WAR REMINISCENCES CHAPTER 40

 

Captain William Saxton, Co. C, 157th Regiment, New York Volunteers.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, October 17, 1903.

WAR REMINISCENCES.

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

CONFEDERATES ON THE RETREAT.

Comparative Losses of the Two Armies at Gettysburg—Some of the Losses from this Regiment—Burying the Dead—Vicksburg Heard From—Entertained at a Convent—Pursuing the Rebel Army on Its Retreat South.

CHAPTER 40.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir-- When the disorganized wreck of Pickett's and Pettigrew's division reached Lee's position, General Lee had the manhood to acknowledge that he had made a mistake, and said to them "It is all my fault; get together and let us do the best we can toward saving that which is left of us," and with drooping head and disheartened spirit he proceeded to reorganize his line preparatory to repelling a counter charge should Mead make one.

   Farnsworth's brigade of Kilpatrick's cavalry came up and moved around to the left of the Union army and was joined by Merritt's brigade of Buford's division from Emmetsburg.

   At 5 p. m. after Longstreet's defeat, Kilpatrick ordered General Farnsworth with his brigade to charge the Confederate right. This he did, riding a mile through the Confederate lines from south to north. The charge was of no benefit to the Union side and General Farnsworth lost his life, being the only Union general killed inside the Confederate lines.

Effort to Gain Union Rear.

   On the right of the Union army and left of the Confederates about three miles east of Culp's hill, Confederate General Stuart, with his cavalry, attempted to gain our rear and play havoc with our trains, He was met by our General Gregg with his cavalry and a very severe cavalry fight occurred in which General Custer, with his Michigan brigade, successfully met a charge of the Confederates and drove them from the field. At night Stuart withdrew, leaving the field in our possession.

Confederates Retreat.

   Lee's forces were withdrawn from the town, Devil's Den and the Peach Orchard and he had lost the battle of Gettysburg, the greatest battle of the civil war and of modern times.

   In this battle there were actually present on the, Union aide about 85,000 men and on the Confederate 71,000. In the attacks Lee concentrated more troops than the Union side had at those particular points opposed to him.

Comparative Losses.

   The Union army lost 3,155 killed, 14,529 wounded and 5,365 missing or captured; total 23,049. Of the killed only those who died on the field are counted. If those who were mortally wounded and subsequently died were reckoned among the killed it would swell the number to 5,091. The losses on the second day were more than the losses of the first and third days combined.

   The Confederate loss was 2,592 killed, 12,709 wounded, 5,150 captured; total, 20,451; although Alexander Stephens' history says the losses were as follows:

   Union, 2,834 killed, 13,523 wounded and 6,643 missing—total, 23,000; Confederate 5,000 killed, 23,000 wounded and 8,000 missing—total, 36,000.

   This number of wounded does not include the slightly wounded, as General Lee had ordered that in the reports only those who were unfitted for duty should be reported wounded; neither does the list of killed include those who, being mortally wounded, fell into our hands and subsequently died. Had the losses on each side been reported in the same manner they would not have differed very materially.

   The Army of the Potomac captured thirty-eight battle flags and lost seven pieces of artillery.

Loss in the 157th.

   I cannot refrain from here giving a list of the killed and mortally wounded in the One Hundred Fifty-seventh New York during this battle: Lieutenant Colonel George Arrowsmith, Lieutenant Joseph F. Henney, Adj., (two); Company A—Privates Lewis B. Leigh and James F. McLaughlin (two); Company B—Sergeant William Harrington and Privates William L. Bart, Eugene W. Campbell, Timothy Dean, Harrison H. Whitman and Andrew Yan (six); Company C—Corporal Henry Coffin and Corporal Jerry Johnson and Privates Frederick G. Brooks, Dallas W. Gazlay, Simeon Rainbow, Isaac Rorabacker and John Smith (seven); Company D—Sergeants I. Leroy Markham and Clark Stickney and Privates William W. Carpenter, George W. Conner, Emory Gifford, John B. Owen, Morris I. Shattuck and Amos C. Topping (eight); Company E—Captain Jaron K. Backus, Corporal James E. Joyner, Privates Miles A, Culver, Francis E. Eaton, Thomas Haley, John P. Houpt, Alfred D. Wilson, (seven); Company F—Corporal Daniel M. Torrey (one); Company G—Captain Harrison Frank, Privates Albert D. Bridge, John A. Hart, Luzerne E. Johnson, James McDugall, Durrell More (six); Company H—Captain George A. Adams, Corporal Philander Stone, Privates Eugene McKevitt, Joseph G. Wiggans (four); Company I—Lieutenant Randall D. Lower, Corporal Horace Anguish, Privates Jonas Bonney, John Butler, Albert Hatch, Parden Patrick, Martin Snyder, Henry L. Wenbau, (eight); Company K—Privates Broughton Hough, Wallace Patchin, James L. Pierce (three); total, fifty-four, or twelve per cent. You will notice seven of them are from Company C.

