REAR ADMIRAL GEORGE MELVILLE, BRIDGE COLLAPSED, KING EDWARD AND IRELAND, WICKWIRE EXCURSION, AND MISS ADDIE CHAMPLIN

 

Rear Admiral George W. Melville.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, August 1, 1903.

REAR ADMIRAŁ MELVILLE

Now Retired—A Dramatic Incident of the Civil War.

   Washington, Aug. 1.—Rear Admiral Geo. Melville, one of the most picturesque figures in the American navy, concluded his active service yesterday. Today he was placed on the retired list. He reached the age limit last January, but was continued on active duty until the term of his appointment as engineer in chief should expire, Aug. 1.

   He was one of three sons whom Alexander Melville gave to the Northern side in the civil war. He was born in New York City Jan. 10, 1841. After passing through the common schools and Polytechnic Institute in Brooklyn, he entered the engineering works of James Binns in East Brooklyn. Ninety days after war was declared, he became an officer in the United States navy.

   For a time he served on the old Michigan, a side wheel steamer, patrolling the lakes. Then he was transferred to the North Atlantic squadron on the screw sloop of war Dakota. He was at the shelling of Lamberts Point, the capture of Norfolk and the consequent destruction of the Merrimac off Craney Island. He participated in the James river expedition and served with the Mississippi fleet until stricken down with typhoid fever. Upon his recovery he went to Bahia, Brazil, on the Wachusett to intercept Confederate cruisers.

   It was there that one of the dramatic incidents of the war took place. While the Wachusett was refitting in the harbor of Bahia, the Confederate cruiser Florida boldly steamed in. Captain Collins, of the Wachusett, sent a challenge to the Florida to fight a naval duel outside the harbor. The Florida declined. Collins called a council of his officers and concluded to ram the Florida where she lay. To this the objection was made that the shock of impact would tear the boilers from their lashings and cause the death of every man below decks.

   "I do not think that the boilers will break loose," interposed young Melville, but if they do there need be but one man sacrificed, for after the engines are started, I can work them alone and will order all hands on deck."

   During the preparation for the attack, Melville volunteered and succeeded in going aboard the Florida and ascertained the location of her machinery and the strength of her batteries,

   At 2 o'clock a. m., Oct. 7, 1864, the Wachusett, with lights out, got under way. Below decks were only Melville and a fireman named Bradley, who refused to leave his post. The affair was all over in twenty minutes. The Florida was successfully rammed, captured, and towed to sea. On the Wachusett only three men were wounded, Melville receiving a cut across the left hand.

   From the viewpoint of international law, it was an outrageous violation of the rights of neutrals; from a sailorman's standard, it was a highly courageous and patriotic act.

   His honorable mentions during the war were frequent and many, and when the fighting was over he remained with the navy, one of its most notable and valued officers.

   [Read about the Jeanette Expedition: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeannette_expedition]

 

A BRIDGE COLLAPSED.

One Hundred People Thrown Into the Water.

THREE KNOWN TO BE DROWNED.

Many Fell on Two Boat Houses Moored Under the Bridge—Twenty-Five Injured by the Fall or by Being Struck by Falling Timbers of the Bridge—An Armless Swimming Exhibit.

   Portland, Ore., Aug. 1.—A section of the bridge which spans the Willamette river here collapsed yesterday afternoon, precipitating more than 100 people 40 feet into the water.

   Three people are known to have been drowned, and it is feared that the list of dead will be much larger. Many fell on two small boat houses moored to a pier of the bridge immediately under the spot where it gave way.

   About 25 were injured either by striking on the boat houses or by falling timbers. Many fell from the roofs of the boat houses into the water, but dozens of small boats and launches in the vicinity quickly picked them up. '

   The known dead: Minnie Raymond, aged 10; Lottie Cameron, aged 16; unidentified boy, aged 15.

   Thousands of people had gathered to watch Clarence Lutz, an armless man, swim the river, which is about three-eighths of a mile wide. As Lutz was climbing out of the water the crowd rushed to the south edge of the bridge in order to get a good view.

   A section of the passenger walk gave way under the heavy weight and the crowding, struggling mass of people were carried down a distance of 40 feet.

