The Cortland Democrat, Friday, September
5, 1890.
A VETERAN INVENTOR.
On
Wednesday morning Mr. Joel O. Northrup, the veteran inventor, still hale and hearty,
made the DEMOCRAT office a pleasant call. Over forty years ago he was in the
mercantile business in the store now occupied by Briggs & Peck, corner of Railroad
and Main-sts., and at about that time he disposed of his business and turned his
attention to mechanical pursuits. His first invention was a cylinder printing
press for printing papers at a rapid rate. With the old hand press it was a
half days job to run off 800 papers on one side, but with the Northrup cylinder
the work could be performed in an hour. In these days the Northrup would be
considered rather slow but at that time it was good enough for the New York Tribune
and papers of that class.
Mr.
Northrup informs us that the late Emilus Gurley of this place made the first model
of his press and that Mr. Geo. Babcock, who had a shop under the old Cotton factory
at Homer made the first full-size press from this model. Although well along in
the seventies, Mr. Northrup is still a hale and hearty man and his mind is perfectly
clear and as full of inventions as ever. His latest invention is a press that prints
from a roll of paper, printing both sides, cutting, pasting and folding more
than five thousand per hour. Mr. Northrup is spending his declining years on a
handsome farm near Syracuse.
A GENUINE SCAMP.
A Letter of Inquiry Concerning a Former Resident
of Cortland—A Precious Rascal.
Within
the past few days letters have been received by two different individuals of this
place from citizens of a large town in Canada, making inquiries in reference to
a man supposed to have been a former resident of Cortland. The name given is
one that is not known here, but the recital of the man's peculiarities and his
methods given in both letters, describes Geo. L. Waters who left this place
several years ago under a great, big, dark cloud to a dot.
Our
readers will remember that in the latter part of July, 1883, Geo. L. Waters, then
quite a prominent attorney of this place left his home ostensibly to go to Ithaca
on business and that he never returned. He was a prominent member of the
Congregational church in this place and was apparently one of the most earnest
and devout members of that organization. He was also prominently identified
with the temperance organization and had quite a reputation as a temperance
speaker. While members of the church and of temperance organizations believed
him to be honest and the soul of honor, the world's people pretended to know
and believe that he was devoid of every qualification required to make a
citizen of good character.
After he
went away facts came to light showing pretty conclusively that he was even a
greater rascal than his enemies claimed him to be. It was charged that a certain
young lady, who had been an inmate of his household at different times, went
away with him, but as she soon appeared in town, it was believed that this story
was untrue.
From the
letters above referred to, it would look as though Waters was the man they were
inquiring after. They claim that the man appeared in that place about the time
Waters left Cortland and that he very soon joined the church and was not long
in gaining the good opinion of all with whom he came in contact. When the
pastor of the church resigned he was asked to preach for them, with which
request he readily complied. Not long afterwards he was ordained and became the
regular pastor. Matters went along smoothly enough until recently, when it was
learned that the pastor had been too intimate with some of the female members
of his congregation and instead of applying a coat of tar and feathers to the
brute, he was permitted to resign the pastorship which he had so long
disgraced.
Learning
that he had left this village in disgrace, the letters of inquiry were written
by citizens of that town. The description is so accurate that there can be but
little doubt that the recreant pastor is the rascal Waters. If it be him, he
has committed bigamy as it is stated that some years since he married a very
respectable lady of that place. He deserted a highly respectable wife here and
left no means for her support, having taken with him all the money he could
borrow from too confiding friends here. She has proved herself a thorough woman
and is a teacher in one of the best schools in Brooklyn.
Death of Alfred Chamberlain.
Alfred L.
Chamberlain was born in Homer, November 5, 1805, in a house then standing just
west of the present site of the Congregational Church. He was the eldest child
of Deacon Charles Chamberlain, who came from Dudley, Conn. in 1801, purchasing
and locating upon a section of fifty acres in the center of our now pleasant and
growing sister village—the church property and village green, six acres—being a
portion of that section of land. In 1807, Mr. Charles Chamberlain removed with
his family to Summer Hill, residing there for a period of 18 years; next purchasing
the old Deacon Charles Chamberlain homestead farm.
