TERRIBLE DEATH, FACTORIES OR DOMESTIC SERVICE, CORTLAND VISIT, AND RAINY DAY IN JERUSALEM

 

Adirondack spring log drive.

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Friday, April 3, 1903.

A TERRIBLE DEATH.

Neal Van Siclen of Solon, N. Y., Crushed by a Saw Log

WHICH ROLLED OVER HIS BODY.

Getting Out Logs on the Side Hill—No One With Him But Two Small Boys—Log Slipped While Loading it Upon a Bobsled and Killed Him.

   Neal Van Siclen, who had just moved to the William Chappell farm near Solon, N. Y., met with a horrible death at about 5 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. While loading logs on a steep side hill in the woods one of the logs slipped when nearly loaded and rolled over the man, almost instantly crushing out his life.

   Mr. Van Siclen was hauling logs down the steep hill and out of the woods on bobsleds. Two lads, D. L. Finn and Ira Stevens, each about 10 years of age, were with him. Van Siclen had loaded one large log upon the sled and had another nearly loaded, when it slipped and fell, catching the man and rolling over his body. He was terribly crushed from head to foot.

   As soon as the accident happened the two boys ran at top speed to the farm house and informed Mr. Chappell of it. They then spread the news in the village, and ere long a large number of people had gone to the scene of the awful accident.

   Van Siclen had moved to Solon to work the Chappell farm. He had a wife, but no children.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Factories or Domestic Service.

   In an appeal for assistance for the Young Woman’s Christian association of Rochester the following statement appears: “Many young women of this city are supporting themselves on salaries of $3 to $6 a week. It does not require much figuring to calculate how well one person can live and dress on $3.” Commenting upon this the Democrat and Chronicle says: Girls at domestic service can get from $3 upward in wages and their board, lodging and many privileges in addition to their regular pay. There is a large demand for such service.

   “Hundreds of good homes with a comfortable living are open in this way to any girls who have grown tired of the monotony, the poor pay and the sometimes dangerous associations of factory life and are willing to engage in domestic service. There are thousands of girls in Rochester today who are scraping along on $3 and $4 a week, out of which they have to pay board, rent or lodgings, dress themselves, pay doctors’ and dentists’ bills and meet all other expenses of living. They have no prospect of promotion before them, and many have little prospect of marriage. Who will deny that it would be better for many of these girls to attach themselves to good families and thus secure comforts and some of the guarantees of home?”

   Somewhat the same thing could be said in Cortland and in hosts of other places. In the stores and factories the time is occupied from morning till night, while in domestic service most of the girls have the greater part of their afternoons at least to themselves. But there seems to be a prejudice against housework, though many of the girls in the stores and factories have very little left after paying their board, while in domestic service they have the whole of their wages. And the question is, why?

 

A CORTLAND VISIT.

And All Present or Former Residents are Invited.

   The question has been raised whether present residents of Cortland county are invited to attend the annual reunion and dinner of the Cortland county society of New York and vicinity, as well as the former residents who now live in or near New York. The secretary of the association, Dr. Charles O. Dewey, would like it to be understood that all present or former residents of the county are cordially invited. “It is,” he says, “a Cortland visit, and guests from Cortland will only increase our opportunities for sociability.” The secretary would like to know a little in advance who expect to be present, so that arrangements can be made for the comfort of all.

   The reunion will be held this year in the same place as last year, the rooms of the Aldine association, corner of Fifth-ave. and 18th-st.

   Since the publication in these columns of the former notice of the dinner, a number of new addresses have been sent to the secretary of people who have moved to New York within the past year and who expect to be present at the reunion. If others desire to reach him, his address is Dr. Charles O. Dewey, 747 Macon-st., Brooklyn. The reunion this year promises to be the best attended of any in the series.

   Tickets to the reunion and supper are $2.50.

 

Miss Mary F. Hendrick, English Dept., Cortland Normal School.

A RAINY DAY AT JERUSALEM.

Extracts from a Letter Written by Miss M. F. Hendrick.

   We are permitted to publish extracts from a personal letter written to a friend in Cortland by Miss M. F. Hendrick, who is taking the Mediterranean tour with the Clark party. Miss Hendrick says:

Olivet House, Jerusalem,

March 8, 1903.

   You can’t imagine anything more forlorn than a rainy day in Jerusalem. Jerusalem, the golden, has lost much of its romance, if not all of it. We had a most favorable landing at Jaffa, getting ashore there as easily as at any other point. I only hope it will be so when we return. We had hoped to get some mail here, but were doomed to disappointment. Two papers of the 17th and 18th were all. Some are getting a little anxious, but I try to feel that no news is good news.

