CORNELL WON THREE, A BLACK RECORD, FOURTH OF JULY, STUDENTS GOING HOME, AND ADDITION TO NORMAL SCHOOL FAMILY

 

Cornell record-setting crew 1901.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, June 27, 1903.

CORNELL WON THREE.

Seconds Were Pennsylvania, Syracuse and Georgetown.

VARSITY RACE A WALKOVER.

Surprising Work of Syracuse In Freshman Race and Georgetown In the Varsity—Poor Showing by Columbia Crews—Record Broken by Cornell in Freshman Race.

   Poughkeepsie, N. Y., June 27.—Varsity four-oared race, 2 miles—Cornell first, time 10 minutes 34 seconds; third of a length over Pennsylvania second, time 10 minutes 35 4-5 seconds; third, Wisconsin, time 10 minutes 55 3-5 seconds; fourth, Columbia, time 11 minutes and 14 seconds.

   Best previous time in four-oared race 10 minutes 31 1-5 seconds made by Pennsylvania in 1900.

   Freshman race. Eight-oared, two miles—Cornell first, time 9 minutes 18 seconds; Syracuse second, time 9 minutes 22 1-5 seconds; Wisconsin third, time 9 minutes 32 seconds; Columbia fourth, time 9 minutes 41 seconds; Pennsylvania fifth, time 9 minutes 45 seconds.

   Best previous time 9:19 1/2, made by Yale in 1897.

   Varsity race, four miles, eight-oared—Cornell first, time 18 minutes 57 seconds; Georgetown second, time 19.27; Wisconsin third, time 19.29 2-5; Pennsylvania fourth, time 19.33 3-5; Syracuse fifth, time 19.36 2-5; Columbia sixth, time 19.54 1-5.

   Best previous time 18.53 1-5 made by Cornell in 1901.

Some Distinct Surprises.

   For the first time in years, there were distinct surprises in the intercollegiate races held here. Two crews of practically unknown quantities and whose coaches had not predicted or had not hoped for them anything better than fourth or fifth places in their respective, races, each finished second in the two most important races of the day.

   The Syracuse university crew took such close second honors in the freshman race that for the last half mile it was a serious question whether her boys would not pull to victory.

   Georgetown university in the varsity race, while finishing a very bad second to the phenomenal crew put in the race by Cornell University, walked away from the other four crews in the race, old timers with the exception of Syracuse, in a manner that made the rowing sharps simply throw up their hats for joy.

   Columbia university crews, from which very much had been promised, finished in the worst possible shape, although in the betting, in the general predictions and in the prognostications of her coach, she was supposed to have an excellent chance both in the four-oared and varsity races. As it was, she finished last in the four-oared race, being beaten out even by Wisconsin, which university had put a green crew in the field in a shell borrowed from Columbia.

   In the freshman race she was the fourth crew, and a very poor fourth, Wisconsin third, with Pennsylvania—from whom nothing had been expected, as her crew had been materially changed in the last few days—close fifth.

   In the varsity race Columbia finished last, being at least six lengths behind Syracuse, the fifth crew in the race, and at least four out of her eight men collapsing in the boat as the finish line was crossed.

   It was as it has been now for the past two years, Cornell day. As in last year's races, and as with one exception in the races of two years ago, Cornell won all three races, and while only one record was broken it is the general consensus of opinion that had the Cornell varsity crew been pressed, the record would have been broken even in that race.

Varsity Race a Walkover.

   The varsity race, as a matter of fact, was a miserable walk-over, Cornell taking the lead before the mile point had been reached and rowing away from her competitors in a manner so easy that at no time was she ever pressed for first place.

   The result was that in the last mile, where if pushed she would have rowed from 31 to 33 strokes per minute, she held a 28 clip almost to the finish, crossing the line at not over 30 strokes per minute and fully nine lengths ahead of all competitors.

   As has been indicated, the work of Georgetown in the varsity race was a great surprise. Her crew, instead of being as in previous years here, vacillating in stroke and form, was in both respects extremely steady. When at the second mile when it was supposed that both Georgetown and Syracuse would have practically finished for any places except fifth or sixth, this remarkable crew, with a slight increase of stroke, pulled steadily out of the bunch and while absolutely unable to reduce the enormous lead of Cornell, showed their superiority over all the other crews in the race.

   The three races may be described in detail as follows:

   Four-oared race—This race had been generally awarded to Pennsylvania because its four was known to have more practice and to have shown more formidable form while on the river. Wisconsin had a borrowed shell and a green crew, and was generally given in the ante race opinions last place. On the contrary, she was a threatening opponent of Cornell clear to the bridge which marked the middle of the two mile course and finished third, the nose of Pennsylvania shell being on a line with the bow oar of the Cornell shell as the flag fell. Wisconsin was a very poor third, almost 20 seconds or six lengths behind Pennsylvania, the curious thing about this being that she was fully 19 seconds or six lengths ahead of Columbia, from whom she borrowed her shell.

   The freshman eight-oared event was one of the greatest surprises of the day. While Cornell was the favorite, Columbia, it was thought, would give the Ithacans a hard rub for first place and would certainly finish second. Pennsylvania, because of their many changes in her crew, was not expected to do anything. Syracuse was given last place and Wisconsin was looked upon as an unknown proposition.

Broke Record by 1 1/2 Seconds.

