SIG. SAUTELLE CIRCUS, SIX-HORSE TEAM, AND TIGRESS CLEOPATRA

 

Sig. Sautelle.

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, May 5, 1903.

THE SAUTELLE CIRCUS.

Its Exhibition in Cortland—How It Travels—The Circus Train.

   Although the weather in Cortland was more like that of early spring and the wind reminded one of a regular March gale, Sig. Sautelle exhibited before two large audiences Friday. Although overcoats, winter wraps and mittens were a necessity, people drove many miles and sat on airy seats in a cold tent to see the wonderful pony riding lion, the chariot race, the rubberneck man, to laugh at the clowns and to enjoy all the things that go to make up a good circus. And Sig. Sautelle Friday demonstrated the fact that he has a first class up-to-date circus. Under conditions that would have discouraged most men Sig. entertained the large audiences in a way that showed long preparation and consistent training on the part of the performers.

   The afternoon performance was necessarily a little later than the hour advertised on account of having to lower the main tent by reason of the wind, as was noted Friday. The events on the program followed each other in quick succession. The majority of them were very good and many of them excellent. The pony riding lion was perhaps the most interesting event on the program. To see the big cat clinging to the back of the pony which was circling the rings at top speed was worth coming quite a distance to see. All the acts in which Prof. Barnes and his trained animals participated were well received.

   The carrying-riding act by Miss and Mr. Cousins deserves especial mention, as does the 63-horse pyramid act.

   The work on the horizontal bars and tight rope, also the acrobatic and contortion work were good. The hippodrome events were new and interesting.

   Considering the difficulty of doing one’s part while practically shivering with cold, it is but fair to say that all the performers did their work exceptionally well, and Sig. Sautelle is to be congratulated on having gotten together a number of artists in their profession.

Preparing to Move On.

   While the main show was being carried on in the big tent Friday night workmen and care takers were engaged in taking down the other tents and removing them together with the wagons, cages and other paraphernalia to the train which was drawn up on the Lackawanna track at the Port Watson-st. crossing.

   The cook’s tent is the first one to be removed. The sideshow, horse, and menageries' tents follow in order, then the band wagons and the animal cages. By the time the main show is over the men are ready to go to work on the big tent, and by the time the concert is concluded all the seats and stringers except those in use have been removed. As soon as the people have departed after the concert the big tent is lowered and packed in the waiting wagons.

   The dressing tent is the last one to come down.

At the Train.

   The scene at the train is now one of great activity. The loading is done under the supervision of the superintendent of transportation. Each of the four, six, and eight horse teams makes two trips. The men loading the cars have a team of their own for hauling the wagons and cages up the runways upon the cars.

   Sometimes difficulty is experienced in loading some of the animals. Friday night it took quite a force of Sig’s men over two hours to get a camel into the car, after persuasion and coaxing had failed the animal was loaded by main strength but all the animals are inexperienced yet in such matters. They will soon go in all right.

   On account of its being the first time the loading Friday night was slow and it was not completed until about seven o’clock Saturday morning.

The Circus Train.

   The train, when loaded and made up, presented an imposing appearance. It consisted of sixteen cars, all of which were freshly painted, varnished and lettered. Immediately behind the locomotive were four animal or stock cars. Then came eight flat cars on which were loaded the wagons, cages, tents, tent poles and other circus paraphernalia. In the rear of the train were four Pullman cars for the managers, performers and workmen.

   The cars were especially fitted up for Sautelle. A narrow aisle extends along the side of each car, the state rooms being arranged crossways of the cars on the side opposite the aisle, so that when one is riding he goes sideways instead of endways.

   In one end of each car is a larger stateroom, the first of which is used by Mr. and Mrs. Sautelle; the one in the second car by Manager and Mrs. Robbins; the third is fitted up as a privilege room and contains a lunch counter where the performers and workmen can obtain milk, coffee, sandwiches, etc. The fourth is occupied by the big band.