   The car ride from Jaffa is very interesting. Most immense groves filled with golden fruit lie just out of Jaffa. We bought fruit for almost nothing there. The road first comes through a very fertile country, gradually ascends the steep rocky mountains when after a ride of five hours for 52 miles we reach here. We are stopping at a small house outside the walls. Twenty-five are here. The rooms are very spacious, single beds, stone floors, but plenty of rugs. It is cold and damp except in the parlor, where we are all sitting where there is a fire. It has rained all day, but just now the clouds are breaking away and the sun is trying to shine. I rested this morning, not getting up until time for luncheon.

   On Friday morning we went to the Mosque of Omar, supposed to be built on the site of Solomon's temple. We have an excellent guide, an Englishman, the hotel proprietor. He knows everything and takes us everywhere. We were obliged to walk, as the streets are many of them too narrow for carriages. They are really only alleys. All of the filth or refuse of the houses is thrown into the streets, through which we must pass. Occasionally we back up against the wall to let the donkeys and camels pass. It seemed to me that we walked miles.

   In the afternoon we drove to Bethlehem. All of the sacred places are covered by churches. The manger where Christ was born is a long ways down among the rocks, a Greek church over it. We went about the town a little and never saw before such squalor and filth. Hands are out for “backsheese” everywhere. We are advised not to give, as it only tells them where your purse is, and they are watching for a chance to steal it.

   On Saturday we saw the Jews wailing against the wall. It rained the night before, so the streets were terrible. I had lost one rubber, so you can imagine the condition of boots and skirts. I sent them to be cleaned, so am staying in today. We saw also the church of the Holy Sepulchre. In the afternoon we drove to Mount Olivet, saw the Stone of the Ascension, the Garden of Gethsemane. We are told so many untrue things that we lose some of the reverence that was once associated with these places. Our hotel looks out on Olivet. Mrs. Briggs looks blue today, as she has heard nothing from home. She doesn’t quite like all the dirt. I am tired, so will write no more.

   We expect to return to the [SS] Kaiserin on Tuesday and be in Alexandria that night. We shall then be turning our steps homeward.

   In another letter written at about the same time Miss Hendrick writes that the season had been unusually rainy in Palestine and, in consequence, all the mountain roads were so slippery as to make traveling very dangerous, since it must all be done on horseback. As a result twenty-six of the party of thirty-six who had planned to put in ten days in a trip through Samaria gave it up and decided to go with the others to Egypt and make the longer stay there. She does not say whether Mr. Wallace and Mr. Howell of the Cortland party who had planned to go through Samaria continued in their purpose or changed the plan for the Egyptian trip.

 

BREVITIES.

—   Prof. P. R. Parker has moved his residence from Tompkins-st. to 82 Port Watson-st.

—   Until further notice McEvoy Bros. furniture store will he open evenings beginning tonight.

—   George B. French, the popular driver of the U. S. Express Co., is moving into his newly purchased residence at 14 Cleveland-st.

—   The office of Dr. Halsey J. Ball at 18 Tompkins-st. has been connected with the Home Telephone company’s exchange. Dr. Ball’s number is 654.

—   The date for the presentation of “Rip Van Winkle” in Cortland by Thomas Jefferson and a strong company will be Friday evening, April 17.

 

HOUSE TRIAL, ONE IS ACQUITTED

 

Joseph E. Eggleston, Cortland County Judge.

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Friday, April 3, 1903.

ONE IS ACQUITTED.

No Case is Proved Against John C. House, the Father.

OTHER TWO ARE HELD FOR TRIAL.

Prosecution Rests its Case—Separate Motions Made to Acquit Each Defendant—One Granted, Two Denied—Defense Opens Its Case—The Widow of George Bennett and Others Testify in Closing the People’s Case.

   The House-Bennett case was resumed again Monday morning at 10 o'clock.

   Mrs. Jennie Bennett, the widow of George Bennett, was sworn this morning, and was the only witness of any importance. She is a German by birth, and it is difficult to understand her [English] testimony. Many spectators were present at the time court opened and later in the day the room was crowded.

Dr. Higgins.

   Dr. F. W. Higgins, recalled, testified: The piece of bullet which I now produce was taken from the bone in the leg of Geo. Bennett. The artery also, offered in evidence was taken from the leg. The various ways of sterilizing water may be by boiling, also using bi-chloride of mercury. I noticed in my examination of the leg that the artery showed evidences of repair. By that I mean that it had commenced to heal.

Dr. Fields.

   Dr. Fields of Marathon, recalled: In my treatment of Bennett the night he was brought to me I used bi-chloride of mercury in the water used around the wound.