   I do not have the names of those of our regiment who were wounded or taken prisoner, neither do I have the names of the seven men (including myself) who were all that were left of Company C. One I distinctly remember was Leroy Dyer. He went through the fight all right and marched back with us as far as Hagerstown. There he was taken sick and sent to the hospital at Annapolis and among the first notices I received after arriving in South Carolina was an official communication from the hospital stating that he was dead. The tremendous nervous strain of those three days of fighting was too much for him and when it let up he collapsed.

Letter on Battlefield.

   I wrote a letter to my father on the third day while we were at the rear, giving an account of the losses in our company and of the regiment so far as l knew, and sent it by one of the teamsters who mailed it at York, Pa. This letter reached Cincinnatus, N. Y., on Saturday the 4th, and was the first definite news that had reached them from the battlefield. They knew a great battle was in progress, but did not know any of the particulars. The good people were so hungry for news from their boys that this letter was read from the pulpit in all the churches the next day. Hon. B. F. Tillinghast started early on Monday morning for Gettysburg to render what assistance he could to the wounded and dying of our company. When he arrived, we of the living had marched away, but a great army of dead and wounded were left behind. Pause a moment and think. Let your minds take in, if possible the awful fact that more than thirty-three thousand men were killed and wounded in that one battle.

   "Passed away before life's noon.

   Who shall say they died too soon?

   Ye who mourn, O cease from tears!

   Deeds like these outlast the years."

Vicksburg Surrenders.

   July 4—This was the day Vicksburg surrendered. We did not know it then but learned of it afterward. The One Hundred Fifty-seventh squad moved up toward the front. Our forces occupied the town and a good many prisoners were marched to the rear past us. In the afternoon it rained hard and we got quite wet.

Burying the Dead.

   Sunday, July 5.—We marched to the front. The Confederates had gone. Our forces were occupied burying the dead and caring for the wounded. We were not taken to where the worst fighting had been done and so were spared the awful sight that there presented itself. One of Company C's men, Mason K. Messenger, was detailed with the prisoners and he told me of the awful sights and stench that arose. We saw enough of the wreck of that battle to satisfy our curiosity in that direction for a life time. Dead horses swollen to bursting in that July sun were lying all around. It took a large force of men working several days to burn and bury the dead animals. Broken gun carriages, knapsacks, haversacks, guns and other wreckage were strewn thickly around. It was a great relief when toward evening we started in the direction of Emmetsburg and camped in a piece of woods about 11 p. m. The rain had made the roads very muddy.

Some Pleasant Soldiering.

   July 6—Continued our march at daylight and near night stopped at Emmetsburg. Fifteen men and myself were detailed to guard the fine buildings of the St. Mary's convent managed by the Sisters of Charity. We were quartered in a large barn. The sisters were very kind and thoughtful, and each man on post was furnished a nice lunch some time during his two hours duty. This continued throughout the night with each relief. That was the kind of soldiering the boys liked, but the good sisters, not being military men, did not know they had overlooked one who could enjoy a good lunch as well as any private could and that was the sergeant of the guard. The only satisfaction the sergeant could get out of it was that he knew personally that it was not always thus, and so he had no scruples in filling his canteen with good fresh milk from several Jersey cows stabled in said barn. In fact he felt so well pleased that he actually delayed giving orders to fall in the next morning until each guard had filled his canteen from the same source.

   July 7.—We marched away at 3 o'clock with blessings on the Sisters of Charity. Whether they returned those blessings when they came to milk those cows I am unable to say.

