CORTLAND'S PROPOSED HOSPITAL AND CITY HALL

Cortland Hospital circa 1899.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, January 9, 1891.

Cortland's Proposed Hospital.

   The hospital committee of the Loyal Circle of Kings' Daughters is now earnestly engaged in forwarding a work which has been for some time the cherished desire of every member of the Circle—the establishment of a hospital in Cortland. Not alone to the Circle but to many of the citizens, it has seemed that a hospital for the sick in our midst was a necessity. About a year ago, a fair was held by the Circle and the nucleus of a hospital fund was thus obtained. Since that time the hospital committee has been devising ways and means to bring about the organization of an independent hospital association.

   The committee now consists of the following ladies:

Mrs. Uri Clark,

Mrs. L. J. Fitzgerald,

Mrs. A. E. Buck,

Mrs. W. P. Robinson,

Mrs. Lewis Bouton,

Mrs. C. P. Walrad,

Mrs. W. H. Clark,

Mrs. W. J. Perkins,

Mrs. E. D. Robbins,

Mrs. Newton Cone,

Mrs. G. I. Pruden,

Mrs. Jerome Squires,

Mrs. Samuel Holden,

Mrs. F. W. Collins,

Mrs. J. H. Hoose,

Mrs. G. J. Magar,

Mrs. A. A. Carter,

Mrs. F. O. Hyatt,

Mrs. G. W. Bradford,

Mrs. B. T. Wright,

Mrs. R. H. Duell,

Mrs. Aaron Sager,

Mrs. Alice Ettling,

Mrs. G. W. Davenport,

Mrs. E. B. Grannis,

Mrs. Ida Ingraham,

Mrs. C. K. Ingalls,

Mrs. C. F. Thompson,

Mrs. Mark Brownell.

   This committee has entered upon the work of securing subscriptions, which shall insure the speedy organization of such an association and the opening of a hospital this spring. All persons who shall subscribe to this hospital fund will be entitled to vote in the organization of the association. The committee does not purpose to ask the citizens to give money to build a hospital, but to rent and furnish a suitable house, to engage a nurse or matron, and to provide accommodations for caring for such sick persons as may desire or need the advantages of such an institution. Its doors will be open not only to those persons who may be willing to pay for care and treatment, but to such needy ones as the permanent association shall provide for.

   It is hoped that after the first year the hospital will be nearly if not completely self-supporting—that the annual and life memberships, the receipts from paying patients and other sources, the donations of money and supplies, will prove sufficient to maintain it until such time as our rapidly growing village shall demand larger and better accommodations.

MRS. J. H. HOOSE,

Chairman of Committee.

Cortland's Hospital, Grip’s Historical Souvenir, page 27: http://tcpl.org/local-history/documents/county-history-CNY/Grips_of_Cortland/grips012-027.pdf

City Hall.

   Below are given some facts and figures in regard to a new City Hall. The present building and lot would sell for enough to buy the vacant lot on Court-st., owned by Wickwire Bros, and known as the Doud lot. A building suitable for the needs of the village for all time, should be about eighty feet front, and ninety deep, three stories high, with a basement to store all property owned, or used by the corporation. Provision should also be made in the basement for a "lock up."

   The first floor to have an entrance hall about ten feet wide, running through the building. The west side to be used for the fire apparatus with a small room cut off it for fire alarm apparatus.

   The east side of the building being about thirty five feet, by ninety, would be just what has long been wanted for a Post Office, being centrally located, having good light, ample room, and so arranged that it could be warmed by steam, and have every convenience, such as a side door for receiving and delivering the mails, without going through the front office. The second floor to have in the front the offices of the Clerk, Police Justice, Police headquarters, and Trustees rooms, and in the rear of these a public hall, about seventy feet, by eighty, to be used for public purposes, and to rent for such uses as Town meetings, fairs, dances, etc. The third floor to be cut up in a suitable manner for the accommodation of the Fire companies.

   A bell tower and a suitable hose drying tower to be arranged for.

   There would be ground left to provide a place for tramps to work breaking stone for our roads, and space for all outbuildings.