Thomas Hudson.

   Thos. Hudson, a resident of Marathon: My house is on the same road as the defendants. I saw John H. House soon after the shooting occurred. I had some conversation with him in regard to the affair. He said they were all scared to death that night, and Orson was so frightened he was afraid he would shoot himself. He said he thought Bennett must have been shot in the outhouse from the appearance of things. He also spoke of receiving a letter from a man in Homer stating that the team was in Homer on the night Bennett was shot.

W. G. Mead.

   W. G. Mead, a jeweler, and a resident of Cortland: I have dealt in guns and ammunition for about fifteen years. I have made experiments in different firearms for the purpose of determining penetration. This is a Marlin repeating gun, with a capacity of fifteen cartridges. I made an examination of this rifle (exhibit 10) as to its penetration and capacity. It was a 32-calibre gun.

Mrs. Jennie Bennett.

   Mrs. Jennie Bennett, a resident of Homer, testified: I resided on the Lapeer farm with my husband, George Bennett, from March 1, 1901, to February, 1902: I heard all three defendants tell Fred Bennett the day that R. J. Rounds came to see about the stock that they held a chattel mortgage. The two John Houses that day quarreled with George Bennett. They followed him to the house, swearing at him. George did not reply, as he was afraid. I also remember another day, when they swore at him and one of them threatened to take his heart out. I remember having some difficulty with my husband. We were both angry, and Orson said to me “take a potato masher or anything you can get hold of and go up behind him and strike him.” At another time John C. House told me I ought to kill him, and I said “no.” The last week we were on their place, John H. House said, “Mr. Bennett, if you take another spear of hay from these premises, you’ll never get out alive.” The next day I heard him say to George Bennett, “I don’t care if there are five mortgages ahead on the cattle, I am going to have them just the same.” I asked him who gave him a mortgage on them and he said it was none of my business.

   Cross examination: The time I told Orson House about the trouble Mr. Bennett and I had been having, Mr. Bennett had struck me. I went to Orson for a warrant to have him arrested, as he was a justice of the peace. He told me he did not want to get mixed up in our family quarrels. I also went to Abner Johnson for a warrant for his arrest. I stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Fritz, but I do not remember telling them that George had struck me over the head and knocked me down and dragged me over the premises. I do not remember selling the milk cans to the Houses. They asked me to let them have them that night as they had no place to put their milk, and I left them there.

Fred Bennett.

   Fred Bennett, a resident of Cortland: I remember going to the House farm on Feb. 26, 1902. A deputy from Marathon went with me and the three men met us armed with clubs. They said they would do all but shoot to protect their cattle. I remember their asking Mrs. Bennett to loan them the milk cans until they came down again. I have held the mortgage since September, 1901.

   Mrs. Fred Bennett, a resident of Cortland testified: I saw Geo. Bennett on the afternoon of the day that he was shot.

   Howard R. Meacham, a resident of Cortland, occupation butcher: I went with Fred Bennett to the home of the defendants in Lapeer on Feb. 26, 1902. The three defendants came out, each armed with a club.

   Cross examination: Neither one of the defendants offered to strike us. They gave up the clubs without any resistance.

   At 2:45 Monday afternoon the prosecution rested its case in the matter of The People vs. Orson A. House, John H. House and John C. House, the charge being manslaughter in the first degree.

   Attorney N. L. Miller for the defense then made a motion to acquit the defendant, John C. House, the father of the other two, of the charge of manslaughter in the first degree on the ground that the prosecution had failed to make out a case against him or in any way connect him with the shooting. Motion granted by Judge Eggleston. Defendant John C. House was then declared acquitted and was discharged.

   Attorney Miller then moved to acquit Defendant John H. House on the ground that the prosecution had failed to make out a case against him. The motion was argued quite at length by District Attorney Dowd for The People and Attorney Miller for the defendant, and was finally denied.

   Attorney Miller then made the same motion in the ease of Defendant Orson A. House upon the same ground. Motion denied without argument.

The Defense Opens.

   Attorney Henry E. Wilson of Marathon opened the case in behalf of the defendants, Orson A. House and John H. House. He said in part:

   Gentlemen of the Jury—You have heard all the evidence thus far given. The district attorney has told you that these defendants pretended to have been frightened upon the night that Geo. Bennett was shot, that they had cruelly shot him, knowing who he was and, when they had arranged things about the house to their satisfaction, they start out for a neighbor. Are there any grounds for this imagination? None whatever, and no where else has this thought been entertained, save in the mind of the district attorney.

