A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE EMPIRE STATE

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, March 13, 1891.

TOWN REPORTS.

LITTLE YORK.

   We see by last week's DEMOCRAT that "Uncle Dick" had been reading up in history and at the same time contemplate the beauties of the "Owego Hills." We also, at the foot of the Little York chain of lakes and under the shade of their grand old sentinel Mt. Toppin, read the history—not of Cortland county alone, but of the whole Empire state from its earliest settlement to the present time. It is a terse well written, grouping of a wide range of authorities by Welland Hendrick, A. M., and published by C. W. Bardeen, Syracuse, N. Y. The book is designed as a text book for one or two terms in a common school course and has suitable questions to guide teachers or scholars who may choose to use them.

   The history is separated into five [?] periods—the rule of the Dutch—the rule of the English—New York as a sovereign state—and the era of Progress—extending from the completion of the Erie canal in 1825 to the present time. It is also divided into convenient paragraphs with a suitable index. One of the best things to fix in the memory of the pupil the facts connected with this history, are the outline maps in the front and back of the school editions. These are specially prepared by C. W. Bardeen and are worth the price of the whole book. There are some points in which the writer shows the cloven foot of political prejudice, none more notable than when speaking of the New York draft riots, and slighting praise he gives Governor Seymour for upholding the dignity of the Empire state. On the whole it is a book that should have a place in every school in the Empire state.

   ULI SLICK. [local correspondent.]

A Brief History of the Empire State: https://books.google.com/books?id=EnE0AQAAMAAJ&source=gbs_book_other_versions

EAST HOMER.

   Mrs. J. D. Bennett remains about the same. She is very low.

   Ezra Seacord has accepted a position in the Top and Rail works, Cortland.

   John Smith of this place has just been granted a [civil war] pension of $12 per month.

   John B. Henry has rented his hill farm to Myron Gilbert. Consideration $180.

   Mr. and Mrs. William Seacord, of Chenango, visited relatives here the past week.

   Miss Georgia Stanley closed her term of school in the Pelham district, Friday of last week.

   Rev. W. H. Robertson went to Pompey Hill, Tuesday, to deliver an address before the order of Good Templars.

   Mr. and Mrs. Artelles Bennett and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Pierce of Central Square visited relatives at this place last week.

   Died—At her home in Preble, March 3d, 1891, Miss Ellanna May Knapp, only daughter of John and Mariam Knapp, aged 16 years. Her remains were interred at this place.

   The drama played by our school last week Friday evening, was a grand success. The hall was filled to its utmost capacity, and the frequent bursts of applause during the performance showed that the efforts of the teacher and children were highly appreciated by the audience.

   UNCLE SI.

TRUXTON.

   Mrs. J. C. Nelson has been on the sick list.

   Elmer Arnold and mother are visiting in Cortland.

   Mrs. H. I. Van Hoesen is visiting her parents in Owego.

   Charles Bliss, of New York, is visiting at his brother Henry's.

   D. W. Carr of Rochester is in town and appears to be in good health.

   The village school closes Friday, the 13th inst., with an exhibition in the evening at Baldwin's hall.

   Mrs. B. F. Kenney went to McGrawville Saturday, to attend the funeral of Mrs. Luther Stanton.

   Mr. Joseph Davis, father of Mrs. E. B. Lincoln, is very much better. He had gangrene in one of his feet and was treated by Dr. J. C. Nelson, who has succeeded in eradicating the poison.

FRANK'S CORNERS.

   School commenced Monday in the Ball district.

   The Gee Bros. have been hauling hay to Dryden the past week.

   Earl Gee and wife spent Sunday with Frank Marcy and family.

   George Purvis Dann has hired Frank Hutchings for the season at $18 a month.

   Eugene Northrup is drawing lumber for his new barn which will be erected this coming summer.

   David Mosher, whose dwelling house was burned recently, has moved in the house on the Homer place previously vacated by Freddie Terpening, who has moved on a farm in Dryden.

