WAR REMINISCENCES CHAPTER 35

 

Captain Frank Place, Comapny C, 157th Regiment, New York Volunteers.

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

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, September 12, 1903.

WAR REMINISCENCES.

By Captain Saxton of the I57th Regiment, N. Y. Vols.

ALL HURRYING TO GETTYSBURG.

The One Hundred Fifty Seventh Placed in a Strong Position—Confederates Secure Some Advantageous Points—Relative Strength of the Two Armies—Confederates Eager for Battle.

CHAPTER 35.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir—The two other divisions, Robinson's and Rowley's, of the First Corps came up about 12 o'clock. Robinson's second brigade, Baxter's, formed on Seminary ridge, his right resting on the Mommasburg road and his left connecting with Cutler's brigade of Wadsworth's division. Paul's brigade was placed in reserve at the Seminary. One brigade of Rowley's division was placed on Meredith's right, and the other was placed in the rear as a reserve and support. About this time General Howard arrived upon the field and took command, although Gen. Howard in his lecture here on Gettysburg says he arrived at Gettysburg between 9 and 10 o'clock in advance of his Corps and at the time of Reynolds' death he was up in the cupola of the Pennsylvania college viewing the fight through his field glass. I remember distinctly when General Howard and his staff passed us on the road from Emmetsburg to Gettysburg. At that time he seemed in quite a hurry. I do not know the time of day, but it was about the time we learned they were engaged in front. They took to the fields were they could, so as not to obstruct the road for the infantry.

   On the Confederate side, Hill placed Heth's division in advance again, having brought up Pettigrew's and Brockenbrough's fresh brigades, supported by Pender's division. Ewell's Corps was coming in from the north from Heidlersburg on the Carlisle and Harrisburg roads.

Hurrying to the Front.

   We, the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York, and the Eleventh Corps left Emmetsburg at 7 a. m. It rained for a short time after we started. It soon turned hot and sultry. We marched toward Gettysburg. On the way a courier arrived from Reynolds saying they were engaged in front and asked the Corps to hurry on to their relief. We started forward as fast as we could go, and in order to facilitate matters Schurz's and Steinwehr's divisions crossed over to the Taneytown road, and the Corp advanced on Gettysburg along both the Emmetsburg and Taneytown roads. This made our distance 13 miles or more. When within a mile or so of town, we heard the boom of cannon and were started on the double quick. The infantry took the sides of the roads and the artillery on the gallop took the middle.

   What an exciting rush that was! We had been pushed forward for the last six or seven miles as fast as we could go, no halts for rest during the whole forenoon and now, when ready to drop in our tracks by the wayside for weariness, the roar of the cannon roused our exhausted energies and we started forward at increased speed. If a man fell out, no attention was paid him, but we rushed on. It is a remarkable fact, however, that almost every man was in his place. In fact, I do not know of a single man falling out of company C. Our previous campaigning had eliminated that class of boys from our company and regiment.

   We rushed down through the town taking the sidewalks, the artillery taking the center of the streets. Ladies were standing at their gates with wonderfully eager faces, encouraging us by words and smiles.

In Position on the Field.

   Captain Place occasionally stopped and shook hands with an acquaintance that he had formed the winter of 1862-3 when the unmounted Tenth New York cavalry had been there. We rushed out past the Pennsylvania college building and swung into line to the north of the town, as each regiment came up, our left resting on the Mummasburg road. Our brigade was the left brigade and the One Hundred and Fifty-seventh New York was the left regiment of the Corps, as we had been marching left in front that day.

   When General Howard by seniority of rank took command of the field after Reynolds’ death our division commander, General Schurz, took command of the Eleventh Corps and our brigade commander, General Schimmelfennig, took command of the division, and Colonel Von Amsburg of the Forty-fifth New York took command of the brigade.

   Gen, Howard halted Steinwehrs’ division on Cemetery Hill just south of town and arranged them across the Baltimore pike and Taneytown and Emmetsburg roads, where these roads concentrated and faced them to the north as a reserve. He placed Weidreich's New York battery on higher ground a little to the right.

Strong Position Selected.

   It was a very fortunate thing as subsequent events proved that Gen. Howard, as he rode over this ground in the morning in coming to town, noticed its strong position, and had already seen that this was the proper place to fight the battle. Hence the detaining of Steinwehr's division to hold the position.

