FULFILLMENT OF PROMISES AT THE RACETRACK

Cortland Racetrack, 1894 map.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, July 11, 1890.

Fulfillment of Promises.

   Without question the exhibition of trotting stock on the grounds of the Agricultural society, on Friday and Saturday afternoons of last week, were the foundation for a successful establishing of an a No. 1 place of meeting and certainly was a creditable fulfillment of the promise of the Association for two days fine sport. The weather was exceptionally favorable and the track far beyond the expectation of visitors and interest in the races was kept at a high pitch through the closely contested trials. At the close of the second day it was remarked by veteran race course devotees that Cortland county now possesses as fine a one half mile track as can be found in the State.

   The first race called was the two-year-old with four starters, H. A. Moyer of Syracuse, bl. f. Grex; Hon. O. U. Kellogg, b. f. Rillo; Wickwire Brothers, b. f. Magna Macy; B. Terry, b. g. Raciney, of Cortland. Annexed is the position at close of each heat together with official time:

   Grex—A.E. Cornell, 2-1-1

   Rillo—P. D. McGregor, 1-3-3

   Magna Macy— W. Stoddard, 3-2-2

   Raciney—B. Terry, 4-4-dr

   Time—3:20, 3:15 1/4, 3:19.

   In the three-year-old class Hon. O. U. Kellogg started his br. m. Ora; C. D. Holden of Lansingville, s. g. Prince William; H. A. Moyer, of Syracuse, b. f. Anna P, with the following result:

Ora— P. D. McGregor, 2-1-2-1-0

Prince William—W. Holden, 1-3-1-2-0

Anna P.—A. E. Cornell, 3-2-3-3-3

Time—2:57 1/2, 2:55, 2:53, 2:49 1/2.

   The fifth heat resulting in a draw and the several owners not desiring to overwork the young animals, it was decided to divide first and second money between Ora and Prince William.

   For the named race Eugene Powers started his b. m. Queena; L. J. Hatfield, b. m. Nettie H.; A. M. Johnson, b. m. Lucy M. At the close of the third heat the lateness of the hour caused an adjournment until Saturday with the following official recording.

   Queena—Lew Rogers, 3-1-3-1-1

   Nettie H.—H. Coon, 1-3-1-3-3

   Lucy M.—A. M. Johnson 2-2-2-2-2

   Time—2:56 3/4, 2:54, 2:56, 2:58, 2:52.

   On account of the exceeding large entry of horses in the named race it was deemed best to make two races under this head and Saturday afternoon J. Bobbins started b. m. Mattie R.; O. U. Kellogg, b. m. Ramona; Fred Middaugh of Etna, b. m. Winnie M.; John Hodgson, b. m. Maggie H. resulting:

   Mattie R.—H. Coon, 1-1-3-1

   Ramona—P. D. McGregor, 2-2-2-2

   Winnie M.—T. Gifford, 4-4-1-3

   Maggie H.—D. Ingalls, 3-3dr

Time-2:29 1/4, 2:39 1/2, 2:39 1/2, 2:45 1/2.

   W. J. Greenman started Jessie Fly a handsome br. m. and D. H. Wheeler the g. m. Ella S. It was a clear race and exhibited some "jest see her fly" stepping, as will be noted.

   Jessie Fly, entered by W. J Greenman, 1-1-1

   Ella S.—D. W. Wheeler, 2-2-2

   Time-2:46 1/2, 2:40, 2:54 1/2.

      The public satisfaction manifested over the opening races on the reconstructed track and stabling facilities, with favorable weather, cannot fail to inspire confidence that the Cortland meeting of the Central New York Circuit, July 29, 30 and 31, will be decidedly interesting, the amount of premiums for the three days footing $2,700. The bills will be out this week with full particulars.

Our Athletes at Ithaca.

   The Ithaca field day sports given under the management of the Ithaca Y. M. C. A. on the Cornell Athletic grounds, July 4, were witnessed by a large concourse of people. Contestants were in attendance from Auburn, Binghamton, Cortland and Geneva associations. That Cortland is progressive in manly sports as well as business enterprise may be seen from the prizes captured, viz:

BICYCLE RACING.

   Ordinary, L. E. Edgcomb, first prize. One mile safety, George Lloyd, first;

Charles Viele, second. One-half mile junior, Fred Ketchum, first; Frank Kearsley, second. The greatest interest was manifest over the result of the team contest, as there were several good teams present, but the home grown energy and push of our youths was rewarded by the capture of the silken banner and group of statuary.

MUSCULAR TESTS.

   In the other contests L. C. Grant scored 4 feet 11 inches in the running high jump, with A. F. Sager, second. A. F. Sager scored 18 feet 4 3/4 inches in the running long jump; A. H. Place, second; L. E. Edgcomb, third. A. H. Place won second in the 100-yard dash; L. W. Fralic, third. Fred Freer secured second in the 400-yard spurt. A. W. Mills won third in the mile walk and third in the mile run. J. R. Freer won third for half-mile run. In the 120 yard hurdle L. C. Grant was first, and L. E. Edgcomb vaulted eight feet with a pole thus getting second in the latter contest.

Cortland Cyclers Victorious.

   A party of seven wheelmen took the train to Chenango Forks Friday morning, where a pair of Binghamtonians were anxiously awaiting the arrival. The party then made a run toward Greene. It did not take our boys long to see that the Parlor City pair were after scalps, but E. S. Dalton did not permit of such mutilation and kindly led the way up to Greene.

