CORTLAND'S GREAT FIRE OF 1884 AND S & B RAILROAD ACCIDENT AT WHITNEY POINT

The Marathon Independent, Wednesday, February 20, 1884.

[Edgar L. Adams, Proprietor and Editor.]

CORTLAND’S FIRE.

THREE BLOCKS AND A DWELLING BURNED.

GARRISON BLOCK, UNION HALL BLOCK AND OTHERS GONE.

   A fire broke out in Cortland last night, which destroyed the Garrison

Block, Union Hall Block, Wickwire Block, and the residence of Mrs.

Thomas Keator. We are unable, owing to the wires being burned, to give any particulars as to the origin of the fire. The whole of the east side of Main street from the Dexter House to Dickenson & McGraw's store is in ruins.

HOME AND HEREABOUT.

—Rainy Sunday.

—Town meeting over.

---Friday is a legal holiday.

—Winter's backbone is busted.

—Protective fire police have been organized in Homer.

—Chief of Police O. U. Burgess entertained a tramp over night last week in the incarceration cottage.

—Cornelius Brown has the longest parsnip on exhibition in the corporation. It measures 3 feet and 9 inches in length.

—Complaints has been made to us of eaves dropping and window peeking on the part of certain young people, on a recent occasion, on Cortland street, if any one should happen to be caught at such disreputable business, they will find that the law does not look upon such an offense very lightly.

---The Engine "Fred E. Chambers" which plunged into the river at Whitney's Point last Thursday was successfully raised last Sunday. The spot is but a few rods from where, a number of years ago, Engineer Patrick Cannon was thrown from the track into the river. He was caught in nearly the same way, as was Engineer Adams, but he managed to pull his feet from his boots and to swim ashore, thus escaping a like fate.

—D. Eugene Smith of Cortland, will lecture at the M. K. Church in Killawog, on Friday evening next, on "Ireland and the Irish" for the benefit of the Ladies Aid Society of the church. Mr. Smith is a very entertaining speaker, and a rare treat is in store for the citizens of our neighboring village.

—Did you get a valentine?

NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES.

Cortland, Feb. 18, 1884.

   The burning of O'Neil's wagon shop Thursday night was witnessed by a very large crowd. The fire bell rang about 11 P. M. and soon the firemen were on hand and two streams of water soon pouring upon the building.

   The fire was first seen by Augustus Ryan, who lived in the house just east of the shop, and seemed then to be in the room just back of the office, where oils, paints, varnishes &c, were kept. It soon broke through under an outside stairway. The smoke, dense and black as it was, pouring from the burning room of oil, paints &., was almost blinding and kept men from approaching that part of the burning building.

   Of course the fire spread rapidly and a fearful contest waged between firemen and fire for about two hours, sometimes it would seem that the fire was under control, then shouts would go up from the multitude, then again the fire would burst anew in another place, and so on until about 1:30 o'clock when the Homer engine arrived, and with their united efforts the fire was extinguished about 4 o'clock A. M.

   The roof of the main building fell in. The sides remain standing, partitions nearly all standing though charred and badly burned. Much damage done to bodies, gears, wheels and other parts of wagons ready to put up which were burned and some only charred badly. The back shops did not burn at all. Augustus Ryan's goods were hurried out of his house and the little old house torn down by the Hooks. Insurance on stock about $35,000, building about $9,000.

HORRIBLE R. R. ACCIDENT—ENGINEER THOMAS ADAMS KILLED.

(Whitney’s Point Reporter.)

   As coal train No. 35 north was coming up the track Thursday morning before 6 o'clock, following the New York night express from Chenango Forks, and when at the Gulf Bridge, about two miles below this village, they encountered a land slide a few feet the other side of the bridge, which threw the engine from the track, and it went down into the river, taking the tender, Engineer Thomas Adams, and Fireman C. W. Adams, his brother, with it, besides a number of coal cars.

   The track is built upon the bank of the river here, and the river was so swollen and roily, that the engine and tender were nearly buried in the flood.

