CITIZENS' MEETING IN CORTLAND

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, January 30, 1891.

CITIZENS' MEETING.

Looking Toward a City Hall—Other Improvements Agitated—Awakening of Public Interest—Some Suggestions.

   Secretary S. J. Sornberger called the adjourned citizens' meeting to order at 8 o'clock Monday evening, for the further consideration of the propriety of selling the present Corporation and Firemens' building, and the purchase of a larger and more suitable site upon which to erect a building, that will accommodate the municipal officials as well as the headquarters of the efficient fire department of our prosperous and growing village. Attorney Irving H. Palmer was called to the chair and the object of the meeting was outlined by the secretary as appeared from the proceedings of the meeting held on the 13th inst.

   Chairman Calvin P. Walrad, being detained at home by illness, trustee Charles H. Price, of the committee appointed to confer with the Messrs. Wickwire relative to the purchase price of the Doud lot on Court street, stated that said committee had to report that the property was held at $125 per foot front; that the sum of $15,000 could be realized from the sale of present building and site. Further he stated for Mr. Walrad, that Mr. L. D Garrison had been interviewed and requested to name selling price of the Garrison lot on south side of the same street. Other locations had been viewed on said Court street, but there appeared to be none in the market aside from the first named.

   Some discussion over the securing of the site of the present court house and jail was indulged in, but the subject presented so many avenues of expenditure, before suitable arrangements for the need of the village could be complied with, that the question was passed. The story that a deep laid scheme was about to be sprung upon the public was promptly laid at rest, representative citizens rising and announcing themselves in favor of selling and buying more suitable and enlarged premises, the only question being a slight variance of opinion as to the receipts and expenditure or selling out before a new home was secured.

   Mr. Stevenson favored the project of having the new building large enough to accommodate the city officials with officer and added that it would be well to have certain hours each day in which said officials should be in their offices for the convenience of citizens and the public generally. Several side issues pertaining to requirement of improvements which would be beneficial to health, education and pleasure driving being thrown out, Mr. Stevenson arose and responded, showing how in years past the little village of Cortland, numbering some 2,000 inhabitants had shouldered the Normal school and other indebtedness with the wise forethought that future increase of population and valuation would follow and that to-day, if citizens would wake up and be imbued with public spirit and enterprise during the present decade, Cortland could carry not only city hall bonds of $20,000 at 3 1/2 percent, but sewerage, school and pavement enterprises and not make the village poor. The tax rate of Saratoga, of Oswego and other towns were placed side by side with that of Cortland—the former are higher but they are enjoying what Cortland is clamoring for.

   As to health, it was stated that our water works system had added materially to that important point. Prof. Sornberger compared Cortland's water supply with that of Syracuse, which is held to be very bad and of insufficient quantity.

   As to education, Mr. R. A. Smith stated that provision was being made to accommodate all scholars, and further, he was in favor of the new city hall.

   Mr. William Winters arose to inquire as to right and title in the event of the sale of the present corporation property.

   Chairman Palmer [former two-term mayor and railroad attorney—CC editor] replied that there was no doubt as to right to sell, or the village being able to give a perfect title to said property. The recent acquisition of the lot in rear of the building was for the purpose of acquiring such right and title.

   Mr. Stevenson made a suggestion that in the event of Cortland awaking to the public needs as well as to individual enterprise a great item toward the yearly interest of bonds would be the $6,000 or $7,000 now raised by tax each year for drawing in dirt one season and drawing the same off the next. This met the approval of the meeting as did the suggestion that our public work be done by resident and not foreign labor, thus keeping the circulation of money at home

   Mr. H. Williams of the second ward, was in favor of the ward hose houses, but thought the present hall might be partitioned off in suitable offices for the officials. Other remarks followed and Mr. Kelsey, of the first ward, offered the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. Stevenson, of the third:

   Resolved, That the secretary of this meeting present the following to the Board of Trustees and request that it be submitted to the voters at the coming village election.

   Resolved, That the trustees of the village of Cortland, N. Y., be empowered to sell the present Firemens' Hall property at public auction at a sum not less than $15,000, possession to be given when a new city hall shall be ready for occupancy and to purchase another suitable site, and to erect upon the same a building suitable for the future needs of the village for city hall and for fire department purposes, at a cost of not to exceed $20,000 for the erection of said building. And the trustees are authorized to provide for the cost of the same, by issuing and selling, not to exceed twenty (20) bonds of $1,000 each; bearing interest at a rate not to exceed four per cent, per annum, payable on the first days of January and July. One bond to become due the first of January each year thereafter. Said bonds to be sold at public sale to the highest bidder, but not less than par.

