SUNDAY FILLER: NIKOLA TESLA

 

GEN. MILES' OBSERVATIONS, NO GAMBLING AT SARATOGA, AUTOMOBILE BILL, DR. HIGGINS' NEW CAR, HARVEY N. NASH, AND VAN KLEEK-REED MARRIAGE

 

General Naelson A. Miles.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, April 28, 1903.

REDUCTION OF MOROS.

General Miles Says It Should Not Be Difficult.

ROAD BU1LDING AT LAKE LANAO.

General Condition of Troops In Archipelago Creditable—Effect of Climate Very Detrimental—Approves Discontinuance of Liquor Feature of Canteen—Troops Occupy Churches.

   Washington, April 28.—The extended report of Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles concerning his observations in the Philippines was made public by the war department. It is dated February 19, 1903, and covers all features of his trip through the islands together with his recommendations.

   Of the Moros General Miles says:

   "The problem of reducing or controlling these people in case of continued hostilities does not appear to be a difficult one. They are very poorly armed and have no means of withstanding our mountain artillery and field mortars."

   Of the roads to Lake Lanao, he says:

   "At the time of my visit there were 600 of our men at work on this road. The heat was intense, and there were at the time 70 men sick and some 200 men on sick report. Heavy timbers were being cut and in every respect a road of a permanent character was being constructed. Unless there will be some great military necessity, and I know of none, this work should not be performed by troops."

   General Miles continues: "At 122 stations in the island November 27, 1902, there were 17,674 troops on duty, with 1,415 sick."

   The more important observations and recommendations of General Miles follow:

   "The general condition of the troops in the archipelago was creditable to themselves and to the country. The officers and soldiers made a good appearance.

   "The effect of the climate is a most serious detriment to the service. The men go there in perfect health and in the prime of manhood, but as a body are seriously affected in the course of two or three years' service.

   "As the military stations, with but few exceptions, are very remote and the troops are required to be in communities that are neither beneficial nor congenial to them, the service is depressing, and to some extent has a demoralizing effect. There are scarcely any amusements or recreations for the soldiers and life under such circumstances becomes very monotonous. During my visits to the garrisons it so happened that I did not see a single soldier under the influence of liquor.

   "As the result of my observations it is my judgment that the discontinuance of the liquor feature of the canteen has been beneficial to the army. Now that the temptation has been removed from the immediate presence of the young men of the army they are less likely to indulge in liquor.

   "The number of troops that will be required to occupy the Philippines is still problematical. While it is claimed that the people are pacified, evidence of hostility toward American sovereignty are apparent.

   "I found a large proportion of the troops occupying church property, monasteries, colleges and convents. This I believe to be entirely wrong and it should be discontinued without delay. The damage done to the buildings will be extensive and it will simply result in claims for some millions of dollars being brought against the United States which undoubtedly will have to be paid."

 

NO GAMBLING AT SARATOGA.

The Police Commissioner Says Even Canfield Must Close.

   Saratoga, N. Y., April 28.—The authorities declare that there will be no gambling here this summer and that even Richard Canfield's place will not be permitted to open. Carleton T. Lewis, police commissioner of the village, said today: "There will be no gambling here. I am determined that there shall not be the slightest foundation this season for the stories sent out by the newspaper men last summer comparing Saratoga to Monte Carlo. I will suffer no violations of the law against gambling from Mr. Canfield or any body else."

 

Russian Comment on Negotiations.

  St. Petersburg, April 28.—The foreign office, commenting on the negotiations concerning Manchuria, says: "There is nothing directed in any manner against the interests of the other powers or their commerce; others enjoy the same rights of commerce in the interior as we. The railway will carry Russian and foreign goods alike through the country, but we or they cannot sell them in the unopened towns. If the towns are opened all will benefit alike.

 

Gov. Benjamin Odell, Jr..

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Automobile Bill.

   Governor Odell has set down for next Wednesday, May 6, at 3 o'clock the hearing upon Senator Bailey's bill relative to speed restrictions by cities and villages upon automobiles. It is understood that there is to be a tremendous fight upon this, both the sympathizers with the bill and its opposers feeling very strongly upon the subject. Since the authorities of this city have shown a disposition to restrict the excessive speed of machines through the principal streets it will of general interest to know the terms of the new bill which promises soon to become a law. It will be of special interest because of the fact that under the terms of the bill a conviction for a second violation makes the defendant liable to imprisonment, while upon a third violation imprisonment is mandatory. The following are some of the important provisions of this bill:

   No automobile or motor vehicle shall pass a person driving a horse or horses, or other domestic animals, or foot passengers walking in the roadway of the highway, or cross an intersecting main highway, at a greater rate of speed than 8 miles per hour, nor pass a public school, on the days when school is held, between the hours of 8 a. m. and 4 p. m., or pass a building of public worship on the Sabbath day during the usual hours of service at a greater rate of speed than 10 miles per hour, or cross a dam or causeway where the traveled portion of the road is less than 20 feet wide, at a greater rate of speed than 4 miles per hour.