   Cornell did not disappoint her adherents. The Ithacans finished first breaking the intercollegiate record by a second and a half, while Syracuse jumped from last place awarded it by public opinion to a good second place, losing the race only in the last quarter mile upon a terrific spurt by Cornell, and beating her nearest competitor, Wisconsin, by fully 1 3/4 lengths. Columbia finished a very poor fourth fully three lengths behind Wisconsin while Pennsylvania simply wallowed behind.

   Varsity eight-oared—Cornell in this race failed to break the record because at no time after the first half mile was she pressed by any crew in the race. Her time was 3 4-5 seconds more than the crew from her own college made in 1901 under more adverse circumstances so far as water conditions were concerned.

   It had been promised that Wisconsin and Columbia would give her a hard race, but Columbia's crew, after making a terrific start, showed either over-training or lack of endurance and rowed its boat to the finish with its men fainting at the oars.

   The surprise of the race was that Georgetown's crew, the adherents of which had not dared to back her for better than fourth or fifth place, rowed out of the bunch in the last mile, and while never a competitor of Cornell showed four other well advertised crews a clean pair of heels.

   During the first half of the race second and third places were contested for by the crews—Cornell safely in first place—in two divisions, Georgetown, Wisconsin and Columbia for second and Pennsylvania and Syracuse fighting gamely for third.

   Just above the bridge the spell was broken and the long pull began to sort out the superior mettle. The rear eights crowded up on Columbia which was steadily falling behind. First Syracuse and then Pennsylvania passed Columbia, whose spurt at the outset had taken all they had and which finally dropped far to the rear.

   The brilliant feature of the race was the contest for fourth place, which put Wisconsin upon her best efforts even to defend third. Down the last mile they came in a bunch, amid the roaring of cheers, the deafening din of the whistles, Cornell leading by full 10 lengths, easily pulling a stroke not exceeding 30 to the minute, Georgetown safely second, Wisconsin holding third by the output of her best and Pennsylvania and Syracuse all but in a dead heat for fourth place—Columbia hopelessly in the rear, and so they finished.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

A Black Record.

   The year is not yet half gone, but the lynching record for 1903 is a long and black one. The Chicago Tribune has for many years kept a close and accurate account of these acts of lawlessness in the United States, and it has compiled for The Philadelphia Press a table of lynchings from the first of January last to date. The list is as follows.

   Negro burned near New Orleans, January 27.

   Negro hanged, Wrightsville, Va., February 8.

   Negro hanged, Bluefield, W. Va., March 29.

   Negro hanged, Tampa, Fla., March 10.

   Negro shot to death, Shreveport, La., April 12.

   Negro burned, Joplin, Mo., April 16.

   Negro hanged, Thebes, Ill., April 27.

   Two negroes hanged, Haynes Buff, Miss., May 4.

   White man hanged, Madison, Fla., May 20.

   White man hanged, Newcastle, Wyo., May 28.

   Negro beaten to death near Pittsburg, Penn., June 1.

   Negro burned, Belleville, Ill., June 6.

   Negro burned near Wilmington, Del., June 22.

   Here, remarks the Troy Times, are thirteen of these lawless and inexcusable occurrences. And as is seen with two exceptions they were located in the South, while in all but two instances the victims were negroes. The color line has been drawn with remarkable distinctness. If the South would more frequently lynch a white murderer it might not illustrate any increased respect for law, but it would help to indicate that such summary executions were more of an expression of a desire for justice and less a manifestation of race prejudice and hatred.

 

This page dated 1900.

FOURTH OF JULY

To be Observed by Orris Hose Co. at the Trout Park.

   Cortland is to have a Fourth of July celebration in spite of the apathy shown at the public meeting called some time ago by the common council to discuss the advisability of holding such a celebration. Orris Hose Co. has taken the matter up and bas decided to hold a first class celebration at the Trout park.

   The following committee has been appointed to arrange for the celebration; Edward Ringer, Leo Tyler, J. W. Angell and Lawrence Dudley.

   They have plans well under way. Invitations are to be extended to the fire department of Homer, McGraw, Marathon and Groton to be present. There will be a balloon ascension, fireworks, over $1,000 worth having already been ordered. These will consist of set pieces, pieces for the water, rockets, Roman candles, pin wheels, etc.

   A program of hose, foot, potato, bicycle, and wheelbarrow races will be arranged for. There will be a meeting of the fire department tonight, at which it will be decided whether or not the department will be called out. In case it is, the band will be hired and there will be a parade at 11 o'clock in which the visiting companies will be asked to participate.

   The last picnic given by the Orris hose was held at Trout park, and was one of the largest and most successful picnics ever held in Cortland, and every effort will be made to make this celebration equally successful.

 

Cortland Normal School.

STUDENTS GOING HOME.

Warm Friendships Formed and Strong Ties Severed.

   All trains leaving Cortland last night and this morning were well filled with Normal students leaving town. In the case of the graduates this is not altogether a pleasant occasion. It is truly said that the four years spent in college are four of the happiest years of one's life. It is no less true of the years spent in Cortland Normal. The fraternal life, freedom from irksome restraint, confidence reposed in the students by the faculty, the pleasant and friendly relations between the same, the spirit of the school, etc., are equal to that of many colleges.

   Friendships are formed here which last a lifetime and sometimes become more than friendships, in fact the Normal has often been called a great match making institution. Many times students will live and work together throughout the entire course, and when they separate after graduation, know that years will elapse before all will be together again, or that perhaps this may be the last time, and the farewells are often tearful in character. Added to this is the fact that they are leaving behind the experiences and associations that they can never know again except in memory.