   These good sisters were among the first to arrive on the Gettysburg battlefield with a wagon loaded with provisions and other necessities for our poor wounded, and they were untiring in their labor of love, caring for the wounded of both sides.

Pursuing the Johnnies.

   Evidently we were after the Johnnies in earnest for they marched us long and hard. The One Hundred Fifty-seventh squad was provost guard. When within five miles of Frederick City we turned to the right without regard to roads and marched through the fields over the Catoctin mountains. When we reached the top we could see Middletown and it seemed only a short distance away; but by the time we had reached the foot of the range on the western side it was dark and we seemed farther away than two hours before. It now began to rain hard and it seemed as though Middletown was receding from us.

   We plodded on in the downpour and some time after 9 o'clock we reached the town, and in the darkness I selected a barn for my headquarters and Company C boys appropriated the haymow for a bed chamber. We had made one of the longest marches in our history, some thirty-two miles or more.

   July 8.—By the move the day before Meade had thrown his army between Lee and Washington. When we awoke the next morning it was still raining and I went to the house and reported where we had lodged and for 25 cents secured a first-class breakfast—the first regular home meal I had enjoyed since I first crossed the Potomac.

   After doing ample justice to the good woman's breakfast I hunted up the regiment and as it still continued to rain, went back to the barn and slept during the forenoon.

   The first Corps passed through town and I saw some of the Seventy-sixth New York boys who were left, also my friend Charley Bowen of the Forty-fourth New York of the Fifth Corps.

   We then marched to Boonsborough, west of the other part of the range of the Blue Ridge mountains, where there was some cavalry fighting. On the 9th we were relieved by the Sixth Corps and marched back to Boonsborough Gap. Saw my cousin, Henry Gould, one of the One Hundred Fifty-fourth New York, and learned something of the losses in his regiment. They lay right back of us in the cemetery at Gettysburg.

Major Carmichael in Command.

   Quite a number of changes were made in our corps; among them, the One Hundred Fifty-seventh squad was transferred to the second brigade of the first division. Colonel Brown took command of brigade and Major Carmichael of the regiment. This was only a temporary arrangement. We marched about five miles beyond Boonsborough.

   July 11.—Drew sixty rounds of cartridges and secured some guns for some unarmed men who returned to us from detail.

   July 12.—Marched at daylight in the direction of Hagerstown. When within two miles the regiment was deployed as skirmishers and soon met the Johnnies and a hot skirmish ensued. The Confeds ran a battery out on the gallop and shelled us with "great vigor all along the line," as the colonel used to say. Fortunately, none of the One Hundred Fifty-seventh were hit. We drove them through the town and General Custer, with his brigade of cavalry coming up, chased them still farther back toward Williamsport, where they had thrown up entrenchments. This was the first and only time I ever saw General Custer with his long yellow hair.

   We stayed in the city all day and were quartered in the town hall. The citizens seemed very glad to see us and brought out bread and butter, pie and other good things to eat.

   At night we moved back and joined the brigade not far from the old Antietam battle ground.

   The 13th we lay still all day. The 14th we marched back through Hagerstown and on to Williamsport on the Potomac, but Lee's army had gotten safely across, except a few prisoners that were taken. Another rain during the night.

   July 15.—At daylight we are on the back track again, disappointed. The men had been very anxious to press Lee's army and capture or destroy it before he crossed back into Virginia again. I have never met an enlisted man yet who was in the battle of Gettysburg who at that time did not have this great desire to pitch into Lee again and destroy his army. All wondered why Mead did not rush at him.

   We passed through Hagerstown again, and at night reached Middletown once more. It had been very hot and many fell out. We made a march between twenty-five and thirty miles.

   July 16.—As soon as daylight came we started toward Jefferson. Passed on through the town and stopped within a few miles of Harper's Ferry. W. S.

 

RESTORATION HOST, BORIS SARAFOV KILLED, ELECTRIC MULE, RECEPTION AND MUSICALE, LAST DAY TO REGISTER, AND TWO PECULIAR CASES

 

Rev. John Alexander Dowie.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, October 17, 1903

"RESTORATION HOST."

Dowie's Forces Occupied Madison Square Garden.

CAMPAIGN WILL BEGIN AT ONCE.

Mrs. Dowie Lost a $1,500 Brooch. General Overseer Denied That He Intended to Raise $50,000,000 and Was Non-Committal as to Starting a New Zion City.

