Cortland, Fourth of July, 1885

The Cortland News, Friday, July 10, 1885.

A GRAND SUCCESS.

Emerald Hose Field Day at the Fair Grounds—Exciting Races, Games, etc.—Everybody Pleased.

   Friday evening last Emerald Hose Co., headed by Mechanic's band, repaired to the D. L. & W. depot to meet visiting firemen from St. Johnsville and Amsterdam, who were to take part in the festivities of the fourth of July. After the arrival of the train from Syracuse the column was formed and marched to the Cortland House, where the Rescue Hose of St. Johnsville were quartered for the night. From there the Serviss Hose, of Amsterdam, were escorted to the Arnold House, where they made their headquarters.

   Saturday morning broke as clear and bright as any one could wish, and promised fair weather for the festivities of the day. At 10 a. m. the line was formed on Railroad street with the right resting on Church, in the following order:

Cortland Mechanics Band.

Rescue Hose, St. Johnsville.

Serviss Hose, Amsterdam.

Tempest Hose. Homer.

Fire Cadets with old engine.

W. W. Engine Company.

Orris Hose Company, No. 2.

Excelsior H. & L. Co., No. 4.

Emerald Hose Co., No. 4.

   The line of march was down Church to Port Watson; Port Watson to Main, up Main to the Fair grounds.

   The festivities on the lair grounds were opened with a ball game between nines from Homer and Cortland, resulting in favor of the former by a score of 11 to 6. At 2 p. m., a trotting race was called and five horses started, with the result as follows:          

[Heats]

Harry Dart,     2 1 1 1

Fannie,           1 2    3

Belvidere,       3 4 4 4

Stella W,        4 5 4 3

Lady Mason,  5 4    5

Time not given.

   While trotting the third heat the sulkeys of Fannie and Lady Mason locked wheels, throwing Dana Ingalls, the driver of the latter, to the ground. The mare ran down the stretch and around the turn, when she was frightened into the crowd and was caught by one of the Amsterdam running team. The horses all started in the next heat, however, without further accidents.

   The most interesting part of the programme was the hose race between the St. Johnsville, Homer and Amsterdam teams.

   St. Johnsville was the first to run and made excellent time until they broke coupling and attached pipe when they were hindered by the crowd rushing in upon them. The time of the run was 41-1-2 seconds, while the time for making coupling and all was 52-3-4 seconds.

   Tempest Hose, of Homer, were next and made a gallant run finishing in 48-1-2 seconds, but were fined two seconds for not dropping the pipe as soon as coupling was made, the time given being 51-1-2 seconds.

   Serviss Hose of Amsterdam, then took their place, and at the drop of the flag seemed to start off at a slow gait, but after the corner was turned they seemed to [fairly] fly down the track to the finish, which they made in 46-3-4 seconds. Their time in running, however, was slow being 43 1-4 seconds, while the breaking of coupling and attaching pipe was marvelous, only three motions of the hand being necessary. Everybody that saw it remarking that it was the neatest coupling they ever saw.

   The sack race was won by Frank Wells, of Amsterdam, while J. C. Heally, of Amsterdam, won the 100 yards foot race.

   Aside from these games, dancing was carried on throughout the entire day in the fair house. Davis' orchestra furnished the music for the dancing, while Cortland Mechanic's band did likewise for the grand stand.

   The Amsterdam and St. Johnsville companies left tor home on the six o'clock train Saturday evening, expressing themselves as highly pleased with the treatment they had received, and the courtesies shown them.

   The Emeralds will net in the neighborhood of $600.

 

Suicide at Cincinnatus.

W. W. Grant, While Insane, Shoots Himself Fatally.

   On Sunday evening last, at 8:30, W. W. Grant, of Cincinnatus, shot himself with a 22 caliber revolver, the ball passing in the left eye, thence to the brain.

   From his brother-in-law, Frank Smith, of Willett, who was in town Monday making arrangements for the funeral, we learn the following particulars.

   Mr. Grant was taken last fall with an insane attack from which he has never recovered. At that time he purchased a very large revolver, to protect himself from imaginary enemies, as he said. His family then were afraid that he would do himself some injury, but with careful watching and medical attendance he seemed to be much better, and hopes were entertained of his ultimate complete recovery. Only two or three weeks since he gave the large revolver spoken of to Mr. Smith, asking him to dispose of it for him.

   Last Friday he seemed to be in the best of health he had in months, and Friday evening he and his wife attended the party at the Cincinnatus hotel, as spectators, where he seemed to greatly enjoy himself.

   Saturday he complained of trouble of the stomach, and Saturday night was passed with very little sleep. Sunday his stomach trouble continued. Sunday night he urged his wife to accompany another lady to church, as he could stay alone. This she declined to do, but after a while induced him to consent to take a little walk about the village. She then went from the room where he was into the kitchen for the purpose of lighting a lamp, and while doing this she was startled by a sharp report. It took her but an instant to surmise what occasioned it, and calling a neighbor they went into the room where he was. He was sitting upon the floor, near the bed, with the revolver, (a small one which had been kept in a drawer in the room) in his hand, the blood oozing from the wound. He remained alive until mid night, when be expired.

   Deceased was in the furniture and undertaking business at Cincinnatus, until his mental disorder came on, when his business was disposed of. He was 42 years of age, —Marathon Ind.