   No automobile or motor vehicle shall run upon any highway of this state within a distance of one-half mile of any postoffice of this state at a greater rate of speed than 8 miles per hour, if the local authorities having control of the highway or highways within such distance indicate by an appropriate sign on the side of any highway upon which speed is to be regulated that speed is to be reduced to a rate of 8 miles per hour. Upon such sign there shall appear clearly the words, "slow down to eight miles," and also an arrow pointing in the direction where the speed is to be reduced; provided, however, that if the territory beyond the said limit of one-half mile of any postoffice is built up to such an extent that in the judgment of the authorities having control of such highways speed should be reduced beyond such half mile limit of the postoffice, then, in such case, the authorities having charge of such highway or highways may erect such signposts at a greater distance than one-half mile of such postoffice and at the limits of such built up portion of the highway, and thereupon no such automobile shall run within such distance just established at a rate of speed in excess of 8 miles per hour.

   The bill also requires the licensing of chauffeurs and provides that if they violate the law three times their license shall be revoked.

   The bill also provides that upon the request of any driver of horses an automobilist shall cause his engine to cease running.

   The penalty for the first violation of the proposed law is to be a fine of not less than $50. A second offense is to be punished by a fine of not less than $50 or more than $100 or imprisonment for not more than thirty days or both. For a third offence the penalty shall be imprisonment for not exceeding thirty days and a fine of not less than $100 nor exceeding $250.

 

DR. F. W. HIGGINS.

The Latest Addition to the Automobile Owners of Cortland.

   The latest addition to the ranks of the automobile owners of Cortland is Dr. F. W. Higgins, and the doctor seems to enjoy his new machine even better than a child does a new toy. Late yesterday afternoon he purchased of the Cortland Automobile Co., a $750 Rambler touring car such as was described in these columns last night. The machine got a little frolicsome with its new owner, down on South Main-st. just before supper time and seemed quite insistent upon making a call at the home of R. Bruce Smith, but that was simply an incident and a physician's automobile may be expected at any time to turn right up at houses along the street and perhaps on occasion, even camp out upon the lawn under a white birch tree, but the doctor is a busy man and his calls are always brief, and this one was no exception to the rule. Some who saw it were even inclined to ascribe this move to the doctor's natural gallantry in getting clear out of the street so as not to frighten Miss Cora Wells' horse which was coming along toward the machine and which seemingly did not take kindly to the new vehicle. But whatever the reason, the doctor promptly gave the machine to understand that he was not to be trifled with and that it must cut up no more capers with him.

   We publish above a picture of the doctor's new car.

   It is current upon the streets that the next one to fall a victim to the automobile craze will be a prominent clothing merchant of the city—unless some one else gets in ahead of him.

   The automobile craze seems to be a peculiar disease—even physicians cannot overcome it. All goes well if a person lets a machine entirely alone, but once he begins to investigate the subject of automobiles and examine into their good qualities and try them he is a gone duck. It is then only a question of time, with the probabilities in favor of its being a shorter rather than longer before he is fully infected and is ready to give his order. At least that is the way one of the latest victims put it.

   This is decidedly an automobile town. Who will be next?

 

Henry Albert Dickinson.

CORTLAND BILLS SIGNED

Amending the City Charter and Raising Money for Central School.

   Governor Odell last night signed the two bills introduced by Hon. Henry A. Dickinson, which have reference to the interests of Cortland—the bill amending the city charter in reference to paving, contracts and some other minor matters, and the bill authorizing the city to raise $19,500 by bonding to pay for the enlargement upon the Central school.

 

RENTED THE COLLINS STORE.

D. E Shepard to Close Out The Fashion Stock.

   The stock of goods recently belonging to The Fashion millinery store, which were sold last week to D. E. Shepard by Trustee G. J. Mager, were yesterday removed to the Collins store on Main-st. where they will be disposed of either in bulk to some one desiring to continue the business, or if this cannot be effected, will be sold at retail, commencing the latter part of this week, announcement of which will be made later.

 

IT IS HARVEY N. NASH.

Remains Positively Identified—Some Further Particulars.

   Julius Whiting of South Cortland and Frank Danforth of Cortland, both former residents of Wolcott, N. Y., called at E. R. Wright's undertaking rooms yesterday afternoon and positively identified the remains of the man found dead in the loft of the Park hotel barn Sunday morning as being Harvey N. Nash, formerly of Wolcott.