 

King Edward VII.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

King Edward and Ireland.

   In past generations the Irish people have had scant reason for welcoming with any degree of cordiality the British kings to their island, and royal visits have been few and far between. The visit of King Edward is therefore an event of prime interest and significance, and the cordiality with which he was received indicates a kindlier feeling among the Irish people toward the British sovereign. According to the Dublin correspondent of the London Times, "the royal progress from Kingstown to Phoenix park was accompanied by such enthusiasm as has not been witnessed anywhere in this generation. Warm hearted Irish men and women flocked the streets to accord welcome with hand and voice, and, whether or not they loved the king and queen before, they assuredly love them now."

   If all this is true it certainly shows a remarkable change in Irish sentiment. Doubtless something in the direction of this rapprochement was accomplished in the spring of 1900, when Queen Victoria visited Dublin and spent four weeks at the vice regal lodge, which was taken primarily as a royal recognition of the distinguished service of Irish soldiers in the South African war.

   The cordiality with which King Edward is now received is in large measure due to the apparent desire of the English government to ameliorate the condition of the Irish people through the operations of the pending land bill, and it is significant that on the very day the king was received in Dublin the measure which promises peace and prosperity for Ireland was passed to the third reading in the British parliament by an almost unanimous vote. The bill has the hearty approval of the crown as a step toward more cordial relations between the British government and the Irish, and the visit of King Edward at this particular time may be taken as a tacit expression on his part of his interest in Ireland and his hopes of better feeling.

   It is sincerely to be hoped that the favorable action of parliament on the land bill, coincident with the visit of the king, may mark the coming of better and happier days for Ireland, whose woes have been many and long endured.

 

Wickwire factory in Cortland, N. Y. Products included wire fencing and wire cloth.

THE WICKWIRE EXCURSION.

Nearly a Thousand People Take in the Trip to Sylvan Beach.

   The second annual excursion of Wickwire Employees' Aid association was run to Sylvan Beach this morning, nearly 1,000 people making the trip.

   The first section of the train pulled out promptly at 7:45, the scheduled time. It consisted of eight heavily loaded coaches, every seat being taken while many were standing. The train was in charge of Conductor T. J. Donnelly with Engineer James Wood at the throttle. This section was in charge of Louis Harrington of the committee.

   The second section, consisting of seven coaches, pulled out at 8 o'clock and was well filled. The entire Cortland City band, which accompanied the excursion, was on this section. Conductor T. Lynch and Engineer Joseph Winters had control of this section which was in charge of Henry S. Hakes of the committee.

   The excursion party was a happy one, the day being an ideal one, rather cool in the morning which would indicate that it would not be exceedingly warm during the day. A large crowd was at the station to see them off.

   Returning, the trains will leave the beach at 6:30 and 7 o'clock.

   During the day the band rendered a concert program and a hundred-yard-dash was the event of the day. Prizes of $3 for first, $2 for second, and $1 for third places respectively, were offered. Henry S. Hakes acted as starter, Con. O'Brien, and H. B. Benedict were judges and Jere McCarthy and John Lynch kept time.

   The committee in charge of the excursion was L. W. Camp, chairman, Jere McCarthy, H. B. Benedict, Patrick McDermott, Perry Whitmarsh, Louis Harrington, Ira Dexter, Chas. O'Leary, and H. P. Hakes.

   The Wickwire Employees' Aid association was organized July 28, 1901, with twenty-one charter members, the first officers being John Fitzgerald, president; John Page, secretary; and William Dillon treasurer.

   The aim of the association is to afford relief to any of its members who may meet with accident or suffer from prolonged illness.

   During the past winter the association paid out over $600 in sick, accident and death benefits. In the two years the association has been formed the membership has increased from twenty-one to over 300.

   The present officers are president, John Lyons; secretary, Henry S. Hakes; treasurer, Charles O'Leary.

 

BOARD OF HEALTH

Orders Unsanitary Places About the City to be Cleaned Up.

