PERHAPS HER PIANO NEEDS TUNING

The Cortland News, Friday, December31, 1886.

DESERTED HIS WIFE.

T. P. Button, a Barber of this Place, Leaves for Parts Unknown—A Number of Rumors in Circulation—Both Both Sides of the Story Published—Believe Which One You Wish.

   About six weeks ago Mr. T. P. Button, a well-known barber of this place, corresponded with Mr. Arch Stevens, of Marathon, in regard to selling his shop, saying he wished to leave town. Satisfactory arrangements were made last Saturday night, and on Sunday morning he took French leave, telling his wife he was going to Apulia on a visit. He claimed that his wife had been untrue to him and that he could not stand it any longer, therefore he intended to "skip."

   Many are inclined to think his story true, while others believe Mrs. Button's story, which is to this effect: She claims that he has been corresponding and also clandestinely keeping company with a young lady of this town, and that she has found letters to that effect, of which the following is one claimed by her to have been written to him:

SUNDAY EVE, Jan. 31, 1886.

   MR. BUTTON:—What was the reason I didn't see you this evening? I saw you and know you saw me. I am going away very soon and would like to see you very much. Tuesday evening I am going down on Mill street [Clinton Ave.] at 1:20 and will stay until about eight o'clock, on the side of the street the laundry is on will come up. I will wear light blue hood so you will know me if I can't see you will you be kind enough to let me know. All you need is to put the number on my box on the envelope you needn't think any one will get my letters for they cannot. I suppose you will know who this is from, if you don't I will draw your thoughts back to two weeks ago to-morrow night. I remain as ever EM. Box 1387, Cortland.

   Thinking that the above letter might not be all right, and that if might have been manufactured, we started out to see, but did not find any conclusive evidence, although we found enough to contradict some of the statements made to us by W. Earl Stimson, a friend of the family. He claimed that Tom was after the yoking lady mentioned in the above letter, by name, Miss Emma Starbird. In an interview with Mrs. John J. Chamberlain, for whom Miss Starbird formerly worked, we learn that she was seldom out after 9 o'clock at night, and that Button had never called there, and as Tom seldom left his shop until 11 o'clock, we do not see how he could have been in her company, unless it was when Mrs. Button was out on one of her excursions.

   Parties who have seen the letter, say that the handwriting does not resemble Miss Starbird's at all. Mrs. Button certainly has a reputation that is not at all enviable.

   Miss Starbird went to Chicago just after Thanksgiving, and as Tom did not go that way we are inclined to think that the story is untrue.

   Mr. Button has always been an honest and upright man, and has a great many friends in this town who are firm in the belief that he is in the right. However, we will leave that to our readers to judge as we have published both sides of the story. One lady well-known in this place was heard by a representative of this paper to say that she did not see how Tom had stood it as long as he had, for she did not see what he had to live for with such a woman.

   As we are acquainted with some of the facts which we do not wish to publish at present, we are inclined to think that Mr. Button did the best thing for both parties concerned.

   In an interview with W. Earl Stimson, we learn that Mr. Button did not leave any money as he claimed to some of his friends.

    "If people will dance they must pay the fiddler," is a very old but true adage.

   In an interview with Mrs. Button we were enabled to catch her in two different untruths, one to the effect that she had not received any money from Tom, but when cornered she owned up that she had received $5. Another was that her stove had been taken away from her, but upon inquiry at Smith & Bates we were informed that they sold the stove at her instigation.

   Mr. Stimson seems to take a great interest in her affairs, as he tried to do all of the talking and make her story out as good as possible. Wonder what interest he has in her? Perhaps her piano needs tuning. He tried to scare us out of publishing this article, but it did not work as well with us as it did with the Standard and Monitor.

   Later we learn that Mr. Button left $40 to pay a few little debts, and the remainder was to go to Mrs. Button—about $35. He also left all of the furniture, which Mrs. Button claims was not paid for, but we learn that he made satisfactory arrangements so that It will be. It is our opinion that Mrs. Button is trying to lay the blame on an innocent man and thereby shield her side partner.

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   Will Goddard gives a grand ball at his hotel in Truxton on New Year's Eve. All wishing a good time should attend.