   Gentlemen, murder is the most heinous crime known to the law, for it takes that which only the Lord Almighty has a right to take. Was there a motive for murder in this case? There is not the first apology of a motive. To claim that it was because of the difficulty of the transaction in regard to the cows is not a motive worthy of the consideration of the district attorney or this jury. The People have absolutely failed to maintain the charge in this case, and were we to rest, right here without offering any evidence, it would be your duty to acquit. These defendants are respectable men, and have the confidence of the community in which they live. Orson House, who sits here, is a justice of the peace of the town of Lapeer. John H. House is a constable of the same town. Give me the confidence of the people of the community in which I live and I am satisfied. But these defendants would not be satisfied to have the case rest here. They desire to prove to you their innocence. They will go upon the stand and tell you the truth of all that happened that night as far as they know, and the truth is all that stands. These men were in their own house at this midnight hour. They were not looking about for Geo. Bennett. John G. House will tell you that for five or six years since the death of his wife, he has been accustomed to awaken at frequent intervals through the night. He occupies a bedroom on the first floor. On the night that Geo. Bennett was shot he was awakened by a noise which sounded as though some one was trying to break in. He got up and called to the boys. They got up and tried to see who was there. John H. House started out for a neighbor, leaving his father with Orson. After he had gone, Orson went into the attic and got the gun and fired out of the window. This was done before John H. House and Harry Gleason had arrived.

   These are the true and absolute facts in this case, as true as there is a God in the heavens. Orson House did in the excitement at that time what he believed he had a right to do, and what others would have done under the circumstances. Take it to yourself. Consider what you would have done, and then, gentlemen, when you render your verdict, act accordingly.

   I believe that Geo. Bennett did not go alone to the House farm that night, but that he was accompanied by another man. The district attorney has told you that he had not been seen, from the time he left Cortland at 3 o’clock until he was found injured. The district attorney was mistaken. He was seen, as we shall prove to you later, at an Italian store in the village of Marathon, and a stranger was with him. This corroborates the testimony of Harry Gleason, that he saw another track in the road leading from the house to the highway.

   If Geo. Bennett had been solicitous about his I7-year-old lad, why did he not inquire at the house where he had made arrangements for his son to stay? He never inquired there, as we shall prove to you by Mrs. Gilbert. He was not just right in his mind, and he had got it info his head that he owed the House family some grudge. He accordingly went to their home to do them some injury.

   Gentlemen of the Jury, when you render your verdict, let it be one that you can render with a clear conscience , one with which you will be able, when you cross the river, to meet the Supreme Judge who reigns through all eternity.

Alfred T. Dickinson Testifies.

   The remainder of the afternoon was given to the testimony of witnesses in behalf of  the defense.

   Alfred T. Dickinson, a resident of Messengerville; I am proprietor of a store in Messengerville, and I recall a certain time when Jennie Bennett came into my store in the spring of 1901, saying that Geo. Bennett had knocked her down and dragged her by the hair of the head, and that she was going to leave him. She said she was going to Cortland.

Mrs. Addie Dickinson.

   Mrs. Addie Dickinson: I am a daughter-in-law of Mr. Dickinson, and have heard his testimony just given. It was made in my presence. Mrs. Bennett also showed me her bruises.

Frank Dodd.

   Frank Dodd, a resident of Binghamton: I remember Jennie Bennett coming to Ira Wavle’s loudly screaming. She stated that Mr. Bennett was trying to kill her and she had come there for protection. She said he had kicked her and tried to choke her. She wanted me to take her to Cincinnatus so that she might have him arrested. I did not do this.

King Wildman.

   King Wildman, a resident of East Freetown: I remember Geo. Bennett’s wife coming to our house to stay all night. She said she had had some trouble with George and she had started for Cortland, and as she had missed the train she wanted to stay all night. In the morning Geo. Bennett came there and they fixed the matter up.

George Fritz.

   Geo. Fritz, a resident of Lapeer: I remember Mrs. Bennett coming to our house saying that Bennett had struck her and she was not going back to him.

Mrs. Ida Fritz.

   Mrs. Ida Fritz, wife of Geo. Fritz: I remember Jennie Bennett coming to my house upon one occasion when she said her husband had struck her with a board. She showed me a bruise upon her hip, which she said was made at the time.

Mrs. Calvin Gilbert.

   Mrs. Calvin Gilbert, a resident of Marathon: When the Bennetts were moving away they stayed over night at our house. Arrangements were made by Geo. Bennett for his son Johnnie to stay with us. He stayed two nights.

Wallace Lusk.

   Wallace Lusk, town clerk of Lapeer: I have reviewed the chattel mortgages filed and find one filed in my office July 25, 1901, given by Geo. Bennett and Jennie Bennett to John C. House. I also have one filed Feb. 28, 1901, by George Bennett to Frances Davern and Mary Davern. I have received a postal from Mrs. Davern who cancelled the mortgage. This mortgage was canceled and discharged by me Aug. 1, 1901.