   The regular monthly meeting of the board of health was held in the office of the city clerk last evening. Those present were Mayor C. F. Brown, Dr. E. A. Didama, health officer; and Commissioners W. A. Stockwell, E. M. Santee, Fred Ryan, Henry Bliss, R. J. Latimer and C. D. VerNooy, the full membership.

   The board was called to order by Cortland Mayor Brown and the minutes of the preceding meeting were read and approved.

   It was reported that a well and cesspool on Maple-ave. were in too close proximity to each other. Commissioner W. A. Stockwell and City Attorney Fred Hatch were appointed as committee to investigate the matter.

   Complaint has been made to the board in regard to the joint driveway between the Cortland House and Opera House. It is said to be below grade, wet and muddy at all times, as the sun does not shine in to dry up the mud and water. Teams driving out keep the walk muddy and the driveway is in an unsanitary condition and dangerous to life and health. A resolution to this effect was adopted by the board and it was ordered that it be put in a sanitary condition, on motion of Dr. Santee, seconded by Dr. VerNooy, all voting aye.

   The city as a whole was reported to be in a very cleanly and sanitary condition. Several places were reported to be in an unsanitary condition and the health officer will order them to be put in good condition.

   On motion, the board adjourned.

 

A THIRD ELECTRIC ROAD

To Connect Ithaca and Auburn—Lehigh Back of It.

   If all the plans to connect Ithaca and Auburn by electric roads materialize the two places will be so thoroughly joined together that there will be no possibility of divorce. Two electric roads by two different routes seem quite probable, and now the Ithaca Journal says that plans are well along for laying a third rail upon the Lehigh Valley railroad and equipping it with electricity and running cars every hour or every half hour from both ends. The route would be the line along Cayuga lake, 43 miles in all. Steam would still be used for freight and through passenger trains, but electricity would be used for cars for way traffic. The Journal speaks of it as being quite a sure thing that this will be done.

 

Death of Miss Champlin.

   On Monday, July 27, at her home near Groton City occurred the death of Miss Addie Champlin, which though sudden, was not wholly unexpected, as she had been in poor health for three years or more and had been growing gradually weaker during the last few weeks, but was still able to be around the house and had that morning walk out doors.

   The deceased was born Dec. 22, 1844, on the farm, two miles north of Moravia, N. Y., then owned by her father, Major Champlin, and there resided until about 7 years old when her father bought and moved to the farm now known as the ''Champlin homestead" and here she has passed over fifty years of her life. She was of a quiet, retiring disposition but was well known and loved as a patient, faithful, loving daughter, a loyal sister and a kind friend. She was always ready to assist the poor and unfortunate or those in sickness and sorrow and is sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends.

   She leaves three sisters, Mrs. Amanda McCastland, Miss Mary A. Champlin and Mrs. Jennie Benedict and two brothers, Edward G. and Alexander Champlin.

   The funeral was held at her late home Wednesday at 1 o'clock. Rev. W. Jasper Howell of Cortland officiated who spoke very comforting words from II Cor. v, 1-4, to those still journeying through the pilgrimage of life. Interment at Groton.

   Those present from a distance were Mrs. Lucy Champlin, Ithaca; Lester Burlingham, Oliver Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. Win. McClean, Mrs. James Maltbie and Warren Maltbie of Moravia; E. D. Pendell, Lisle; Mr. and Mrs. John Latimer and son, Mrs. Frances Carry, Mr. and Mrs. Asa Benedict, Homer, and Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Rogers, McLean.

 

"Happy Bill" at Ithaca.

   "Happy Bill" Daniels is making as great a hit as an orchestra leader at dances in his new home in Ithaca as he ever made in Cortland. The Ithaca News, speaking of a dance at Glenwood, says, "The music was furnished by 'Happy Bill' Daniels' orchestra and was greatly enjoyed, most especially, perhaps, the old fashioned 'square set,' which was put on by special request. 'Happy Bill' is perhaps without an equal in making this old dance enjoyable.''

 

BREVITIES.

   —The new display advertisements today are—McGraw & Elliott, Hammer dry plates, page 7.

   —The Cortland City band will give a concert at Trout park at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

   —Regular meeting of hospital board at the Hospital on Monday, Aug. 3 at 3 o'clock.

