A BIG FIRE

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, July 25, 1890.

A BIG FIRE.

The W. U. Telegraph Building in New York Badly Damaged.

   Fronting on Broadway, facing east, and occupying half a block on Dey street in the city of New York stands the imposing ten-story building of the Western Union Telegraph Company, the upper stories devoted to battery and operating rooms which were damaged by fire Friday morning at an early hour. On the ground floor are the receiving offices of the company, together with the offices of the American Messenger Company with entrances on Broadway and Dey streets. The building runs up eight lofty stories, which are surmounted by a cupola. Running up from the cupola is a staff, on which hangs the time ball which drops at the hour of noon and tells the standard time. 
   The building is filled with offices on the five lower floors, which are occupied by some of the greatest railroads and railroad magnates in the world. The vast system of the Pacific railroads is operated through instructions given from this building.
   Late details state that the fire broke out in the battery room on the sixth floor shortly before 7 A. M., and though styled a fireproof structure, owing to the highly inflammable nature of the coverings of the 1200 wires entering the building and the contents it became a veritable furnace.
   Owing to the early hour only 40 of the 400 daily operators were in the rooms at the outbreak of the fire thus doubtless averting a serious panic. There were several startling situations, but no loss of life. The flames were under control at 9 A . M. and the loss to the Western Union is placed at from $75,000 to $100,000.
   The Associated Press had offices on the eighth floor and lost their instruments, furniture and all books, papers and records from 1845, besides a valuable reference library which can never be replaced. There were numerous individual losses from smoke and water.  
   The extreme height of the scene of the conflagration necessitated the using of the life gun, the operation being eagerly watched by thousands in the streets below. The gun is a short Remington carbine, carrying a 44-calibre blank cartridge containing 77 grains of powder. The stock of the gun is solid steel, made thus heavy to help counteract the heavy recoil. The barrel is twelve inches long. The projectile is not a bullet, fitting inside the barrel, but a steel sleeve nine inches long, with, a solid conical point, and fits over the muzzle and barrel. A slender line 500 feet in length is fastened to this projectile. The line is coiled in a tin tub, from which it renders freely. The life gun will carry its projectile 300 feet upward.Although there was a temporary paralization of communication with the metropolis speedy relief was afforded by distributing the working force in sub-offices in New York, Brooklyn, Jersey City and Weehawken. 
   The direct origin of the fire is due to an old wire coming in contact with an elevated electric light circuit wire.

W. U. Fire: http://www3.gendisasters.com/new-york/2365/new-york,-ny-western-union-telegraph-building-fire,-jul-1890

Portraits by Telegraph.

   A method of transmitting sketches by telegraph has been devised. The fugitive from justice will now find his path strewn with obstacles, for his portrait can be sent to any number of points along his line of travel.

PAGE FOUR/EDITORIALS.

   It is to be hoped that brother Clark of the Standard will take hold of brother James G. Blaine and shake the reciprocity notions out of his head as soon as he gets through threshing the same notions out of the heads of the republican manufacturers in this place. Mr. Blaine must be looked after or the very deuce will be to pay.

   The Force bill introduced by a Massachusetts crank named Lodge, in the House of Representatives, doesn't seem to please even the republicans of the south. It is a disgrace to the man that introduced it as well as to the cheap John's in Congress who voted for it. It is intended to prevent democrats from voting by putting republican overseers in charge of polling places. Mr. Jas. J. Belden, chairman of the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee, wrote a letter ordering Republican newspapers to publish articles favoring the rascally bill, in order to brace up a few Republican Congressmen who were not friendly toward it. Notwithstanding Mr. Belden's desire to disfranchise democratic voters, he solicits and receives hundreds of democratic votes in this district every time he runs for Congress. No true democrat will ever again cast his vote for Jas. J. Belden for any office.

   The potato crop promises to be a large one. Advices from all quarters say that the "bulbous roots" are doing finely and that the harvest will be abundant. What a great boon the potato crop will be for the "home market.'' With potatoes to the right of us, potatoes to the left of us and "bulbous roots'' all round us, there will positively be no other market for our surplus than the "home market" that brother Harrison was determined to preserve to the American people at all hazards. Farmers can have the satisfaction of voting for Harrison and eating their "bulbous roots" stewed, fried, baked, boiled or raw as they see fit. It looks very much as if we were always to have the "home market" with us and that market only. Potato growers can eat up their entire crop and thereby get fat. Of course this method of disposing of their surplus won’t put much money in their purses; but it will preserve that priceless treasure "the home market" and what more can they ask or what more is to be desired. The old law of supply and demand has become obsolete in these republican times and probably never was of any use anyway. Sometimes, however, it stands in the way and won’t budge an inch for even so great a man as brother Harrison. When farmers get used to eating up their entire products, they will wonder how they ever could have believed in selling their goods in a competitive market.

HERE AND THERE.

   Bear in mind the circuit races next week.

   Four geese were observed passing northward Monday.

   Read the great list of entries for the races July 29, 30 and 31.

   A very interesting letter from Atlantic City, N. J., by "M. V. K.," will be found on page three.

   The Homer and Cortland Horse Railway Company have declared a dividend of five per cent.

   Miss Hannah Maber has removed her dressmaking parlors to No. 21 North Main street, south side.

   Horace Hall, of this village, has purchased the interest of M. E. Brown in the Homer brick yard.

   Next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday occur the mid-summer races at the course on the Agricultural Society grounds.