Eugene Watrous.

   Eugene Watrous, a resident of Marathon: I was called to the residence of Dr. Field on the morning of March 4, 1902. I searched the coat belonging to Geo. Bennett, and found clams and a lump of coal in one pocket, in the other pocket were some clams, coal, pocketbook and a jackknife.

E. A. Hotchkiss.

   Ellsworth A. Hotchkiss, a resident of Marathon: I remember going to the residence of the House family on the Sunday morning after their arrest. I removed the broken latch from the door. 1 saw the bullet holes in the door and in the side of the house.

   Cross examination: I went to the house at the request of Mr. Wilson to make this examination.

Wallace Diver.

   Wallace Diver, a resident of Marathon: I saw Geo. Bennett on the evening of the shooting on the steps of the Italian’s store in the village. There was a strange man with him. This man was a man about 40 years of age, medium height, poorly dressed. I did not see him again that evening.

    Cross examination: I was not present at the examination in Marathon. At that time I was in Solon.

Dudley G. Corwin.

   Dudley G. Corwin, a resident of Cortland, a contractor and builder: I visited the House farm M arch 17, 1903, and made two maps of the house, one of the lower floor and one of the upper floor.

   Cross examination; I went there at the request of the attorneys for the defense; Mr. Wilson accompanied me.

Rolland H. Vunk.

   Rolland H. Vunk of Marathon: I was constable March 1, 1902. I went to the House farm in February, 1902, in company with Mr. Rounds and others. We were met by the defendants armed with clubs. Mr. Rounds took the clubs from the defendants. John H. House and R. J. Rounds had a controversy on the subject of politics and most of the quarrel and conversation was along that line. I did not hear John H. House call either Geo. Bennett or R. J. Rounds any names.

   Cross examination: One of the men had a bottle of whiskey. It was passed along to the front seat and Mr.  Humphrey put it in his pocket. No more was drank upon that occasion.

Abner Johnson.

   Abner Johnson, a resident and supervisor of Lapeer: Last year I was the magistrate of the town. I know the defendants well. I remember Mrs. Geo. Bennett coming to my house for a warrant for the arrest of her husband, saying he had knocked her down, and beat her. She said she had asked Orson House for a warrant and he would not interfere. She also said at the time she was afraid of her life, and was afraid he would kill her. The defendants have always borne a good reputation.

   Cross examination: The defendants and I have been friends politically. I have heard conversation in regard to the character of Orson House, but to my knowledge he is in good repute as far as the speech of people are concerned in Marathon.

Marvin Crain.

   Marvin Crane, a resident of Lapeer: I was awakened on the night of March 3, 1902, at about 11 o’clock, I looked out of the window and saw that it was very dark. I knew Bennett when he lived on the House farm. I saw Johnnie Bennett when he took the last load from the House farm.

C. W. Seeber.

   C. W. Seeber, a resident of Marathon: Geo. Bennett came to my store in 1901 to buy feed. He complained of being ill and we got him a chair. He sat there a few minutes and then got in his wagon and drove away.

Eber Bowdish.

   Eber Bowdish, a resident of Marathon: I knew the defendants at the time Geo. Bennett lived on their farm. I went up there with Mrs. Davern to collect a chattel mortgage, given for rent of premises occupied by them, The money was paid by them, John C. House letting them have some of the money to pay this mortgage.

Henry Youngs.

   Henry Youngs, a resident of Marathon: I saw Geo. Bennett at the time he was moving from Lapeer to Homer. He was in Mrs. Potter’s barn, and I called to him to come and get his team out of the road, so that I could drive by.

George P. Squires.

   George P. Squires, Marathon: I know the defendants. I know their reputation in the community by the speech of people. It is good.

   Cross examination: I have heard the reputation of Orson House discussed, but notwithstanding the fact that in the general public opinion it is considered good, in my own opinion I do not consider it good.

Myron M. Pierce.

   Myron M. Pierce, Marathon: I know the reputation of John H. and Orson House by the speech of people. I have heard the reputation of Orson House discussed among a certain class. Notwithstanding that fact I still say that in the public opinion his reputation is considered good.

Simon R. Alvord.

   Simon R. Alvord of Marathon: I have known Orson House and John H. House for seventeen years. Their reputation is considered good in the community.

   Cross examination: I have never heard anything against Orson House, nor do not know anything against him.

Frank E. Whitmore.