   Last night Coroner Santee received a long letter from Superintendent J. L. Markel of Onondaga penitentiary in which he said that Harvey N. Nash was discharged from the penitentiary on April 7, 1903. He had been sent there four times on the charge of being a tramp—on June 15, 1899, for sixty days from Syracuse; on Sept. 1, 1899, for sixty days from Oswego; on Jan. 23, 1900, for ninety days from Auburn; and on Dec. 8, 1902, for four months from Syracuse. On these different occasions he came under different names, but in each case he confessed to the superintendent that his true name was Nash and his home was Wolcott.

   The superintendent described Nash in detail and the clothing he wore when he left the penitentiary and the description corresponded exactly with the man found in the barn.

   He said that James Duffy of Utica was the only person to whom Nash wrote while in the penitentiary and the only person from whom he received letters.

   Cornelius Porter who was mentioned in the letter found in the dead man's pocket is the man with whom he worked while in the penitentiary. The superintendent presumed the other names found in the pocket on slips of paper were names Porter bad given Nash to call upon. The superintendent described Nash as an exemplary prisoner, always ready and eager to work. His parents are well-to-do and highly respected in Wolcott. His father once paid a large sum of money, the superintendent said, to get his son out of a scrape in the West resulting from forgery on his part.

   Dr. Santee thinks the man had been begging here in Cortland, for he has since had traces of him in that occupation in several different places. He believes there must be some trunks somewhere to which the two keys found in the pocket belong. Possibly since April 1 he had accumulated considerable through begging. His bad arm was a ready means of exciting pity.

   The post mortem disclosed the fact that death was caused by a blow on the side of the head which ruptured the cerebral cyst. Dr. Santee says he is wholly unable to establish or to find a suggestion for any motive that would have caused any one to murder the man and believes the blow and the death to be the result of an accident. The doctor says he hardly thinks it will be necessary to hold an inquest.

   A telephone message came this morning from Wolcott asking to have the remains sent there, and they were forwarded on the 9:48 train today.

 

Sig. Sautelle's circus clowns in parade.

The Side Show Band.

   Sig. Sautelle's side show band of twelve pieces arrived in Cortland yesterday to be ready to begin the season's engagement. This band is said to be a complete show in itself, for each member is an artist, and prepared to execute some particular specialty. The big band of the circus numbers sixteen pieces. The actors and performers are now arriving on every train and from every direction.

 

VAN KLEEK-REED.

Auburn Young Man Comes to Cortland for a Bride.

   There was a quiet wedding at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Reed, 20 1/2 North Main-st., when their daughter, Miss Bessie Hasbrouck Reed, was joined in marriage with William C. Van Kleek of Auburn. The ceremony was performed by Rev. James Rain, pastor of the Congregational church, in the presence of about twenty of the near relatives and friends. Miss Ora W. Seward of this city was the bridesmaid and W. N. Van Kleek of Auburn, brother of the groom, was best man.

   The bride wore a handsome gown of dark blue voile over blue silk, trimmed with white appliqué, while the bridesmaid was equally becomingly gowned in a light green peu de crepe waist with black skirt.

   Following the ceremony fine refreshments were served. The presents were numerous and beautiful, and many more are awaiting the recipients in Auburn, which is to be their home.

   Mr. and Mrs. Van Kleek left the house as though to take the 4:38 train north, and a number of the party took the street car to intercept them at Homer to give them a further evidence of their good wishes, but when the train arrived there the couple were not upon it at all. It developed later that, being aware of the kind intentions of their friends, they did not go to that train, but instead availed themselves of the hospitality of a friend here in the city and passed the time very pleasantly till the departure of the 7:29 train, which they took in the most matter-of-fact way, unsuspected and undisturbed.

   Today they are to go to Auburn, where tonight a reception will be tendered them in their new home, at 60 Elizabeth-st., which Mr. Van Kleek has already furnished and prepared for his bride. Mr. Van Kleek is the time keeper at the factory of the D. M. Osborne Co., and highly respected in that city, while the bride bas a large circle of friends in Cortland by whom she is held in the deepest esteem.

 

BREVITIES.

   —A regular meeting of the A. O. U. W. will be held this evening at 8 o'clock.

   —The Fortnightly club will meet tomorrow at 3:30 p. m. with Mrs. Edward Stilson, 31 Owego-st.

   —A summary of the work of the legislature which has just adjourned is found on our third page today,

   —Sig. Sautelle, it is said, has signified his intention of riding in a Rambler automobile on Friday at the head of the procession in the circus parade.

   —One of the old landmarks of Homer, where was carried on one of the early industries of the county, has just succumbed to the mark of progress. Reference to it is made in our Homer letter today.

   —The new display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, Clothing, page 8; Hollister Hardware Co., Refrigerators, page 6; M. A. Case, Drygoods, page 6; F. Daehler, Clothing, page 6; S. D. Ballard, Plows, etc., page 7.