   UNCLE DICK.

GROTON CITY.

   Mr. Dwight Hatfield has sold his cows to Rev. B. F. Weatherwax.

   Quite a commotion has been raised in this vicinity by chicken thieves.

   Miss Vina Johnson, of Summerhill, has been sewing at Mrs. F. W. Webster's.

   Mrs. Rena Ranney spent several days with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Webster, last week.

   Mr. Lute Corl has moved into Mr. Almon Stebbins' house, and expects to work for Mr. Franklin Clark the coming summer.

   The mill yard is full of logs waiting to be sawed. The teamsters have spoiled what little sleighing we had drawing their logs in.

   Mr. Herman Odell has moved on to his father's farm and will work with his father the coming year. He moved from near Binghamton.

   AUNT CELESTIA.

VIRGIL.

   Mrs. E. A. Crain is on the sick list.

   Mr. Fred Vereau has rented the Sanford Price farm for this year.

   Mr. L. Seager has rented the farm of Mrs. Elizabeth Seager for the next year.

   Mr. John Seagar, of Cortland, was visiting his mother in town, Saturday and Sunday.

   Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Yager, of Cortland, were in town Sunday, guests of Mr. Ed. Crain.

   Mr. Will Sweet has bought the Polly Ehle house. That's all right, Will, you have got the cage; now for the bird.

   Mr. George E. Peer has hired to Mr. Frank Price for another year. This makes three years he has been in his employ.

   Mr. Sanford B. Price, of Northboro, Mass., was visiting his mother and friends in town last week. He is well pleased with his new home.

   The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. E. V. Price gave them a surprise party at their pleasant home on Friday evening of last week. All who attended report a pleasant time.

   Saturday evening about 40 invited guests enjoyed the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Oaks at their home. Refreshments were provided in abundance, and all decided that they had spent a very pleasant evening.

   Mr. Martie Elster and Earl Curtis attended the theatre at Cortland, March 2d, and when returning home they tipped over and the horse ran away and broke one of his legs, just above the knee. The horse had to be killed. It was quite a valuable animal.

   TOPSY.

BLODGETT'S MILLS.

   The Grangers feasted at W. S. Freer's last Thursday.

   Tanner & June are erecting a house on Railroad-st. to rent.

   Mr. Linus Smith and Ira Stafford have both been quite sick.

   Mrs. Maria Spencer has moved back to her farm on Virgil hill.

   Singing-school closes with a concert next week Saturday evening.

   Miss Josie Hollenbeck, of Newark, N. J., is visiting her mother here.

   Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burt visited friends in Freetown, Friday and Saturday.

   Mrs. Amanda Brown has commenced her season's work for M. C. Butterfield.

   James Greenwood and J. J. Larison have gone to New York in the interest of the Union Milk company.

   The Union Milk Co. have hired an experienced butter and cheese maker and will commence taking in milk and making up the same on Monday next.

   About seventy-five invited guests assembled at the residence of S. B. Smith on Thursday last to witness the marriage of his youngest daughter Addie G. to Layton G. Stafford. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford were the recipients of numerous valuable presents. We are informed that they are soon to take up their residence under the paternal roof of Miles Stafford.

   Last Thursday evening about forty of the friends of Rev. and Mrs. D. P. Rathburn met at the Baptist parsonage and passed a most enjoyable evening. Bountiful refreshments were served and as a slight token of their esteem presented Mrs. Rathburn with a beautiful willow rocker, and the elder with an elegant gold headed cane. The presentation was made by Dr. M. R. Smith in his usual happy manner. The feeling response of both Mr. and Mrs. Rathburn plainly evinced that the tokens of friendship were fully appreciated and the donors, although not connected with the church, would always hold a warm place in their remembrance.

PREBLE.

   Sleighing is now a close shave.

   Milk is 2 1/2 cents at the milk depot.