   Such a building, well built would cost fifteen thousand dollars, including everything. Bonds could be placed for the cost at three and one half per cent interest. The bonds should he paid from the first year at the rate of five hundred dollars each year. This payment with the interest would not be a heavy tax, in any case, but as will be shown below, will pay the Village well to do it.

   Such a room for a Post Office would rent for (1,000) one thousand dollars, the hall would rent for something, and the Village would save the money now paid for rents, in storing the Village property, and the rentals of the rooms, for the different Fire Companies, and the Clerk, amounting to over (400) four hundred dollars, which with the rent of the Post Office would be (1400) fourteen hundred dollars. The interest being five hundred and twenty-five dollars, would leave enough to more than pay the principal coming due each year.

   It would save the village in many ways, such as saving the heavy costs of caring for the prisoners, which is now a Town charge, but which our village pays about nine tenths.

   If such a room was offered for a post office, no person could consistently oppose it, as it is just what has long been wanted.

   Court-st. has always been considered the center of the village, and that location would be satisfactory to both the north and south, the east and west parts of the village. Court-st. being wide and not a business street, like Main St., would be better for the fire department to get out, and not so dangerous as it often is where the street is full of teams, and no street car track to interfere. The hall being on the second floor and larger than any other in the place, would be a source of revenue that would be considerable.

Y. M. C. A. Notes.

   A Mock Trial will be held Friday evening of this week lasting from 8 to 9 o'clock in the gymnasium of the Y. M. C. A. rooms by members of the Association. No charge for admittance. Each member is privileged to invite his friends, ladies and gentlemen. Extra seats will be provided so that no one will be obliged to stand.

   CAST OF CHARACTERS.

   Judge, Squire Curlywig.

   For the prosecution, Lawyer Goosequill.

   For the defense, Lawyer Chancelor.

   Plaintiff, Deacon Timothy Seed.

   Accused… [no name provided—CC editor.]

   Witness, Hans Aubinblauber.

   Witness, Sallie Muggins.

   Plaintiff's wife, Jerusha Seed.

   The Ladies Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. was organized last month and the following officers elected:

   President—Mrs. Dr. Hoose.

   Vice-President—Mrs. S. M. Ballard.

   Secretary—Mrs. C. F. Brown.

   Treasurer—Mrs. J. Maritt.

   The next regular monthly meeting will be held in the association parlors on Thursday afternoon at 1 o'clock, Jan. 15th, 1891.

   The ladies are desirous of forming a large auxiliary and ask that all who wish to join will please to give their names for membership to one of the above named officers or to some member of the Aux. before the regular monthly meeting.

Wheelmen's Notes.

   At the business meeting of the Cortland Wheelmen's club on Tuesday evening Frank S. Jepson was elected secretary in place of Fay Parson who has removed from town. President E. M. Santee was selected as league representative to the annual state division of the League of American Wheelman which meets in Albany during February.

   Eight new members were admitted to membership and the club now numbers many of our leading professional and business men on its rolls.

   The grand formal opening of the new headquarters in the third floor of the Democrat building will be held on Friday evening, January 23, 1891, and promises to be a very enjoyable occasion.

Kicked by a Horse.

   Mr. Stephen Carpenter, of Harford, a gentleman some seventy years of age, visited at Mr. Richard Rummer's in the same town on Tuesday. In the early evening he went to the barn to get his horse preparatory to starting for home. Having taken no light with him, he mistook one of Mr. Rummer's horses for his own and in trying to adjust a part of the harness the animal kicked, striking Mr. Carpenter over the right eye, the toe-calk cutting open the forehead in a shocking manner. The local doctor and one from Dryden was speedily summoned, remaining with the injured man throughout the night. They state that the nature of the injury is such as to give little hopes of recovery.

More Evidence of Prosperity.

   A very correct idea of the extent of Cortland's manufacturing reputation is shown from the large and numerous orders upon the books of the shipping department of her various factories. While local and home demands are in advance of preceding years, the export trade in rapidly increasing. With the opening of the New Year the books of the Cortland Wagon company contains orders for immediate shipment from Spain, Egypt, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand, Jamaica and Bermuda. All of these export orders were received in successive mails and the announcement will be received with two-fold interest in business circles as well as around the family hearth. Indications are daily cropping out which cause the pulse of business enterprise to beat faster and firmer in our county.