   As the circus strikes each railroad an engine and caboose with a train crew consisting of an engineer, fireman, conductor and one trainman is furnished them. This outfit stays with them as long as they are on the road in question or if it be a trunk line on that division of it.

   Saturday Sautelle exhibited in Fulton; Monday in Syracuse; then Oneida, Rome, Utica, etc., down the Mohawk valley, thence down the Hudson and into the New England States.

 

The Circus Delayed.

   So much time was required to load the Sautelle circus for the first time with inexperienced men that it was nearly 8 o’clock Saturday morning before the task was completed and the circus ready to start for Fulton where it exhibited that day.

 

Sig. Sautelle's circus clowns in street parade.

A SIX HORSE TEAM

Ran Away in the Sautelle Circus Parade—One Horse Killed.

   The street parade was marked by one unfortunate accident. As one of the band wagons was going up Church-st., the leaders of the six-horse team, a new team and new to the harness, became frightened and plunged ahead, communicating the panic to the other teams. The driver, Charles Hutchinson, one of Sig’s oldest and most trusted drivers swung them out of line of march and up Railroad-st.

   The swaying wagon struck a delivery wagon belonging to S. B. Smith of the Grant-st. market and demolished it. When Main-st. was reached Hutchinson attempted to swing south. As he pulled the leaders sharply out to avoid striking a carriage, one of the leaders fell on the pavement, its mate going on to the walk in fron of Fireman’s hall [today a State Farm insurance office]. The wheelers broke loose from the wagon leaving it close to the curb. After some difficulty the horses were extricated and it was found that in the mix up one of the leaders had broken a foreleg. The injured horse was removed to a nearby alley and there immediately put out of agony by Dr. Ransom, the veterinary surgeon in charge of Sautelle’s horses. E. E. Mellon, the local representative of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, was present to see that the suffering animal was dispatched at once and in a humane manner. His presence however was unnecessary, as Dr. Ransom followed his own plan. With one exception the members of the band remained on the wagon. The one that jumped, although somewhat shaken up, was not seriously injured. He was removed to Dr. Sornberger’s office but did not require medical assistance. It is very fortunate that no one was seriously injured.

 

THE FIERCE TIGRESS

Nearly Escapes While Being Changed to Wheel Cage.

CLAWS TORE KEEPER’S LEG OPEN.

Inexperienced Men Dropped the Shifting Cage—Trainer Morrow's Quickness of Mind and Action—Mexican Deer Hurts a Boy.

   Transferring animals from stationary in winter quarters to the wheel cages is not all fun and not wholly devoid of danger, as was apparent from an incident at the Sautelle winter quarters [in Cortland] Wednesday. Cleopatra, the fierce tigress, came within a very little of escaping and James A. Morrow, the manager of the side show is now nursing a wound in his left leg where the flesh was laid open to the bone by the tigress’ claws.

   Cleopatra occupied an elevated cage in the winter quarters, considerably higher than the floor of a wheel cage, and from its position in the animal house it was not possible to back the cage up to the door and make a direct transfer with any degree of safety. Consequently a shifting box was used. Cleopatra was baited into this with a piece of meat. A she sprang forward some of the new men who were scared by her presence so near let the box fall to the ground with one end open. Mr. Morrow jumped forward to close the falling door before she could turn about and escape. He was just in time to secure her, but not so quick enough to escape injury. Her claws caught his left leg and laid the flesh bare to the bone, but the heavy door falling upon the tigress’ paws caused her to withdraw them from the door and she was secure in the shifting cage. The transfer into the wheel cage was made safely.

   A Mexican deer was confined in one of the lower cages. A young man entered the cage to seize it by one leg to get it into the wheel cage, but before he could get the leg the sharp hoofs had struck him twice upon one cheek, making a cut each time.