   The chairman put the question to a rising vote and it was declared for the affirmative—the vote being over three to one in favor.

   During the discussion of the main question residents of the first and second wards had awoke to the necessity of a hose house in their respective localities, and the subject being again brought up Mr. Stevenson offered the following resolution which was seconded by Mr. Garvey:

   Resolved, That the trustees of the village of Cortland, N. Y., be empowered to select one site in the second ward and one in the first ward and erect thereon a hose house at a cost not exceeding $3,500 each, including site and building.

   The resolution was voted without a dissenting voice, and the meeting adjourned.

An Evening With a Serpent.

   Mr. John H. Howard, who arrived home from Nacaome, Honduras, Wednesday morning, where he has spent several months at the mines of the San Rafael Mining and Milling Company, had a rather novel and anything but pleasant experience while there with a mammoth serpent.

   The houses in that country are covered with tile, and there is always an opening left at the top of the sides between the latter and the roof. The house at the mines was no exception to the rule and consists of five good sized rooms, four of which are usually occupied as sleeping rooms. One of these sleeping rooms was occupied by Mr. Howard and as usual the door was locked after retiring.

   One night, a few weeks since, he was suddenly awakened, and he at first thought some one had gained access to the room. Listening a moment he heard a slight noise on the floor and a moment later he heard the rustling of a paper. He always slept with a revolver under his pillows, a heavy cane at the head of the bed and a candle and taper matches always stood on a stand at the head of his bed. He at once struck a match and lit the candle and was somewhat horrified to see a monster snake wriggling about on the floor.

   Putting on his slippers he seized his cane and slipped out of bed prepared to give battle to the reptile. The latter seemed to be willing and raising his head about three feet from the floor assumed a menacing attitude. Howard knew well if he could hit the snake a heavy blow across the back, he could soon dispatch him, as they can do but little damage immediately after such a blow. He kept making as if he was going to strike and the snake imitated his motions.

   Meanwhile the occupants of the other rooms had become aroused by the noise and were clamoring at the door to come to his assistance, but the serpent was between him and the locked door. After two or three minutes the snake seemed to become somewhat bewildered by Howard's repeated threatening to strike and turned toward the door, when Howard availed himself of the opportunity to deliver the blow, which hit the mark and he soon finished him.

   It is supposed that the snake was hunting for mice and bats and that he had crawled up the side of the house and fell into the room from one of the rafters. It measured nine feet in length and was about as large around as a man's arm. Mr. Howard brought the skin of the snake home with him and it can be seen at Dr. C. E. Ingalls' office. It is called a Massaquat and is of the constrictor species. This was the only specimen of any size that he saw while there, although one was found in the room adjoining, occupied by Mr. Foster, a few nights previously, but as soon as a light was struck he slipped away through a hole in the corner of the room, and it is thought that this was the same one.

An Evening of Enjoyment.

   In response to invitations extended, over one hundred persons were present at the home of Mr. M. D. Murphey, Jr., on Wednesday evening last, where they were handsomely entertained by Mr. Murphey and the Acme and Zeloso Glee Clubs. The guests were received by Mr. Murphey, assisted by the members of the two Glee clubs, and as each one entered the spacious parlors, very handsome, hand painted souvenir programmes were presented which contained choice numbers that were to be rendered for the entertainment of the guests. At the conclusion of the reception the following programme was rendered:

1. When Evening's Twilight, Acme.

2. Legends, Zeloso.

    Encore—Dinah Doe.

3. Cannibal Idyl, Acme.

    Encore—Nelly was a Lady.

4. Lullaby, Acme.

5. Schubert's Serenade, Zeloso.

    Encore—The Sleigh Ride.

6. Vocal Waltz, Acme.

    Encore—Rebuked.

7. Good Night Beloved, Both Clubs.

   The Acme Glee Club is composed of Messrs. M. D. Murphey, Jr., 1st Tenor, F. Daehler, 2d Tenor, C. F. Brown, 1st Bass, and O. W. Lund, 2d Bass. The club has been organized about two years, and is composed of some of Cortland's best vocalists. On this occasion they acquitted themselves in a manner that showed careful training, almost perfect enunciation, and with a musical power that was highly commendable.

   The Zeloso Glee Club is composed of the following named ladies: Mrs. I. R. M. Pomeroy, 1st soprano, Miss Maggie Force, 2d soprano, Mrs. W. H. Twiss, 1st alto, Miss Lillie Turner, 2d alto. The four voices blend very finely together and it is a pleasure to listen to them. Each number was rendered in a highly creditable manner, and they were forced to respond to encores several times, as was also the Acmes.