   Schurz intended to rush the Eleventh Corps forward and connect with Robinson's division of the First Corps on Oak Ridge, but before he could get there Rhodes' Confederate division of Ewell's Corps, whose movements had been masked behind the woods, appeared on the coveted spot, and Schurz was compelled to form our Corps in the meadows, pastures and wheat fields of the lower lands before reaching the hills. The One-Hundred and Fifty-Seventh New York was the leading regiment of the division. Company C was now the ranking company and was on the right of the regiment. We were on the north side of the Mummasburg road, then came the Seventy-fourth Pennsylvania on our right and the Sixty-first Ohio on its right extending to the Carlisle road. The Forty-fifth New York and Eighty-second Illinois were formed in our rear. The other brigade of our division was also formed in two lines still further to the right and extended across the Carlisle road. Then came Ames' and Von Gilsa's brigades of Barlow's division continuing the extension northeast and east to Rock Creek.

Recapitulation of Position.

   To recapitulate, the Union lines commenced on the Hagerstown road where it crosses Willoughby Run nearly two miles southwest of Gettysburg. Gamble's cavalry was stationed there. Then came the First Corps west and along Seminary ridge to the Mummasburg road, facing west; then, with some little break and a half a mile back came the two divisions of the Eleventh Corps at right angles facing north from the Mummasburg road to Rock creek.

   Just a word now as to the strength of the opposing forces. Both Hill and Ewell had each one division absent from the fight.

Relative Strength.

   There was no Confederate cavalry present. Hill had thirty-five infantry regiments present and Ewell had thirty-six. Seventy-one in all, or 27,300 infantry and artillery.

   The Union side had fifty regiments of infantry and Buford's small division of cavalry, or 18,400 infantry, cavalry and artillery.

   We, the One Hundredth and Fifty-seventh New York of the Eleventh Corps, arrived on the field between 12 and 1 o'clock, exhausted by our forced marches, and as fast as a regiment came up it formed into line as above stated. It was probably 2 o'clock before the Corps was all up, but the Confederates were not inclined to wait until all their entertainers arrived. Ewell's Corps had camped at Heidlersburg, eleven miles from Gettysburg, and they arrived a little ahead of us. As I said before, Rhodes' division had taken position on Oak hill, that we so badly wanted, and had the advantage of position as well as numbers. He had placed his artillery in the most favorable positions so as to enfilade Wadsworth's line. As Rhodes' infantry advanced, they struck the right flank of the First Corps and Hill, seeing Ewell engaged, moved his Corps forward to the attack and the whole line of the First Corps became hotly engaged.

   In moving forward Iverson's and O'Neal's Confederate brigades, Iverson struck Baxter's brigade of Robinson's division of the First Corps and were badly repulsed, Iverson losing about a thousand men in prisoners. The Ninety-Seventh New York with only 255 present captured the colors of the Twentieth North Carolina and 293 men—thirty-eight men more than it had in its own ranks.

   Ramseur's brigade was brought up to reinforce Iverson and O'Neal. Robinson of the First Corps brought forward his only reserve brigade—Paul's—and the contest was fiercely renewed, General Paul losing both eyes; O'Neal swung around Paul's right, compelling him to change positions and face the north. General Hill advanced Heth's division, supported by Pender's against that part of the First Corps south of Chambersburg pike. Petttgrew's large brigade overlapped Meredith's "Iron Brigade" on their left and forced it back on Biddle's brigade in reserve in the rear. The Twenty-sixth North Carolina regiment was Pettigrew's right regiment. It was a large regiment, as large as some of our brigades—820 strong. As it swung around the left of Meredith it came in contact with Biddle's brigade, which proceeded to inflict upon it the greatest loss of any regiment, either Union or Confederate in the battle.

   W. S.

 

WORD INFLATION

 

Recently we read that there are 1,400 new word entries in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. We need them as much as we need inflation. It’s time to go in the opposite direction and subtract words.

Listen to our politicians speak and you will know all about word clutter. Some people call it double-speak but we contend that there is a classic misuse of words. The end result is repetition and obfuscation. Noisy elected people seem to be the worst practitioners, as most listeners are baffled by an assortment of new words, and traditional English, science, math, and biology are corrupted by substituted postulates and words. A common two-syllable word describes the practice.

In subtracting words from the dictionary we don’t intend to start an avalanche. One word at a time, thank you.  