 

WAR REMINISCENCES, CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

 

Captain William Saxton.

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, May 12, 1903.

WAR REMINISCENCES.

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

BURNSIDE SUCCEEDS McCLELLAN.

Lee Regrets the Change—Burnside Arranged a Place of Operations—Hindered by Delay of Pontoon—Franklin Wished to Attack Immediately, but Burnside Delayed in Issuing Orders and FinallyBlundered in Them—Battle of Fredericksburg Begun.

CHAPTER 17.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir—With the order relieving Gen. McClellan on the 7th of November, came one to Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside to take command. This he reluctantly complied with, having twice previously declined the proffered offer. Now he was ordered to do so and he could not disobey orders. Gen. Halleck said to him “You have been given the command of the Army of the Potomac. What are you going to do with it?”

   When McClellan had crossed the Potomac and moved south along the east side of the Blue Ridge mountains, his direction was toward Gordonsville. Siegel with the Eleventh corps had joined his army by moving south from around Washington and seizing Thoroughfare Gap in the Bull Run mountains. This move made it necessary for Gen. Lee to move from near Winchester, in order to prevent McClellan getting between him and Richmond. He accordingly moved on a parallel line west of the Blue Ridge, passing through some gaps, and had his army round Culpepper, while McClellan was at Warrenton at the time Burnside assumed command.

“Understood Each Other Well.”

   The news of the order relieving McClellan and appointing Burnside reached Gen. Lee’s headquarters within twenty-four hours after it was received by McClellan, and Gen. Lee remarked on receiving the news, “I regret to part with McClellan for we always understood each other so well. I fear they may continue to make these changes till they find some one I do not understand.”

   Burnside divided his army into three grand divisions. The Second and Ninth corps formed the right grand division commanded by Major-General W. V. Sumner; the First and the Sixth army corps formed the left grand division commanded by Major-General Joseph Hooker. The Eleventh corps (ours) constituted the reserve, commanded by Major-General Franz Siegel. Burnside made out his plan on the 9th in compliance with Gen. Halleck’s question, and sent it at once to Washington. Halleck came down to see him on the 11th and the plan was discussed.

Burnside's Plan of Operation.

   Burnside proposed to make a feint from Warrenton on Gordonsville, but really to march his army rapidly to the Rappahannock opposite Fredericksburg, cross over, seize the city and heights before Lee would discover his move. By so doing he would have his army as near Washington as would the enemy, and when he arrived at Fredericksburg would be at a point nearer Richmond than he would be if he took Gordonsville.

   Also, by using Acquia creek as a base of supplies, it would be only a short distance in the rear of this army. Burnside accordingly requested that a pontoon train sufficient to span the Rappahannock at least twice, with a wagon train loaded with hard bread and small commissary stores be at once started from Washington, via Dumfries, for Fredericksburg. He planned to throw Sumner’s whole grand division across the Rappahannock, and make a rapid movement in the direction of Richmond and fight Lee before Stonewall Jackson, who was still in the Shenandoah Valley, could join him. The troops passing us at New Baltimore on the 16th constituted the beginning of this move, hence the move of our corps, the reserve, to Centerville to protect Washington.

Pontoons Were Late.

   Sumner’s right grand division reached Falmouth, a little village on the north side of the Rappahannock, half a mile above Fredericksburg on the 17th; but no pontoons were there, and they did not leave Alexandria until the 19th. They did not arrive until Burnside’s move was fully accomplished, and Gen. Lee, becoming acquainted with it, had hastened Gen. Longstreet’s corps to Fredericksburg seized the hills south, and fortified them, thus completely checking the entire move.

   In the interim, while we were lying at Centerville, Burnside was occupied in establishing his new base at Acquia Creek and forming a new plan.

The Confederates’ Position.

   Gen, Lee summoned Stonewall Jackson to him, fortified the height back of Fredericksburg and cut new roads in the rear of his army. He divided his army into two corps, placing Stonewall Jackson over the right and Longstreet over the left.

   Jackson’s corps, comprising D. H. Hill’s, Early’s, Tallifarro’s and A. P. Hill’s divisions was posted from right to left in the order named, Stuart’s cavalry being on the extreme right next to the Rappahannock just north of the Massoponax creek and about, three miles below Fredericksburg.

   Longstreet’s corps, consisting of Hood’s, Pickett’s, McLaw’s, Ransom’s and R. H. Andrews’ divisions joined on the left of Jackson’s corps and extended in the order named along the hills back of Fredericksburg till the left of Andrew’s division rested on the Rappahannock opposite the upper end of Beck’s Island a mile above the town making the Confederate line six miles long.

