FOUND DROWNED

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, September 19, 1890.

FOUND DROWNED.

An Old Man of 77 Goes Fishing and is Drowned.

   Friday morning of last week Simon Schermerhorn, who resided in the north part of Homer, adjoining the town of Preble, went fishing on a small stream that flows south past John B. Knapp's in the town of Preble, and rises about 1 1/2 miles north of Knapp's place.

   He was seen by Knapp's family about 9 o'clock of that morning with his rod and line and he started to fish up the stream. He had a great love for the sport of fishing and he had caught trout out of this little stream since he was 15 years of age and no other man had had as good luck in the sport as he.

   He did not return to his home that night and his family became alarmed. They did not know that he had gone fishing and supposed that he was digging ginseng in the woods near home. They searched for him in the woods that night and next morning procured help when they learned that he had been fishing the day before. They followed the road up from Knapp's but did not find him, but late Saturday afternoon a party of men found him lying in the stream about half way between Knapp's and J. Steele's farm, his head up stream. He had his hat on and his pole and line were found a little distance below, caught on some brush in the stream.

   In his coat pocket was found his lunch that he had taken for dinner, so that it was not long after he left Knapp's that he met his death. He undoubtedly undertook to cross the stream, (that from a very small creek had from the unusual fall of rain during two or three days before, become quite a stream of water), and in crossing, slipped and fell into the water, he being quite feeble, the water strangled him and he was unable to rise. He was carried to his home and was buried on Monday of this week.

   I am tempted to tell a little fishing story that the old gentleman told me a couple of years ago. He said when he was a boy there was a Mr. Crofoot who had a private trout pond at Baltimore, in the town of Preble, and it was said he had a very fine lot of trout in his pond. He said there were three fishermen who hired him one night to carry their bait and when everything was quiet they found their way to the Crofoot pond and had immense luck, took their catch home, put them in a watering trough and next morning started at daylight [with the trout] for Cheningo. On the way they procured a jug of old Hersey, stayed three or four hours at Cheningo and came back by way of Truxton, showing every body the fine lot of trout they had caught. For two weeks after that there was hardly a fisherman in the county who did not go to Cheningo, expecting to take some trout, but they all failed except the men he carried bait for.

   Well, Simon was a great fisherman and he followed it to the last.

A Good Sale.

   Last week Mr. John Robins of this place sold his fine bay trotting mare Mattie R., to parties in New York for $800, and left on Monday for that city to deliver her to the purchaser. In the races on the fair ground on July 4 last, she won first money in a hot party of green ones in 2:39 1/4 taking the race easily. She was driven on that occasion by Mr. E. H. Coon, of Homer, who had had her in training but a few days. The time made was considered remarkably good for a green mare, and her excellent performance reflected great credit on Mr. Coon's method of handling.

   Mr. Coon is conceded to be the best driver in this section and as a trainer he certainly has no superior. If a horse has the speed in him, he is sure to develop it and this science is only acquired after years of experience in the business. He has now a string of six youngsters that he is breaking and handling. He believes in kind treatment and seldom uses the whip.

CARRIAGE TOPS AND RAILS.

Exhibit of the Cortland Top and Rail Company (Limited) at Mechanics Hall.

   One of the most interesting exhibits in Mechanics Hall is that of the Cortland Top and Rail Company (Limited). It is only 10 years since the advantages of making parts of carriages and not turning out the vehicle entire from one shop were perceived. Now carriage making is divided into distinct branches, and each branch has developed magnificently under the new idea. The Cortland Top and Rail Company (Limited) has been in existence six years and already the concern is the leader in their department of carriage making.  Their business has grown so that they are now engaged in doubling the capacity of their plant.

   A great amount of their tops, rails and other specialties are demanded by foreign markets as well as throughout the United States. The exhibits bf this company at Mechanics Hall include their six particular style of rail patterns, their new top spring, the patent shifting rail which permits the taking off of the top and placing it on the seat, and all their other latest designs and improvements. No one in need of their manufactures should miss seeing the exhibit of the Cortland Top and Rail Company [Limited] at Mechanics Hall on the State Fair grounds.—8yracuse Standard, Sept. 17.

Ready for Business.

   Messrs. Holden & Seager have their large and commodious coal building on Squires-st. finished and the same has been filled with an extra quality of all sizes of coal, which they are now able to keep dry and free from dust. They have a commodious and cheerful office and are building a barn on the premises that will accommodate their horses and coal wagons. Orders for coal may be left at Brown & Maybury's drug stores and F. M. Johnston and W. B. Stoppard's grocery stores, which will be promptly filled. They solicit the patronage of the public and guarantee entire satisfaction to their customers.

Prohibition County Convention.