 

 

TURKISH ATROCITIES, TURKISH DENIALS, POPULATION GROWTH, SCIENCE CLUB, NARROW ESCAPE, IMPERSONATIONS, AND FAMILY REUNION IN TRUXTON, N. Y.

 

Magazine illustration of Macedonian refugees crossing into Bulgaria.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, September 12, 1903.

TURKISH ATROCITIES.

Fugitives Slaughtered Near the Bulgarian Frontier.

ALBANIANS BURN AND MURDER.

Fears For the Christians In Constantinople—Mussulmans Excited by Accounts of Bulgarians Dynamiting Trains and Blowing Up the Steamboat Vaskapu on the Black Sea.

   Sofia, Sept. 12.—The revolutionary headquarters here has received from Burgas news of fearful atrocities committed by the Turkish and Albanian soldiers in the vilayet of Adrianople.

   A squadron of Turkish cavalry which has been operating near the Bulgarian frontier has intercepted and slaughtered 60 fugitives attempting to cross into Bulgaria.

   The whole district of Losengred is filled with Albanian troops who are burning villages and massacring the inhabitants. They have killed over 100 persons. Eighty families fleeing from various villages towards the frontier have been literally cut to pieces.

   A large body of infantry and cavalry, with three mountain batteries, attacked an insurgent band in the mountains above Vasililo and lost 20 killed and many wounded.

 

TURKISH DENIAL.

Embassy in London Declare It Is the Bulgarians Who Burn Villages.

   London, Sept. 12.—The powers are evidently exerting pressure both at Constantinople and Sofia to avert a Turco-Bulgarian war, apparently with some temporary success; but meantime an increasingly terrible tale of atrocities committed in Macedonia shows the situation is daily becoming aggravated.

   The news that a French squadron is going to the Levant is also considered ominous and this step by the French government will probably be followed by similar action on the part of the other powers.

   The Turkish embassy in London, in its denial issued daily, of Turkish atrocities today declare it to be "absolutely false that Ottoman troops are burning villages, the truth being that it is the Bulgarians, who at the approach of the troops use explosives to burn the villages before leaving them and then accuse the Turkish troops of such abominable deeds."

   The same communication maintains that there were only eight persons killed and 15 wounded in the affray at Beirut and that many fugitives to the Lebanon are returning to their homes.

 

Agitation in Constantinople.

   Paris, Sept. 12.—Reports received by the foreign office here from Constantinople say there is renewed agitation among the Mussulmans within the city and fears are expressed of a possible Mussulman attack on the Christian population. This agitation followed the appearance in the Turkish papers of accounts of the Bulgarians dynamiting trains and blowing up  the steamboat Vaskapu.

   The official report says the Mussulmans are eager to avenge the outrages and states the feeling is so intense that if the Bulgarians commit further destruction the Mussulmans are likely to take redress by attacking the Christian population.

 

Bulgarians Lost Heavily.

   Salonika, Sept. 12.—Accordlng to official reports, one hundred and three Bulgarians were killed in a fight at Resna on Wednesday. Severe fighting has taken place at several other points.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Growth of Population.

   A fresh bulletin issued by the [United States] census bureau makes some interesting deductions from the census figures of three years ago. It shows that our increase in population during the ten years between 1900 and 1890 was 20.7 per cent, which is a higher rate than can be claimed by any other civilized country in the world, with the one exception of Argentina. It is twice as high as the average rate in Europe. The greatest growth by groups is that credited to the Rocky Mountain states; the smallest progress is charged against the northern central states which profited less than the rest of the country from their birth rate or from immigration. It is also worth noting that in this one decade the growth of population in the southern states exceeded the growth in the northern. It is to be regretted that the census bureau, says the Brooklyn Eagle, can submit no statistics showing the relative value to the country of the various classes of immigrants that are dumped on American soil mainly by way of Ellis Island. They form a large proportion in the estimate of each year's additions to our population. We involuntarily or reluctantly take them into account when we consider the constantly increasing size of the nation. Many of them are undesirable citizens and will bequeath to us au undesirable progeny. Others, again, reach here with no better purpose than to accumulate a little money with which to return whence they came.

   In the face of these people we cannot shut the door, because their uselessness to us is not to be proved at the immigration office. The acknowledged presence of them here should serve, however, to moderate the enthusiasm with which we are accustomed to regard the figures and statistics periodically presented for our consideration by the census bureau.