   The Rappahannock at Beck’s Island makes a sweep around to the north by Falmouth and Fredericksburg. It hugs the north side whose banks are precipitous and high, called Stafford Heights. It leaves a plain or bottom on the south, or Fredericksburg side, from one-half to a mile wide. Back of this plain is the range of hills on which the Confederate army was located. Through these hills break several small streams as they flow into the Rappahannock, the Massaponax Creek on the south, then Deep Run, then Hazel Run, which flows in just below the city. From opposite Beck’s Island above a canal runs through this plain uniting with the Rappahannock in the city of Fredericksburg.

Building a Pontoon Bridge.

    During the night of December 10th, the day we left Centerville, Burnside had the pontoon conveyed to the river, and one hundred and fifty pieces were placed in position on Stafford Heights to protect them.

   Between 4 and 5 o’clock on the morning of the 11th while it was still dark, in a dense fog the engineers commenced to place pontoons for bridges at four points: one nearly two miles below the city, just a little below where Deep Run comes in from the south side; another at the railroad bridge and two more opposite the city and near Falmouth.

   The morning was misty and foggy and the engineers had partly constructed the bridges opposite the city before they were discovered. As soon as it was learned what they were doing Barksdale’s Mississippi brigade, which was stationed along the bank and in the city as pickets and sharpshooters, opened a deadly fire and drove the engineers from their work. They were rallied and driven away again and again. Orders were now given and the artillery opened fire on the houses in town which were sheltering sharp shooters. A number of houses were set on fire, but the Mississippians would not budge. More attempts were made by the engineers to lay bridges, but each time they were driven off with loss. Finally, about 1 p. m. volunteers from the Seventh Michigan and the Nineteenth Massachusetts as a forlorn hope, jumped into some pontoon boats, hurriedly pushed across the river and drove the Confederates from their [river] bank and from the houses in town, and the bridges were soon completed, but at the cost of 300 men.

A Fighting Chaplain.

   Chaplain Fuller of the Sixteenth Massachusetts had resigned from service and just received his discharge. When he learned that his regiment was about to go into action, he crossed the river in one of these boats with the Nineteenth Massachusetts, seized a gun, joined the skirmishers, helped fight their way through the streets, and fell down dead, rifle in hand, in front of a grocery store on Caroline-st.

   Troops began at once to cross, and before dark Sumner’s grand division and part of Hooker’s with three days’ rations, had crossed over. They drove the Confederates out of the city after considerable opposition.

   The grand division of Franklin crossed over without much opposition on the lower bridge, or bridges, for he had laid two nearly side by side.

   Early on the morning of the 12th, the remainder of the troops commenced crossing, and all that day and the early morning of the 13th was spent by Burnside in making a proper disposition of his forces. The left of Franklin’s grand division rested on the Rappahannock two miles below the city. His center was advanced nearly a mile toward the hills, and his right extended to the outskirts of the city, confronting Jackson’s and part of Longstreet’s corps. Franklin with his two corps commanded. Reynolds and Smith had reconnoitered his position, and after discussing the question unanimously agreed that inasmuch as all chance of surprise had vanished, there was but one thing to do, and that was to take the 40,000 men of the left grand division, and assault Lee’s right flank on the right flank and, left of the Richmond road at Hamilton’s Crossing and carry it at any cost.

Planning to Attack.

   Burnside rode the line with Franklin at 5 p. m. on the 12th. This plan was discussed, and when he left all were of the opinion that he approved of it, and Reynolds and Smith were ordered to make the preliminary arrangements. As Burnside was leaving, Franklin asked that he be permitted to order the Third corps to him at once. Burnside declined the permission, but said he should have the order before midnight.

   Franklin had the Sixth Corps guarding the bridge head, and his plan was to relieve it with the Third Corps and thus have his whole grand division ready for the attack at daylight next morning. Orders not coming at midnight, he sent an aide to headquarters for them, who returned saying they would be along presently. The orders did not arrive till 7:45 a. m. the 13th, and were then so vague and different from what had been talked the night previous, that Franklin concluded Burnside had changed his plan.

   Burns’ division of the Ninth Corps was detached from Sumner’s grand division and sent to the left of Fredericksburg to connect with Franklin’s right. Birney’s and Sickles’ division of the third corps were taken from Hooker’s grand division and sent to the lower bridge to assist Franklin. This gave him at least 50,000 men, and Burnside made a great mistake that he did not order Franklin to mass his grand division and turn Lee’s right.

The Battle of Fredericksburg.

   The battle of Fredericksburg opened on the 13tb, soon after Burnside’s orders came to Franklin. Reynolds advanced Mead’s division at 8:30 across a ravine in front of him under a heavy fire from the enemy’s artillery. Considerable loss was sustained in a fruitless attempt to capture one of Stuart’s horse batteries on the left. Mead pushed on toward a wooded hill occupied by A. P. Hill’s division, the rebel artillery plowing great gaps in his line. Gen. Birney, with his division, supported Mead on his right. They fought their way stubbornly up that hill, gained its crest, silenced the rebel batteries wedged themselves between some of Hill’s divisions and captured some prisoners and flags. On the crest, in the thick woods, the connection between Mead and Birney became broken, and Mead passing on, struck part of Tallifero’s division in reserve and was driven back down the hill.

