VILLAGE OF CORTLAND HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT AND DEATH OF MRS. C. W. COLLINS

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, April 5, 1889.

Health Officer's Report.

   Health Officer Moore makes the following report for the mouth of February: deaths 7, males 3, females 4; under 5 years 1, between 10 and 20 years 1, between 40 and 50 years1, between 50 and 60 years 2, between 70 and 80 years 1, between 80 and 90 years 1. Causes of death, consumption 2, typhoid fever l, disease of the heart 2, congestion of the lungs 1, old age 1. Marriages 2, births 15, males 8, females 7.

   The following is the report for March: deaths 11, males 3, females 8; under 5 years 1, between 10 and 20 years 1, between 30 and 40 years 1, between 40 and 50 years 2, between 70 and 80 years 4, between 80 and 90 years 1, between 90 and 100 years 1. Causes of death, cancer 1, consumption 1, diabetes 1, disease of the heart 2, nervous prostration 1, old age 2, paralysis 1, spinal disease 2, unknown 1. Marriages 8. Births 7, males 4, females 3.

Proceedings of the Board of Trustees.

   The Board of Trustees held their regular meeting last Monday evening in Firemen's Hall, all the members being present.

   The resolution adopted at a previous meeting in reference to the purchase of new hose for the fire department was rescinded. The following policemen were then chosen: Nathan Hunt, O. L Jackson, Edward Parker and A. G. Goldsmith. The latter was appointed Chief of Police until further notice.

   The following Health Commissioners were chosen:

   First Ward—Noah Parsons.

   Second Ward—Emmett F. Jennings.

   Third Ward—Webster Young.

   Fourth Ward—Lewis V. Smith.

   The salary of the latter was fixed at $35 each for the ensuing year and the police men are to be paid $1.97 per day. All fees for making arrests are to be paid into the village treasury and the officers are required to furnish bonds in the sum of $250 each for the faithful performance of their duties. The policemen are to furnish their own uniforms, the material and style to be selected by the board of trustees.

The School Question.

   The mass meeting held in Firemen's Hall last Saturday evening, for the purpose of discussing the school question and devising means to bring about better school facilities for this village [bond resolution for new high school was defeated by voters—CC editor], was not largely attended. Mr. Theodore Stevenson called the meeting to order and explained the object of it. Mr. L. S. Hayes was chosen secretary.

   Geo. B. Jones. Esq., thought that the proper way to proceed was to take advantage of the existing contract with the State, which bound the State to furnish an academic department in the Normal school of sufficient capacity to supply the wants of the village. He favored the appointment of a committee of five citizens to confer with the Local Board of the Normal school and the commissioners of Union School District No. 1, and after such conference to take such action as would best bring about the desired result. He moved that Hon. O. C. Kellogg, Theodore Stevenson, W. W. Kelsey, Irving H. Palmer and W. S. Copeland constitute such committee. The motion was carried unanimously.

   Assemblyman Peck, Col. Frank Place, C. W. Stoker and others discussed the question at considerable length. Mr. Peck thought that the matter should be brought to the attention of the Legislature at once, not that it would reach final action at this session, but because it would prepare the way for future efforts. The meeting then adjourned sine die.

Will They Vote?

   Assemblyman Peck last week received from Mrs. Charles W. Collins. Mrs. W. B. Stoppard and others, a petition signed by some one hundred of the lawyers and businessmen of this village, asking him to introduce a bill amending the present law of this village and giving women the right to vote at charter elections on all school appropriations and for members of the School Board. It being a local bill and without opposition, he introduced it, and by unanimous consent got it placed on the order of third reading where it will take its turn.

   The bill is so far back on the list that unless our member jumps it over several hundred, as he did the Cortland Armory appropriation bill, it may fail to reach the Governor in time to become a law.

   The Cortland Armory bill passed the [Assembly] last Thursday by a large vote.

HERE AND THERE.

   Emerald Hose Company will hold their grand fair in the armory about the middle of May.

   The insurance adjusters have allowed the Cortland Desk Company $1150 their building, which is the full amount of insurance.

   Health officer W. J. Moore reports 118 deaths in this village for the year ending March 31st. The rate per 1000 of inhabitants is 13 1/9.

   The season for trout fishing in this county opened April 1st, instead of May 1st, as we announced in our last week's issue. It seems that our informant was himself misinformed.

   The firm of Wallace & Linderman, proprietors of the Brunswick Hotel, has been dissolved and the business will hereafter be conducted by Messrs. A. D. and W. A. Wallace, under the firm name of Wallace Bros. The new firm took possession last Monday. We understand Mr. Linderman has not yet decided where he will locate.

   H. A Whiting, Esq., who undertook to establish a skunk preserve in the town of Scott a few years ago, while representing that town in the Board of Supervisors, has been appointed postmaster at that place. Parties having a superfluity of these festive little animals should bear in mind the fact, that according to the rules and regulations of the U. S. postal service, polecats are not mailable.

  

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   Johanna O'Brien died in Van Buren last Sunday, aged 105 years and 10 months.