   The engineer never left his engine and was drowned, or killed by being crushed under the tender. At 8 o'clock a reporter of this paper, accompanied by Chas. H. Emens, was on the ground of the wreck, and at that time nothing had been seen of the engineer, but while there his hat was seen floating upon the water, and Mr. Emens and others with an iron hook, soon ascertained the locality of the body, which was partly under the tender, on the bottom of the river. One of his arms was secured and the hand brought to the surface, where it was fastened. His brother objected to tearing the body from under the car, preferring to wait for the wrecker which had been telegraphed for at Cortland, and which when arrived would remove the car from the body.

   The fireman, C. W. Adams, who retained his presence of mind, only remembers the last thing of his brother whistling down breaks, and reversing the engine, when in an instant it went down the embankment. He was thrown out of the cab and landed in the river, and struggling was rapidly thrown against one of the coal cars which he grasped and saved his life.

   Both the brothers are residents of Great Bend, Pa., and the engineer leaves a wife and two children to mourn his sudden demise.

   It appears the section boss is sick and has been absent a week. Wednesday night Barney Denning and others went down by this bridge where a land slide often occurs in wet weather and remained with Pat Holloran, who was watching the slide, till after 10 o'clock and then left him therein the shanty just below with a watch and lantern, and it appears that he had just been out the shanty when the N. Y. Express passed, but when the coal No. 35 came along he was in the shanty. And it is probable that the land slid down on the track after he went in and after the express passed. A night watchman there needs to be at that place in such weather as this before the arrival of every train, and if this caution had been followed poor Engineer Adams would not have lost his life.

   That it is a hard place and a very responsible one is most true.  C. W. Adams says that the last words his brother said was at Chenango Forks, which was that if it continued to rain as it did then, that they should have trouble with land slides. The Conductor on the train was C. J. Waldron who says that he heard the engineer whistle down breaks once and that was all.

   The body of Engineer Adams was recovered about 1 P. M., and brought to Chas. H. Emens' undertaking rooms in this village.

A SQUARE HIT AND A CLEAN KNOCK-DOWN

William H. Clark

The Cortland News, Friday, February 15, 1884.

A Narrow Escape.

   The Democratic party has had many a defeat in the last twenty-five years. In fact defeat has been the rule, and the rule, nationally speaking, has been without an exception. But it never had such a narrow escape from the charge of felony as last week, when it came near going to prison in a body.

   Times were getting dull in Cortland. We hadn't had a scandal in a month, and it had been nearly three months since the genius who presides over the Cortland Standard had pitched into anybody. Even the Standard block was being deserted for dullness, when the "gentleman from the peppermint district" conceived the brilliant idea of indicting the Democratic party!

   So last week, with a copy of his paper in his hand, he proceeded to the grand jury room, where he had a few of his pals on the grand jury, and proceeded to cleanse the Augean stables. He told what he knew about the Democratic party, and probably some things he didn't know, and when he got through the Democratic party stood where every thing Clark has opposed in this town has always been left by him—away ahead.

   Clark got just four out of a full grand jury to vote against laying the whole matter, including himself, upon the table! What next!

Taylor Hall Block

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   Town meeting next Tuesday.

   The Normal opened on Wednesday with very encouraging prospects.

   Open winter weather has prevailed so far this month. Much rain has fallen and the streams are very high.

   Rev. Mr. Annable preached an interesting discourse on temperance last Sunday evening at the M. E. church.

   The firm of C. F. Baldwin & Co, has been dissolved, Mr. Harlow B. Jones retiring. Mr. Baldwin will hereafter conduct the business.

   Mr. Dobbins, of Homer, has begun the cellar for a house on Arthur street, and Mrs. A. Huested has let the contract for a house on the same street.

   Mr. Henry Dillon is to receive a benefit in the way of an entertainment at Taylor Hall on Wednesday, Feb. 20. A number of local actors, vocalists and musicians will take part.
   [Taylor Hall was built in 1865 and dedicated in 1866. It was destroyed by fire in 1960. It was located on the west side of Main Street between Orchard Street and West Court Street--CC editor.]