 

SCIENCE CLUB.

Lecture by Dr. F. W. Higgins—Subject, "X Rays and Radio Active Bodies."

   At the meeting of the Cortland Science club last Saturday night, Dr. F. W. Higgins spoke on "X-Rays and Radio-active Bodies." This lecture made a very auspicious opening for the Science club for the year of 1903-04. Dr. Higgins is the veteran scientist of the club and he naturally selected the most difficult subject of the year. "X-Rays and Radio-active Bodies" is a subject of great interest and of practical value, and it has the charm of uncertainty and sublimity about it which renders investigation of absorbing interest.

   The X-Ray is one of the products of electricity. The name X-Rays was given it because it was not known what was the nature of the rays and so they were given the algebraic symbol of the unknown quantity.

   The doctor showed an X-Ray tube to the members of the club and explained its use. Roentgen discovered their photographic activity in 1893. A few years later the Becquerel rays were discovered. These are the invisible rays given off by uranium.

   French scientists in studying uranium and the different rays discovered the presence of a still more energetic radio-active body. With infinite trouble this new substance was separated and named radium. It has proved to be a most surprising element. It is described by the doctor as an X-Ray tube in the open air.

   The study of radium has let in a flood of light on our conceptions of the nature of electricity. It looks as if the atomic theory of matter is to be overturned. The atom is described as the smallest quantity of an element that can exist. It is indivisible and indestructible.

   But now the X-Rays and radium scientists are telling us about electrons whose diameters are a minute fraction of the atom. For example, if a drop of water was magnified to the size of the earth, an atom of hydrogen would be the size of an orange, and an electron would be the size of the smallest needle point, less than one-two hundredth in diameter.

   In the next place, we know that physics is built upon the foundation of the conservation of energy. It says: "Energy can not be created: it can not be destroyed." Radium seems to be an exception to the law. It gives off X-Rays continually and maintains itself at 3 degrees Fahrenheit above its environment, furnishing heat enough to melt its own weight of ice in an hour. This it does without any chemical changes, without any measurable loss, without any outside influence and apparently forever.

   Radium is an extremely rare element. Not more than a teaspoonful has been manufactured, yet a half million dollars would not purchase it.

   The doctor secured a specimen of radium from Philadelphia and exhibited it to the members of the Science club. It has a very brilliant sparkle in the dark.

   Mr. Edison's ideas of radium were quoted as follows:

   Mr. Edison's theory eliminates this contradiction of accepted natural laws, and indicates the possibility that the energy emitted by radium is merely reflected, as it were, from some unknown source.

   "I have made extensive experiments with the Roentgen ray and with radium, and have come to the conclusion that these new substances are not the sources of energy, but are rendered fluorescent by the action of same hitherto undetected ether vibration or ray.

   "My theory of radio-activity is that the rays which the new elements emit are set up in the same way, the substances being rendered fluorescent by some form of ether vibration, which is undoubtedly all-pervading but has not yet been isolated or measured, and which may have some extra planetary origin. To accept any other theory is to declare one's belief in perpetual motion, in getting something for nothing.

   "I believe my theory is capable of proof, but I shall be content to let some one else prove it. I am through for all time with experiments in radio-activity. Two of my assistants have been maimed for life by their close association with the Roentgen rays, and I myself have one eye badly out of focus and am suffering from severe stomach disturbances from the same cause. The new dark room laboratory, which I have just completed for such experiments, will remain unused or be converted to some other use."

   The doctor exhibited a number of photographs taken by the X-Rays in his medical experience. Photographs of the dislocation of bones, of bullets as the result of gun shot wounds, and of coins swallowed by a child were shown and explained. X-Rays have been successfully used in the treatment of cancer, eczema and other diseases. Stripped of all scientific terms the X-Rays photograph is based upon the principle that X-Rays are very short and pass through all substances to a greater or less degree according to the density of the subject. It takes from two to five minutes to take a photograph of the hand, accordingly to the force of the electric current.

 

A NARROW ESCAPE.

Coach Nearly Run Down by a New York Central Train.

   Arthur R. Peck, brother of F. J. Peck of this city and a former resident, was one of a party of nine upon Dr. J. L. Wentz' coach "Faugh-a-Ballah" which came within three feet of being run down by a New York Central locomotive in front of the Yates hotel in Syracuse at 1:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The coach had just pulled out of Montgomery-st., from the Yates' side entrance and turned into Railroad-st. and was not fully under control when a train approached from the east. The engineer stopped the train within three feet of the big coach. The party was badly scared.