   New York, Oct. 17.—The "Restoration Host," under the leadership of John Alexander Dowie, garrisoned Madison Square garden and completed preparations to sally on the works of the enemy. The first detachment numbering about 400 arrived early in the morning and the remaining trains followed during the day and evening. Leaving the ferryboats the crusaders boarded special cars which were in waiting and proceeded direct to the garden to the music of their bands and the singing of hymns.

   The general overseer himself, accompanied by his family and staff, arrived in his special train at the Grand Central station; where owing to a misunderstanding his private carriage failed to met him and he was compelled to go to the Plaza hotel in a hack.

   During the confusion of leaving the train a thief slipped into Mrs. Dowie's reception room on the car and made off with a $1,500 diamond and pearl brooch.

   From the Plaza Dr. Dowie went to the garden, where he restored order out of general confusion that prevailed and outlined his plans in an interview with the newspaper men. He denied that he intended to raise a fund of $50,000,000 while here and declined to say whether he was going to found another Zion City here.

   It is intended to begin the house-to-house visitations today and the first public service will be held in the garden on Sunday.

 

Mammoth Picture of Zion City.

   Chicago, Oct. 17.—A photograph 8 feet high by 25 feet long has been finished in this city for use at Madison Square garden, New York. The picture, which is said to be the largest photograph on record, shows Zion City, presenting every house, street and tree in the radius of two square miles. In the foreground are the dwellings and in the distance the tabernacle, hotel and storage houses. It is said to have required an especially constructed tower 161 feet high to take the view.

 

Boris Sarafov.

BORIS SARAFOFF KILLED.

Was Life and Soul of Insurgent Operations In Macedonia.

   Salonika, Oct. 17.—The report of the death of Boris Sarafoff, the famous Macedonian leader, is confirmed.

   A dispatch from Salonika Thursday said that it was reported that Boris Sarafoff was killed October 12 in a skirmish at Pruva near Florina.

   Boris Sarafoff was the life and soul of the insurgent operations in Macedonia.

   He was popularly believed to be the real instigator of the abduction of Miss Ellen M. Stone, the American missionary in September 1901, in order to procure through her ransom funds to enable the Macedonian revolutionary committee to organize the insurrection.

   In 1895 Sarafoff formed a band of desperadoes to raid Turkish territory. Since then he headed nearly 400 daring raids into Turkey.

 

Electric mule for towing boats.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Electric Mule.

   An experiment is now being made at Schenectady, N. Y., which will have an important bearing on the question now pending before the voters of the state, of expending $101,000,000 in beginning the work of deepening the Erie canal to twelve feet.

   It has been an open secret among electricians for some weeks, that the General Electric company's experts were engaged in perfecting a system of electric canal haulage which would solve the problem of handling all the traffic offered at Buffalo in barges of the present tonnage, and avoiding the enormous loss entailed by the suspension of traffic during the improvement; and incidentally saving the enormous expenditure involved.

   It has been demonstrated beyond question, and is not denied by any candid man conversant with the facts that the present Erie canal can, with an efficient haulage system, handle and lock through to tidewater all of the tonnage which reaches Buffalo from the Great Lakes. It is conceded that the present canal is not now being used to one-eighth of its capacity. Indeed, it is a historical fact that ten boats have passed eastward where one boat passes now.

   It is announced that the new system of electric canal haulage meets the requirements of efficiency, flexibility and economy, and that at the same time it will not interfere with the operations of the other effective methods of towage which have been suggested. The practical test will be watched with much interest.

 

RECEPTION AND MUSICALE

Given by Mr. and Mrs. Cobb, Mr. and Mrs. Peck and Mr. and Mrs. Murray.

   The reception and musicale given by Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Cobb, Mr. and Mrs. N. J. Peck and Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Murray in Dillon Brothers' dancing academy last evening was one of the most brilliant and enjoyable social functions of the season. The evening was especially beautiful for the time of the year; the October air was cool and exhilarating, yet warm enough to obviate the need of wraps. It was one of the evenings when summer seems to linger and all nature unites in making everything attractive.

   The assembly room presented a most attractive appearance. The decorations were typical of the season of the year and consisted of pumpkins, pumpkin blossoms, jack-o-lanterns, palms, ferns, autumn flowers, etc. All were arranged with artistic effect and many favorable comments concerning them were made during the evening.