   John Whitney, who was arrested last week by his wife for non-support, was discharged.

   Work in the wood shop of the Cortland Wagon company will commence next Monday. The other departments will open Monday, Jan. 10. The company have huge orders on hand.

   Highwaymen stopped a citizen of Bradford, Pa., and all the money he was able to surrender was a nickel. It is probable that he was an editor.

   Christmas exercises at the different churches were very nice and the decorations were also fine. The Presbyterian church notably for two very fine baskets of natural flowers, which were furnished by Mrs. L. D. C. Hopkins.

   Mr. Arch Stevens, formerly of Marathon, has moved into the barber shop formerly occupied by T. P. Button, where he wishes to see all of the old customers and many new ones. He is a first-class barber.

   The following officers were elected Monday by the Empire Order of Mutual Aid: F. D. Smith, president; J. D. Schermerhorn, vice-president; A. Sager, treasurer; E. F. Jennings, financial secretary; J. A. Graham, chaplain; Frank Place, guard; and M. J. Parsons, conductor.

   L. D. C Hopkins and Son have added another hot house to their already extensive buildings of this description. They have the largest green house in this part of the State containing 1,500 square feet of glass. They also have a system of heating by warm water of then own invention. They extend a cordial invitation for people to call and see their fine display of plants. [The Hopkins’ farm and greenhouses were located on the north side of Groton Avenue, west of Helen Ave., and extended to West Road—CC editor.]

   Chas. Cloyes laid on our table this week copies of the Cortland Democrat of 1850 and '51, edited by Quimsbey & Hyatt, and the True American of 1847, edited by S. C. Clisbe & Co. They contain articles which would interest many of the older residents of the town and from which we should like to make a few extracts but time and space forbids.

   Lucius Cori and Allen Adams, who were arrested last Friday for intoxication, had their trial last Tuesday before Justice Bierce, who found them guilty. Bierce asked them if they could pay a fine, to which Cori replied that his family needed all the money he could get. They were both sent up for ten days.

   Mrs. Carpenter plead guilty to being a common prostitute and was sentenced to the O. P. for five months. Mattie Carpenter and Mamie Wilcox were convicted on the same charge and were also sent to the O. P., the former for four months and the latter for three months. Ida Wilcox, another member of the "gang," turned informer, and sentence was suspended in her case during good behavior. Ida has been there before, and "a burnt child dreads the fire."

Improved Order of Red Men.

   An order of the above description was established in Cortland last Tuesday evening, with 34 members, and the following officers were elected: George L. Warren, Sachem; Frank Place, Senior Sagamore; H. C. Beebe, Junior Sagamore; Webster Young, Chief of Records; M. A. Rice, Assistant Chief of Records; W. P. Robinson, Keeper of Wampum. Their installation of officers will be attended to by the braves next Friday evening. The giving of a name to the lodge was left to Dr. James H. Hoose [Normal School principal—CC editor], and you may expect to see something like this: Bratockelewageuexy. If any one is scalped they will please leave their names at this office.

Preparing Killikinick.

   The American Indians never smoke pure tobacco, it is always three-quarters adulterated with the "Red Willow," common along the western streams, a shrub about eight feet high, called killikinicky or an herb called Larb, which grows in the Rocky Mountains. They cannot smoke tobacco as a white man can, as it is too strong for them. The Larb has a small leaf half as long as the willow, and grows on the side of the mountains as a small shrub. That is merely spread out to dry in the sun, and is then crushed in the hand. But with the red willow they cut switches or sticks three feet long and scraping off the red bark on the outside, they whittle the inner bark up in curls all along the stick, and then toast it over a fire, until it is hard and dry. Then they crumble it in their hand the same as they do the Larb. They very often make immense quantities of this to use, as it is always preferred in the spring of the year when it is fresh. It has a very sweet flavor and odor, and it is very much sought after by the Indians.

   Very often in case of a storm coming up quickly the Indians rush into the willow and build a sort of a little hut. They plate the ends of the willow together, making a little house about three feet high and six or eight feet long. They are termed "wickups." These little huts are often used by white men in crossing the plains.— American Agriculturist for January.