   Frank E. Whitmore, supervisor town of Marathon: I have known the reputation of John H. House and Orson House, for fifteen years. Their reputation is considered good by the speech of people.

   Cross examination: I do not know that Orson House is considered an immoral man.

Ellsworth Hotchkiss.

   Ellsworth Hotchkiss, Marathon: I have known defendants for fourteen years. Their reputation is considered good by the speech of people.

   Cross examination: I have heard the character of Orson House discussed among a certain class of people. I never saw the Hudson girl on their premises. I still say that his reputation is considered good.

   Court adjourned at 12:30 until 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon.

 

SUNDAY FILLER: NEIL DIAMOND

 

CUBA AND BERMUDA, BUILDING THE PANAMA CANAL, NEW INDUSTRY, A CORRECTION, AND PRISONERS MUST WORK IN TOMPKINS COUNTY

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, March 24, 1903.

CUBA AND BERMUDA.

Rev. J. J. McLoghlin Speaks of His Recent Trip South.

A BRIGHT PROSPECT FOR CUBA.

Recovering from Effects Of War—Rapid Work on Sugar Cane Plantations— The Coming Orange Country of the World—Political Future—The Trip to Bermuda—The Field of Lilies—Summer Temperature Everywhere.

   Rev. J. J. McLoghlin, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church, who in company with Bishop P. A. Ludden of Syracuse and Rev. J. J. McDonald of Binghamton had been making a tour of six weeks in Cuba and Bermuda, returned to Cortland last Saturday night. He is very much improved in health in consequence of the trip and was delighted with what he saw during his travels.

Anchored near the Maine.

   In a conversation yesterday concerning the trip he stated that after leaving New York the party journeyed to Florida, stopping at Tampa before going to Cuba. Upon arriving at Havana they entered the deep but not wide harbor and anchored within five rods of the place where the Maine was sunk. The masts still protrude above the surface of the water and mark the spot where the American battleship and many of her brave crew met their doom. The harbor is one of the finest in the West Indies.

The City of Havana.

   In reference to the beauty of the city of Havana Father John said that he was very agreeably surprised to see so many fine palaces, the ancient Gothic churches and the beautiful parks of tropical verdure. The city has a population of 300,000 souls, is clean and well paved. Through the kindness of Monsigneur Broderick, the present administrator of the temporalities of the church at Havana, the party had a chance to interview President Palma and the papal delegates to Cuba, Archbishop Chappelle, and to learn from them many things concerning the island and the people.

Recovering from the War.

   Of the island Father John says that it is rapidly recovering from its recent experience of war and famine. The soil when cultivated produces three crops each year. The principal product is sugar, and on the vast plantations the natives work day and night during the season of gathering the sugar cane. This is done in order to avoid as far as possible the evaporation of the cane in the fields. Electric lights are placed all over the plantations, and at night these present a very strange spectacle. Oranges in large quantities are grown in the island, and these, he states, are the finest he ever tasted. There is every indication that Cuba is to be the predominating orange producing country of the world. The frost line in Florida is gradually extending farther south on account of the clearing away of the forests, but in Cuba the crop is never injured by the cold weather because it is entirely within the tropics.

   The royal palm is the most common tree of the island. It grows to a height of about thirty or forty feet and is bare nearly to the top. There are many other kinds of trees, and the vegetation is very luxuriant. The island has, however, been allowed to remain nearly idle during the late war, but there is every evidence now of great prosperity, both spiritual and temporal. It is truly a land flowing with milk and honey. There is every indication of her rising, Phoenix-like, from the ashes and taking her place among the nations of the earth. The Spaniards, he says, are to a certain extent favorably inclined toward the United States and are in favor of a protectorate on the part of this, country over the island. The Cubans, however, are well satisfied to remain an independent republic. The Spaniards are said to own 80 per cent of all the real estate of the island.

   In regard to the religion of the island he says that it is entirely Catholic. After the war many of the Spanish clergy returned to Spain, leaving a void in the ranks of the priesthood. This is now being rapidly filled by native students, who have studied in the United States.

The Future of Cuba.

   In regard to the future of the island it is Father John's opinion that Cuba now by economy and unity will prosper and make progress. She is having financial help from capitalists of this country, and the morning that the party left Cuba J. Pierpont Morgan arrived, and it was rumored that he brought with him $35,000,000 as a loan to help in paying the heavy expenses of the recent war and to aid in the development of the island.

Side Trip to Bermuda.