   Our neighbor, M. M. Outt, is going to move to the 2d ward this spring.

   Blow hard (our weather prophet) says March will be stormy the whole length of it.

   Our big and little boys are all getting ready for a sweet time next month, as they then expect to buy sugar cheap.

   We are informed that an out of town party will, after the 11th of April, occupy the store now kept by Frank Conine.

   Mr. Howe was shipping potatoes last week and paying 90 cents per bushel. Potatoes ought to taste high-toned at that price.

   Mrs. Ryan Green is quits sick. In the cure and attendance of her parents before they passed away she undoubtedly worked too hard, and she is now suffering the consequences.

   Notices are posted up in town advertising the W. A. Morgan blacksmith shop, tools, wood shop and house for sale. It is a good location and opening for the man who wants plenty of work.

   Our farmers are quite excited over the sudden rise in the price of butter. It seems to be the topic of discussion on every corner, and the wise ones say it will go to 40 cents before the grass grows this year.

   Mr. Hiscock is getting along as well as could be expected. He had the broken bones adjusted last Saturday. The doctors are not in as much of a hurry to set broken bones as they were some years ago.

   Mr. and Mrs. John B. Knapp buried their daughter (Mamie) and only child, last Thursday, at East Homer. She was 16 years of age and had been a sufferer from childhood. She endured her suffering with great heroism.

   We have laid her down to rest;

   She has passed from out our sight;

   This parting must be for the best,

   For "God doeth all things right."

SCOTT.

   Mr. S. J. Hazard is on the sick list.

   Mr. and Mrs. Will Pidge have a brand new baby at their house.

   At the donation held for Rev. F. A. Dickinson, nearly $80 were received.

   The trustees of the old burial ground deeded a plot of land to Morgan Maxson, recently.

   Miss Eliza Barber, Miss Anna Frisbie, Rev. J. A. Platts and Mr. Lucien Barber returned from Alfred Centre, on Monday.

   Russell Lewis, who died in New Hampshire in Dec. last, will be buried in the Scott burying ground, the last of this month.

   William N. Babcock and wife, of this town, went to DeRuyter last Saturday to attend the funeral of his uncle, Lauren Babcock.

   The Kickapoos and their attendants leave Scott this week for Kelloggsville. The sick of that section may step into the pool and be healed as often as the water shall be troubled.

   Word was received by telephone on Monday from Freeville, that H. Lee Whiting, of this town, who was visiting there, was stricken with paralysis, and that he would probably not recover.

   Rev. F. A. Dickinson gave an interesting talk to the few who gathered at the M. E. church, last Sunday evening, upon temperance and the duties devolving upon Christians, especially as relating to the proposed amendment question. A large share of the crowd that was present seemed to be absent. Arrangements were made for another meeting to take place next Sunday evening, March 15th, at the S. D. B. church. The two pastors and others are expected to be present.

District School Notes.

   Arbor Day for the present year, May 9th.

   In 1889 there were 5,661 school districts reported as observing Arbor Day and 24,166 trees were planted. The following year 8,106 districts participated and 27,130 trees planted, while in 1890 it is estimated that fully one-half million scholars found pleasure and relaxation from study by improving and beautifying their school grounds and participating in appropriate literary exercises.

   There is to be a renewal of the offer of a prize for the best kept school grounds in this state. There is also to be a second vote taken for a state flower, confining the candidates to the rose and goldenrod.

   On the subject of tree planting it is suggested that "in some section of our state it may be impracticable to delay the planting of trees until the 8th of May; in such cases it is recommended that trees be planted when this work can most successfully be done, and that all districts unite in observing Arbor Day by literary exercises on the day fixed by law."

   It should be borne in mind that the schools securing the awards in 1890, viz:—District No. 12, Columbus, Chenango county, and district No. 11, Watervliet, Albany county, will be allowed to complete for honorable mention but not for the money $100 and $50 respectively.