 

Will Give Impersonations.

   Mr. Benjamin A. Nichols, who has on several occasions in the past, delighted Cortland audiences with his impersonations, will on Wednesday evening, Sept. 16, render "The Sprightly Romance of Marsac" for the benefit of the King's Daughters in John L. Lewis lodge rooms.

   Mr. Nichols will be assisted by the Misses Rynders in violin and piano duets, and Mr. Grenville Bowker, baritone soloist.

   Tickets are on sale at McKinney & Doubleday's store and may also be obtained of the ladies.

 

Family Reunion in Truxton, N. Y.

   A pleasant family reunion was held on Tuesday last at the home of James Smith of Truxton. The day, though cool, was fair and a good many were present from out of town. The guest of honor was Charles H. King of Metomen, Wis., who is visiting friends and relatives in this state after an absence of thirty years. Covers were laid for forty, and after the usual greeting the guests partook of the bountiful and pleasing viands that only farmers know how to prepare and serve. The day was most enjoyably spent and pleasant reminiscences were frequent of other similar occasions.

   One Who Was There.

 

BREVITIES.

   —There will be dancing at Cortland park tonight.

   —The Binghamton high school registered 543 students this year.

   —Fifty automobiles participated in the automobile parade in Syracuse last night in connection with the State fair.

   —There will be a special meeting of the Ladies of the Maccabees in the K. O. T. M. club rooms Monday night at 7:30.

   —The corner stone of the addition to the Memorial Baptist church will be laid at 6:30 o'clock next Tuesday evening, Sept, 15.

   —The new display advertisements today are—C. F. Brown, Hand mirrors, page 6; F. E. Brodgen, Toilet paper, page 6.

   —A valuable cow belonging to E. J. Buchanan, who lives on the Gulf road was killed by lightning during Thursday evening's storm.

   —B. H. Barton of Alleghany, Pa., will speak at the W. C. T. U. rooms tonight on "God's Plans and Purposes Concerning the Future."

   —There will be a regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. in the rooms on Tuesday afternoon, Sept, 15, at 2:45 o'clock. A large attendance is desired as business of importance is to be brought before the meeting.

   —A regular meeting of Tioughnioga chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be held with Mrs. N. H. Gillette, 20 West Court-st., on Monday afternoon. Members are requested to come at 2:30 o'clock sharp so as to make plans for "Chapter day."

 

SUNDAY FILLER: SCHEHERAZADE

 

MEETING OF DRUGGISTS, H. C. RANDALL RETIRES, MEDICAL SOCIETY, LIGHTNING'S WORK, AND DR. CARPENTER THROWN FROM A WHEEL

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, September 11, 1903.

MEETING OF DRUGGISTS

Of Three Counties Beside the Waters of Little York Lake.

   The meeting of the Tri-County Pharmaceutical association including Cayuga, Tompkins and Cortland counties was held at Little York yesterday. Cortland, acting as host, met their fellow druggists at the station and, after friendly greetings, conducted them to the York Hotel, where carriages were in waiting to conduct them to the hospitable Hotel De Raymond on the shores of Little York lake. After a bountiful dinner had been disposed of the druggists congregated at the water's edge under the shade of the willows where the visiting druggists were welcomed in well turned words by B. C. Quick, who spoke in behalf of the Cortland druggists. Voicing the sentiments of the assembled medicine men he asked D. W. Burdick of Ithaca to act as chairman. Mr. Burdick called upon A. H. Hamilton of Auburn, J. B. Todd of Ithaca and Dr. H. D. Hunt of Preble for remarks and all responded in a most felicitous style.

   I. E. Nichols of Cortland was the poet of the occasion and read an original poem which so largely concerned the druggists present that it decidedly brought down the house. A copy of the manuscript has been secured and it will be published soon for the edification of their friends who are anxious to learn all possible about the members of this association.

   After a pleasant afternoon beside the lake, as well as in many cases on the lake, the meeting adjourned, having accepted the invitation of Ithaca for the next place of meeting.