   On account of the arrival of the excursion yacht Princess Louise of the Hamburg-American line, which was on its way from the West Indies to Bermuda, the party changed plans somewhat and took passage on this, going to Bermuda, a distance of 1,140 miles. The island, or chain of islands, is twenty-five miles long and about two miles wide, having a population of 17,000 people. It is of coral formation. Here over 4,000 Boer prisoners were brought during the South African war. Between seventy and eighty of these still remain, because of their refusal to take the oath of allegiance to the British crown. They do nothing except to appear each day for roll call and to eat what is given them. The staple products of the island are onions, potatoes, lilies and bananas. The lilies are cultivated in large quantities in fields and are shipped in large numbers.

Tom Moore and the Lilies.

   The island is wonderfully beautiful, and he says it is no wonder that the poet, Tom Moore, during his residence there in 1804, gave utterance to his admiration of the beauty of the island in the following lines:

   Could you but view the scenery fair,

   That now beneath my window lies,

   You'd think that nature lavished there,

   Her purest wave, her softest skies.

Summer Temperature.

   Good weather favored the party on its trip. In Cuba the thermometer registered from 75 to 80 degrees in the shade, and in Bermuda the temperature was from 68 to 75 degrees in the shade. The members of the party were all delighted with their trip.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Building the Panama Canal.

   The practical phases of the work of constructing the Panama canal are impressive in magnitude. When operations are fairly under way, from 20,000 to 40,000 laborers will be employed. Under the law the government, or the contractors, can draw this labor from any part of the earth, but it is expected that West India and American negroes will be brought in at the outset. If they cannot be secured in sufficient numbers, Japanese or even Chinese labor may be used. The ordinary laborer's wages will not be over 50 cents a day. In case negroes are employed, accommodations for their families must be provided, as it is established by experience that these laborers will not go far from home without their wives and children. The task of maintaining a high grade of sanitation among such people in a tropical climate will prove difficult, but it must be successfully performed if epidemics are to be kept away from the isthmus. A small army of physicians, mechanics, machinists, electricians, engineers, both stationary and locomotive, firemen, masons, foremen, bosses, inspectors and so on will be required, and these positions will go almost exclusively to white men from this country. The feeding of the whole force will require a commissariat equal to that of a large army in the field, and the bulk of the food supplies will go from the United States to the isthmus, as will indeed a large amount of machinery, cement and lumber. For the transportation of all this material to the isthmus the government will have a steamship line between New York and Colon, which will be acquired with the other property of the French company, and the Panama railroad while, of course, New Orleans will become a great feeder through its private steamship companies. In effect, the United States government will superintend an enterprise equivalent to maintaining an army in active operations in a foreign country; although the government's direct work would be greatly minimized if it should make a contract with a syndicate or private construction company to do the job.

 

A NEW INDUSTRY.

Cortland County Condensed Milk and Cream Company.

TO MANUFACTURE CONDENSED MILK.

R. H. Hibbard, J. J. Glann and J. C. Muir the Projectors of the Scheme— Forty Thousand Pounds of Milk Per Day Required—Condensed Milk to be Shipped in Bulk—Superior Quality of Milk to be Sought—Location of Plant Depends on Milk Contracts.

   The Cortland County Condensed Milk and Cream Co. is the name of the new concern that is about to incorporate under the laws of the state of New York and which will locate the plant somewhere within the boundaries of Cortland county. The stockholders of the company, who are also the directors and officers, are R. H. Hibbard, J. J. Glann, and J. C. Muir. The capital stock of the company will be $16,000, and the company will be officered as follows:

   President—R. H. Hibbard.

   Vice-President and General Manager—J. C. Muir.

   Secretary and Treasurer—J. J. Glann.

   A decision has not yet been made as to the location of the plant, though it will undoubtedly be upon one of the three railroads which are in the county, and the site will depend upon circumstances. The new company does not ask any financial assistance from any source, but it does want milk. The members of the company will within a few days see some of the leading farmers and dairy men throughout the county and will submit to them their proposition and see what contracts can be made for a regular supply of milk through the whole year.

Creamy Milk Required.

   As is of course inferred from the name of the company, its business will be the condensing of milk, and to this end it hopes to secure the best quality of milk that can be furnished. Some of the ordinary milk that goes to creameries and to the milk stations for New York markets will not answer, if better can be secured. The company hopes to get Jersey milk, rich with cream, and is willing to pay for it. If it can secure this superior quality of milk it will expect to pay a higher price than is paid for ordinary milk at the milk stations, because it will be worth more to the purchasers. It will make a better quality of condensed milk, and the same amount of milk fresh from the cows will make more of the finished product than the ordinary milk from cows that are bred wholly for the sake of securing quantity. The location of the plant, therefore, will depend somewhat upon where contracts for this kind of milk can be made.

40,000 Pounds Per Day.

   The company expects to start operations when it has secured contracts for 20,000 pounds of milk per day, but it hopes soon to take in double that amount each day.