   —Between twenty-five and thirty of the employees of the Gillette Skirt company took advantage of the Wickwire excursion to go to Sylvan Beach today.

   —The union services will be held in the Congregational church tomorrow night at 7:30 o'clock with sermon by Rev. W. J. Howell, pastor of the First Baptist church.

   —Not all the people of the city went on the Sylvan Beach excursion today, judging from the crowds that stood on the Main-st. corners between 2 and 3 o'clock waiting for the cars to take them to the park to hear the Ithaca band.

   —An application for a rural free delivery route from Cincinnatus west through East Freetown was made by the residents. An inspector looked over the proposed route, but denied the application as the houses were said to be too scattered.

 

GRAND TRUNK PACIFIC RAILWAY, BUTCHER'S BILL, PRIZES, ITALIANS IN CAMP, AND RESIGNATION EXPECTED

 

Grand Trunk Pacific Locomotive.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, July 31, 1903.

GRAND TRUNK PACIFIC.

Contract With Dominion For Transcontinental Road.

TERMS ANNOUNCED BY PREMIER.

Government to Build From Moncton, N. B., to Winnipeg and Lease to the Company For 50 Years—From Winnipeg to the Pacific Company to Build in Seven Years.

   Ottawa, Ontario, July 31.—Sir Wilfrid Laurier announced in parliament the details of the contract between the Grand Trunk Pacific and the government for the construction of a national trans-continental railway. The road will run from Moncton, N. B., to Fort Simpson on the Pacific ocean, a distance of 3,300 miles.

   The government will build with public money from Moncton to Winnipeg and lease to the company for 50 years. For seven years the company gets to lease free but will have to pay operating expenses. The following three years the company will turn over to the government the net earnings.

   For the succeeding 40 years the company will have to pay 3 per cent to the government on the capital cost of this section. The commission will supervise the building but it is likely the company will do the work

   From Winnipeg to the Pacific the company will build within seven years. The government will guarantee 75 per cent of the cost of construction up to $13,000 per mile on the prairie section and $30,000 per mile on the mountain section. The principal and interest to be guaranteed for 50 years. The company will not pay anything on the mountain division for seven years and for succeeding three years will pay the net receipts over working expenses, while for the remaining 40 years the company will pay three per cent per annum.

   The government will take the first mortgage on the line between Winnipeg and the Pacific as security of its guarantee and the Grand Trunk railway will guarantee the bonds on the Grand Trunk Pacific for its proportion of the cost of that section. The company will have running privilege over the Intercolonial and the Intercolonial and all other companies will have running privileges between Moncton and Winnipeg subject to the company's terms.

   Unrouted traffic in winter must go to St. John and Halifax at Portland rates. The company must deposit in 60 days $5,000,000 as security for fulfilling the contract. The money will be released for the construction of the final section.

   Sir Wilfrid Laurier spoke for three hours in announcing the contract and explaining the details. He gave as one reason for building the road through the maritime provinces that it should reach a Canadian port on the seaboard, so that Canada would be independent should the Americans at any time stop the bonding privileges. The best way, he said, to remain friendly with the United States was to be independent of them commercially.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Fourth's Butcher's Bill.

   "Fifty-two killed and 3,665 injured." That is the "butcher's bill," as the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle calls it, for the last Fourth of July celebration. The figures are rather startling. Many an important battle has been won with fewer casualties. It is hard to see why General Sherman's famous characterization of war doesn't equally apply to the Fourth of July, except that the horrors of the Fourth of July are even less tolerable than the horrors of war.

   Wars are waged with reason and often with good reason. The slaughter of a war is inevitable and it serves a purpose. The present method of celebrating the anniversary of the nation's birth is entirely unreasonable. The slaughter of the Fourth of July is altogether unnecessary and serves no purpose whatever. No return at all is received for the Fourth of July butcher's bill. The lives expended in the celebration are lives thrown away.

   The butcher's bill is not the only item of the loss and damage occasioned by the Fourth of July. There is the loss of property by fire. It was comparatively insignificant this year, footing up to only half a million dollars. But even half a million is a good deal of money to throw in the gutter.

