Unfortunate Mr. Smith and Other Historical News Items

   Researching old newspapers is more than a proverbial “trip down memory lane.” Often the eye-tiring process goes beyond one’s lifetime to an unknown epoch of human history. Here one discovers both novel and familiar activities. There’s lots to learn. When did you last read or hear the words yclept, aweary or the phrase hung up, meaning offered for sale? When did you last hear or read of a person identified, not by a given name or physical description, but by locale of residence? This brief introduction complete, we offer for your reading curiosity and enjoyment Unfortunate Mr. Smith and other news items found in the DeRuyter Gleaner—ed.

 

 

DERUYTER GLEANER, THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 1900.

UNFORTUNATE MR. SMITH.

   A Cazenovia gentleman, with the historic cognomen of Smith—yclept William M. —was in town last week peddling spectacles. In the course of two or three days he accumulated two or three dollars, and being unable to stand the responsibility of caring for so much wealth, proceeded to dissolve it in the cup that inebriates. New found friends helped him heartily, and when his funds ran low his new overcoat was "hung up" in a vain effort to stay the thirst of the crowd. Toward night of Saturday the peddler grew aweary and cast about him for a place to sleep it off. One of the party, hailing from classic Arab Hill in the adjoining town of Cuyler, invited Smith to tarry with him over Sunday. The two started out a foot, the younger man supporting the unsteady steps of the Cazenovian. As they neared the old McAdam factory, the Arabian steered his grizzled-haired victim inside, robbed him of his pile, about $1.40, and his half pint bottle; the peddler's head was cut open, one eye sadly blacked and his face bruised in the squabble, which left him unconscious. How long be remained there is not known; he was around the next day and Monday morning, seeking assistance to get home. As to the wicked Arab, justice sleeps.

 

 

DERUYTER GLEANER, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1900.

The Curfew.

   How strange it sounds in these times to hear people talk in favor of a curfew. An old custom, abandoned years ago as detrimental to human freedom, is now being advocated by certain wiseacres of our country. Because some children are so bad that it is unsafe for them to be out evenings, these savants think that the well disposed young people should be kept in also. The fire bell is to strike its warning note and straightway the rising generation must hustle under cover. This is a fine way to develop character, indeed it will tend to create men and women of just about the caliber of those now in favor of the regulation. Teach your children to govern themselves at all times of the day and in all places; then you will not be afraid to let them go out even after eight o'clock.

—Truxton Enterprise.

 

Forest Preserve Expenses.

ALBANY, Feb. 6--During the past year the forest preserve board expended $247,081 in the purchase of 58,427 acres of forest land in the Adirondacks at an average of $3.97 an acre. It began the year 1899 with an unexpended balance of $356,056 and received from the last legislature in appropriations $300,000 for the purchase of Adirondack lands and $50,000 for Catskill lands. During the year $272,808 was expended for the purchase of lands and the adjustment of claims.

 

The Price of Milk.

BINGHAMTON, Jan. 29 —Milk producers in this vicinity attended a meeting in this city held on Saturday by the International Farmers' union and fixed the average wholesale price of milk on the Binghamton market at 2½ cents a quart. This is the first time that the new Farmers' unions have fixed the price of this commodity. The International union was formed with headquarters in Binghamton a short time ago, and inquiries have already been received from farmers in twenty-three States and in Canada, while unions have been formed in Kansas and Indiana. Promoters of the movement predict that it will eventually extend throughout the agricultural regions of the United States and. Canada. A union label has been adopted for use on produce. An official organ, Farm Factory, is published and literature bearing on the subject is being sent out.

--Truxton Enterprise

 

 

Cancers.

Cancers removed and cured, without pain or the use of the knife. 20 years successful experience in the treatment of cancers. Plenty of testimonials and references.

R. A. GOODELL.M.D.,

Homer, N. Y.

 

 

DERUYTER GLEANER

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1900.

   The Gleaner is published every Thursday by W. W. Ames; office in the Gleaner block. Subscription price $1.00 a year, invariably in advance;  Single copies, 2 cents. All papers discontinued at the expiration of subscription.

   Cards of thanks, 25c.; resolutions, obituaries and lists of wedding presents, 50c. Marriage, death and birth notices free. The GLEANER job rooms are well equipped for executing all kinds of printing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:
1) Read about Warren W. Ames and the history of DeRuyter, N.Y. newspapers at "Grip's" Historical Souvenir, DeRuyter.
2) Search Fulton History for 21,780,000 New York State historical newspapers.