   At first only condensed milk in bulk will be made, as contrasted with the condensed milk put up in small  cans. In this way the shipments will be in 40-quart cans, and the product will go through the New York and Philadelphia markets largely to hotels and ice cream houses that use large quantities. At a later time the product will also be put up in the small cans, thus forming what is known to the trade as "case goods."

Personnel of the Company.

   Mr. Hibbard and Mr. Glann have long been residents of this county and are well and favorably known to many. Mr. Muir will be the practical man of the company. He has been in the milk business all his life and has for a number of years been the general purchasing agent for Seiler Brothers of New York, who have a large number of milk stations and creameries, several of which are located in this county. A brother of his has been for a number of years connected with the New York Condensed Milk Co., and partly through the assistance of his brother and partly through his own experience he will be in touch with the best trade in New York for the disposal of the products of this plant.

   A concern of this kind does not call for the employment of many hands. From six to ten will probably be all that will be required, while only condensed milk in bulk is prepared and sold, but it will furnish a fine market for dairymen who are willing to raise creamy cows and who want to secure a gilt edged price for their milk if it is of the right quality. Later on if the condensed milk is put up in small cans as "case goods," it will require a large number of employees.

 

Bad Fire in Corning, N. Y.

   The Corning Stove works suffered a very severe and disastrous fire Saturday which resulted in the wiping out of the molding room and the destruction of all of their patterns which were kept in that part of the works. The room was completely burned, only the walls remaining. The fire penetrated into the mounting room and did some damage. The loss is estimated at from $10,000 to $15,000 and is practically covered by insurance. A house which stood within three feet of one of the walls of the burned building was saved from destruction by the good work of the fire department.

 

A Correction.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir—-My attention has been called to an item from the pen of your local correspondent in a recent issue of your excellent paper in which occurs an error which I respectfully desire to correct. The item says that B. F. and G. W. Lee were plaintiffs in an action against R. B. Ryan, in which judgment was obtained against the plaintiffs. Allow me to say that B. F. Lee has had no suit before me during my official career of nine years against any one and, so far as I know, neither of the Messrs. Lee has had more than one suit in Cuyler since I have been justice—which seems to the writer remarkable, considering the immense business they transact. This one suit was that of Geo. W. Lee, plaintiff, against E. B. Ryan, defendant. Defendant Ryan called for a jury, whose verdict, after holding out until near midnight, was for no cause of action, which was entirely satisfactory to plaintiff, notwithstanding four of the jurors, I was informed, were for cause.

   Now in connection with this, it seems to me but proper to say that Mr. Lee would not have brought suit, although he contended that defendant owed him, had not Ryan obtained a summons from a out of town justice to sue Lee, and upon being so informed Mr. Lee procured a summons and got first service. Furthermore, to the knowledge of the writer, Mr. Lee at the joining of issue exhausted every means known to business men to effect a compromise, he offering to divide their differences, to pay receipts or to leave them to disinterested parties, all of which propositions were rejected.

   E. J. Albro,

   Justice of Peace.

   Cuyler, N. Y., March 21, 1903.

 

PRISONERS MUST WORK.

Tompkins County Board of Supervisors Lays Down the Law.

   The Tompkins county board of supervisors at a meeting held last Saturday directed the sheriff to see that all prisoners confined in the county jail are made to work every day except Sunday, and a day's work is to be ten hours long. In good weather the prisoners are to be required to work on the roads of the county. Some other form of labor is to be found on stormy days and winter, but there are to be no more idle men, no more cards, and no more smoking in the jail during working hours.

 

BREVITIES.

   —A regular meeting of the A. O. U. W. will be held this evening.

   —Geneva's new automobile company is to take the name of the Black Diamond Automobile Co.,

   —The Ladies' Literary club will meet tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. F. D. Reese at 16 Tompkins-st.

    —The basket ball game [sic, spelling] at Taylor hall tomorrow night between the Athletics and the Sixth Battery team of Binghamton will begin at 8 o'clock sharp.

   —The quartet of the Amherst college głee club which gives a concert at the Opera House Saturday night will sing at the Presbyterian church on Sunday morning.

   —The new display advertisements today are: A. Mahan, Pianos and organs, page 4; Opera House, Amherst college Glee, Banjo, and Mandolin clubs, page 5.

   —Cortland Chapter, No, 194, Royal Arch Masons, will confer the Royal Arch degree Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock, after which a banquet will be served in the banquet hall.

   —Frank Braman picked a large bunch of May flowers yesterday in the woods near his home north of the city. These are the first spring flowers heard from so far except for crocuses which have been out for several days.