   Two regiments of the Third Corps, which had just arrived, were sent to help Birney on his left; but they with Birney were driven back, suffering severe loss. Sickles’ division relieved Birney’s and he and Mead checked a counter attack of the enemy.

   The Sixth Corps suffered considerably from the artillery fire on the hills, and Brigadier General George Byard was mortally wounded by a cannon ball at Franklin’s headquarters near the bridge head. There was fighting more or less along the whole line and some prisoners were captured by Brooks at Deep Run.

Burnside's Mistake.

   Night ended the battle on this part of the line with no material advantage having been gained except that Franklin had extended his line in front a half mile or so and occupied the ground. It might have been different had Franklin’s plan been adopted. Burnside afterward said: “I made a mistake in my orders to Franklin. I should have directed him to carry the hill at Hamilton’s at all hazards.” W. S.

 

TO LOCATE IN CORTLAND.

Dr. Walsh Graduated from New York Homoeopathic Medical College.

   Dr. James Walsh returned to Cortland Friday night, having been graduated on Thursday from the New York Homoeopathic Medical college. He is to locate in Cortland for the practice of his profession and will very shortly open an office here. The commencement exercises were held in Mendelssohn hall, New York, Thursday afternoon and were followed by a banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria, which was attended by over 450 people. Among those who responded to toasts were Samuel E. Quigg, the Rev. Minot J. Savage, Hal Bell, Dr. H. Worthington Paige, and Dr. E. H. Sinnell. At the alumni exercises that forenoon addresses were made by a number of men prominent in the medical profession, and among them was Dr. E. B. Nash of Cortland, who is a member of the faculty of that college.

   Dr. Walsh is well known in Cortland and by all is highly respected and deeply esteemed for his high personal character and his genuine worth. The Homoeopathetic medical profession is not overcrowded in Cortland and it would seem probable that Dr. Walsh would soon build up for himself a fine practice here. His friends are all glad to welcome him back and to know that this will continue to be his home.

 

Buried in Cortland.

   Judge and Mrs. Edward B. Thomas of Brooklyn were in Cortland Saturday morning to bury in the Cortland Rural cemetery the remains of their son who died sixteen years ago, and who had been previously buried in Brooklyn. They returned home on the 10:03 o’clock train that day.

 

To Consider the Treaty.

   Panama, May 9.—It was announced today that an extraordinary session of the Colombian congress had been called for June 20 for the consideration of the Panama canal treaty with the United States.

 

CORTLAND COUNT JAIL, DEAD IN THE ROAD, NO INQUEST NECESSARY, WIRELESS NEWSPAPER, AND NORMAL SCHOOL BATHS

 

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, May 12, 1903.

THE COUNTY JAIL.

Report of Inspection to State Prison Commission.

JAIL FOUND IN GOOD CONDITION.

But Certain Repairs and Changes are Needed—More Sunlight Required for Sanitary Purposes—Changes in Windows' Bars Desirable—Baths on Lower Floor—Employment of Prisoners.

   Albany, May 7, (Special).—At the meeting of the state prison commission yesterday Secretary McLaughlin submitted the following report of his inspection of the Cortland county jail:

   Situated at Cortland, inspected April 30, 1903.

   The population on the day of inspection was only three, all men, all serving sentence, one for intoxication, one for non-support, and one on a peace warrant. While it is quite common for sheriffs to class prisoners who are committed for non-support and for failure to give bond to keep the peace as criminals, it is doubtful if they should be so classed.

   The highest number of inmates during the past winter was thirty-one, and the average from fifteen to twenty. The average in the summer is about seven. During the past year there have been two boys confined in this prison. A large part of the commitments are for public intoxication.

   The sheriff’s office in this county is a fee office, and the board of supervisors usually allows 40 cents a day for maintenance.

More Sunlight Needed.

   The jail is a two-story stone building, heated with steam and lit with electricity. There are ten cells on the first floor, each about 5 by 8 feet, opening on side corridors. The cell block is made of stone, as is also the floor, with no cellar or basement underneath. There is a closet in each corridor, but no bath on the lower floor. The cells have open work iron doors. There are two fair sized windows in each corridor, but they are so filled up with iron bars and castings that they are practically useless. In addition to this, the jail is surrounded by a closed board fence, 10 feet high, reaching nearly to the top of the lower windows, and 3 feet from the jail walls. This fence alone would keep most of the sunlight out of the lower part of the jail even if it had windows. Evidently whoever constructed this jail had slight appreciation of the value of sunlight in a prison.