   The reception itself was a most delightful affair and the program for the musicale one of the most enjoyable that has ever been heard in Cortland on a similar occasion. The singing by a triple quartet from Ithaca was one of the features of the evening. The selections were typical college songs and were sung as only college men can sing and they were obliged to respond again and again to enthusiastic encores.

   Mrs. Frank Corey Starr's singing was one of the most attractive features of the evening's entertainment. She has a clear, sweet, strong soprano voice, true, highly cultivated and sympathetic, and she sang the several selections with unusual feeling and expression. She delighted the entire audience, and was enthusiastically applauded.

   Mrs. Hawkins' recitations were very well received, the selection, "The Man and the Gun," being especially effective. She was obliged to respond to a hearty encore.

   Miss Wilhelmina Newkirk as a violinist is too well known to Cortland audiences to need comment. Her violin solo was one, of the most enjoyable numbers on the program and she, too, responded to an encore.

   The program in full was as follows:

 

   After the program cards and dancing were indulged in, Dillon Brothers' orchestra furnished fine music for the latter.

   Among the guests present from out of town were: Mr. and Mrs. Peter D. Muller and daughter Miss Jennie Muller, Mrs. Aletta Stevens, Mr. and Mrs. William Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Frank L. Hilton and Miss Martha Van Hoesen of Truxton; Mr. and Mrs. Tallcott of De Ruyter, Mrs. Simeon Smith of Ithaca, Mrs. Charles M. Turner of Binghamton and Mrs. Minard.

 

Harvest Supper Saturday.

    The Neoscoleta Rebekah lodge will hold a Harvest supper in the Vesta lodge rooms, Saturday night from 5 until 8 o'clock. The menu is Boston baked beans, corn beef, Johnny cake, white bread, pickles, apple sauce, pies, molasses cake, fried cakes, cheese, tea and coffee. Supper 15 cents. Esmeralda’s Art gallery, on its way to St. Louis, will be on exhibition in the lodge rooms. Admission 10 cents. Children under 10 years free. Souvenirs will be given. Good music will be in attendance.

 

A Deep Well.

   The deepest well in central or western New York was just completed on the heights of Watkins at an elevation of 700 feet above the sea level, and some 250 feet above the level of Seneca lake. The drill penetrated the earth to the depth of 3,400 feet and the operations ceased in the red shale of the Onondaga salt group which was permeable to water.

 

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

LAST DAY OF REGISTRATION.

At Close of Third Day Rolls Show Decrease of 143.

   This is the last day for registration and every man who is qualified to vote and has not registered should make it his first business to do so.

   Except in the Fifth ward, the total registration is not equal to that of last year. The first day for registration was very rainy, which accounts for the small number registered on that day. The other two days have been fully up to the average of other years and in instances better, yet the fact remains that the number registered at the close of the third day's registration is not equal to the number enrolled on the registry books at the close of the corresponding day of last year, The voter who has not registered should not wait for some one to send or come for him, but should attend to the matter for himself and that immediately.

   The total registration up to today is as follows:

   First ward, registered yesterday, 105; total registration to date, 259; total at close of third day last year 298.

   Second ward, registered yesterday, 136; total 357, last year 369.

   Third ward, registered yesterday 104; total, 364, last year 392.

   Fourth ward, registered yesterday 85, total 268, last year 275.

   Fifth ward, registered yesterday 137, total 360, year ago 332.

   Sixth ward registered yesterday 100, total 312, last year 397.

   Total registration for three days 1,920; registrations for three days last year, 2,063; difference 143.

 

TWO PECULIAR CASES

Reported by Local Physicians at the Medical Meeting.

   The Cortland County Medical association came together Friday afternoon at Dr. Neary's office for its regular monthly meeting.

   Dr. Sornberger reported a case of pleuritia effusion in Bright's disease, the unusual feature of the case being the great amount of fluid taken from the pleural (right and left) cavities. In all, nine gallons were removed at fourteen different times, from April to July, 1903, inclusive. The patient is still living and much improved.

   Dr. Neary reported a case of cerebral abscess in a young man 24 years old. Ten days ago this patient was comatose, pupils not responding to light, Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Last Wednesday he was operated on at the City hospital and pus was removed from the near base of the brain and up to the present time [he] is doing well.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The new display advertisements today are—Buck & Lane, Baking exhibit, page 5.

