BARNUM'S GREAT SHOW AT CORTLAND

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, August 19, 1887.

Barnum’s Show.

   Good judges estimated the number of strangers in town to see Barnum's show last Monday at 25,000 people. Surely the streets of Cortland never presented a more animated appearance. Nearly every seat in the immense tent was occupied in the afternoon and there was a large attendance in the evening. There were many new features which are worthy of special note. Baggesen the human corkscrew, twisted himself into and out of all conceivable shape and might have been taken for almost anything that the imagination of the spectators could conceive. King Thebaw's hairy family was an attraction that was well worth seeing and the equestrienne performances of Madame Codorna and Mille Mario were excellent. The bicycle riding of the Stirk family was something wonderful of its kind.

   The tricks indulged in by Tom Thumb, the dwarf elephant clown, were very funny and showed a high degree of intelligence on the part of the animal. The drove of young performing elephants under the tutorship of Miss Eliza Newman, proved to be a fine attraction. The trapeze performance and the Silbon family in their mid-air feats have never been equaled by any artists in this part of the country.

   Jumbo's skeleton and stuffed hide attracted much attention. Three young leopards only six weeks old were as playful as kittens. All the animals were fine and the horses and ponies were remarkably fine specimens. The show taken altogether was up to the usual standard of Barnum's excellent entertainments. We are under obligations to Mr. Morris H. Warren, the gentlemanly press agent, for special favors.

Birthday Party.

   Our genial hotel keepers, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Vincent, were doubly made glad on the 13th inst., by the return of the anniversary of the birthday of both their children, Miss Belle being sixteen, and Master Bert twelve, and by the general meeting of the many friends of their children to celebrate the occasion. They took the hotel by storm to the number of about one hundred and twenty-five strong, all about their age.

   They made Cuyler ring with the mirth-provoking way of children. Each and all eager to show Belle and Bert that they were remembered by the many and so of a truth as it was expressed there that the best gifts they gave were the love and friendship they each brought to them, proven by the many gifts and testimonials too numerous to mention.

   The presents were from a toothpick to watches for each. A number combining and presenting Miss Belle with a valuable gold watch and chain of the latest pattern, also a fine album with books enough to start a library.

   The Vincent house always up to every occasion and not to be outdone, was well filled, but all were made welcome by as fine a supper as was ever served in Cuyler. The day was one of gladness to the host and hostess and the faces of Belle and Bert beamed all over with the pleasure of [giving] to them a happy birthday. When all were together it occurred to the young people that they ought to have some remarks made on the occasion, so they sent out and brought in our townsman Henry D. Waters, who gave them a very appropriate little speech.

   Both in presentation of gifts and in thankful reception of the token of regards, there came and went one of the finest parties ever held in our town.

NESTOR.

Cuyler, N. Y., Aug. 13, 1887.

The Miller Desk Company.

   This is the name of a stock company just organized in this place for the manufacture of desks for offices and residences. They are a handsome and very useful piece of furniture and can be afforded at a very reasonable price. The company will occupy the buildings on Owego street formerly used by the hand sled company and they expect to be ready for business by the first of next month. The capital stock is $25,000 and about twenty-five men will be employed.

Suicide of a Young Lady.

   Miss Lottie Preston, daughter of H. L. Preston, of Caroline-Center, and sister of Mrs. Thomas G. Miller, of this place, committed suicide by hanging this morning at the residence of her father. The deed was committed in the room which she occupied, and when the body was discovered life had been extinct for some time. Miss Preston had been in ill health for some time, and although she had everything that tends to make life pleasant, she gradually grew despondent. The funeral services will take place at the late home of the deceased on Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.—Ithaca Democrat, Aug. 11.

For Sale.

   My hay baling business, buildings, machinery, etc., situated near the R. R. depot and track, consisting of building 40x90, 2 stories, with other buildings for storage, hay presses, cutters, scales, stationary 35 horse power boiler and 20 horse-power straight line engine, shafting, pulleys, belts, grist mill, etc.

   A rare opportunity to engage in a large profitable, permanent business which can be largely increased by adding the purchase of other farm products, and the sale of feed, flour, salt, lime, phosphates, farm implements etc. Energy can make a very large business with profit.

   Favorable terms given for purchase payments.

                                                                                               C. O. NEWTON.

   Also for sale, separate, a six horse-power upright boiler and engine in good condition cheap.

Dressed in Men’s Clothing.

   Officer Keirnan this morning found a young woman dressed in boy's clothing at the Central railroad station. She wore a brown hat, light brown flannel shirt and checked coat and striped trousers. She was rather good looking, with brown short hair and blue eyes. She said her name was Rose Brown, alias, Wood, and that she was a native of Wellsboro, N. Y., and had worked as a housemaid for A. K. Stevens of Owego, and for people in Elmira. She gave her age at eighteen years. The man with her said his name was "Charley" Gray, who had been with Barnum's circus. He said he met the girl at Elmira and she accompanied him as far as Cortland, where he left the show. He said they were on their way to Buffalo, when they were arrested. Chief Wright discharged the man and locked the girl up, pending answers to telegrams sent to Elmira and other places.—Syracuse Herald, Aug. 17.