   In the class that just graduated, four young ladies, all from different parts of the state, have lived together and had everything in common for three years. Out of a party of seven that have been together two years, six completed their work. The seventh one of the party remarked that when he came back next September he would feel like "one born out of due season." There are instances like this every year and it is a part of commencement little thought of, and impossible to be understood by undergraduates and others who have not been there.

 

Addition to Normal Faculty.

   Prof. Bromley Smith of Keystone Academy, Pa., was appointed by the local board of the Cortland Normal school yesterday afternoon—subject to the approval of the state superintendent of public instruction—assistant instructor in the science and physical culture departments. Prof. Smith has the most emphatic of endorsements and promises to be a valuable addition to the faculty.

 

Death of Mrs. Rose.

   Mrs. M. H. Rose, formerly of East Homer who has lived the past year with her daughter, Mrs. E. H. Knapp, in Homer, N. Y., passed away this morning. She was nearly 90 years of age. Funeral will be held from the home of Mrs. Knapp Monday at 12:30 p. m. and at the M. E. church in East Homer at 2:30 p. m., Rev. W. H. York of Syracuse officiating.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The next term at the Normal school begins on Wednesday, Sept 9.

   —There will be a band concert and dance at the Cortland park this evening.

   —The order of the Golden Seal will meet Monday evening in Good Templars' hall.

   —The quarterly conference of the First M. E. church will be held next Monday evening at 7:30 o'clock.

   —The new display advertisements today are—Randall & Rauch, Candies, page 8. McGraw & Elliott, Fine stationery page 5.

   —Lyman H. Howe's moving pictures will be one of the evening attractions at the Tompkins county fair at Ithaca in September.

   —One of the new flowing wells at Ithaca is now flowing 100,000 gallons per day and the water is said to be of a fine quality. The well is 250 feet deep.

   —The annual reunion of the One Hundred Eighty-fifth regiment, N. Y. Vols., will be held at Long Branch, Onondaga lake on Wednesday, July 1, at 10 a. m. It will be a basket picnic.

  —Barry J. Wattles of Killawog, N. Y., a cousin of Mrs. S. N. Holden of this city, died last night at 7 o'clock. His age was 10 years and 10 months. Funeral Monday at 1 p. m. at his late residence in Killawog.

   —The graduates of Cornell university in this city, and they are not a few, are highly jubilant over the wholesale way in which their alma mater swept things clean at the regatta at Poughkeepsie yesterday. The Syracuse university men, too, are happy over the excellent showing made by the crews from the Salt city.

   —The meeting of the Y. P. S. C. F. of the Presbyterian church tomorrow night at 6:30 o'clock will be a consecration meeting. It is urged that all the members be present. This will be the last Sunday evening meeting of this society till September, as during July and August it will join in the regular Thursday evening meeting.

   —The E. & C. N. Y. R. R. sold round-trip tickets today from all stations to Cortland at the uniform rate of 25 cents and over 350 people took advantage of it and are spending the day in the city. The merchants are happy and so are the excursionists, but the bystanders who saw the crowd coming up from the station and forgot about the excursion rates wondered what had broken loose.

 

WAR REMINISCENCES [CHAPTER 24]

 

Capt. William Saxton, Co. C, 157th Regiment, New York Vols.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, June 27, 1903.

WAR REMINISCENCES.

By Captain Saxton of the 157th Regiment, N. Y. Vols.

PREPARING FOR THE BATTLE.

Confederate General Jackson Sets Out to Flank the Union Army—Lee Keeps Hooker Busy at the Front Major—Carmichael Hears the Rebels Marching, but is Told He is New and Easily Frightened—Dispute Over an Important Order from General Hooker.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir—Saturday, May 2, 1863.—The Confederates followed up Gen. Slocum along the turnpike and plank road, on the afternoon previous, till they came to a road diverging south, leading to the old Catherine furnace, a mile and a half southeast from Chancellorsville. Here McLaw's and Anderson's divisions were stationed across the roads. Here Gen. Stonewall Jackson met Gen. Lee and they bivouacked for the night under the protecting foliage of some pine trees. Here they planned the move for the next day.

   The reconnaissance along Hooker's front had shown them that he was pretty strongly posted on the east and south, and was protected by thick woods. Cavalry Gen. Stuart reported during the night that he had been around to the right of the Union army and found it defenseless. There were several men there who were thoroughly acquainted with the whole country and knew every road and by-path. Among these was a son of Melzi Chancellor, who lived at the Dowdall house where Gen. Howard had his headquarters.

   Gen. Howard says when he started to follow up Slocum the day before, he forgot the members of his family and when he returned some of them were missing.

To Flank the Union Army.

   It was decided that Gen. Jackson should take his corps, over 30,000 strong, make a detour to the south back out of sight of the Union army, march around Hooker's right flank and rear, hurl it bodily on Howard's unprotected Eleventh Corps and rush it, with the hopes of driving Hooker's whole army into the river.

   The move commenced before daylight, on Saturday, May 2, the wagon trains moving on roads still farther south. Gen. Lee had with him not far from 15,000 men to keep up his show along the whole front. Could Hooker have known this condition of affairs, that would have been a good time to have crushed Lee or driven him off toward Richmond, but he did not know it.

Disposition of the Union Forces.