   In order to make the lower floor of this jail reasonably sanitary and habitable, the exterior fence should be cut down at least 2 feet. A fence 8 feet high would answer every purpose for which such a fence is needed. All the soft iron bars and metal castings now in the windows should be removed and be replaced with small bars of tool proof steel. No such barricade of windows is necessary for the security of prisoners, and no jail from which the sunlight is so entirely excluded, as is the case in this jail, can be sanitary. Windows of modern prisons are not so barricaded. In fact, this jail should have at least three windows on the side instead of two, so constructed as to admit the largest possible amount of sunlight. Even then it is doubtful if it would be sanitary without a cellar or basement. Certainly an abundance of sunlight, which costs nothing, would greatly improve the present condition. This part of the jail contains no bath; one should be provided for each corridor.

Improvements Needed at Once.

   These improvements, which can easily be made at slight expense, should not be delayed. The proper thing for this rich and prosperous county to do would be to furnish this jail with a new interior, constructed on modern plans.

   The upper floor is differently arranged, is of wooden structure, and is only intended for the custody of women and “trusties.” It is fairly well lighted, has a closet in each room, and is provided with a shower bath. The outside walls of this jail are made of a good quality of cut gray stone, and the structure is in good condition and presents, from the exterior, a very imposing appearance. If the inside of this jail were modernized, Cortland county would have a creditable jail, probably large enough for its need for some time to come. The prisoners have no employment; not even a jail garden to care for.

   Respectfully submitted,

   George McLaughlin, Secretary.

 

DEAD IN THE ROAD.

Charles Harrington of Cincinnatus Partly Under His Wagon.

   At an early hour Thursday C. M. Smith of Cincinnatus, N. Y., coming along the road between Willet and Cincinnatus, found the horse and wagon of Charles Harrington who lives south of Cincinnatus, standing in the road. Mr. Harrington’s body was hanging out of the wagon, and life was extinct. There were no severe bruises on the body and no bones broken, nor did his head reach down far enough to touch the ground. Mr. Smith drove the rig at once to Dr. Halbert’s, but the doctor was not able to do anything for the life had already departed. The cause of death is not known. Mr. Harrington was 36 years of age and leaves a wife and two small children.

 

NO INQUEST NECESSARY.

Belief that Victim Fell from Wagon and Broke His Neck.

   Coroner M. R. Smith of McGraw was summoned to Cincinnatus Thursday to view the remains of Charles E. Harrington who was found dead in the road lying partly in and partly out of his wagon. He found that his neck was broken and decided that no inquest was necessary as he believed that Harrington fell from his wagon seat while d riving and broke his neck killing himself instantly.

 

Died in Olean.

   Word has come to Cortland of the recent death in Olean, N .Y., of Frederick Edmund Fisher, whose wife was formerly Minnie E. Peck of Cortland. Mr. Fisher was a prominent resident of Olean. He was the passenger agent of the Pennsylvania railroad, a knight templar and a mystic shriner. He had been ill but a short time with tuberculosis of the throat. He is survived by his wife and one child, Margaret Fisher, 8 years old. Mr. Fisher’s age was 35 years.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

A Wireless Newspaper.

   An indication of what the future has in store for the public in wireless telegraphy is given in a little eight-page paper entitled “The Wireless,” published by the Los Angeles Times and issued daily at Santa Catalina, “The Enchanted Isle in a Summer Sea.” It is claimed to be, and probably is, “the only newspaper in the world publishing sure-enough dispatches transmitted by wireless telegraph!” Santa Catalina is an island in the Pacific ocean off the Southern California coast. The special dispatches to “The Wireless” are sent over the Pacific Wireless Telegraph line, across the channel dividing Santa Catalina Island from the mainland. The Los Angeles Times very properly plumes itself over this journalistic achievement, which is certainly a novelty and sensation in the newspaper line.

   The installation of a system of wireless telegraphy between Whites’s Point, near San Pedro, and Avalon, was accomplished by the Pacific Wireless Telegraph company some months ago. Many messages, mostly private, have been flashed back and forth since the opening of the wireless “line,” but the people on the island in general had no means of benefiting by the service so long as there was no medium for presenting the news to them after transmission to the “Enchanted Isle.” It was to fill this “long-felt want” that the daily “Wireless” newspaper was called into being.

   No event in the history of the island has created such a stir as the first appearance of “The Wireless.” The first edition of 1,000 copies was disposed of in less than half an hour, and a second edition was gobbled up with equal haste without succeeding in supplying the demand. As much as $1 was offered for single copies when the second edition was exhausted.