   —The registration booths will be closed for the last time at 9 o'clock tonight. If you are not registered by that time you cannot vote. Don't omit it, register at once.

   —The Normal second football team won from Marathon on Athletic field in the rain and mud this afternoon by the score of 16 to 0. Touchdowns were made by Schermerhorn, Washburn and Bartholomew. Gale kicked one goal [15+1, CC ed.].

   —The poem entitled "Consecration" by an unknown author which appears at the head of the "Sunday afternoon" column today, is the one quoted by Rev. Robert Clements at the King's Daughters' convention on Thursday night. It is well worth reading.

   —At a meeting of the junior and senior classes of Syracuse university yesterday it was decided not to permit the freshmen and sophomores to smoke upon the university campus. The two upper classes will enforce the rule and it is understood that the faculty approve of it.

 

ALASKA-CANADA BOUNDARY COMMISSION, NO VOTE TAKEN YET, NO USE FOR CANAL, KING'S DAUGHTERS, ITHACA WATER, AND HENS ARE PROFITABLE

 

Elihu Root.

Lord Roberts.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, October 16, 1903.

ALASKAN COMMISSION.

London Advertiser Says American Case So Conceded.

DINNER OF PILGRIM SOCIETY.

Notable Gathering of Englishmen, Americans and Canadians—Speech of Lord Alverstone, Lord Lansdowne and Commissioners Turner and Sifton—Root on Army Reform.

   London, Oct. 16.—The Morning Advertiser announces that it regrets to learn from a source which it regards as beyond question that the decision of the Alaska boundary tribunal virtually concedes the American case.

   The Morning Advertiser, which appears to be thoroughly satisfied with the reliability of its statements, says the news will be received in Canada with consternation. It gives a map and detailed explanation showing how the decision will affect Canada and adds that those who have followed the arguments have been thoroughly satisfied with Hon. Clifford Sifton's preparation and presentation of the case.

Dinner of Pilgrims' Society.

   London, Oct. 16.—The dinner given by the Pilgrims' society to the Alaskan Boundary commission at Claridge's hotel last night proved the most notable assemblage of Englishmen, Americans and Canadians ever brought together in London. In addition to the members of the commission, the British cabinet ministers, the American ambassador and the most prominent representatives of English public life were present.

   Field Marshal Lord Roberts presided. On his right sat Ambassador Choate and on his left Lord Chief Justice Alverstone. Lord Lansdowne, Sir Louis Jette, Sir Stanley Clarke, the king's equerry, and Secretary Elihu Root sat at the same table, while the other guests were distributed at small tables around the room.

   Lord Roberts proposed the health of King Edward and President Roosevelt in a united toast. He then proposed "The Alaska Boundary Commission," to which Lord Alverstone replied, saying that the meeting of the commissioners would stand as a monument of the feeling evinced in America and Great Britain to settle their differences by a common sense method.

   Former United States Senator Turner and the Hon. Clifford Sifton, Canadian interior minister, answered for their respective countries, the latter saying that no greater crime could be conceived against human nature than trouble between Great Britain and the United States.

   Proposing the health of the Anglo-Saxon race, Foreign Secretary Lord Lansdowne claimed that it had done more than any other nationality to promote the arts and literature and just and equal government. He predicted that the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race would be found working shoulder to shoulder in the future, saying that the countries must have our little differences from time to time, but an appeal to force was unthinkable.

Greater Than Venezuelan Case.

   His lordship referred to the fact that eight countries were joining in the Venezuelan arbitration and the pleasure derived from signing the Anglo-French arbitration treaty, but the Alaskan tribunal, he declared, was by far the most important example of that principle. Lord Lansdowne proceeded:

   "In whatever part of the world the Anglo-Saxon race may be distributed there rises a prayer that the present tribunal may find a final and friendly solution of the Alaskan difficulty, so that whoever hereafter holds the office I am unworthy to fill will be able to put his hand down and say we have or we have not this part of the North American continent without discord and without discussion."

   Secretary Root closed the dinner with a notable speech proposing the health of Lord Roberts as the commander-in-chief of the British army. Mr. Root referred to the endeavor to promote army reform on both sides of the Atlantic.