   At the conclusion of the recital the Acme club escorted their able assistants, the Zelosos, to the refreshment tables where they were served, as were also the guests in attendance, to coffee, cake and cream. Mrs. J. R. Hathway and Mrs. Mark Brownell presided at the tables, and the guests were served by Messrs. Hollister, Bushby, Jarvis and Seacord.

   The guests departed at about 11 P. M., all speaking in the highest terms of the entertainment they had received, and of the very cordial reception extended by Mr. Murphey.

Death of Miss Catherine Freer.

   Miss Catherine Freer, one of the oldest residents of Cortland, died at the residence of her sister, Mrs. Sarah R. Sturtevant, 22 Tompkins-st., on Tuesday last at the advanced age of 88 years. A year or two since she suffered a slight shock of paralysis, from which she partially recovered, but a few days since she had another stroke, which ended in her death. Miss Freer possessed an unusually even temperament and was universally esteemed by all who knew her. The funeral services were held from the house on Thursday at 11 o'clock A. M.

Death of William F. Burdick.

   William F. Burdick, for several years associated with his father in-law, Daniel J. Sperry, in conducting the Sperry House in this village, died at the Iroquois Hotel in Buffalo, last Thursday night. Mr. Burdick was by trade a printer and learned the art in the DEMOCRAT office back in the sixties. From this place he took a position in the job room of the Syracuse Journal which he held for some years until he engaged in the hotel business with Mr. Sperry. After leaving the hotel, he became associated with his brother, George H., under the firm name of Burdick & Co., in the clothing business in Taylor Hall block, until the fire occurred which practically ruined their stock.

   About four years ago Mr. Burdick secured a position in the Government printing office in Washington, which he held until about a year since. He was a prominent Mason, having taken the 32nd degree and took an active interest while here in Masonry. For the past few months he had been with his brother George, who is in the clothing business in Olean, N. Y. Mr. Burdick was a genial gentleman of excellent natural abilities and made many warm friends wherever he went. He leaves a wife and two children who reside in Syracuse. He was taken suddenly ill in Buffalo and his wife was immediately notified but too late to see him alive. His son James F. Burdick, went to Buffalo to look after the remains, which were brought to the residence of his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Burdick, in Homer, where the funeral was held on Monday. The interment was made in Cortland Rural Cemetery.

Sudden Termination of Life.

   About 5:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon Mrs. Cordelia A. Nye, whose home was at 71 North Main street, called at the residence of Mr. E. P. Slafter in Argyle Place, for the purpose of obtaining her monthly allowance as provided by the will of her father, the late Thomas Darby, from the hands of Mr. Slafter who held the property in trust.

   Mr. Slafter was preparing a check for the amount when without warning Mrs. Nye threw out her arms, gave a few rapid respirations and expired at 5:45. Medical aid was summoned and the cause of death attributed to heart failure.  

   Her age was 58 years. Deceased leaves a large family of children, several of whom reside in Homer and Cortland. At the time Mrs. Nye made, what proved to be her last call, she was in usual good health and spirits. The funeral will be held from Mr. E. P. Slafter's residence at 11 o'clock this (Friday) morning.

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   Air brakes on street cars are being experimented with in Pittsburg.

   The Protestant Episcopal Church has 112 congregations in New York and Brooklyn.

   The Grand Jury dismissed the charge against M. A. Clark, the telegraph operator, on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad at Rock Cut, charged with criminal negligence, which resulted in the fatal wreck at that place on November 3rd last.

   At Syracuse last week, an action was tried for slander. The case was that of Samuel Willis of Tully, against the proprietor of the milk depot there, who had charged Willis with watering his milk. A verdict of $450 was found for the plaintiff.

   E. A. Sweet, who works as a telegraph operator at Helena, Mont. in winter and prospects in summer, recently located a placer claim in Lemsi county, Idaho, and bought up adjoining claims till he had acquired 1,000 acres. He has sold all to ex-Senator Tabor for $100,000. It is now reported the property is worth $15,000,000.

   The Athens, Pa. Gazette says: In Smoky Hollow, a wild section between Susquehanna and Halstead, in Susquehanna county, there lives an entire family of imbeciles in a rude hut of logs and brush on the hillside. They live on wild roots, fruit and nuts, and their father can do a little of the commonest kind of work. The children run naked through the woods, squealing out an unintelligent jargon. They dig holes in the ground and at the approach of a stranger, jump into them and disappear from view.