   Jay & Smith began business as dealers in boots and shoes in the Standard building last spring. Last week their goods were boxed up and sent out of town. Cause—too heavy rent and other expenses and too light trade.

   Mr. Robert Beard was married on the 6th inst. to Miss Carrie Peck, daughter of Mr. Lyman Peck. We take pleasure in extending congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Beard, and sincere wishes for their health and prosperity.

   A temperance meeting will be held in Taylor Hall next Monday evening, which will be addressed by Rev. Thomas J. Bissell, of Brockport, N. Y„ who has the reputation of being a fine speaker. The Groton Glee Club will be present.

   On Wednesday evening, Feb. 20, the Young People's Association of the Methodist Church will hold its regular meeting at the residence of Dr. J. H. Hoose, No. 34 Railroad street. A fine programme has been prepared, and a very enjoyable time is expected.

   A fox-chase at McGrawville on Saturday will afford sportsmen some excitement. The entrance fee is $1.00, entries to be made at Gardner's hotel before 12:30 on that day. The purse is $12, divided as follows: $6 to first, $3 to second, $2 to third, $1 to fourth. Dogs to start at 1 o'clock sharp. Shake purse afterward.

   The Normal school at Cortland was never in a more prosperous condition than during the last term. The attendance was unusually large. The spring term begins on Wednesday next with every prospect of success. Dr. J. H. Hoose, the principal, is too busily engaged in his many cares for the welfare of the school to stop and kick every cur that barks at his heels.—Cor. Elmira Telegram. That's a square hit and a clean knock-down; and we wonder how editor Clark feels now.

   "Mclntyre Squad, Jr.," of Homer, will on Saturday evening of this week appear in Keator Opera House, Homer, in connection with an entertainment by the Choral Union, comprising solos, duets, choruses, etc., and the laughable little opera, "King Alfred." Messrs. Parsons and Williams will appear in character songs." Squad, Jr. will be arrayed in new suits and as comical as ever in their comicalities. Fun and enjoyment will be the order of the evening. Admission, 25 cents.

   A case which has excited considerable interest in. town was that of the suit of Mrs. Almenia Butler against the [village] trustees on account of injuries received by falling in a hole in the sidewalk fronting the premises then owned by Mr. A. J. Stout, now occupied by the Wells block, on Clinton avenue. The case is reported in our court proceedings. The Judge in his charge said that the trustees of the village had full control of the sidewalks, and they were liable for damages sustained by a person by reason of defects in or obstructions on a sidewalk. In this case the trustees cannot recover of the owner of the premises, as Mr. Wells came into possession some time after the accident happened, and therefore is not liable. We opine that hereafter people will have less reason to complain of defective sidewalks.

   A company to furnish Cortland with water has been organized in this village with a capital of $100,000, of which Joseph E. Eggleston, Esq., is president, Charles W. Parker vice-president, E. Keator treasurer, and J. S. Bull secretary. The plan is to pump water from Otter creek to a reservoir to be constructed on court-house hill, from which pipes will conduct the water to houses, etc. The contract for building the water-works has been let to Hinds, Moffatt & Co., of Watertown, N, Y., on condition that the Cortland Water-Works Company can make arrangements with the corporation for water for fire purposes. The benefits to be derived from this project are numerous and apparent to all. It will increase the value of property, reduce fire insurance, insure health and property, and in short be really invaluable in all respects. We trust that it will be pushed to a speedy conclusion.
   [The February 15 issue of The Cortland News did not contain an entry about Cortland's Wagon Company fire, which was discovered at 11 P. M., Thursday, Feb. 14, 1884. The News reported the fire on Friday, February 22, 1884----CC editor.]

http://jeffpaine.blogspot.com/2013/10/cortlands-greatest-fire.html

Election of Officers.

Chicago, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1884.