   Nearly 400 pounds of beef, or to be more exact 467 pounds, were delivered Wednesday to the Sautelle show grounds. Thursday morning an additional 264 were taken to the show by one of Cortland’s butchers.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The canals opened Saturday for the summer season.

   —Bishop McQuaid of Rochester confirmed a class of 164 at the Immaculate Conception church at Ithaca Thursday morning.

   —W. H. Angell of Dryden, formerly of Cortland, has sold his shoe store and business to W. F. Graham & Co. of Moravia.

   —The Epworth league of the First M. E. church will hold a social at the home of D. W. Brown, 37 Greenbush-st., Wednesday evening, May 6. An interesting program is being arranged and refreshments will be served.

   —The $100,000 subscription for Auburn Theological seminary was completed Friday, which was the last day of the time limited to make the subscription binding. The last subscriber was Superintendent of Schools Clinton S. Marsh, formerly of Cortland, who put down $100 to complete the sum.

 

FROM ROME TO PARIS WITH REV. W. J. HOWELL, AND TRAGEDY AT RICHFORD, N. Y.

 

Rev. W. J. Howell, First Baptist Church, Cortland, N. Y.

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, May 5, 1903.

FROM ROME TO PARIS.

The Trip of Rev. W. J. Howell Drawing to a Close.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir—Here we are in Brussels. We arrived today. I hope this will get aboard the steamer sailing from Antwerp, one hour distant from here.

A Few Days in Florence.

   Our trip from Rome through the Italian cities and past the Italian lakes, and across the Alps through Switzerland was in itself sufficient reward for our trip aboard. We reached Florence April 4, late in the evening. I went out from the hotel and walked along the beautiful river Arno. We were at the Hotel New York. It seemed as though we were back in the United States. But out upon the street we quickly found that we were not, because we were unable to converse as if both parties were deaf mutes. But in a few days we imagined that we had acquired a marvelous familiarity with the language.

   The open square in which Savonarola was burned was the first spot I sort out. By moonlight I had my first view of the great cathedral.

   Two of the greatest picture galleries in the world are in Florence. We had only one day to visit these two palaces—the “Uffize Palace” and the “Pitti Palace.” It is impossible to give a true conception of the grandeur of these art galleries. We had a delightful carriage drive. From the heights of Michael Angelo’s Terrace was unfolded a grand panorama of the city below. I visited the monastery where Savonarola was a monk. I was in his cell. I saw his two Bibles with marginal notes in his own hand writing.

Venice and the Gondolas.

   We arrived at Venice April 7 in the evening. That Island City so beautifully lighted was approached in gondolas. Her streets are canals. Her cabs are gondolas. The next morning we went first to the cathedral. Few cathedrals are so grand. It was Holy Week and we heard excellent music. The Campanile stood in front of this church. The foundation of a new Campanile is being laid. The ruins of the fallen one are already removed.

   We had a full day of gondola ride through the canals of the city. The Palaces of the Doges on the Grand canal were superb. Their former glory has departed. Some of them are now hotels. I visited the famous dungeons, where such tragic cruelties were enacted. Many unhappy prisoners were led across the Bridge of Sighs to that sad abode. What a farce were the so-called trials in the Palace of the Doges. We visited one of the famous Venetian glass works. Their beauty was like a paradise. The lace factory was equally interesting. Some of our rich Americans invested freely, as if they were lace importers. As a result of shopping in the two months, I am sure many American homes will be made happy on the home coming.

   We glided in the gondola past Browning’s house. His son now lives there. A cousin of the poet, a missionary from South America, was with us. He confessed, however, that he could never understand Browning’s poetry. On the house we saw the inscription, “Open my heart, and you will find engraved there Italy.”

   The second day was a rainy day and there was a slight gale on the canal. Mr. Wallace and I went to a church, not far distant, to see the tombs of Titian and Canova. On our return the wind was so strong that for a few moments it seemed that our gondola was to be capsized. It seemed that we were to have a less worthy tomb than that of Titian. Under such circumstances it is quite natural for a man to feel that his life work is not completed.

