THE FIRST IN THE STATE

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 5, 1891.

THE FIRST IN THE STATE.

Convict Hughes Released on His Word and Honor.

(Auburn Bulletin.)

   Edward Hughes, serving an indeterminate sentence, the minimum of which was one year and the maximum term four years, for burglary in the third degree committed in Cortland county, was released on parole Tuesday morning after serving a little over a year of his sentence. This release on parole is a new provision and Hughes is the first man in the prisons of this State to be released in this manner. The Commission of Paroled Prisoners for Auburn prison is composed of Superintendent Lathrop, Agent Durston, Chaplain Yates, Dr. Sawyer, Principal Keeper Boyle and Clerk Agne.

   The object as set forth in the law is a desire to test the character and the ability of prisoners to abstain from wrong doing and to inspire them to lead honest and industrious lives. The law governing this commission is found in chapter 382 of the laws of 1889. It provides that the members of the Board of parole should meet from time to time as they deem necessary or as they may be called by the superintendent. At each meeting of the Board every prisoner confined in prison upon an indeterminate sentence, whose minimum term of sentence has expired, shall be given an opportunity to appear before it and apply for his release. Before a parole or release is granted there must be shown a reasonable probability that the prisoner will live and remain at liberty without violating the law. If not given an absolute discharge while on parole, he shall be in the legal custody and under the control of the agent of the prison from which he is paroled until the maximum term specified is expired. If the prisoner, while on parole, has violated his parole or lapsed into criminal ways than any member of the board may issue a warrant for retaking him.

   If a prisoner retaken so desires it, he shall be given an opportunity to appear before the Board at its first meeting after his arrest, when, if it is found that he has violated his parole, he shall be resentenced for a period equal to the unexpired maximum term of sentence, if it shall appear to the Board of Commissioners that there is a reasonable probability that any prisoner so on parole will live and remain at liberty without violating the law, and that his absolute discharge from imprisonment is not incompatible with the welfare of society, the board may issue to such prisoner an absolute discharge from imprisonment on such sentence. After release the prisoner must remain if practicable for at least six months from the date of discharge in the place which the board of commissioners designates. If the prisoner contemplates changing his residence, he must first obtain the permission of the agent of the prison discharged from. On the first day of every month he is required to forward by mail to the warden of his prison a report and full statement of his occupation, surroundings and behavior for the month.

   The law governing the parole requires every man so discharged to conduct himself honestly, avoid low and evil associations and to drink no intoxicating liquors or frequent places where they are sold.

   Hughes, the parole convict, is a tobacconist by occupation, and is 31 years of age. His former home was in Ithaca.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   CHENANGO.—At a ball game at Afton, Saturday, between the Afton and Coventry clubs, Fisk, the catcher of the Coventry's, had one of the bones below the knee broken by colliding with Burt Sampson, of the opposition party.

   George D. Adsit of North Norwich had a swarm of bees issue May 23d, being a cross between the Italian and common black bee. They are hard to control, but make most excellent honey gatherers. Much will be expected of them the coming season.

   The result of a special town meeting recently held in the town of Lincklaen, was to authorize the Supervisor, T. F. Shields, to prosecute, or compromise with the Ex-Railroad Commissioners and their bondsmen, as he thinks would be for the best interests of the town.

   A stranger drove up to the residence of George Burdick at East Norwich last Friday, and paid for the keeping of his horse until Saturday, when he would call for it. He failed to do so and the rig is still at Mr. Burdick's stable, and the question which is agitating that gentleman's mind at present is whether or not the horse might have been stolen. The horse is a fine bay and was hitched to a top side-bar buggy.

   MADISON.—Dr. Justin has been at Perryville, again seeking a new location for a trial of his dynamite gun.

   Several Chittenango carpenters and blacksmiths have been engaged to go to Cuba, to work at high wages.

   The State shoot is to take place in Rome this year, commencing on June 15th and continuing one week. The Oneida, Canastota, Cazenovia and Eaton gun clubs will attend the shoot and capture some of the trophies.

   With a capital of $10,000, last Friday the William McKinley Canning Company was incorporated, to manufacture and sell cans and canned goods and cider and vinegar. Its business is to be in Lenox, Madison county, while the principle office is in Rome.

   While Edward Money was returning from DeRuyter to his home, some two miles north, Thursday evening, his team ran away and he was thrown from the high seat with great force. Blood gushed from his mouth, nose and ears. No bones were broken, but his internal injuries were so severe that he died three hours later. While conscious he conversed with his attendants and besought them to "push harder" on his back and side. Mr. Money was a highly respected and industrious young man of 26 years.