   The American people, he said, had inherited from Great Britain the ingrained distrust of a standing army. Mr. Root said that by the creation of a general staff he hoped the United States had solved the problem of reconciling civil and military expert opinion which had been the cause of much difficulty and he trusted that Great Britain would be similarly fortunate.

   There cannot be a more genuine and hearty feeling of good will than exists among the people of the United States for Canada he said.

   After remarking that Canada had learned how colonies should be properly treated by the lesson of the American revolution, Mr. Root said he was proud to put the American army side by side with the British army.

   Lord Roberts briefly thanked Secretary Root and the proceedings then ended.

 

NO VOTE YET TAKEN.

Report Merely Forecasts What is Believed will be the Result.

   London, Oct. 16.—John W. Foster, counsel for the United States before the Alaskan Boundary commission, denies the report published by the Morning Advertiser that the judges had decided the question in favor of America. No vote has yet been taken. Mr. Foster says the case will probably not be decided before next week.

   The Advertiser announcement, however, reflects what is generally believed will be the final result.

   The St. James Gazette this afternoon, while denying that a decision has been reached, says:

   "There is, however, growing pessimism in Canadian circles. The chief matter at issue in the case is possession of a tract on the Klondike gold field border, in which the cities of Dyea and Skagway are embraced. These places, settled by gold hunters from the United States, have been under American control by the terms of the modus vivendi.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

No Use for Canal.

   If the barge canal was in actual operation, shippers living close to the canal would doubtless make some use of it where the article shipped was not of a perishable character and where the time when the article reached its destination was of no importance. The conditions mentioned greatly limit the availability of the canal to shippers living in close proximity to it. But there is a further limitation, viz: the fact that the canal cannot operate for more than seven months in each year at best.

   Why should people living remote from the line of the canal burden themselves with the construction of a barge canal, even if it might benefit those living in its immediate vicinity?

   Manifestly the people of this state do not need this canal. There are now operating between Buffalo and New York four great railways, viz: the New York Central, Delaware, Lackawanna & Western, the Lehigh Valley, and the Erie. These great roads, with their connecting lines and feeders, together with many other smaller roads interlace the state, so that nearly every town and hamlet in the state is in close touch with some road willing and anxious to handle any merchandize requiring shipment.

   It should be borne in mind that nearly every product that the farmers of this state have to ship are of a perishable character, and therefore should be sent by the most expeditious route. If it is claimed that the middleman, and not the farmer, usually handles the products that the farmer has to sell, then we say the middleman would be influenced by the same considerations, and ship from railroad stations most accessible to the farmer of whom he buys, and the product, whether hay, cabbage, potatoes or otherwise, would be billed direct to the market had in view and, breaking bulk would in almost every instance be avoided. The middleman watches the market and when he deems the market satisfactory, he places his goods upon it at the earliest moment, thus getting an early return for his investment.

   In almost every town dealers are shipping live stock to market, but the necessity of getting them speedily to their destination and in good condition would preclude their using the canal, even if they lived in a canal town. Why should farmers, middleman and merchants be taxed to pay for a barge canal that they could not afford to use, even if it was in operation? No one has or can give a sufficient reason for burdening the state with the cost of a barge canal.

 

THE KING'S DAUGHTERS

Hold the Closing Session of the State Convention.

   The annual state convention of The King's Daughters was brought to a successful termination last evening after a session of three days. The convention was one of the most interesting and instructive that has been held in the history of the order. There was a large number of delegates present and every session was well attended.

   Just before the close of the afternoon session yesterday the result of the election was announced and the following offices named for the coming year: Mrs. D. H. Laird of Woodville, state secretary; Mrs. Randall of Avoca, recording secretary; and Mrs. Cotton of Waterville, treasurer.

   The session last evening was opened by devotional exercises conducted by Rev. Robert Clements of Cortland.

   The committee on resolutions next reported. The resolutions were in the form of a vote of thanks to the people of Cortland who had entertained them; to the First Baptist church; to the Cortland clergymen and to the officers of the convention.

   Miss Baldwin of Buffalo delighted the audience with a highly pleasing solo, after which Mrs. O. H. Laird, the state secretary, made her annual address. She took as her subject, "The Influence of a Life."