   The regular pride of “The Wireless” is 3 cents a copy; by carrier, 15 cents a week, or 50 cents a month. It will be mailed from the office, enclosed in envelope, to any part of the United States, postage prepaid at 5 cents a copy.

   The heading of the new daily is embellished with The Times device, crossed pen and sword and acorn, a cut of a tenderfoot in the act of catching a mammoth yellowtail, and a beach maiden in the swim. There is also an outline of the shore of Santa Catalina, a steamer headed for it from San Pedro, and the wireless telegraph mast at Avalon in the foreground.

   The first wireless telegraph “line” in the world, in successful operation and doing a regular commercial business, is that operating between White’s Point and Avalon. The originator and owner of this system is the Pacific Wireless Telegraph company, of which Gen. A. L. New of Denver is president and general manager. The Pacific Wireless Telegraph system has no connection with the Marconi system, and never has had. While the same general principles apply to the operation of each, the Pacific Wireless Telegraph company uses apparatus that is entirely different from that employed by Marconi. The practicability of the system for which the Pacific Wireless Telegraph company holds patents has been demonstrated by actual use, and the plans of the company are to establish a system of\ wireless telegraphy that will cover the entire Pacific coast, and the islands adjacent thereto. The business of the White’s Point station has grown to such proportions that the company is about to establish a more central station in San Pedro to co-operate with the Avalon station. The general offices of the company are in Los Angeles.

 

NORMAL SCHOOL BATHS.

Now Completed And All Ready for Students to Use.

   The work on the baths which are being installed in the Normal [School] is practically completed and the baths were ready for use Monday.

   This will be a great addition to the Normal gymnasium and is something which has been much needed. The baths were included in the original plans and specifications under which the new part of the Normal building was constructed but for some reason—possibly lack of funds—were afterwards stricken out. An appropriation for the purpose was finally secured and the work of installing them was begun during the Easter vacation.

   Several changes in the locker and dressing rooms were made necessary by the installation of the baths. The large room on the east side of the building, directly under the methods room, previously used for storage has been utilized as the boys’ bath and locker room. A door has been cut through the brick wall, giving direct access to this room from the main gymnasium.

   The partition between the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms has been taken out and the whole space thrown into one large room for the use of the girls. A room, heretofore unused, directly off from the girls’ locker room has been fitted up as their bathroom.

   The contract for furnishing and installing the baths was let to the LeValley & McLeod Co. of Elmira, for the sum of $2,356.50. The concrete and mason work was done by Beers & Warfield, the carpenter work by J. D. Keeler, painting by Loucks & Petrie, all of this city, and the slate work by the Schilling Tile & Marble Co. of Albany. The entire work was done under plans and specifications furnished by State Architect G. L. Heins.

   The floor of the bathrooms is of concrete with a pitch of one inch in ten to insure complete drainage. The walls of the bath stalls are of Vermont slate. The spray heads are of triple nickel-plated brass, fitted with nickel-plated valves, galvanized iron pipes and mixing chamber, and each supply pipe is furnished with a check valve. The mixing chambers are regulated by wheel valves, and all danger of scalding is avoided as the cold water has first access. The spray heads can be set at any angle desired and the bather can take his bath without wetting the head.

   Each bath stall is fitted in front with a nickel-plated brass rail from which is suspended a double faced white rubber curtain, thus insuring absolute privacy for the bather. In each stall are placed four nickel-plated brass hooks and a nickel-plated brass soap dish. There are six baths in each room.

   The water is heated in a number 16 hot-water heater from The Thatcher Furnace Co. of New York City. Attached to the heater is a heavy iron boiler, tested to 300 lbs. pressure and capable of holding 500 gallons.

   The furnishings are the best obtainable, and the work is thoroughly done and well finished in every detail.

   These baths mark another step in making the Cortland Normal school one of the most complete and best equipped Normal schools in the United States.

 

BREVITIES.

   — H. D. Keyser has moved his family to Cortland.— Dryden Herald.

   — E. M. Yager has just disposed of three fine horses to a New York firm.

   — The Presbyterian church of Dryden is to be quite extensively repaired.

   — The Central school base ball team defeated the Homer school team on Athletic field in Cortland on Friday by a score of 22 to 5.

   — Mrs. George P. Hollenbeck entertained a small company of ladies at a thimble bee and tea Thursday afternoon at her home, 10 Church-st.

   — There was another death from typhoid fever at Ithaca Wednesday. Leslie Starr Atwater, a senior in Cornell, passed away after an illness of three weeks.

   — The Ladies’ Literary club at its meeting Wednesday did not take up the scheduled program, but devoted the entire session to business.. The next place of meeting was not decided upon.

   — Mr. and Mrs. Richard Lambert of Ann Arbor, Mich., celebrated their golden wedding on Sunday May, 10. They were for many years residents of Cortland, and the latter is a sister of David Dalton of Cortland.