Verona and Milan.

   On our way to Milan we passed classical Verona. I looked out of the window if perchance I might recognize the two important personages of Shakespeare’s merry play among the group of degenerate Doges.

   At Milan Leonardo’s famous picture, “The Last Supper,” interested me most of all, except the great cathedral. Of all the cathedrals that I have seen, this is the most beautiful. I spent hours there. I ascended by many steps to its lofty dome. I went back to see it in the moonlight. The moonlight of an Italian night has surely no equal. I believe there are more than 2,000 statues inside and on the outside of the cathedral.

Crossing the Alps.

   The Italian lakes famed in song and story were along our railroad route to Lucerne in Switzerland. The Alps were grand beyond our largest expectations. The famous Ticono valley with the lofty Alps on either side presented continual grandeur. Napoleon said, “There are no Alps,” but we saw them notwithstanding. We were entering tunnels continually, only to see a still finer view on the other side. The ascent continues for hours. The railroad cost a fabulous sum. The St. Gothard tunnel alone cost millions of dollars. It required sixteen minutes to pass through it. Before entering it was not snowing. On emerging we were ushered into a snow storm. On the trees of the towering crags lay the downy mantle of winter, appearing far more beautiful than frost. In the valley below the trees were to be seen in blossom.

   After passing the “Lake of the Four Cantons,” we arrived at Lucerne, the pearl of Switzerland. Here we spent the night. If it had been in summer, one would wish to stay for weeks. Rigi looks down at the city. Some of our party left us to go to Mt. Blanc.

Paris.

   The following day we went to Paris. There we spent a full week. Winter followed us to Paris. To write of Paris is to write a volume. It is to write the history of France. In that case I decline in favor of Carlisle’s “French Revolution.”

   The present atmosphere is Napoleonic. The shade of Napoleon certainly rests heavily on Paris. He succeeded in leaving his mark. The triumphal arch of Napoleon and his magnificent tomb inspire appreciation of the great genius.

   But this letter must not go on forever like Tennyson’s “Brook.” Of all the cities I am reserving the best for last. That is Cortland.

   A few days more to see Waterloo, Antwerp, Rotterdam, The Hague and Amsterdam, and we shall sail from Bremen, April 28, on the Kronprinz Wilhelm, reaching New York, May 5.

   Very truly yours, W. J. Howell.

 

TRAGEDY AT RICHFORD, N. Y.

Louis Lacey Shoots His Wife and Commits Suicide.

BOTH WERE DEAD WHEN FOUND.

Lacey in Poor Health for Some time—Thought it Was “All Up” with Him—Wanted Some One to Look After His Wife and Children—Revolver Taken Away from Him Some Time Ago, but he Procured a New One—Up all Night—Tragedy Occurred About 5:30 this Morning—No One Heard the Shots—Coroner Summoned.

   Richford, N. Y., May 2. (Special).—Louis Lacey, proprietor of the hotel at Richford, shot and instantly killed his wife, and then ended his own life by a bullet from the same revolver at his hotel in Richford between 5 and 6 o’clock this morning.

   The little hamlet was thrown into a state of intense excitement when the tragedy was discovered and the news of the shooting was soon known to every one in the town where both victims lived for so long and where both were so well known.

   No one knows just how the tragedy occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Lacey were found dead in their rooms at the hotel at about 5:30 o’clock this morning, each with a bullet hole in the head. Death seemed to have been practically instantaneous and the indications pointed plainly to the fact that Lacey had shot his wife and had turned the revolver upon himself and ended his own life.

   Lacey had been proprietor of the hotel for ten or twelve years. For some time past his health had been failing and it is thought this had affected his mind. He was a man of considerable property and had lately been disposing of some of his holdings and at times had acted in a manner to cause his friends considerable uneasiness. A short time ago a revolver, which he had in his possession, was taken away from him, for fear he might use it to harm himself and when he was in Ithaca a few days ago he purchased a new one.