   The address was full of advice to the visiting delegates and contained many thoughts and ideas that they could carry home with them for the various circles which they represented. She said in part: "Each and every one of us casts a shadow. This shadow is our own influence and counts either for good or for evil and shows what we ourselves really are. We cannot live without influencing others. Every one with whom we come in contact is affected by us in some way. We fail to realize the tremendous power of our influence which is all the more potent because we are unconscious of it. Our unconscious lives and acts count for far more than all the words we can ever utter. What are we as King's Daughters in our secret souls? I wish we might have a heart searching time and really know ourselves. Many of us instead of praying for power pray only that we may be clean. Let us realize that we cannot preach any more of Christ than we have in us, and only Christlike character will win this Christlike power."

   Mrs. Laird then referred to the lives of Rev. Dr. Francis Bottome and Dr. Frank Bottome as examples of the influence of a noble life. She closed with a touching tribute to Mrs. Bottome, the "Mother" of the order, and the International president.

   Mrs. Bottome conducted a consecration service, after which the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Robert Clements.

   The next convention will be held in Jamestown.

 

THE ITHACA WATER.

Dr. Chamot Differs from the Board of Health.

   Notwithstanding the declarations of the Ithaca board of health that the water proceeding from the new filtering plant is still bad, Dr. Chamot, the expert, has submitted a report of examinations of samples of water taken at the Water Company's filter plant on five successive days last week, showing an average efficiency for the five days of 99.73 per cent. In a letter to a citizen Dr. Chamot, according to the Ithaca Democrat, says:

   "In my opinion the water from the East Hill reservoir is unquestionably safe."

   The same paper also says: "The analysis of the city water purification plant shows between 98 and 99 per cent proficiency for all filters now in operation, and an entire absence of fecal organism, and the water is pronounced pure and wholesome and absolutely fit for domestic purposes."

   The Ithaca Journal is highly indignant at this action of the board of health and says:

   "It marks the culmination of a policy of passion, prejudice and crass ignorance never before known in the history of our little city.

   "It stamps the men who voted for this resolution as totally unfit for the responsible place to which they have been appointed.

   "We have the spectacle of sworn officials of the city deliberately conspiring to ruin the business interests of this city in order that they may do some injury to the Water Works company.

   "We have the spectacle of city officials refusing to give an analysis of the water they sell to the citizens, and refusing to accept the analysis of Chemist Chamot, of the water from the filtration plant."

   Dr. Chamot, who pronounced the water now supplied "perfectly safe for all household purposes," is assistant professor of chemistry in Cornell university and has been recognized as one competent to speak of the purity of the "water supply of Ithaca. Why his evidence should be practically condemned as incompetent at this time is difficult to understand.

   The turn of affairs is certainly unfortunate. Ithaca has already suffered terribly in wealth and reputation, and just when relief from previous unfortunate conditions seemed assured the action of the health board is, to say the least, a sad setback.

   If the water now being supplied Ithacans is not pure under the new arrangement it is time the board of health is doing something to make it pure.

 

Hens are Profitable.

   As a result of an experiment with three flocks aggregating 1,250 hens, the Cornell university station found the average cost of feeding a hen per year to be 99 cents. The average value of eggs at the market rate exceeded the cost of food by $1.31. The total yearly production per hen averaged 1,286 eggs, and the average cost per dozen of eggs was 92 cents.—Ithaca Democrat.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Tomorrow is the last day to register. No registration, no vote. The registration booths will also be open until 9 o'clock tonight. Register tonight. Don't wait for tomorrow.

   —Matt Weeks of Cortland R. F. D., No. 5, has some Rhode Island Greening apples this year which are marvelous in size. Two of them selected at random from a crate weighed three-quarters of a pound each.

   The Cortland Science club will hold its regular meeting tomorrow night at 8 o'clock at the Hatch library. The speaker will be A. J. Murray and his subject will be "The Great Lakes." The paper of the previous meeting will be reviewed by Prof. F. R. Parker.

   —The new display advertisements today are—E. H. Seferian, Oriental rugs, page 5; Opera House, "A Little Outcast," page 5; S. Simmons,  Great clothing sale, page 8; R. W. Mitchell, Best meats, page 5; Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., Teas, coffees, etc., page 8; Randall & Rauch, Concert night, page 6; Syracuse Trust Co., Bank account, page 8.