   Those present were D. W. Burdick, Fred Blackmer, J. T. Egbert, A. B. Brooks, J. G. Brooks and J. B. Todd of Ithaca; F. D. Lewis, M. D. Culver, A. H. Hamilton, Edw. McGovern, W. G. Odell, A. L. Smith and W. H. Signor of Auburn; J. W. Carr, Freeville; Charles Rhodes, Groton; C. A. Watson, Homer; H. D. Hunt, Preble; J. C. Wiegand, Truxton; and G. W. Bradford, Fred I. Graham, C. F. Brown, B. C. Quick, A. F. Sager, Geo. I. Watson and W. H. McGraw of Cortland.

 

H. C. RANDALL RETIRES

As Chief Train Dispatcher—Former Resident of Cortland.

   Henry Clinton Randall, a one-time Cortland boy, now chief train dispatcher on the Lackawanna railroad on the Utica and Syracuse divisions with headquarters at Syracuse, has resigned from the service after nineteen years in the train dispatching department of the road. Mr. Randall's resignation becomes effective on Nov. 1. He entered the railroad's employ as operator at Cortland and was promoted to be a dispatcher at Syracuse. Two years ago when Trainmaster G. C. Ferris was promoted to his present position from chief dispatcher, Mr. Randall was appointed to succeed him. Mr. Randall's health is impaired and he intends to recruit [sic] at his farm in Lisle, Broome county. Mr. Randall's successor has not been named.

 

MEDICAL SOCIETY

Of Cortland County Held its Quarterly Meeting Thursday Afternoon.

   The regular quarterly meeting of the Cortland County Medical society was held in the supervisors' rooms yesterday afternoon. In addition to the routine business papers which formed the basis for profitable discussions were read as follows:

   Fractures of the Leg and Their Complications, Dr. Henry Field, Marathon, N. Y.

   The Tendency of Modern Medicine and Surgery, Dr. S. J. Sornberger.

   Appendicitis, Dr. F. W. Higgins.

   A resolution was adopted setting forth the benefits to be derived from a consolidation of the State Medical society and the Medical association of the State of New York and urging the officers of the two societies to use their best efforts toward uniting the two organizations.

   The following were present at the meeting: Drs. H. T. Dana, F. W. Higgins, F. D. Reese. P. M. Neary, S. J. Sornberger, C. D. VerNooy, and P. T. Carpenter of Cortland; Dr. L. C. Andrews of Pitcher, Dr. J. D. Whitney of Homer, Dr. F. H. Forshee of McGraw, Dr. S. Halsey Stevens of Truxton, and Dr. Henry Field of Marathon.

 

Her Tenth Birthday.

   Mildred Masterson was given a surprise party at her home at 38 Pendleton-st., Cortland, Wednesday afternoon, by fifteen of her friends, the occasion being her tenth birthday.

   Louise Clineburg and Lola Masterson assisted in the diningroom. The following were present: Mildred Masterson, Mildred Hicks, Mary Dexter, Carlene Delevan, Marie Turner, Evelyn Taylor, Hazel Parker, Louise Barber, Gertrude Blaney, Elinor Dexter, Marjorie Morse, Mildred Wadsworth, Lucea Case, Hazel Hitt, Collena Morse, Elizabeth Vanderbilt.

 

LIGHTNING'S WORK

Big Barn of J. J. Albro Burned at South Cortland.

THE WHOLE HEAVENS LIGHTED UP.

Thirty-five Tons of Hay and Oats from Eighteen Acres Consumed—Cows had Just Been Driven from Milking Stable When Bolt Came—Barn Well Insured and Some Insurance on Contents.

   Cortland was visited by a terrific thunder shower at about 6:30 o'clock last night. For three-quarters of an hour the rain fell in torrents while the flashes of lightning were startling and the reverberation of thunder deafening. At just about the height of the storm the first State fair train arrived from Syracuse and the hundreds of passengers, most of whom had gone away under bright skies without a thought of rain or a means of protection, were landed at the station under very disagreeable circumstances. The special train got in at about 10 o'clock while another shower was at its height, but this was not as violent as the first one.

   At 6:40 o'clock lightning struck the big barn of J. J. Albro, Jr., on his farm of 108 acres a half mile west of South Cortland on the Dryden road and with all its contents it was burned to the ground. The barn was 30 by 92 feet in size with posts 14 feet high and with a basement under part of it. From foundation to the ridgepole it was crammed with hay and oats. There were over 35 tons of hay and the oats from eighteen acres, and a heavy crop at that. The flames lighted up the heavens with a lurid red light for miles around and inquiries were heard on every side as to whose barn it was that was burning. In almost every other direction out of Cortland there are well patronized farm lines of telephones, but South Cortland has not yet waked up to the desirability and necessity for telephones, and there was not a telephone in all that region through which inquiry could be made. Finally some one drove into town with the report that Rideway Rowley's big barn in South Cortland was in flames. About this time the rain began to abate a little and a number of people set out for the scene of the fire.