   Frederick Baker and his stepfather, David Young, in company with Pearl Abbot spent the day, Saturday, at Madison reservoir, fishing. The party confined their operations to the vicinity of the bridge, at the reservoir crossing. About 6 o'clock P. M., Young Baker said that he thought he would start for home. The others told him if he would wait a few minutes, they would accompany him. He replied that he would fish along the edge until they were ready, and started along the bay in the rear of the Spencer Peckham place, and was soon out of sight. When the others were ready to start they called to him, but received no answer. They went in search of him, and found him lying dead, with his feet on the shore and his head and body in the water. There was a cut on the forehead, caused by coming in contact with a stone in the water. As he was subject to fits, it was evident that he was seized with a fit, and falling into the water face downward, was drowned. This was so apparent that Coroner Gardiner, who was summoned as soon as the body was taken from the water, and who thoroughly inquired into the case, decided that an inquest was unnecessary. Baker was a young man about 18 years of age, and resided with his mother and stepfather in the town of Madison, near the Ward saw-mill.

   TOMPKINS.—Ithaca is to celebrate the Fourth of July this year for the first time since 1876.

   D. W. Burdick Camp, Sons of Veterans, will have a picnic at Frontenac Beach, June 11th.

   The Epworth League, of the Ithaca district, will hold a convention in the Methodist church at Jacksonville, June 9th and 10th.

   A relic in the form of a ten dollar bill, issued during Washington's administration, is possessed by Eugene F. Marsh, of Ithaca.

   The improvements and extensions being made by the Ithaca Water Works Company will cause an outlay of from $125,000 to $150,000.

   Francis Olmstead, of McLean, has secured a divorce from her husband, Wm. H. Olmstead, through her attorney, T. W. Burns, of Ithaca.

   Edward Hughes, formerly of Ithaca, was released from Auburn prison, Monday, on parole. He was the first man in the State to be released on parole from a State prison.

   The "Gold King" is the title of the drama which will be presented for the benefit of Citizens' Hook & Ladder Co., of Groton, on June 5th and 6th, followed by the side-splitting farce comedy, "Reuben Glue."

   Dr. James Castelin, of Ludlowville, had a valuable horse killed, Monday night, by a vicious brute of the "Wild West" type. Dr. Castelin was trying to break this western horse by the side of his own, when it became unmanageable, the neck yoke being driven into the other horse's breast, causing instant death.

Death of Helen E. Butler.

   It is seldom that the death of a child causes such genuine mourning in a community as has the death of little Helen E. Butler, only daughter of Mrs. Ella L. Butler of this place, which occurred last week Thursday. Her health had not been good for some months previous, but her friends were hardly prepared for so sudden a termination and even entertained strong hopes that she might fully recover.

   She was a remarkable child in every respect and had the rare gift of making friends of all with whom she came in contact. Notwithstanding the fact that she was hardly six years of age, she possessed the mind of a much older person, and the sweet disposition occasionally manifested by those who have tasted the cup of adversity and become purified and refined thereby. She gave directions about her funeral and requested that her favorite hymn "When he Cometh to Make up his Jewels," be sung on that occasion.

   The disease which removed this little sunbeam from a loving home is not certainly known. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon and were attended by a large number of her little playmates as well as older people who had become strongly attached to her in her brief life time. All that was mortal of the dear one reposed upon a veritable bed of flowers contributed by the many sincere mourners, one of whom expressed what nearly all present felt, "that the lesson taught by this child's short but sweet life, would be more lasting than that taught by many of our great divines." The family and immediate friends have the sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement.

Farewell Reception.

   Monday evening a large number of young ladies and gentlemen assembled at the residence of Rev. B. F. Weatherwax, Argyle Place, for the purpose of bidding a formal farewell to Mr. J. S. Helmer, the late genial physical director of the Y. M. C. A. After the rendition of a pleasing musical program, the evening was paused in social intercourse, during which Mr. F. M. McFall in behalf of the friends of Mr. Helmer, expressed their regrets at his retirement, to which Mr. Helmer briefly responded.

   It is the expectation of Mr. Helmer to locate at Mt. Vernon with the opening of the month of July. Among other tokens of remembrance presented to Mr. Helmer, which be carries from this field of labor is a Japanese fan upon which is a neat group picture of the members of the Japanese wedding party which has proven a great success in social gatherings of late. Mr. Helmer left Cortland Tuesday.