Turning the Tables.

A Snake Carried off by an Eagle Strangles Its Captor.

(Orizba, Ill. Correspondence.)

   The Rev. Fairweather of Orizba tells the following incident which happened a few days ago while riding over his circuit in the vicinity of Clifton Bridge. The good brother was riding quietly along on horseback over a rough road, when, looking ahead, be observed a very large eagle, probably a mate to the one killed two years ago, take its flight from a neighboring hill. It appeared to have something in its talons, but the circuit rider could not distinguish the object. Stopping his horse, however, he watched the majestic bird as it circled around and around in its upward flight until it reached a height where it appeared as a mere speck. He was about to resume his journey when he thought he observed the bird begin to descend. Slowly it lessened the distance between it and the earth, and it appeared to be struggling with something. It came nearer and nearer the ground until, when within a hundred feet of it, the bird seemed to lose any further use of its wings, and fell to the earth dead. The minister, whose curiosity was now thoroughly aroused, hurried to the fallen bird to learn the trouble, which was quickly explained by the sight of a large black snake, which at that moment was uncoiling itself from around the eagle's neck, and was preparing to crawl away.

   The preacher quickly dismounted and killed his snakeship with a long club and triumphantly marched into town with both the snake and the eagle to substantiate the truth of the singular story he was about to tell. The eagle, it appears, had tried to carry off the snake to some secluded spot and make a meal of him, but the former, coiling himself around the neck of the bird, effectually strangled the latter in his terrible embrace. The eagle was a male bird, and the largest ever seen in this section. The snake measured six feet and nine incites in length, and was one of the kind frequently observed in this section.

HERE AND THERE.

   The street railway company are talking about running their ears by electricity.

   The new steps to the Court House are nearly completed, and are a great improvement.

   Wickwire Bros. are building a wood 80X45 feet, four stories high, near their wire works, on South Main street.

   The people of Marathon and vicinity are making great preparations for their fair, which is to be held Sept. 20th, 21st, 22d and 23d.

   The Homer Wire Fabric Company have made a contract with J. A. Gilkerson, of Homer, whereby the latter is to furnish the former over a mile and a half of shafting.

   Two pickpockets were arrested last Monday and several watches, pocket-books, and considerable money was found in their possession. They were arraigned before Justice Squires on Tuesday and discharged.

   Sheriff Van Hoesen went to Norwich last Saturday and arrested one Jay Wood, alias Jay Bowman, who is charged with robbing R. D. Brinsmade, a boy from Ithaca, of $8.00 in this village, last week Thursday.

   Dr. K. O. Kinsman has completed his bathing house, and has a splendid lot of bathing suits. He is now ready for all to come and bathe in the sparkling, healing, cleansing element. The use of suit room is only 10 cents.

   Barnum's tents have a seating capacity of 16,000, and there was scarcely a vacant seat to be found inside the tents Monday afternoon. The press agent informed us the attendance was the largest they had had anywhere since they left New York city.

   The firm of Garrison & Young has been dissolved, the latter retiring. We understand Mr. Young has not yet decided as to his future, but it is to be hoped that he will remain in Cortland, as he is acknowledged to be a first class business man, and one of the most enterprising, go-ahead sort.

   Rueben Robison, a colored citizen who attended the celebration held in this place last week Thursday, was arrested the following morning, charged with appropriating some wearing apparel that did not belong to him. The articles were found in his valise. Justice Squires sentenced him to sixty days in the Onondaga Penitentiary.

   Last Monday, while the citizens of South Cortland were attending Barnum's show in this place, thieves entered the residences of Mr. Knapp, Mason Hatfield, Henry Harrison, Mr. Harrington, and Mrs. Allen. They secured $50 worth of clothing and money at Knapp's, and nearly the same amount at Hatfield's. They attempted to enter the residence of Rev. B. F. Weatherwax, but were frightened away by the hired girl.

   A great many people were in town last week Thursday, to attend the celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation. There were white people galore, but very few of the colored persuasion. Ex-Senator B. K. Bruce delivered an address on the fair grounds in the afternoon, which was pronounced excellent by those who heard it. The affair passed off quietly, and was considered a success, at least, so far as the attendance was concerned.

   During the parade of Barnum's show last Monday, thieves broke into the house of Thomas Kennedy, on River street, and afterwards entered the residence of Charles H. Porter, on the opposite side of the street. From the residence of the former they secured a dollar in money, and from the latter they took two neck chains, a locket, two gold rings, a revolver, a silver watch and a meerschaum pipe. Thieves also entered the house of W. R. Gardner, on Port Watson street, carrying away a neck chain and a pair of bracelets. They were seen by neighbors, but they managed to escape.

   The Post-office Department has allowed postmaster Maybury an additional mail carrier for this place. It is expected that the appointment will be made in a day or two.