   A half hour before the barn was struck the cows which had been in the milking stable in one end of this barn were turned out and Mr. Albro had gone with the milk to the Gracie creamery. He had reached Sweetlove's corners on his way back when the bolt fell. At the house at that time were Mrs. Albro and Mr. Albro's father. The former said as the flash came, "I believe the barns are struck," and both went to the rear of the house and looked out toward the barn, but all was dark. Two minutes later they looked again and then a bright light was seen from the end of the big barn away from the house. There was no livestock of any kind in this barn. Mr. Albro went out at once and took the horses from the horsebarn which stood between the house and the barn on fire and put them in another barn across the street. Then he opened the doors to one of the floors of the burning barn and ran out the big lumber wagon with its hay rack upon it. The wagon box which stood on the floor was also dragged out but before this was accomplished fire had begun dropping down from the blazing grain on the scaffold over the floor. Nothing more was saved from the barn. The farming tools were all in another barn so that nothing was burned except the hay and grain in the barn aside from a few forks, handrakes and shovels.

   Mr. Wagner, a neighbor living in the second house east of the Albros, chanced to be looking out of the window when the destructive flash came. He said it struck the northeast corner of the barn and the bolt appeared to be in the form of a ball as it descended which seemed to burst and scatter in all directions as it struck the barn, Almost instantly the whole end of the barn seemed to be in flames. Mr. Wagner asked his wife to ring the big dinner bell to rouse the neighbors, while he started at once for the fire.

   The horse barn stood nearest to the blazing big barn and was a little nearer the street so that diagonally from corner to corner they were about 25 feet apart. This was in great danger for some time. The rain which was falling in sheets soaked the roof so that sparks had little effect and prevented the fire starting, though it steamed from the great heat, but the rain did not touch the side of the barn. Mr. Albro had a force pump that would throw a good sized stream of water twenty feet in squirts when operated like the working of a bicycle pump. A dozen neighbors quickly assembled and took turns in operating the pump and in bringing water in forty-quart milk cans from the trough by the roadside. Though the heat on the near side of the barn was great, the structure was saved. There was very little wind at the time and what there was was away from the other buildings. The fire burned till late into the night, for it took a long time for the hay and grain packed together as it was to be consumed.

   Mr. Albro had an insurance on the barn of $1,000 which will not cover the loss, for the barn was a large and fine one. The place is generally known as the Niles farm, though a few years ago it came into the possession of Samuel Keator, who four years ago sold it to Mr. Albro. Before selling it Mr. Keator had put this barn in a fine state of repair, so that it was practically as good as new. Mr. Albro also had a few hundred dollars insurance on the contents of the barn. He could not tell the exact amount last night, but it will fall far short of covering the loss.

 

THROWN FROM A WHEEL.

Pedal Struck an Obstruction With Disagreeable Results.

   Dr. Paul T. Carpenter was the victim of a peculiar bicycle accident Wednesday evening which resulted in a badly torn coat, some painful bruises and two fractured ribs.

   The doctor was riding along Grant-st. about 6 o'clock.. The pedal of his bicycle struck some obstruction in the road in front of Cone's grocery, throwing the handlebars out of his hands. The doctor thus lost control of his wheel, and was thrown violently forward striking the platform in front of the grocery upon his left side, with the results as stated. The doctor is able to be about, but it will be a month or more before he fully recovers from the effects of the accident.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The new display advertisements today are—Opera House, "The Minister's Daughters," page 5.

   —Cazenovia seminary opened on Monday and 100 boarders are registered, sixty-two gentlemen and thirty-eight ladies.

   —The All-Cortland baseball team went to DeRuyter this morning and played the DeRuyter team at that place this afternoon.

   —The Geneseo Normal school reports about 200 in the entering class. Miss Anna W. Blackmer of Cortland is the teacher of methods in that school.

   —A number of men and teams are engaged in grading the new street to be opened through the Randall flats between Main-st, and Pendleton-st., near the Lehigh Valley railroad tracks.