   He told the doctor at one time that he hoped some one would look after his wife and children when he was gone as he thought “it was all up” with him and he did not believe he would ever get well. So far as could be learned today he had never threatened to take his wife’s life. He was up all night last night. Ed Abbey, a carpenter who is staying at the hotel, sat up with him, and he says that Lacey walked the floor a good share of the night and towards morning Lacey sent for Dr. Leonard of Harford Mills who had been attending him. At about 5 o’clock Mrs. Lacey got up and made some hot lemonade for her husband, but he did not drink it. He was not seen again until both were found dead in their room less than an hour later.

   The coroner at Owego, N. Y., was informed of the shooting and came to Richford this forenoon. Lacey was about 40 years of age and his wife about six years younger. They leave two children, a boy and a girl, about 10 and 12 years. The funeral arrangements have not yet been completed.

 

The Last Survivor.

   Hiram Cronk of Rome, N. Y., the only surviving veteran of the war of 1812, celebrated his 103rd birthday Wednesday, April 29. He is afflicted with no disease and still retains his taste for tobacco.

 

The Plague in India.

   Simla, April 30.—The deaths from the plague are becoming something enormous. The mortality throughout India now exceeds over 30,000 a week.

 

A Cold Night.

   Friday night was one of the coldest nights for May known in Cortland in many years. The mercury got down to 22 degrees F. and water froze hard upon the ground. It is to be hoped that fruit buds were not far enough advanced to be ruined.

 

LOUIS BLERIOT FLEW ACROSS THE CHANNEL

 

Cortland Standard, Monday Evening, July 26, 1909.

FLEW ACROSS THE CHANNEL.

   All hats off to the French aviator, Louis Bleriot. For the first time the English channel has been crossed by an airship. The feat was performed by the Frenchman at about daylight on Sunday, July 25. He left Les Baraques, three miles from Calais, at 4:30 a. m., and landed safely at Dover in a less than a half hour later, the crossing time being about half that of the swiftest mailboat. His speed averaged 45 miles per hour, but some times ran as high as 60 miles an hour. A French torpedo boat with the aviator's wife on board tried to accompany him, but was quickly left behind by the speedy airship. The departure and arrival were wholly unexpected to the public generally who were greatly disappointed at their failure to be on hand. The ship maintained a distance of about 250 feet above the water all the way across. The motor worked perfectly.

   By the successful flight M. Bleriot wins the prize of $5,000 offered by the London Daily Mail for the first flight across the English channel. His rivals, Hubert Latham and Count de Lambert, had hoped to make the trip yesterday too. Bleriot generously stated on arrival that if Latham crossed successfully yesterday he would divide the prize with him since both trials would be on the same day, but there was too much wind as the day advanced for him to try it. Both sent the radiant Bleriot telegrams of congratulation on his success.

   These are great days in the development of aviation. Each day brings something new, and nothing seems to be impossible. If Solomon was on earth today we wonder if he would say that there is nothing new under the sun.

 

FLOATING BAG SHATTERED.

   One of the special features apparently sought for by the inventors of the dirigible airship or balloon has been its use in time of war as a means of spying upon the enemy's forces and movements. It has been prophesied that good marksmanship would put an end to this, but many have not believed it. The fact was, however, successfully brought out with a howitzer in Germany last Friday. A captive balloon was sent up to an altitude of 4,000 feet on the military range at Griesheim. Volleys from rifles and the fire of machine guns were directed against the aerial target without the slightest effect, but the second shell fired at it from a howitzer totally destroyed the balloon. If the balloon had contained two or three spies around with cameras, field glasses and note books they would probably have come to grief under the bombardment of the howitzer. The success of this experiment with the gun will be likely to dampen the ardor of any would-be balloon spies in the future.

 

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Main Street, Cortland, N. Y., circa 1900.

April 5, 2026.

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