   The morning of May 2, 1863, found the Union army posted about as follows: The Fifth Corps, (Mead's) occupied the left of the army facing east, its left resting on the Rappahannock, where that stream turns to the east from a bend south below U. S. ford, entrenched. Then came the Second Corps, Couch's facing east. This Corps extended south as far as the turnpike east of the Chancellor house, also entrenched. Next came Slocum's Twelfth Corp bending around to the west and facing south. Next, Birney's division of the Third, Sickles' Corps, facing southwest with entrenchments along the north side of Hazel Grove, connecting on the right with the Eleventh Corps. Hooker bad ordered Slocum to post Williams' first division at nearly right angles to the right of the rest of his Corps, forming an interior line facing west extending north to the pike. Here they erected strong log breastworks as a reserve back of Birney and Howard about midway between Chancellorsville and Dowall's.

   The Eleventh Corps, (Howard's) consisted of three divisions of infantry and the necessary apportionment of artillery. The first division was commanded by Brig. Gen. Devans, later attorney-general in President Hayes' cabinet. He had two brigades, the first command by Col. Von Gilsa, the second by Brig. Gen. McLean. The second division was commanded by Brig, Gen. Steinwehr, who had two brigades. The first commanded by Col. Bushbeck, the second by Brig. Gen. Barlow. The third division (ours) was commanded by Major Gen. Carl Schurz. He had two brigades, the first (ours) commanded by Brig. Gen. Schimmelfennig, the second by Col. Krayanowski. The Eleventh Corps was posted on the right of the army mainly facing south. Steinwehr's second  brigade (Barlow's) was in reserve north of Bushbeck's first brigade. Bushbeck's first brigade connected with Birney on the right and extended partially across the Dowdall farm; here it was joined by Schurz's third division. First came Capt. Dilger's Battery I, First Ohio, then the second brigade Krzyanowski's, half in front and half in reserve. Then came the first brigade, (ours) Schimmelfennig's, along the pike disposed in like manner, the right extending through the woods to the Talley farm, our regiment lying in reserve a quarter of a mile north, in the south edge of the clearing of Hawkins farm. Devan's division came next, McLean's second brigade joining Schimmelfennig's and Von Gilsa's first brigade joining McLean's. Von Gilsa had two regiments on the pike extending into the woods half a mile beyond Talley's. All of Howard's Eleventh Corps faced south except the two right regiments of Von Gilsa's brigade, they turned at right angles north and faced west. Von Gilsa's brigade occupied the extreme right of the Union army, and the One-Hundred and Fifty-fourth Pa., and the Fifty-fourth N. Y. regiments were the ones north of the pike and facing west, the Fifty-fourth N. Y. being the right regiment.

   I have gone into detail in regard to the position of the Eleventh Corps at the risk of being tedious, for it was the principal actor in this day's tragedy.

A Historic Place.

   This same locality, occupied by the right of our Corps, and to the south and west was made still farther historic, by the battle of the Wilderness, a year later fought between Generals Grant and Lee.

   The shape of the Union line was something like a sickle, back being the front of the army, the handle being the Eleventh Corps. The length of the line was five or six miles. The Union position was surrounded by Jack oak thickets, except the openings, of which I have previously spoken. One at the north around the White house, another around the Chancellor house, that looking to the southwest called Fairview, southwest of Fairview on higher ground called Hazel grove, to tbe northwest of Hazel grove about a mile where the Eleventh Corps was posted is Dowdall's, connecting on the west with Talley's. The Union army had pickets well out to the front along the whole line south, and most of the roads had cavalry videttes. This was the situation at 8 o'clock on the morning of Saturday, May 2.

To Keep Hooker Busy.

   Some Confederate cavalry in the woods in front of Mead on the left annoyed him somewhat. A battery opened sharply on Hancock's division of the Second Corps, also infantry and artillery on Geary's division of the Twelfth Corps.

   This was part of Lee's plan to keep Hooker occupied.

   Gen. Taylor, adjutant-general of the army of northern Virginia, says Jackson had 26,000 infantry, 6,000 cavalry, 1,600 artillery, a total of 33,600. Jackson had 102 pieces of artillery besides four pieces of Stuart's horse artillery.

   Gen. Lee, a few days after the battle stated to the Confederate war department, that both Longstreet's and Jackson's Corps had 30,000 men and were too many for one man to handle and asked to have the two Corps divided into three, which was done.

Hooker Reconnoitres.

   At daylight Gen. Hooker in order to become thoroughly familiar with his position and note for himself its defenses, accompanied by his staff and Gen. Sickles, rode around his  whole line.

   Gen. Howard says, "I joined the cavalcade at Dowdall's and Hooker noticed the breastworks unusually well built by Schurz and Devans and as he looked over the barricade, he said to me: "How Strong! How strong!"

   I wish to say here, notwithstanding all the statements in history and Gen. Howard to the contrary notwithstanding, the One-Hundred and Fifty-seventh N. Y. did not throw up a single shovelful of dirt or place a stick or stone in the form of an entrenchment.

   When we finally fell back by the side of the Eighty-second Ill., (Col. Hecker) there was what appeared to be a plowed furrow thrown up, and that was the only pretense of breastworks I saw except when we occupied those of the Fifth Corps next day.

   Stonewall Jackson's marching columns were not hidden entirely from the Union army.

Major Carmichael was Vigilant.

   Major Carmichael of our regiment, who had charge of part of the picket line, heard the sounds of wagon and artillery moving west past his front and in the morning reported the same to Gen. Howard, and was told: ''You are new troops more frightened than necessary."