   Too great caution cannot be exercised in approaching railroad crossings. The number of fatalities recorded during the past week is appalling.

   Workmen are repairing the E. C. & N. depot platform. Superintendent Allen is ever alert for the safety and pleasure of persons on the road.

   Lovers of the art of dancing should remember the harvest party at Freer's Hall, Higginsville, on the evening of August 1st. No better spring floor in the state.

   The old time game of duck-on-the-rock is being revived and some exceedingly expert playing has been witnessed during the past week. Simple as the name seems, it requires make up of metal and nerves to win.

   The E. C. & N. company will run an excursion train over their road to the Thousand Islands about the last days of August. Fare for the round trip, $4. Tickets good for four days. Make arrangements to go on this delightful trip. Full particulars will be furnished later.

   The Coleman Company placed a sample of their motor advertising case in front of Sager & Jennings store, Monday, which drew nearly as largely as the exhibition of  "descending water" for removing chronic loungers from in front of stores, did on the opposite corner at the same time.

   Muzzle your dog, or chain him up.

   The grounds about the new Presbyterian church are being graded.

   A new walk has been laid in front of the Universalist church during the past week.

   Homer band will go to Sylvan Beach tomorrow to play for the hop-growers' picnic.

   Read the address of Col. Bacon to the 45th Separate company, to be found on sixth page.

   Mr. Janus Renney, a well known cigar maker of this village, died of cancer in the Fordham Heights hospital, New York, Saturday. The remains were brought here for burial Tuesday.

   John D. Collins, secretary of the Utica Fish and Game Protective association, says that under the new law the season for shooting woodcock is closed from January 1st to September 1st.

   The Homer Times is the name of a new eight page paper started last week in our sister village by A. E. Marvin & Co. The paper is well printed and contains a good bit of fresh local news. We wish the proprietors success in their venture.

   Homer village is to add nine new fire hydrants to her water system. One will be located near Newton's woolen mills; two to the southward toward the cemetery; one on Grove street; one on North Main, above Warren street, and four between Stone Brothers' foundry and the residence of L. L. Rood. Eight inch mains will be put in on Main street, and four inch in the western part of the village.

Orders From Police Headquarters.

   Numerous complaints having been entered to the police lately concerning gambling, etc. The following order is now issued and it will be well for all persons to take heed, whether operators or visitors:

   All gambling places within the limits of the village of Cortland must be closed and remain closed after the expiration of ten days from July 25, 1890, or the law provided in such cases will be strictly enforced by the police officers of said village.

   JAMES E. SAGER, Chief.

Grand Racing Prospect.

   The list of entries for the midsummer races to be held on the grounds of the Cortland County Agricultural society numbering one hundred and thirty-eight indicates that the event will be one of the grandest ever held on the grounds.

   Throughout the week lively steppers from abroad have been quartered at the driving park stables, and others are arriving daily. It has been necessary to continue the row of stalls to the east limits of the grounds and then northward as far as the south entrance driveway—making 80 stalls in all. The list of entries is published in full in another column and will pay perusal. It looks as though the old-time spirit had been imbued into our county, leaving naught to hinder the re-establishing of the former good name but a general attendance of citizens.

Excursion to Sylvan Beach.

   Grover Post No. 98 G. A. R. and the 45th Separate Company N. Y. will unite in a grand excursion to Sylvan Beach, Aug. 19th to 22d inclusive. Round trip tickets only $4.00. Good for four days. On the above dates the Veteran Association of Central New York will hold its annual encampment at Sylvan Beach. There will be sham battles on the 20th and 21st, in which a large force of the National Guard will participate. Tents will be furnished free to all veterans. Considering the conditions, this will be the finest chance for a few days' outing that will be offered the citizens of Cortland and vicinity this season. Remember it.

A Mirage on Owasco.

   A mirage was witnessed by guests at Cascade Friday on Owasco lake. The sight was one of great interest. The extreme northern shore was reflected upon the sky. The trees which border upon the lake shore at that point were plainly visible on the sky. Usually this portion of Owasco lake cannot be seen with the naked eye while looking northward from Cascade. It was a revelation to those who had read but never enjoyed such a sight.—Auburn Dispatch.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   MADISON.—Hop Growers' picnic at Sylvan Beach. July 20th.

   Oneida has purchased a road roller weighing five tons.

   After penetrating the earth 3,015 feet at an expense of nearly $6,000, Chittenango has reaped the reward of her perseverance by securing the best gas well in the State. Confined to an inch hole, the roar of the escaping gas is greater than the blowing off of steam from a dozen railroad engines, and lighted it sends a blaze five feet in diameter eighteen feet into the air. It furnishes 300,000 cubic feet of gas daily.

   TOMPKINS.—New coal sheds have been built at the E. C. & N. depot in Ithaca.

   The street fakirs of Ithaca are selling the latest thing in the camera line. It is a little box, said to be a camera, at the peep hole of which you are told to gaze intently for a minute. When you have done so you are to touch a spring, and an already developed photograph of yourself is promised. What really appears is a donkey head worked on the jack-in-the box principle.

   The Chi Phi society has purchased a lot 100 by 250 feet in size, of F. C. Cornell on the east side of Stewart avenue, just north of the new bridge, on which they will erect a handsome chapter house. The building is to be of stone to the second story and rough plaster and timbers above, and it is to cost between eight and ten thousand dollars.