REMOVAL OF THE POST OFFICE

The Cortland News, Friday, April 13, 1883.

REMOVAL OF THE POSTOFFICE.

Businessmen Seeking Relief.

   A large number of the business men of Cortland, in response to a verbal call, met at Fireman's Hall Wednesday evening to take action upon the best means to obtain relief from the inconvenience consequent upon the removal of the postoffice to the southern part of the village [Standard block—CC editor]. The meeting was organized by the election of Dr. H. O. Jewett chairman and Mark Brownell secretary. A general discussion followed, remarks being made by Theo. Stevenson. Delos Bauder, Maj. Sager, Judge Smith, Dr. Jewett, D. F. Wallace and others, all of whom spoke earnestly against the wrong perpetrated upon the majority of the people by the removal of the postoffice.

   A suggestion by Mr. Wallace, that a committee of two be appointed to proceed to Washington, to lay the facts before the Postmaster General, to show by a map the exact location of the postoffice and the business interests of the village, and to ask that such of the people as wish might be allowed to obtain their mail by a letter carrier, the citizens thus favored to bear the expense, was greeted with approval, and a resolution that Mr. Bauder and D. E. Kinney be appointed a finance committee to procure subscriptions to pay the expenses of such committee was adopted.

   Several gentlemen offered five dollars each, but it was deemed best to accept only one dollar from each firm or individual. The meeting then adjourned to

Saturday evening next to hear the report of the finance committee and to appoint the committee to interview the Postmaster General. The proceedings were characterized by an unusual earnestness and a determination to bring about the desired result.

   [Placement of the post office was a contentious issue for print jobbers and other businessmen. The Cortland News was located on North Main Street. CC editor.]

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   Commissioner Davern has house-cleaning in the streets.

   Northward the Cortland star of empire takes its way—the postoffice to the contrary notwithstanding.

   Those wishing musical instruction can consult Miss C. A. Covil at her residence, No. 50 Mill street.

   Quite warm weather during the past week. The snow, aside from what is in the woods, has nearly disappeared.

   Mr. L. J. Larrabee, proprietor of the cutter works at Cincinnatus, died suddenly of heart disease on Monday last.

   Don't fail to go to the Orris Carnival to-night. The boys give a splendid entertainment, and you don't want to miss it.

   Mr. H. W. Beal has commenced the foundation of a house on North Main street, a few rods north of the Catholic church.

   Mr. D. Eugene Smith arrived home on Wednesday evening. He is threatened with an attack of pneumonia and is confined to the house.

   John Courtney, Jr., Esq., has bought of Ira Watkins his pleasant brick residence on Grant street for $4,700, and will take possession the 18th inst.

   The people of McDonough and vicinity are raising funds for a survey looking to a feasible route for the Utica, Chenango and Cortland railroad through that place.

   The new Congregational church will be dedicated on the 8th of May. Rev. Wm. M. Taylor, D. D., pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle, New York city, will preach the sermon.

   The annual meeting for the election of officers and directors of the Young Men's Christian Association, for the coming year, will be held on Monday evening, April 16, at 8 o'clock. Every member is requested to be present.

   We trust that our citizens will not await orders from the Board of Health, but begin now to remove all impurities and uncleanness from their premises. Too much depends on pure water and fresh air to allow delay in the removal of filth, and through the long winter a great deal has accumulated.

   Mrs. Charles Foster has leased her house and lot on Tompkins street to Eliot Glover, Esq. We understand that Mrs. Glover's mother and younger sister, Miss jean Smith, who has been spending the winter in Virginia and is now in Tennessee, are soon to make a home with their relatives in Cortland.

   It is supposed that one of the chief sources of revenue to the horse railroad company will be from the people living north of Court street going Virgil-wise after their mail. Why not issue commutation tickets to those patronizing the U. S. government? It will prevent a good many letters from going to Homer. [mocking the new location of post office in Standard block—CC editor.]

   Rev. and Mrs. H. W. Hand having commenced housekeeping their parishioners and friends have made them numerous presents. Chief among these gifts was a beautiful china tea set of 54 pieces. Tea parties will be in order at No. 20 Orchard street now. Who wouldn't be a minister or—a minister's wife?