   The skirmishers in front of Gen. Green's brigade of Geary's division of the Twelfth Corps soon after daylight heard the enemy marching to the right on the road in front of them. They distinctly beard the officers giving commands and men talking as they marched along. Some of the skirmishers climbed trees and saw the column of the enemy moving west. This was immediately reported to headquarters. At 8 a. m. Gen. Birney reported to Sickles and he to Hooker, that a continuous force of the Confederates was marching along his front towards our right. The report was circulated, and believed that the Confederate army was in full retreat toward Gordonsville. Every private in our regiment knew it, and some of our boys went up on a knoll by the plank road to see if they could get a glimpse of the retreating Johnnies.

Gen. Hooker’s Orders.

   Gen. Hooker, after returning from his inspection of the lines, immediately issued the following order:

   "Headquarters Army of tbe Potomac, Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 1863, 9:30 a. m. Circular.

    "Major Generals Slocum and Howard: I am directed by the major-general commanding to say that the disposition you have made of your Corps has been with a view to a front attack by the enemy. If he should throw himself upon your flank, he wishes you to examine the ground and determine upon the position you will take in that event, in order that you may be prepared for him in whatever direction he advances. He suggests that you have heavy reserves well in hand to meet this contingency. The right of your line does not appear to be strong enough. No artificial defenses worth naming have been thrown up, and there appears to be a scarcity of troops at that point, and not, in the general’s opinion, as favorably posted as might be. We have good reason to suppose that the enemy is moving to our right. Please advance your pickets for purpose of observation as far as may be safe in order to obtain timely information of their approach."

   "I. H. Van Allen, Brig-Gen. and Aide-de-Camp."

Gen. Howard’s Observations.

   Gen. Howard writes as follows:

   "Headquarters Eleventh Corps, May 2, 10 minutes to 11 o'clock, (10:50 a. m.)

   "Major-Gen. Hooker, Commanding Army—General: From Gen. Devan's headquarters we can observe a column of infantry moving westward on a road parallel with this on a ridge about one and a half to two miles south of this. I am taking measure to resist an attack from the west.

   "Respectfully, O. O. Howard, Major-Gen."

   Gen. Howard in his Century Magazine article "Jackson's Attack Upon the Eleventh Corps" says: "Gen. Hooker's circular order to Slocum and Howard neither reached me nor, to my knowledge, Col. Meyenburg, my adjutant-general."

Gen. Schurz’s Testimony.

   Gen. Carl Schurz writes to Gen. Hooker on the 22d of April, 1876, from New York City in answer to Hooker's letter of inquiry to him: "About noon or a little after on the day of the attack of the Eleventh Corps, I was at Gen. Howard's headquarters, a house on the Chancellorsville road near the center of our position. Gen. Howard, being very tired wanted to rest a little, and asked me as next in rank to open dispatches that might arrive and to wake him in case they were of immediate importance. Shortly after a courier arrived with the dispatch from yon calling Gen. Howard's attention to the movement of the enemy toward our right rank, and instructing him to take precautionary measures against an attack from that quarter, I went to Gen. Howard at once and read it to him, and if I remember rightly, while we were speaking about it, another courier, or one of your young staff officers, arrived with a second dispatch of virtually the same purport. We went out and discussed the matter on the porch of the house."

Letter from H. M. Kellogg.

   I have a copy of a letter in my possession from Comrade H. M. Kellogg of Cortland, N. Y., with whom I am slightly acquainted, and can bear testimony that he is an honorable, truthful and respected business man of that city. He formerly belonged to Co. G, Fifty-fifth Ohio of Gen. McLean's brigade. He had been detailed at Howard's headquarters and had sole charge of all records, letters, orders, etc. He says:

   "T. A. Meysenburg, Gen. Howard's A. A. G., came to me after the battle of Chancellorsville and we had returned to Brook's station, and told me as soon as I could write up the record books and file properly the orders and letters received of that campaign, to make an exact copy of the whole Chancellorsville matter ready for his signature, to make them official, and that they would probably be wanted at Washington. I finished my records and when I came to the dates of May 2 and 3, there was no such order on file or in my possession. Although I had always been a great admirer of Gen. Hooker, I had to admit that he had been caught napping and knew nothing of Jackson's movement and made no preparation to meet him; that he had been outgeneraled and surprised in broad daylight.

   "I made an official copy of the papers ready for use and turned them over to Col. Meysenburg, A. A. G., so that if an investigation was had they were ready for use."

   In June we started again and marched via Catletts, Centerville, Goose creek, Edward's ferry, Jefferson, Middletown, reaching Frederick, Md., June 28, at dusk. That night Hooker was relieved of his command, and he left us. We marched at daylight for Emmettsburg, 30 miles, reaching there that night. June 30, we lay quiet and I did some work on the records. On the day before the battle of Gettysburg began, while in the tent, Col. Mysenburg walked in, came to me and handed me a paper, saying "There is a very important paper relating to the Chancellorsville campaign; file it among those papers in its proper place and record it now, giving it its proper date. Of course you cannot enter it in the records in its proper place of May 2 because the pages are full, but enter it among the June accounts of this campaign."

   The paper was folded and worn at the edges as if it had been carried in the vest pocket or in a diary. When I opened the paper I was struck almost dumb with astonishment as I read this 9:30 a. m. order of Gen. Hooker's, word for word. I made up my mind there was trickery, devilish, detestable trickery going on. Hooker had been gone only 48 hours. Where had this order been? Who was the coward that carried it in his pocket and kept it from its proper place in the files for two months? I wrote an extra copy for myself, which I have now. The order is not in the files at Washington."