   Henry Edie, an aged farmer near Utica, recently marred a girl of 20 years and was serenaded by his neighbors. He dispersed them with a shot gun, wounding five.

   Robert Richardson of Ithaca, who died on Monday at Savannah, Ga., on his way home from St. Augustine, Fla., was reputed the best artistic stone cutter in the country. He was one of the contracting and building firm of Richardson & Campbell of Ithaca. His handiwork was sought for the embellishment of many of the finest structures throughout the State. He was an enthusiast in his art, and scoured Kensington and other noted English schools for models.

  

Death of Mrs. C. W. Collins.

   Last Sunday morning, many hearts in this village were saddened by the announcement that Mary E., the devoted wife of Charles W. Collins was dead. She was seen upon the streets apparently in her usual health on the Monday previous, but on the following day was stricken with an attack of pneumonia which finally involved the heart and caused her death, at the early age of 47 years.

   Mrs. Collins was the only surviving daughter of Eben Mudge Esq., of this village, and had always resided in this place. For many years past she had been active in promoting the interests of the church of which she was a zealous member and she was also a leader in every movement in the cause of temperance. She possessed a wonderfully keen mind and besides being an excellent conversationalist was a very witty and incisive writer. She had made the most of the excellent opportunity afforded by her indulgent parents to obtain a thorough education in her earlier years. She always found time to read the best literature of the day and with a mind well stored with current information, she was a delightful companion in the social circle. Kind hearted to an unusual degree she seldom, if ever, gave free reign to a vein of sarcasm which she knew so well how to use.

   She was president of the Cortland Library Association from its organization, until its property was turned over to the Franklin Hatch Association, and was connected with the Woman's Christians Temperance Union from the outset until her death.

   Mrs. Collins leaves three children besides her husband to mourn her early departure. She was a devoted wife and mother and it is in the home circle that she will be most sadly missed. She will be mourned by hundreds of friends, who were sincerely attached to her, by ties of more than ordinary friendship and who will realize from day to day that a lovely woman has been suddenly snatched from a life of singular usefulness.

   The funeral services were held at her late residence on Wednesday afternoon, and was largely attended. [sic] Oceans of flowers attested the love and sorrow of kind friends.

VIRGIL.

   Mr. and Mrs. John Bays, on Saturday, entertained a number of their friends at their home. A very delicious repast was spread before the guests.

   Earl Price gave a party to his young friends, March 30, it being his tenth birthday.

   Some of our citizens on State street have come to the conclusion that rather than suffer from the promises of white caps, they would dissolve and the younger part of the family go west as a cow boy. The notices of white caps have been heeded and one good act accomplished.

   Mr. J. H. May has moved his family to Cortland and we regret to lose them. They were always ready and willing to lend a helping hand in time of need. But what is Virgil's loss is Cortland's gain.

   Married at the home of the bride, March 28, by the Rev. O. J. Purington, Mr. Chas. Jennings of Harford and Miss May G. Price, of Virgil. The presents were very expensive and useful of which I will give a list: a silver cake basket, Doctor and Mrs. Butterfield of Binghamton; one dozen silver knives, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gray of Harford; silver carving knife and fork, Mr. and Mrs. R. Jennings; chair rest, Lena Butterfield; silver table spoons, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Tarbox; silver tea spoons, Mr. and Mrs. E. V. Price; set silver fruit knives, Mr. and Mrs. Henry McKinney; water set, Burt Conrad and Miss Mattie Williams; silver pickle castor, Jennie Rennie; port monic, Ella Seager; tea set, Mr. and Mrs. Rodolph Price, parents of the bride. After a very delicious repast they took their departure for Binghamton. On their return they will make Harford their future home.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   CHENANGO.— The construction of the now defunct Chenango canal was authorized by the Legislature, February 23d, 1833, and the work commenced in July, 1834. The engineers' estimate of the probable cost was $1,960,450, but the work proved expensive and cost $2,782,124 and in 1836 and 1837 several bills for the relief of the contractors were passed by the Legislature. The construction of the canal was completed in 1836. The canal was 40 feet wide at the surface of the water, 28 feet wide at the bottom, and 4 feet deep. There were 116 locks. They were 90 feet long and 15 feet wide, and averaged in cost $8,000 each. The length of the canal was 97 miles, and the total lockage lift was 1,015 feet, while the Erie canal, 351 miles long, has only a lockage of 655 feet. With the exception of the Black River and Genesee Valley canals (now abandoned) the lockage of the Chenango was the largest in the State.

   TOMPKINS.—The work of surveying the extension of the I. A. & W. railway began on Monday morning under the supervision of Solomon Howe. The work began on the north side of Fall Creek in direct range with Utica street, Ithaca, the course taken being to the second ridge or point of East Hill below the Nook.

   The mayor of Ithaca made the following excellent appointments last week: For Collector, W. H. Willson; Chief of Police, John Conley; Night Police, Chas. T. Price and George N. Pew; Day Police, Thomas Shannon and C. S. Dean. The officers were at once qualified and began their official duties.