   At the regular meeting of Elm Tree Lodge No. 596, International Order of Good Templars, held Feb. 5, the following officers were installed:

L. D.—L. L. Gillett.

W. C. T.—C. E. Baldwin.

W. V. T.—Carrie Harmon.

W. Secretary—M. W. Baldwin.

W. Treasurer—N. J. Munson.

W. T. S.—J. G. Nye.

W. Chaplain—Sarah Davis.

W. M.—Mina Allen.

W. D. M.—Clark Franklin.

W. I. G.—Clara Davis.

W. O. G.—Clinton Lamont.

R. H. S.—Mrs. C. H. Phillips.

L. H. S.—Alice Niles.

P. W. C. T.—Charles Ellsworth.

M. W. BALDWIN, Sec.

[Chicago was a hamlet west of South Cortland--CC editor.]

THE PROHIBITION QUESTION

The Cortland News, Friday, February 8, 1884.

The Prohibition Question.

Editor, Cortland News:

   I notice in your issue of Dec. 25,1S83, a piece which was copied from the Binghamton Republican, touching the attitude of Prohibitionists in respect to the question of temperance reform, etc., and stated with such ingenuous confidence I fear that many might be misled by its sophistry, and thus harm might come to a righteous cause; and being assured that you desire a fair discussion of the question of Prohibition in the columns of your excellent paper, I venture a few thoughts in reply.

   The Republican asserts it to be the "misfortune of the Prohibitionists that they can not bring up the masses to their advanced ideas." All things considered, it is a fact to be regretted, but why a misfortune we are unable to conceive. If it can be shown that Prohibitionists are responsible for the indisposition of the masses in respect to their acceptance of their "advanced ideas," or if they are at fault because they have assumed an advanced position upon the subject of temperance reform, then we concede their misfortune; otherwise, not. As soon would we admit our Lord was in misfortune because of a similar failure in bringing up the masses to his advanced ideas of reform.

   He says Prohibitionists "overlook the fact that human character and public sentiment, like every thing in nature, is subject to natural laws of progression and growth." If it be true that Prohibitionists willfully or otherwise shut their eyes to an essential law of progression and growth, either natural or divine, then theirs is the greater misfortune, for they might as soon expect either of the existing parties to lift themselves over the last ditch of their misfortunes by the straps of their boots, as to expect to reach the goal of temperance reform by an utter disregard of the laws of success established by infinite wisdom. This is but an assertion of the "B. R." unsupported by facts.

   Why is Prohibition haste any more against the law of progression and growth than Democratic or Republican slowness? Is it the opinion of the writer in respect to the operation of this law as that stated by "Josh Billings": "If you want to get there quick, go slow?" It is easy to see the classes that are fulfilling the Republican idea of this condition of natural law!

   By what standard of time does he judge? Wisdom says: "Strike while the iron is hot." "Make hay while the sun shines." And the infinite Lawmaker gives a "seed time" as well as a "time of harvest!" The "times and the seasons are with Him!" The sowing and the reaping, according to natural law, are with man! At God's seed-time or time of harvest it is quite important, if we would succeed, to hurry! Slowness here has proved fatal to the crop! "He that will not plow by reason of the cold (because it is unpopular, or because sell-interest stands in the way) shall beg in the harvest and have nothing."

   Again he asks, with an air of triumph, "Can they point to a single reform this world has ever known that has not been accomplished by gradual growth and slow processes?" It is asked with equal force in reply, “Can the Republican point to a single reform the world has ever known that did not have a beginning? That did not have to stoutly and persistently contend against great odds? That was not considered by many as untimely and its advocates too much in a hurry, or where conservatives, both in church and State, were, notwithstanding their complicity with wrong, considered nearest the right? Where expediency was not put in the place of principle?