April 23,
1834, Alfred L. Chamberlain was married to Miss Samantha, daughter of Captain
Rufus Boies, and began life for himself on a farm near Little York. After two
years he purchased the old Major Ballard farm, now known as the Allen B. Smith,
deceased, farm, and for a period of thirteen years successfully conducted the
same, removing then to the farm on the west road to Homer where for forty years
his well-kept stock and clean fields attracted attention of the passers-by.
Advanced age and attendant infirmities
admonished him some ten years since, to take the rest to which a life of
patient and industrious labor had entitled him and he consequently retired from
active business pursuits. His estimable wife died April 21, 1886, and was
buried at Homer.
Four
children were the fruits of the union; Caroline S., Sarah and Mary, twins, the
latter dying in infancy, and Grace B., now Mrs. Calvin P. Walrad who alone survives
this well and favorably known pioneer family.
As an
agriculturalist Mr. Chamberlain was thorough, studious and practical, making
his chosen avocation the duty of both mind and body. As a neighbor and citizen
upright, honest in all matters, ever ready to aid, by word or otherwise, the persevering
youth; slow to make new friends but a staunch support to those whom he knew to
be worthy; his memory will be long cherished by all who knew him. In politics
he was a Democrat of the old school and although not much given to wordy
contention, was ever ready to sustain with sound argument his views on every
political question.
Although
giving his attention chiefly to the farm, Mr. Chamberlain was a public spirited
citizen. He was one of the original founders of the Cortland County
Agricultural Society, in fact, it was fitting to his ideal life work, that the
last time he signed his name to any paper was about four weeks ago when he
signed the article of conveyance from the old to the new society. For many
years he was active in the welfare of Cortlandville Academy; was president and
at the time of his death a trustee of Glenwood cemetery, Homer. Deceased was a
member of the Congregational church of Homer, having united with the first religious
society, or Presbyterians, in 1831, and remained a constant communicant. Mr.
Chamberlain was present at the dedication of the old and also the new church of
the Presbyterian society in this village, coming from Summer Hill on the first occasion.
His death
occurred at 2 o'clock Wednesday morning, and the funeral will be held from the
residence of Mr. Calvin P. Walrad, 13 Lincoln Avenue, at 2 o'clock, Friday
afternoon. Burial in the family lot in Glenwood cemetery, Homer.
Alfred L. Chamberlain: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Chamberlain&GSiman=1&GScnty=1989&GRid=132993050&
Attempted Suicide.
Upwards
of a quarter of a century ago, Mr. Patrick Dunn, of this village, while laboring
under severe mental excitement, made an unsuccessful attempt to take his life.
Between 9 and 10 o'clock last Saturday morning he appeared at the sheriff's office
with his clothing covered with blood while he tightly clasped his throat with both
hands. To the sheriff he stated that he had made a failure at self destruction with
an ordinary pocket knife. Dr. Dana dressed the wounded man's injuries which consisted
of several ragged cuts across the throat, the wind-pipe being partially
severed. Fortunately neither of the main arteries were cut. Mr. Dunn's only
explanation is that his mind was off when he inflicted the injuries upon
himself. His age is 68 years. He is an old resident of this village and has
always been an industrious citizen. He will probably recover.
New Boot & Shoe Firm.
Messrs.
Martin Edgcomb and J. L. Marritt have formed a partnership and opened a boot
and shoe store on the south side of the building occupied by Isaac Edgcomb as a
harness store, which will be conducted under the firm name of Edgcomb &
Marritt. The former was for many years associated with his brother, Mr. Isaac
Edgcomb, in the harness business, and has many friends who will be pleased to
see him again located in business. Mr. Marritt was for many years in the employ
of the firm of Dickinson & McGraw, and thoroughly understands every detail
of the trade. He has a large circle of acquaintances throughout the county who
will be pleased to extend their patronage. The DEMOCRAT wishes the new firm
success.