   Isn't it about time to stop this senseless annual drain? Other holidays are celebrated without killing and wounding thousands of persons and destroying thousands of dollars' worth of property. There is no reason why the Fourth of July shouldn't be. The Fourth of July celebration has degenerated into a carnival of hoodlumism; and some of the confusion between liberty and license, which obviously now reigns in the popular mind in this country, is doubtless due to our bad habit of celebrating the nation's liberty by letting down the bars to lawlessness and suspending salutary ordinances whose strict enforcement is now more necessary to the public good on the fourth day of July than on any other day in the year.

   Among other numerous reforms that this country needs is a reform in the present method of celebrating the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

 

PRIZES ANNOUNCED

For the Misspelled Works in the Educational Contest.

   Some weeks ago five prizes were offered by The Standard for the parties who would detect the greatest number of misspelled words in a list of advertisements which were to be used in this paper during a series of issues. The words were to be purposely misspelled by the man who set up the advertisements. Five columns of advertisements were secured and no advertisement was larger in size than two inches. The spelling of the words was to be changed in successive issues. This insured the fact that every advertisement would be carefully read in full every day and the advertisers can testify from the results attained that they were read.

   The advertisements were continued through fifty days and during that time 710 words appeared in those columns misspelled. This number has been ascertained as a result of a very careful count made by two of our most experienced proof readers who counted the errors independent of each other, and then compared results and compared the individual words.

   Scarcely had the last issue of the paper containing those columns been put out when the answers began to come in. Hundreds of answers were received, and the exact time of the receipt of each was marked upon the envelope and this time was taken into consideration in making up the schedule of prizes. This was essential for two answers were equally distant from the correct number, one being above the correct number and the other below it. But one was received about two hours earlier than the other and that one was awarded a higher prize than the later one.

   While the exact number of misspelled words, as stated above was 710, the answers received ranged all the way from 68 to 1,680.

   The recipients of the five prizes offered with the number of words submitted by each is as follows:

   First prize, $5 in silver. Miss Estelle M. Walker, 13 Madison-st., Cortland. 694 words.

   Second prize, The Cortland Daily Standard for one year. Mrs. Manley W. Kinney, R. F. D. No. 7, Cortland. 682 words.

   Third prize, $3 in silver. Mrs. Byron Phelps, R. F. D. No. 2, McGraw. 742 words.

   Fourth prize, $2 in silver. N. W. Fuller, R. F. D. No 1, Cortland. 759 words.

   Fifth prize, $1 in silver. Mrs. James A. Smith, 32 Groton-ave., Cortland. 661 words.

   The prize winners may call at this office at any time and receive their awards, at least all except the winner of the second prize may do so, and if she will call she may receive a receipt for the Daily Standard for one year, and during the coming year she can receive a daily reminder in the coming of the paper to her door of her industry and accuracy in her search for misspelled words.

   This contest has been a very satisfactory one to all concerned and the advertisers have had another evidence of how thoroughly, how widely and how generally The Standard is read, for many of the advertisements have been so worded as to disclose at once the fact that they had been read if certain articles were called for by purchasers, and the desired result was in almost every case attained in full measure.

 

ITALIANS IN CAMP.

Have Come to Gather Bean Harvest for Canning Factory.

   The local Lackawanna depot looked like an immigrant station or a small "Castle Garden" immediately after the arrival of the 9:20 train from the north this morning. This train carried a special car containing about seventy-five Italians from Syracuse and vicinity, under the charge of a foreman engaged by Yager & Halstead to work in the bean fields. The party was a typical Italian gang of laborers such as work in the hop fields, onion beds and on extensive truck farms, familiar enough to residents of the Mohawk Valley and along the line of the New York Central [railroad], but not so familiar to residents of this part of the state.

   The party contained three or four children to every adult, there being several women with babies in their arms. They carried baggage and provisions stored in trunks, boxes, satchels, paper parcels, etc., but mostly in common grain sacks. Yager & Halstead have arranged a camp for them on a vacant lot just off from Owego-st. near the Lehigh and there they will remain for a period of six weeks or longer.