    "The truth is amply confirmed by experience." History also lifts its warning voice! Read, if you please, the history of Nebuchadnezzar, who, notwithstanding the counsel and exhortations to righteousness, and to show mercy to the poor, given him by Daniel, did not hearken, but became puffed up and was humbled by the reform party! Also, read the history of Belshazzar. While reeling with the intoxicating cup his doom is foretold by the hand-writing on the wall! And it was left for the reform party to interpret its fatal meaning. History sometimes repeats itself. In this, wisdom is justified of her children.

   Prohibitionists do not as a class affect to despise any one, but are sincerely and terribly in earnest, and well they may be when they remember and read daily the sad tales of woe of the damnable traffic; that its heaviest blows fall upon the gentlest and most innocent among us. Nor would they be more intolerant in spirit toward any beyond what the facts warrant.

   Is it the desire of the Republican that Howard Crosby, D. D., and Dio Lewis, M. D., should be accepted as patterns or leaders in temperance reform? Just think of Howard Crosby starting out as a temperance reformer! His manuscript of temperance [line of newsprint illegible—CC editor]…in order to break off his swearing that he must use a few vulgar or less profane words? 
   Dio Lewis would quarantine smallpox and prohibit any extension of its infection. In this he has the sanction of law. In this his theory is correct. Why not prohibit an infection of a worse disease? Why not quarantine the liquor before it has infected its thousands and developed into crime and death? Why not be as logical and consistent in preventing drunkenness and crime as in preventing disease which only contaminates the body? Would he use "poultices" for traumatic gangrene or malignant tumors? Neither will poulticing do for the gangrene of intemperance or this malignant tumor of the rum traffic. It must be treated with the "knife" of prohibition, as it endangers the body politic.

   Its symptoms are apparent. Fifty per cent of insanity comes from strong drink; 75 per cent of all the crimes have their inspiration in the dram shops; 80 per cent of our paupers and 90 per cent of our worthless youth emerge from drunkards' homes.

   Finally, no law is self-executing. The officers and people may be a failure, but not the law, for the law is never a failure, save when its principle is wrong. In constitutional prohibition no personal rights will be invaded. It will not proscribe to any what he shall or shall not eat or drink, only its manufacture and sale as a beverage.

   It is asked, "why not high license?" Because its principle is wrong. It tends to build up an aristocracy in the rum traffic, a monopoly of dram sellers. It is a species of class legislation which is unsafe, because the selling of intoxicants would be an institution of the State, fostered and sanctioned by the State, and would have to be bowed down to as certainly as the three Hebrew children were required to worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar set up. Because the good proposed by it would not counterbalance the evil it would produce. Because it would revive an old system of indulgencies, against which Luther made such a grand fight, with this difference: While they covered sins that were past, these would extend to sins yet to be committed.

PROHIBITIONIST.

East Homer, N. Y., Feb. 4, 1884.

The No-License Question.

Editor of The News:

   On the 19th day of this present month the voters of the town of Cortlandville will be called upon to vote upon the question of license or no-license. It is better to look at the question calmly and with a view to the best interests of the town, rather than in a hot-headed and partisan manner.

   In the town of Cortlandville is situated the village of Cortland, one of the brightest and most prosperous villages in the State of New York. Its business places, its streets and its hotels have always been praised and commended by every visitor. A few years ago the no-license system was tried here, and what was the result? There was as much drunkenness as before, the town lost about one thousand dollars a year in license money, and no one was the better for it. As long as liquor is manufactured it will be drank, no matter how strictly its sale is prohibited.

   The citizens of the village of Cortland all remember the great fire of the 28th of last November. Do they desire to see the corner built up again? Do they take any interest in the prosperity and welfare of the village? Would they like to see a block built on the old corner that would be an ornament to the village, and a building that all could point to with pride? If they do, then let them think of the good sense and business qualities of the owner of that corner. Do they believe that he would put $50,000 or $75,000 in a hotel block, with stores and an opera house, with a vote of the town for no-license for a period of two years staring him in the face? For the vote at town meeting is to decide the question for two years, and not for one, as usual.