   In the afternoon Will Doubleday secured the silver badges in the novice ordinary and novice safety races—winning the latter by exactly four inches. Mr. E. S. Dalton captured the cyclometer in the open ordinary; a pair of shoes in the one-half mile safety and a cane in the two mile lap, making three firsts. Not being accustomed to riding safety wheels, J. S. Dalton, through a fall, allowed a Binghamton wheel to secure first in the run and ride race. The boys had just reason to smile as they rode up town at 7:30 that evening.

Floral Trout Ponds were located between East and Owen Avenues (upper right side of this 1894 map).

Will Picnic at Park.

   Saturday, July 19, is the date announced for the grandest picnic ever held in this county, under the management of Canton Cortland No. 27, Patriarchs Militant. The place of rendezvous will be at the Trout Park, Port Watson street, where an abundance of fine fun is promised and good band and orchestra music will add to the social enjoyment. Amateur tub racing, fat vs. lean boat race, dancing and other attractions are fully set forth on small bills. Tickets, entrance, 10 cents; dance, 50 cents. The park is in fine condition and proving a center of attraction this season.

A New Firm.

   Last week Messrs. O. C. Smith and William McKinney purchased an interest in the extensive business conducted by Mr. D. F. Wallace in this place for the past twenty years, and became members of the firm of D. F. Wallace & Co., under which title the business will be hereafter conducted. Mr. Smith has been connected with the house for twenty years past and has contributed largely toward its success and prosperity. He undoubtedly knows as much about the wall-paper trade as any man in the state and as a salesman he has no superior. Mr. McKinney has been with Mr. Wallace for about ten years and has exhibited business qualifications of a high order and has always been one of the most reliable employes of the establishment. Both gentlemen are popular with the public and deserve the prosperity which is sure to come to them.

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   Syracuse had quite a cyclone visitation Monday evening.

   California peaches are retailing in New York at $12 per quart.

   A windmill swindler is now operating throughout central New York.

   The Erie employs 125 telegraph operators on the Susquehanna division alone.

   The Dryden Echo has been sold to E. G. Blankman of Central Square and will be moved to the latter place.

   A large coon was shot in an apple tree standing in Charles Tanner's front yard in Dryden village, last week.

   The Oswego Palladium says the Fourth was so still in that city a person could almost hear the bark on the trees.

   Reports from Madison county say no vermin are seen although the hop blight has appeared in some lowland yards.

   Assistant superintendent Fred H. Phillips of the Mohawk division of the N. Y. C. & H. R. railroad, died at Utica Sunday night.

   The prisoners in Oswego county jail are compelled to do labor about the institution with no expense to taxpayers from the sheriff.

   After an absence of twenty-nine years from Wathena, Kansas, Joseph Tribble returned to celebrate the Fourth. He was recognized and arrested for murdering a man in 1861.

   New York city, Brooklyn. Albany and other cities report an unusual lengthy list of Fourth of July accidents and murders caused by the reckless handling of firearms and fireworks.

   Elmer Lounsbury, of Rensselaerville, recently shot and wounded a golden eagle that measured six feet and six inches from tip to tip of the wings. After quite an encounter he succeeded in capturing him alive.

   Recently the bodies of three women were found in the river just above the fatal railroad bridge at Johnstown, Pa., all in a fair state of preservation. One was identified as the wife of H. J. Roberts, cashier in the First National Bank.

   The Geneva Advertiser says the great Swan Farm, once known as the premium farm of the state, has been sold to a Boston man, who will conduct it as a stock farm, breeding first class horses. The price is given out as $35,000.

   The Cape Vincent Eagle states that the steamer Ontario commenced daily trips between Oswego and Alex. Bay, Tuesday. On account of high water, which reaches nearly even with the Cleveland Co. dock, she is unable to stop at the Cape, and for the present passengers are conveyed to and from the steamer by skiff.

   The coroner's investigation into the cause of the Hill mine disaster at Dunbar, Pa., discloses the fact that Doran, while having practical control of the mine never had a certificate either as mine or fire boss, and that open lights were frequently used and men carried them into passages where gas was known to exist for the past year. Only two bodies have been recovered out of thirty-three.

A Fine Military Company.

   Speaking of the July Fourth celebration in Elmira, the Sunday Telegram says: "Cortland is noted as a progressive town, and it should also become famous as the home of one of the finest military companies in the State. The forty-fifth Separate company, which headed the military organizations in the great procession, is as fine a looking body of men as ever shouldered a musket. The members of the company are all physical athletes and their drill work is something marvelous. They are ideal soldiers, and during the long march Friday afternoon they executed every maneuver with a precision and unanimity of movement that was the admiration of all beholders.

   "It was a grand sight to stand a few blocks away and watch this company coming steadily and grandly up the street. Every man looked straight before him, and all ears were alert to catch the commander’s orders and act thereon immediately and with the perfection of military exactitude. There were forty-six privates and the following officers in line: Captain, D. F. Dunsmoor; second lieutenant, H. A. Dickinson; first sergeant, Fred McDowell; quartermaster sergeant, George Cleveland; corporals, A. A. Michelson, Adam Harkness, A. J. Brennig, Charles York and F. Lampman."