters, salary, 40.00

   Jas. F. Costello, salary, 50.00

   Annual appropriation of $150 to each fire company and $100 to the board of Engineers, 850.00

   H. J. Hackett, supplies, 2.00

   H. F. Benton Lumber Co., .20

   E. Woodworth, oils, 1.10

 

THE OLD CARDING MILL.

An Ancient Landmark That Will One of These Days Be Removed.

   The recent sale to the city of Cortland of the water rights leading to the old carding mill on North Main-st. and the closing up of the canal which formerly led off from Otter creek and furnished the water for power for this mill suggests that one of the oldest manufactories in this vicinity has done its last work and seen its last days of usefulness, and that an old landmark will soon be removed. Probably there is not a building in Cortland more familiar to the old residents than the old Dibble carding mill.

   This building stands side to the street on North Main-st., and was erected in 1815 by David McClure and was used by him as a nail factory. It was built when people put timbers into their buildings. The timbers in this are all of immense size, the joists being 12 by 12 inches in size. All are pinned together with wooden pins. The most violent hurricane is powerless to make this structure even quiver. The nails that were used upon the siding were made at the William Sherman nail factory in Homer, and all bear the stamp of ''S" upon their heads. Mr. Sherman was the inventor of a machine into which the iron could be fed and which automatically cut the nails, headed them and stamped them with the letter "S.'' Mr. McClure put in such a machine, only  his nails bore the stamp of "M." Many of the older buildings in this city and vicinity have nails in their construction which bear upon their heads one of these letters.

   Horace Dibble, a wool carder and cloth dresser by trade, came to Cortland on foot in 1821 from the eastern part of the state, having learned his trade from his uncle Perkins King, at Freehold, Greene Co. He was then 20 years old, having been born at Greene River, Columbia Co., on Nov. 21, 1801. He passed his first night here at hotel of David Merrick, father of Danforth and Martin Merrick, which then stood where the Opera House is now located. Next morning he started toward Homer looking for work and passed the nail factory which then looked much as it does at present, except that it was not quite as weather beaten. Its sides have always been innocent of paint. He was pleased with the location and resolved that if ever he was able to buy this property he would do so.

   In 1824 Martin Merrick, father of Mrs. E. C. Beach of Cortland, placed a carding machine in the building and started the business of wool carding and cloth dressing. In 1833 Mr. Dibble, who was carding wool near Moravia, heard that Mr. Merrick would sell this mill and he at once came to Cortland and bought it. Here he continued in business till his death in February, 1890, and his sons continued the same occupation till this spring when the water rights were sold and the mill was closed up. The same machine for carding was used all these years by Mr. Merrick and by the Dibbles, both father and sons. It was built in Little York and was a second hand machine when Mr. Merrick bought it, but up to its last day's work it did the business perfectly.

   A feature long connected with the old mill was the row of fourteen splendid willow trees which Mr. Dibble set out in 1847 along the creek just east of the mill and which grew to such immense size that they shaded the whole street. It was always cool beneath these trees and along the waterway even on the hottest summer days. They were the pride of Mr. Dibble's eyes, and it was a terrible blow to him when the village authorities in 1886 decided that in connection with the building of the horse railroad from Cortland to Homer this street must be widened and the trees must be sacrificed. They were cut down on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 of that year. One of the trees was found to be more than 4 feet in diameter near the ground.

 

BREVITIES.

   —George Mead is the new night clerk at the Messenger House.

   —New display advertisements today are—C. F. Thompson, Flour, page 5.

   —The L. O. T. M. will hold a regular meeting tomorrow evening at 7:30 o'clock.

   —The Ellis Omnibus and Cab Co. is preparing to have a cement walk placed before its factory on Pendleton-st.

   —Barry Moran pleaded guilty to the charge of public intoxication in city court this morning, and was given three days in county jail. Officer Baker made the arrest.

   —The stone walk in front of the foundry on Port Watson-st. is today being re-laid and lowered to correspond with the established grade for that street. It is a great improvement.

   —The annual meeting of the Woman's Home Missionary society of the First M. E. church will be held at the home of Mrs. C. O. Smith, 61 Groton-ave., Friday at 3:30 A. M. A full attendance is earnestly requested.

   —The sixth anniversary of the opening of the George Junior Republic at Freeville will be observed this afternoon and evening with appropriate ceremonies. The growth of this institution within this time has been marvelous.

   —The Syracuse Herald Carriers' baseball team of Syracuse was defeated yesterday by the Actives, who played under the name of the Cortland Herald Carriers' team, by the score of 17 and 7. This was the Herald's first defeat.

   —F. J. Peck has sold the former Dr. Frederick Hyde house on the lot which he recently purchased on Tompkins-st., to I. Dan Lester for $150. Mr. Lester will move the house to one of his vacant lots further out on the same street and will there fix it up for renting.

   —A private recital by the pupils of W, E. Chamberlain's vocal class will be given at the instructor's home, 62 Elm-st., next Friday night. Mr. Chamberlain has received offers to sing in churches in New York and Buffalo, but his prospects for a large class next year in Cortland have induced him to stay here.

   —Some of the residents of the East Side say that if the official dog catcher will but pay a visit to their section of the city he can no doubt make a rich haul. Seven canines were last night observed to be holding a social party on the corner of Elm and Pomeroy-sts., and not one of them was adorned with collar or tag.