   They were met at the station by teams with hayracks and taken to the camp, where they at once began to make themselves comfortable and at home. They are designed for work in the fields only. The firm has about twenty-two acres of beans about ready to harvest and as it is especially hard to procure local help to do this work it was decided to follow the custom of upstate canning factories in employing Italian help in the harvesting of the crop.

   This in no way applies to the factory itself and Messrs. Yager & Halstead wish it stated that they will have work for about 200 local hands as soon as everything is in running order.

   The crop is late this year but work will be commenced at the factory next week and everything will probably be in full blast a week later. Owing to the lateness of the season one crop is apt to follow another in quick succession practically insuring steady work.

 

RESIGNATION EXPECTED

Of Rev U. S. Milburn as Pastor of Universalist Church.

   Rev. U. S. Milburn, for five years past a pastor of the Universalist church of this city, has signified to members of his church that his resignation may be expected within a few days. The news is most unwelcome to all, for with a single mind the church desires the relations which have been so pleasant and so cordial between pastor and people to continue, and if a refusal to accept the resignation would avail there is not a doubt that the church would decline to entertain such a request. It hopes that the pastor who is now away on his vacation may be induced to reconsider such a thought, though it hardly dares to hope that he will do so.

   Mr. Milburn bas been a most excellent pastor, and is an unusually brilliant preacher. He has commanded the respect, the confidence and the regard, not only of the entire membership of his own church, but of the whole community as well, and his departure from Cortland will be generally regretted.

   Not alone in Cortland has he been esteemed, but through the state he has occupied a prominent place in his own denomination, having been the president of the State Young People's society, and having occupied other responsible positions in the state association. Wherever he goes the best wishes of this community will accompany him.

 

BREVITIES.

   —M. L. Erway has purchased the property at 8 Graham-ave., and expects to move there Oct. 1, after some repairs are completed.

   —Mrs. W. T. Smith, 100 Clinton-ave., gave a thimble bee yesterday afternoon to about thirty-five of her friends in honor of Mrs. James and daughter of Rochester who are her guests.

   —The new display advertisements today are—Angell & Thomas, Sale of oxfords, etc., page 6; Perkins & Quick, Asthma remedy, page 4; Morse Clothing Co., 10 specials for 10 days, page 8; E. E. Bates, Scientific optician, page 5.

 

AWFUL CATASTROPHE, FANATICS RIOT, RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA, SEA LION ON ICE, ESCAPED DROWNING, AND FIDELIA CONRAD EDWARDS

 

United States Cartridge Co. explosion site.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, July 30, 1903.

AWFUL CATASTROPHE.

Two Powder Magazines Blew Up In Lowell, Mass.

OVER A SCORE OF LIVES LOST.

Seventy Houses Demolished—Six of the Men Loading the Powder Blown to Pieces—Nitric Acid Mistaken For Water and Poured on Leaking Nitro Glycerine.

   Lowell, Mass., July 30.—Two small powder magazines in the midst of the houses of 50 mill operatives exploded yesterday with frightful concussion and the lives of more than a score of persons were cut off and 50 others were injured.

   Half a dozen men who were loading kegs of powder from one of the magazines were blown to pieces, four boys 200 yards away were killed by the force of the explosion and 14 frame houses within a radius of 400 yards collapsed as though built of cards.

   Seven of these houses immediately caught fire and were completely consumed. At least three persons were caught in the ruins and burned to death, while seven or eight others who were rescued, died subsequently of their injuries.

   It is estimated that 70 separate pieces of property, including those already mentioned, were destroyed while the force of the explosion broke windows within a radius of five or six miles, and its thunder was heard distinctly for more than 50 miles away.

Mistook Nitric Acid For Water.

   Glarendon Goodwin, the foreman of the men who were loading the powder, and Amadee Boulanger, one of his assistants, were not killed by the explosion. The latter, in explaining the cause of the explosion said that the men found that a can of nitro glycerine in the magazine was leaking.  Mr. Goodwin picked up what he thought was a jug of water and began pouring it on the nitro glycerine. As soon as the fluid from the jug struck the floor, he found that it was nitric acid. The floor at once began to smoke.