   Remember all this, take it into consideration, and then say whether a license vote would not be better for the town, when it would add hundreds of dollars to the treasury, keep the sale of liquor under the most stringent restrictions, and not increase its consumption one iota.

CITIZEN.

Cortland, Feb. 5, 1884.

The Halbert Failure.

   Mr. Frank Bean, one of the sons of the late Jeremiah Bean, formerly of this county, who had let the firm of D. M. & E. G. Halbert have money to the extent of over a hundred thousand dollars, tells on the examination what he knows of their transactions, and when asked if he had any objections to stating how much paper his father was on, replied:

   "No, sir, I have not; but we can't tell yet exactly the amount. Only the other day a note for $5,000, with my father as indorser, was protested. It was dated Oct. 25—the very day that he was taken sick. and the last day that he was ever out of the house. The Halberts followed him to his sick bed, from which he never got up, and there induced him to indorse their worthless paper. He wasn't to do business and hadn't been for a year. I knew that he was indorsing heavily, but I never was able to get any statement from the Halberts showing how much paper he was on. As near as I can tell now it will approximate $200,000, and perhaps exceed that amount.

   "Father was taken sick Oct. 25, 1883. A three months' note, with his indorsement the very day he was taken down with his last illness, came to light Jan. 25. If he indorsed any four month notes the same day, of course we will not be able to know anything about them until the 25th of this month, or thereabouts. The Halberts seemed to have a faculty of getting father to indorse for them whenever they wanted any help. I objected to it and protested against it, and he would promise not to indorse another note for them. But they would go to the house when he was alone, tell him that just a little more help would bring them through all right, and finally succeed in getting his name on another note. D. M. Halbert did all the talking to father, and after he got him to put his name on the notes E. G. Halbert would negotiate them around the country wherever he could.

   "One day last summer a boy rang the side-door bell and asked to see father, saying that he had something for him to sign. I happened to be home and stepped to the door. 1 opened the envelope and found it contained a note with the words 'thousand dollars' on it, but the rest was left blank. I took the note and showed it to father, and asked him what he thought of doing business that way. I told him I was going to Halbert and demand, in his name, a statement of the notes that he was indorser on. Halbert attempted to put me off when I called, and we had some pretty hot words over the matter. That evening Halbert and I met again. He said he wanted to talk with me. During the conversation he promised to get father's name off all the paper, and added that if worst came to worst the Bean family would be protected. You see how he has 'protected' us.

   "A day or two after the failure I was unfortunate enough to meet E. G. Halbert. He said that he wanted to speak to me. 1 replied that he was a scoundrel and I didn't want to talk to him. He said that he simply wanted to explain matters. I told him to go and explain matters to my mother and sisters, whom he had robbed; that I wanted nothing to say or do with him in the future. He hasn't had the face to go to our house and attempt to 'explain matters' as yet. He has had lots of time to take his family away summers on money that my father was foolish enough to let him have, and now we have got to work and pay for it. That is the kind of men the Halberts are. They may live to enjoy the money that they have swindled an old friend seventy-three years of age out of, but I doubt it.

   "I haven't told you half that I could about this matter. Perhaps, at the proper time, I can give you a few more facts that will throw additional light upon the subject. My counsel objects to my talking too much on the matter. I generally get warmed up on the subject, and can you blame me any?"

New York State Assemblyman Theodore Roosevelt.

Item.

   The Liquor Dealers' Association and the Prohibitionists have again allied their forces, this time at Albany in a union effort to defeat the Roosevelt high license law. It seems impossible that the liquor interests can always have such a trustworthy and ever-ready ally to defeat every practical temperance movement, unless there is a perfect understanding and a liberal use of money to keep it in the field. Yet it is not probable, or even possible, that the mass of inharmonious temperance workers, who really believe they are in advance of public sentiment, know anything about any arrangement by which they are regularly brought to the rescue of an unlimited and ungoverned liquor traffic. A person of fair discernment ought to be able to see at a casual glance where the cat is in the meal.—Binghamton Rep.