   The Prohibitionists of Cortland county met in convention in this place last Monday afternoon, for the purpose of nominating candidates for county officers. E. M. Van Hoesen, Esq., of Preble, was chosen chairman, and C. F. Cobb, Esq., of Scott, acted as secretary. The convention was opened by prayer by Dr. S. Hinman. The chairman of the State Committee, Mr. Francis E. Baldwin, being present, was called upon for a speech and responded in an able manner.

   On motion the convention proceeded to nominate a candidate for Member of Assembly. Frank Haskins, of Virgil, was nominated by acclamation.

   On motion the chair appointed a committee of three to report candidates for the balance of the ticket. The committee consisted of the following gentlemen: C. W. Collins, W. B. Stoppard and Rev. W. H. Curtis.

   While the committee was in consultation, stirring speeches were made by chairman Van Hoesen, Wm. Myers, P. F. Knight, Mrs. Knight, Rev. J. H. Zartman and Dr. S. Hinman. The committee appointed to report names of candidates submitted the following names for the balance of the ticket:

   For Treasurer—Andrew P. Henderson of Homer.

   For Coroner—Dr. E. B. Nash of Cortland.

   For School Commissioner Dist. No. 1.—Dell June of Cortland.

   For School Commissioner Dist. No. 2.—Jerome J. Woodruff of Homer.

   The old county committee was re-elected.

School Commissioners' Convention.

   The Republican convention to nominate a candidate for School Commissioner for the 1st Commissioner's District, was held in Corporation Hall in Marathon, last Saturday afternoon. The convention was called to order by Hon. D. S. Whitmore of the district committee, and Riley Hammond of Virgil, was elected chairman. After considerable confusion, C. E. Boyden and J. W. Livingston of Marathon, F. H. Cobb of Cortland, and De Pew Shevalier of Virgil were elected inspectors. A full delegation was present from each town in the district.

   When Harford was reached the chairman announced that credentials from two sets of delegates had been presented, and requested that some action be taken thereon. F. M. Beardsley, a new member of the county committee of Marathon, and who is said to be a candidate for the chairmanship of that body, arose, and in slow measured cadences deprecated the fact that dissensions existed in the G. O. P. in Harford. He hoped that those differences might speedily be settled and conventions not embarrassed by the appearance of two delegations from Harford. He moved that the precedent established at the county convention on Wednesday be followed, and that the chairman of each delegation select three of its members and the six thus selected constitute the delegation.

   This motion was promptly carried, and the "ins" or the post office delegation at once handed their representation to the Secretary. The "outs" or anti-post office delegation began to "kick." H. T. Bushnell, County Clerk, who was present as counselor for the "anties" suggested to a member of the delegation that it was not a parallel case and that the "anties" ought not to abide by the decision of the convention.

   The leaders of the "anties" H. J. Brown and "Lo" Rood, then began to expostulate with the officers of the convention and whoever else they could get to listen to their grievances. About half an hour was consumed in this manner when the chairman became impatient, and demanded that the "anties" either "put up or shut up." After a hurried consultation the "anties" meekly handed in their three members of the delegation. Peace being thus restored, the convention proceeded to the transaction of its legitimate business.

   Upon motion of Wm. Corcoran of Cortland, the convention proceeded to take an informal ballot for School Commissioner.

   Mr. Corcoran then, in a short and graceful speech, placed in nomination La Floyd Stillman, the present incumbent. As reasons for urging the renomination of the Commissioner Mr. Corcoran stated that he was the pioneer in establishing the system of grading district schools, and that it was through his efforts that the "District Quota Bill" passed the legislature and became a law.

   The name of A. R. Jennings of Cortland was then presented by F. M. Beardsley, a substitute delegate of Lapeer, in a long and labored effort. Mr. Beardsley stated that no one man was entitled to the credit of the common school gradation, that it was a product of the times, and that no one who heard the speech of the Hon. R. T. Peck in accepting the nomination of Member of Assembly at the county convention could have any doubt that the "District Quota Bill" owed its inception, passage and signature of the Governor to the Hon. R. T. Peck, and to no other man. He said Mr. Jennings was a graduate of the Cortland Normal School, and that no one could spend four years in that school without coming out purged and purified. As an evidence of this fact Mr. Beardsley stated that he himself was a graduate of that institution.

   The informal ballot being then taken, La Floyd Stillman, received 40, A. R. Jennings, 8.

   The ballot was then made formal and Stillman declared the unanimous choice of the convention.

   Mr. Stillman in his speech said that "State Aid" to common schools was one of the things that he placed on his diary three years ago, and as a matter of fact the "District Quota Bill" was prepared and pressed to a successful termination by a committee of School Commissioners and Superintendents of which he was a member.

   A question is thus raised as to who is responsible for this law, which we trust will be explained during the campaign. The modesty (?) of the Hon. R. T. Peck is so well known that we hesitate to believe that he would exaggerate his own effort or claim credit for that to which he was not entitled. After electing C. A. Brooks of Marathon, Fitz Boynton of Cortland, and George Holmes of Cincinnatus, as the District Committee, the convention adjourned.

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