   The men rushed from the building, but had not gone 10 feet when the explosion occurred. This explosion was followed immediately by an explosion of the gunpowder in the three teams, and several seconds later by the second magazine.

   The entire catastrophe occurred within five seconds, but in that time the surrounding property was swept as if a small volcano had broken forth in its midst.

   Every house within 200 yards collapsed. Trees were blown down, the grass within 100 yards was mowed as if by a lawn mower, while bricks from the two magazines were hurled far across the river and all over the neighborhood.

 

FANATICS RIOT IN ASIA.

Members of Unpopular Sect Murdered In Persia.

PRIESTS HEADED THE RIOTERS.

Mutilated Bodies Dragged Through the Streets—Houses Looted and Women Beaten and Killed—Governor Compelled to Order One Man Blown From Mouth of a Cannon.

   London, July 30.—The Times this morning describes serious religious riots in the city and province of Yezd, in Central Persia, which lasted more than a fortnight. The outbreak was directed against religious reformers called Babis. For two days every Babi found in the city was butchered by the rabble and the mutilated bodies were dragged through the streets followed by the exultant crowds.

   Houses were looted, women beaten and killed and finally the priestly leaders of the riot enjoined the populace to bring all the remaining Babis before them or the governor for judgment. The governor refused at first to yield to the threats of the mob but his palace was surrounded by menacing men and the following day he consented. One Babi taken before him was blown from the mouth of a cannon and another was killed and dragged through the town. Order, it is reported, has been restored, but the Babis who escaped are in hiding.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Our Relations With Russia.

   Just what relation the "open door" in China bears to the slaughter of Jews at Bessarabia is not quite clear, though it is significant that on the day following the receipt of formal assurances from the Russian government that no further objection would be offered to the opening of the Manchurian ports, the secretary of state announced that the so called Kishineff incident was closed by the refusal of the Russian government to receive a petition in behalf of its Jewish subjects.

   Outwardly, of course, there is supposed to be no connection between these events, but the circumstances suggest something of the kind. However, as the matter of the petition is a "closed incident" it is not particularly important whether there was any diplomatic connection between it and the promise of Russia not to interfere with our trade in Manchuria. At any rate, the czar's government has a pretty clear idea of public and official sentiment in this country in regard to the Kishineff outrage, and possibly the moral effect of the protest is as great as though it had actually been presented. It went far enough to cause the Russian government to take energetic steps to punish the Kishineff rioters.

   As to the agreement of Russia in the Manchurian matter, the state department appears to have won a substantial victory. The United States had previously been assured that the Chinese government would "open as treaty ports several ports in Manchuria now closed to the world's trade." Now Russia, which practically controls Manchuria, assures us that it will not in any way interfere with the opening of these ports, as proposed by China.

   Although the ports to be opened have not been specified, it is gathered from communications that they are Mukden, the principal inland port of Manchuria, and Tatungkao, at the mouth of the Yalu river.

   If Russia keeps her promise, as the state department apparently believes she will, this action is of highest importance both to this country and other nations trading in Manchuria. It means the fulfillment of the American policy of the "open door" in China, which is practically the source of our contention in that quarter.

 

SEA LION IS ON ICE.

The Charges are $50, Which Boone Declines to Pay.

   "Jack" Boone's sea lion is dead, but it isn't buried. The lion escaped from Boone's summer resort in this city [Cortland, N. Y.—CC ed.] in June and was killed in the Chemung river at Elmira last Saturday by parties who were trying to capture it.

   The carcass of the sea lion, packed in ice, is at the New York Central freight office in Syracuse. It was consigned to Mr. Boone in Syracuse and there are $50 charges. Mr. Boone has refused to take the carcass and railroad men don't know what will happen when the ice has melted.

 

PATRONS OF INDUSTRY

Entertained at Home of Mynard Pennoyer— Fine Evening.

   The Patrons of Industry and their friends to the number of about eighty were very pleasantly entertained last evening at the home of Mynard Pennoyer and his mother, who did all in their power to please and gratify their guests. The reading given by Mrs. Edith Latimer was received with hearty applause and very highly appreciated by all present. Vocal music given by the members of the association added to the pleasure of the evening. The refreshments were of a dainty character. All expressed themselves as having spent a very pleasant evening.