   H. P. Smith, editor of the Syracuse Sunday Times, passed [here] last Sabbath with his brother, Hermon. Mr. Smith's poor health rendering a change to out-of- door work necessary, he leaves this week for Buffalo, where he takes a position which favors him in this respect. We hope to hear of his entire success in the effort to gain good health.

   About four months ago the Cortland Standard threatened in “the fullness of time" to show up the Normal school. We have anxiously waited and now humbly ask if the time isn't about full. We couldn't wait any longer and so partially showed it up ourselves last week. Presuming that the editor of that paper read the figures and statistics there given, we would respectfully inquire if he yet sticks to his prediction, that if Hoose went in, the school would go to the demnition bow-wows?  We don’t expect a reply; this is only “a thought we have thrown out.”

   The village library is in receipt of ten new books donated by the International Tract Society.

   Persons returning books to the village library are cautioned against leaving them upon the desk when the library is not open. The librarian will be present on Saturdays from 3 until 9 P. M. and on Mondays from 7 until 9 P. M.

   Women and girls wanting to do sewing, washing and housework by the day or week apply to the Employment Committee of the Library Association. Ladies desiring such work done will do well to consult the same. Miss H. C. Henry, Mrs. Jay Ball, Mrs. J. L. Watrous, committee.

   Messrs. Eugene Snyder and William Smith have bought the Allen B. Smith house and lot on North Main street. The purchase includes ten acres lying between said lot and Adams street, on which they have also bought a house in order to run a street [Arthur Avenue] from the west end of Grant street to Adams street [Groton Avenue]. The ten acres will be divided into village lots. Price paid, $10,000.

   The Ithaca Journal of Monday says: "By referring to Mr. Gilmour, ex-superintendent of schools, as a stalwart ‘agnostic’ does the Albany Argus intend to call him one who does not know? If that is the idea, we can relieve Mr. Gilmour and inform the Argus, by pointing out one thing that he knows as well as any man in America—which is, that when a man blows down the muzzle of a Normal school he is apt to find the thing loaded."

   E. Mudge & Son have lately made important additions and improvements in their flour mill at Little York. They have put in a brake-mill and brush-scalper, which take out all the impurities and whatever has a tendency to color the flour, and leaves it clean and white. It is technically termed, the gradual reduction process. The machine is a new invention, works in a perfect manner, and will cause a yet more eager call for the flour manufactured by these well-known millers.

   Mr. A. Mahan has returned from New York, where he made engagements with the Philharmonic Club for his convention and with the quartette of Meigs Sisters, who are creating a great furore in the city by their surpassing powers of vocalism. Prof. Palmer says he never heard anything equal to their music. While in New York Mr. Mahan sold to Mrs. W. H. Robertson, who is well known in Cortland, and whose husband is Collector of the port of New York, a thousand-dollar Chickering piano.

   The new street car No. 2 was put on the track last Monday and is now making regular trips to points as far north as the ice will permit. The track will shortly be cleared, and as it is expected that the matter in regard to the crossing of the railroad will be brought before the court ere this month passes, and that the three commissioners to be appointed by the court will act at once. Four cars will be run on the road soon after a determination is reached. President Garrison is expected in town as soon as matters are in shape for taking action.

   The Governor has signed the bill to extend the time for the completion of the Utica, Chenango and Cortland railroad. Railroad commissioner Hayes and Messrs. D. F. Wallace and H. M. Kellogg, the committee appointed at the meeting of the stock-holders to appraise and take an inventory of the property of the company, will do this duty as soon as the roads are in condition to permit traveling. Matters in regard to this route have been pushed since Mr. Hayes was appointed Commissioner. Evidently Judge Smith knew what he was about when he made the appointment.

Greely, Colorado.

   Greeley, Colorado, is one of the many bright spots of prohibition. Founded under strict temperance principles, it has been a success from the hour of its planting. Not a drop of liquor can be obtained in the town unless sold by a druggist upon a physician's certificate. Should any landholder violate the provisions of the clause contained in his deed, it works a forfeiture of his ownership. The town has 2,500 population, no paupers, no city jail, no police magistrate, no poor-house. As a farther evidence, they have three newspapers, six churches and a fine schoolhouse, which cost over $30,000. If this beneficial result comes from prohibition, will it not be a good example to founders of other towns to follow?

Jonas Chickering: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonas_Chickering

H. P. Smith, History of Cortland County 1885: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nycortla/smithhis.htm