   What can Gen. Howard say to the above letter of Comrade Kellogg of Cortland, N. Y.? Or what can he say to Gen. Schurz's letter, in which he positively states that he (Schurz) read it to him (Howard?) Does he mean to quibble out of it, and because Schurz received it and opened it while he took a nap, (but read it to him) that it did not come into his (Howard's) personal hands? Again, how long a nap do you suppose Stonewall Jackson was taking at this hour?

   W. S.

 

EMPEROR ON KEARSARGE, PRESIDENT WILL ACT, CAUSE OF FLOODS, LOST SEA LION, VERNON PHELPS, AND TROLLEY TO ITHACA

 

USS Kearsarge (BB-5).

Rear Admiral Charles Cotton.

Emperor Wilhelm II.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, June 26, 1903.

EMPEROR ON FLAGSHIP.

Interested In Double Turrets of the Kearsarge.

PLEASED WITH CONNING TOWER.

Referred to Captain Hemphill's Service on the Monitor—Talked Familiarly With Some of the Blue Jackets and Enjoyed the Luxury of a Rocking Chair.

   Kiel, June 26.—Emperor William entered one of the double turrets of Admiral Cotton's flagship and scrutinized the mechanism. Lieutenant Mustin of the Kearsarge showed his majesty the speed and smoothness with which the turret could be turned. In calling the attention of one of the members of his suite to Captain Hemphill's service on the Monitor when she first went into action, and to other fierce contests of the civil war, the emperor added: "Those men are God's, to us."

   His majesty also said the conning tower was the roomiest he had ever been in.

   While the emperor was inspecting the men's quarters he conversed with several of the blue jackets and jokingly asked one old hand how long he had been in the service. The sailor replied:

   "Twenty-four years."

   "That is long enough to be an admiral" said the emperor.

   The party went to the admiral's cabin and the emperor, seeing a large rocking chair, exclaimed:

   "What is this for?"

   "For emperors," replied. Admiral Cotton.

   "Then I will take it," said Emperor William.

   Some bottles of champagne were then opened.

   After a quarter of an hour's general talk the emperor left the battleship and Admiral Cotton assembled the entire ship's company aft and thanked them for the condition of the ship, saying that the emperor was very much pleased. He concluded:

   "We are here by order of the president. It is our duty to do all in our power to preserve the feeling of friendship and cordiality between the United States and Germany.

   "Three cheers for his majesty, the emperor."

   The 700 officers and men of the Kearsarge thereupon gave three hearty cheers for Emperor William.

   The emperor received Ambassador Tower on the imperial yacht Hohenzollern immediately after returning from his inspection of the American flagship. His majesty expressed to the ambassador his gratification over his experiences on the Kearsarge.

   "Captain Hemphill knows his business," said Emperor William. "He is a captain who understands his ship. He does not have to ask other people before answering questions."

   The emperor gave a dinner last night on the Hohenzollern to Admiral Cotton, the American captains, Ambassador Tower, United States Naval Attache Potts and all the other members of the United States embassy staff, Prince Henry of Prussia, the German admirals and the other members of the imperial party and Chancellor Von Buelow.

   The presence of the American squadron at Kiel and the consequent functions has quite taken the interest out of the yacht races, which began with competitions among small raters.

 

Theodore Roosevelt.

PRESIDENT WILL ACT.

Will Forward Petition of Jews to the Czar.

DELICATE PIECE OF DIPLOMACY

Inasmuch as Russian Government Has Announced That it Will Not Receive Foreign Representations in Regard to Kishineff Outbreak—May Cause Diplomatic Rupture.

   Washington, June 26.—The call of the Russian ambassador upon Secretary Hay was shorter than usual, but it developed officially the fact that the government of the United States intended to forward the Jewish petition to the czar if it is possible to do so.

   At the White House conference on the 15th inst. the Jews had made the point that the czar was kept from knowledge of the truth as to the condition of the Jews in his empire by the bureaucrats who hedged him about on all sides, and they were sure that if the president would only once assist them in laying their case before the czar himself, he would at once adopt measures to alleviate their condition.

   The president at that hearing promised to do what he could. It was at once perceived that to do what was asked, involved the danger of a short reply, and a disposition developed to regard the full publicity which had been given to the White House conference as sufficient to meet the needs of the case, for it was assumed that the czar could not fail to see some of the newspaper comments and reports upon this subject.

   The Jews, however, were not satisfied with this passive attitude and the president decided to adopt the bold course of sending the petition direct to the czar through the United States embassy at St. Petersburg.

   Officially it is expected that this will be received, but privately it may be stated that there have been no lack of intimations from informed sources that the czar will never be permitted to see the petition, as the Russian prime minister will not receive it for transmission. In fact it is realized that the Russian position is still correctly described in the statement telegraphed from Washington on June 9th, from which this extract is taken:

   "Nor will it be possible for Russia to receive any representations regarding the Kishineff incident from a foreign power. The Russian government takes the same position as that long held by the American government, namely that it refrains from interference in the internal affairs of another power and must insist on similar treatment for itself."

   If there is to be a refusal on the part of the Russian government to receive the Jewish petition, then upon Mr. Riddle, the United States charge of embassy at St. Petersburg, will fall the mortification, for Ambassador McCormick has not yet returned to his post from his hasty visit to Chicago and it is entirely possible that what happens at St. Petersburg when Mr. Riddle undertakes his disagreeable task may delay the ambassador's return to St. Petersburg indefinitely. Of course in such case, Count Cassini, who is sailing a week from yesterday for Russia, might make a correspondingly long stay at home.