Where You Will Vote.
Monday
the Board of Authorities met and decided upon the following polling places for
the town of Cortlandville; by districts they are:
1—
Blodgetts Mills, Hubbard's Hall.
2—McGrawville,
Corey Block.
3—Stevenson
building, Elm street.
4—154
Clinton avenue. Brayton's mill.
5—183
Homer ave., P. Dempsy's barn.
6—22
Clinton avenue, Watrous' livery.
7—16
Groton avenue, Kinney's barn.
8—Pendleton
street, creamery office.
9—164 Port Watson st., F. Place's barn.
10—111
Main street, McGraw's shop.
11—115
Tompkins-st.. G. Allport's shop.
12—40
Main street, Firemens' Hall.
13—75
Lincoln Ave., T. Ellsworth's shop.
Health Officer's Report.
Health
officer W. J. Moore furnished the following figures for the month of August,
1890: Total deaths—8, males 3, females 5; nativity—United States 7, Ireland 1;
social condition—single 4, married 2, widowed 1; ages, under 5 years 4, between
40 and 50 years 1, between 50 and 60 years 1, between 60 and 70 years 1,
between 80 and 90 years 1; causes of death—tetanus 1, chronic diarrhoea 1,
whooping-cough 1, cholera infantum 1, meningitis 1, paralysis 1, accident 1, uraemic
poisoning 1. Births 12; male 4, female 8; marriages 4.
FROM EVERYWHERE.
All the [train]
car-builders of the country have their hands full of work.
All the
railroad companies are making extensions and improvements.
LeRoy, by
a vote of three to one, has adopted the Union free school system.
The
United States Treasury holds $191,000,000 in gold, and the yearly production is nearly
$30,000,000.
The
Cunard steamship company employs not less than 10,000 men, and during the past
forty-four years has lost neither a vessel nor a life through accident.
Germany
has one doctor to 1,500 of population; France, one to 3,167; the United Kingdom,
one to 1,234; but the United States, one to 600.
William
W. Astor, of New York, enjoys an income of $23,595 a day. John D. Rockefeller's amounts to $18,715, Cornelius Vanderbilt's
to $15,000, and Jay Gould to $7,450.
A
conception of the power of the Central-Hudson organization is given in the
recent statistics which show the number of employes [sic] to be 20,944 and a
yearly payroll amounting to $12,780,543.
The
Newburgh board of education had decided that the children of the city schools shall
use manilla paper in the pads to write on during the coming year, instead of
white. Manilla is regarded as a better color for the eyes.
Under
favorable conditions, the reproductive capacity of the negro is marvelous. The writer has known one polygamous negro, not
exceptionally vigorous, who claimed to be the father of seventy-eight children.
There are well attested instances in which negroes have given birth to thirty children.—Atlanta
Constitution.
On Wednesday morning Sylvester Wheeler, jr.,
of Canastota, was returning home from a pleasure trip with a friend, who is a brakeman
on the Central railroad. When the train reached Amsterdam Mr. Wheeler jumped
off and stepped into a saloon and told some of those present that he was
working in a striker's place, whereupon he was knocked down and kicked so badly
that his jaw was broken.
Recommended:
Joel
Northrup, The Fourth Estate, Jan. 2, 1896, Sect. 21, page 52, Old-Time Presses:
https://books.google.com/books?id=3WhCAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=Joel+Northrup,+printing+press+inventor&source=bl&ots=sVFwyO1Oqq&sig=7JQYKxEoAGj9bHjw5xcp0kmbi-0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCwQ6AEwBmoVChMIuLnwtpWSxwIVATY-Ch1k6gus#v=onepage&q=Joel%20Northrup%2C%20printing%20press%20inventor&f=false
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