 

ESCAPED DROWNING

But Were in the Icy Cold Water of Otisco Lake

FOR UPWARDS OF THREE HOURS.

Ray F. Smith, G. Ray Harrington and a Syracuse Friend Upset in a Sail Boat—Lost their Clothes, their Money and a Watch—No One Came from Shore to Help Them.

   Three members of a camping party at Otisco lake, two of whom are well known Cortland men, had an experience Monday, more tedious and dangerous than pleasant, and one which they have no desire to repeat.

   The party, which consisted of Ray F. Smith and G. Ray Harrington of Cortland and a fellow camper named Blackwell of Syracuse, was out in a sail boat Monday afternoon. When out in the middle of the lake, the boat for some reason capsized, tumbling the passengers into the water. The boat filled with water and it at once became evident that the only way to reach shore was by swimming or by clinging to the boat until some one noticed their predicament and came to their relief. As the water in Otisco lake is very cold, making a continued stay in it dangerous on account of cramps, the party thought it better to hang together and stick to the boat, thinking that it would be but a short time before they would be noticed, especially as it was early in the afternoon and only about 2:20 o'clock. They began to work their way toward the shore taking advantage of what little breeze there was. As time passed and the cold water began to chill them to the bone they began to look more and more anxiously for help, but no one on shore appeared to notice them or to be aware of their distress.

   The afternoon gradually wore away and the progress toward shore seemed distressingly slow seeming at times as though no progress was being made.

   As the hope of succor from camping parties left the tired swimmers, they began to lose hope and bade each other farewell thinking it impossible that all could reach the shore alive.

   Finally one of them struck bottom with his foot and with renewed hope they kept on and finally reached shore at 5 o'clock so weak that they could scarcely stand.

   Some one with a glass finally noticed the sail floating out in the lake and started to search for the party. Finding them they took them to Pierce's cottage and looked after their wants. They had lost their clothes, their money, and Mr. Harrington also lost his watch.

   Their many Cortland friends will be glad they will probably suffer no alarming consequences from their unenviable experience.

 

MRS. JAMES E. EDWARDS

Passed Away this Morning After a Long Illness from Bright's Disease.

   Mrs. James E. Edwards died this morning at her home, 12 Crandall-st., Cortland, after a long illness from Bright's disease, in the progress of which she was a great sufferer. The funeral will be held at the house at 2 o'clock on Saturday with burial in the Cortland Rural cemetery.

   Mrs. Edwards, whose maiden name was Fidelia Conrad, was born in the town of Marathon 56 years ago. Thirty-five years ago she was married to Mr. Edwards and all their married life has been spent in the towns of Marathon, Willet, and for the past sixteen years in Cortland. She early united with the Baptist church of Texas Valley, of which she remained a consistent member. She never transferred her membership from that church, but was a regular attendant of the church of that denomination in Willet and in Cortland.

   She is survived by her husband and two daughters, Mrs. Rosa Carl of Windsor and Mrs. Jennie Seamans of Cortland; also by two sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Henry Hammond and Miss Ana Eliza Conrad of McGraw and James M. Conrad of Cuba, N. Y., and Jerome Conrad of Michigan.

 

BREVITIES.

    —The Woodward family will hold its fifth annual reunion at Cortland park Thursday, Aug. 13.

   —The corner stone of the new First M. E. church of Syracuse was laid at 4 o'clock this afternoon.

   —The capital stock of the Solvay Process Co. at Syracuse has been increased from $5,000,000 to $6,000,000.

   —The twenty-eighth reunion and picnic of the Hammond family will be held at the home of Samuel Hammond near Marathon Friday, Aug. 21, 1903.

   —Lucy J. McGragar of Groton has sold to Mary F. Gould of Cortland property in the town of Groton for a nominal consideration.—Ithaca Journal.

   —The new display advertisements today are—G. H. Wiltsie, Specials for Friday and Saturday, etc., page 6; Gardner's 5 and 10 cent store, All silk ribbons, page 6; W. W. Bennett, Asphalt roofing, page 6.