   Upon the departure of Count Cassini, Theodore Hansen, the first secretary of the embassy, will act as charge de affaires. He will remain here until the latter part of July, when the embassy will be temporarily established at Bar Harbor, Maine. Count Cassini's summer plans contemplated a return to the United States in September.

 

John P. Brown.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Cause of Floods.

   In a paper of especially timely interest John P. Brown, secretary of the International Society of Arboriculture, predicts that this country is now entering upon a period of disastrous floods, which will become greater and greater until the newspapers will contain items of two or three lines in length such as now come from China, "It is estimated that 1,000,000 lives were lost iu the recent overflow of the Yellow river." The cause of the floods in China, he says, is precisely the cause whose effect is now being seen in this country—the destruction of the forests. The soil of China is unproductive because of its treeless condition, and he contends that Americans have destroyed more timber in sixty years than the Chinese have in 3,000. We are now, he asserts, destroying 25,000 acres of forest daily, or something over 9,000,000 acres annually, and we are planting 5,000,000 trees each year. In other words, for every tree we are planting we are denuding over two acres of their trees, and the time is not far distant when this country will be as treeless as China and as unproductive, according to Mr. Brown, as the deserts of Arizona.

   To the objection that the recent floods in Kansas and South Carolina were not caused by the lack of trees, but by cloudbursts, Mr. Brown replies that it is a well established fact that these cloudbursts are caused by electrical disturbances, and electrical disturbances, in turn, are caused largely by the absence of trees in large bodies. While it is impossible to tell to what extent this is true, it is certain that the influence of forests is very great upon atmospheric conditions. Rains are more regular in sections covered by trees than elsewhere, and the floods are not so severe. The rainfall is more gradual and extends over a greater time.

   Mr. Brown calls attention to another and even more serious result of the destruction of the wooded area of the country. This is the gradual erosion of the soil, as we are told that the rains having washed the productive soil into the river, the fields will become sterile where they are now exceedingly fertile. The less fertile become the fields, of course, the smaller the population they will support. The vast volume of silt which annually flows down such great rivers as the Mississippi and Missouri represents the ruin of thousands of acres of land up stream which has lost its anchorage because of the denudation of the hillsides and the slopes. Acres upon acres of productive soil are being emptied into the gulf of Mexico with a regularity which in the end, says Mr. Brown, must bring poverty upon the agricultural classes up stream, and with the poverty of the agricultural will come the poverty of all other classes.

   After making due allowance for the overzeal of the specialist it must be admitted that the dangers which Mr. Brown predicts are not altogether imaginary. They are more real and threatening than most people realize. The remedy, of course, is to restore the forests, but the planting of 5,000,000 trees annually while above 9,000,000 acres are at the same time being denuded will not do it. There ought to be a tree planted for every one felled by the woodman's ax.

 

THE LOST SEA LION.

Search Made for it—Believed to be Well on Toward the Sea.

   The Binghamton Republican this morning said:

   Nelson Pike, the keeper of the animals in the Cortland [trout] park of Jack Boone, from which the sea lion escaped a few days ago, is in the city, anxiously waiting for news from his wayward pet.

   The lion passed through this city shortly after 7 o'clock on Monday morning, and passed the Casino about 9 o'clock. Mr. Pike learned that he passed Owego some time during Monday night. The people in that village, living near the river, were alarmed during the night by a strange bellowing or barking, evidently made by some animal, but unlike anything they had ever heard. It was not until they learned the next morning of the escaped sea lion, floating down the river that they were able to explain the noise.

   The animal was evidently lonely and bellowing for his mate, while passing through Tioga's county seat.

   Shortly after daylight on Tuesday morning people at Nichols saw the lion swimming down the river past that place.

   Mr. Pike has not been able to learn of the lion being seen below Nichols. He telegraphed to Waverly and Wilkes-Barre, requesting people in those places to be on the watch for the strange creature..

   Mr. Pike says that if he could only get track of the lion, so that he could be on the river bank as the animal passed any place, he could easily call the lion out of the water to him. He says that the animal is as tame as a kitten, and if any of the people who see him only knew what to do they would have no difficulty in catching him, and there is no danger in handling him.

   Mr. Pike thinks that the lion must be well towards Wilkes-Barre by this time. He thinks the animal will keep traveling down the stream most of the time, except perhaps that he may stop occasionally an hour or two at a time in some eddy to catch fish. According to the nature of these animals he will seek to get to salt water; and instinct will tell him that to do that all that is necessary is to follow the river downward.

   A liberal reward is offered to any one who will capture the lion. If any one hears of the runaway, Mr. Pike would be glad to receive word at the Columbia hotel, Binghamton, N. Y.

 

NORMAL CLASS DAY.

Exercises Full of Interest to the Graduating Class.

   In the presence of a crowd that taxed the seating capacity of Normal hall to its utmost, the class day exercises of the class of 1903 were held yesterday afternoon. The rostrum was tastefully decorated with the class colors, palms, ferns and daisies.

   Those taking part in the exercises of the day were seated on the rostrum. The class inarched in and occupied seats reserved for them in the two middle sections. They presented a pretty appearance as they came in, the girls in white, and all wearing their class colors of green and white.

   Music was furnished by the Normal orchestra and the Normal Mandolin and Guitar club.

   The class president, Brainard H. Woodward, was absent taking the Yale entrance examinations at Albany and the president for the day was Robert I. Carpenter who delivered the president's address. He said that this was essentially a day of the class; that after a period of hard work covering several years they had come to the end. As they looked back on the difficulties and hardships they had overcome, the blue haze of time seemed to have softened them and the pleasant times appeared to stand out more clearly. They have had the benefits of hard work without being denied the happiness and pleasure of school life and school environment. The class will soon rank as graduates of a noble institution of learning, and upon those that graduate from year to year depends the rank and standing of that institution.

   Miss Winifred Sexton's poem was one of the best ever given at a class day and was attentively listened to.

   The class historian was Miss Mary E. Hand. She said that the class did not spring into existence at once, some of its members had been here two, some three, and others four years and that it was in senior year that they really became a class in name and spirit. The class will never totally disappear as they have "Hills" and "Rocks" that never pass away. If the class feels "bumpy" Dr. Chaney is to blame as, at the first class meeting, he told them what a splendid class they were.

   Miss Florence Hubbard's solo seemed especially pleasing to the audience.

   The orator of the day was Edgar F. Down, who took as his subject "The Spirit of the Times." He spoke of patriotism, and said that it is being taught in the public schools much more than ever before. It is right that it should be, as it is not easy to tell when our country may reach a crisis. Slavery was the cause of one awful crisis. The antagonism between capital and labor is a menace to our government. They are allied and dependent, the one upon the other. People must be taught that they are dependent upon another, and the schools must do this. Such men as Morgan, Carnegie and Rockefeller should not be held before the people as the great men, but men like Lincoln, Grant, McKinley and President Roosevelt. He urged the graduates to go into their profession determined to work for their fellow men, homes, and country.

   Miss Maude A. Howes was class prophet and the prophecy was full of interest, especially to those who knew the members of the class.

   Miss Belle Hayden's recitation was excellent, and showed the speaker to be possessed of considerable talent along this line.

   J. Earl Griffiths read the will. He said the class left to the Normal a Sexton who would at times relieve Mr. Seeber from ringing the bell; a Butler who would always be found at the door; a gentle Steed, which is more easily led than driven however; a Crook with which Dr. Cheney can keep his flock together and under control; and finally a heavy Bond as a guarantee that the class was in good faith.

   Miss Newkirk's violin solo was well rendered.

   Miss Louise Burt as presentator [sic] for the class presented the Normal with a statue of the Winged Mercury mounted on a pedestal. The gift was accepted by Prof. Cornish in an especially pleasing manner, after which he spoke to the class for a few minutes giving them some good thoughts and advice to carry with them into the active life of their chosen profession.

 

DEATH OF VERNON PHELPS.

Boat Thought to Have Been Upset by a Stump.

   Some further particulars have been received concerning the drowning of Vernon Phelps, formerly of McGraw, in Cranberry Lake in the Adirondacks on June 18, which has already been noted in our dispatch columns. It is supposed that the boat in which he was crossing the lake struck a submerged stump, which caused it to upset, as the body was found near such a stump.

   The funeral was held at the home of his brother, Herbert Phelps, and was conducted by Rev. Charles Atwood. He based his remarks upon the beatitude,

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." He said this was particularly applicable to the deceased, for he was indeed a pure hearted boy. The choir sang "It is well with my Soul." The burial was at Cranberry Lake.

 

TROLLEY TO ITHACA.

Incorporation Papers Filed With Secretary of State.

NOW CAPITALIIZED AT $200,000.

List of Directors for the First Year—To Connect With the Ithaca Trolley Railroad at the Steel Arch Bridge Over Fall Creek and to Extend to a Point on Tompkins-st. in this City.

   The Ithaca and Cortland Traction company yesterday filed papers of incorporation with Secretary of State O'Brien at Albany. The capital stock of the company is $200,000. The company is to build, maintain and operate an electric railroad from University-ave., Ithaca, where the steel arch bridge crossed Fall creek in Ithaca, to a point on Tompkins-st., in Cortland. These places will be the termini of the road. The road will be twenty miles in length.

   The directors for the first year are: Howard L. Chandler, Philadelphia, Pa., Curtis J. Harrington, New York, Ogden Armstrong, Philadelphia, Pa., Francis S. Howell, of Philadelphia, Pa., James D. Staley, of Philadelphia, Pa., George F. Archer of Camden, N. J., E. H. Chandler of Atlantic City, N. J., and C. Taylor Leland of Philadelphia, Pa.

   The road will connect with the Ithaca Street Railroad at University-ave., in Ithaca, and doubtless an arrangement will be made at this end of the line to connect with the tracks of the Cortland County Traction Co.

   Some weeks ago The Standard forecasted the building of this road. One of the directors mentioned is the proprietor of the proposed new $100,000 hotel at Dryden and be was quoted as saying that he would form a company to build a road from his hotel both to Cortland and Ithaca. Such a railroad will be a great thing for the people along the line as well as for those at the termini.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Regular conclave of Cortland Commandery No 50, Knights Templar, this evening at 8 o'clock.

   —A regular meeting of the Plumber's union will be held tonight. The semi-annual election of officers will occur.

   —There will be a regular meeting of the H. C. Hall circle, No. 439, P. H. C. this evening in the John L. Lewis lodge rooms.

   —The Home Telephone Co. today opened its long distance line to Oswego and all intermediate points.

   —Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. & A. M. will make Homer lodge, No. 352, a visit Monday evening, at which time the third degree will be conferred. A special car will leave from front of Masonic hall, Cortland, at 7:30 o'clock, returning after the ceremonies.

   —More subscription money received today without a mark of any kind upon the coin card to indicate the sender or to whom to credit it. The tender will probably read this, and remember the failure to put on his name. Will he kindly notify us and also state the amount forwarded so that we may surely indentify the writer with the transaction.