CORTLAND COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION IN FIRST ANNUAL SESSION AND SUICIDE OF W. C. BOCKES AT SCOTT

Floral Trout Park is located between East Avenue and Owen Avenue on this 1894 map segment. The pavilion, ponds and arched bridges can be seen on the right side of the map.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, July 3, 1891.

County Teachers in Session.

   A stiff breeze playfully gathered up the dust and sifted it in the face of people upon the streets Saturday forenoon. The air was much cooler than on the preceding day. An excursion was set for Saturday yet all combined failed to lessen the interest previously manifest in the first annual assembling of the Cortland County Teachers Association at Floral Trout Park. The attendance was large and all apparently enjoyed to the utmost the literary, social and banqueting features of the day. Commissioner William A. Coon was made chairman; Miss Mary Flagg of Homer, and J. L. Conrad of Cortland, secretaries. The literary exercises were followed in accordance with the program exclusively published in the DEMOCRAT prior to the event. Each participant in the discussions clearly setting forth their views as obtained from personal experience in the several school rooms of the county.

   This being the initiatory gathering, measures were taken to perfect a permanent organization by the selection of Prof. Archibald A. Freeman of Cortland, as president; L. H. Tuthill, vice-president.

   By unanimous consent of the assemblage Miss Flagg and Mr. Conrad were retained as secretaries for the ensuing year. An executive committee was next selected, one being named by the teachers from each of the fifteen towns of the county, viz:

   Cincinnatus—Artemus Ward.

   Cortlandville— E. S. Ketchum.

   Cuyler—Frank Fairbanks.

   Freetown—Henry E. Stone.

   Harford—Hattie Pollard.

   Homer—Cora Carpenter.

   Lapeer—Harry Cleveland.

   Marathon—Cora Ealy.

   Preble—Isaac Van Buskirk.

   Scott—Miss D. N. Smith.

   Solon—Mary Kerrigan.

   Taylor—Kittie Skinner.

   Truxton—Kate Lillis.

   Virgil—C. F. Dann.

   Willett—Alice Greene.

   Commissioner LaFloyd Stillman presented diplomas to a class of twenty-two pupils who had creditably completed the eight grades. There were sixteen more in the class but as the diplomas had failed to arrive in time for presentation Saturday, they will be forwarded by mail to those entitled to receive them.

   Resolutions of thanks were presented to the commissioners, and those who had been instrumental in making the occasion a success. Also a set of resolutions, remonstrating against the removal of Dr. J. H. Hoose from the principalship of the Normal, was adopted without a dissenting voice.

   The exercises were held in the pleasant grove south of the Park hall and Mr. and Mrs. Robinson as usual were careful that nothing should occur to mar the pleasure of guests at the Park. At 5 o'clock the assemblage dispersed.

An American Flag with 44 stars was displayed on July 4, 1891.

HERE AND THERE.

   McGrawville will have an old-fashioned celebration to-morrow [July 4].

   C. F. Thompson's stores will be closed on July 4th, from 12 M. to 5 P. M.

   The Homer Wire Fabric Company have shut down for the summer vacation.

   A full account of the suicide of Mr. Wm. C. Bockes will be found in our Scott correspondence.

   There will be a dance party at Hammond's hotel in McGrawville, afternoon and evening, July 4th.

   Amasa J . Parker of Auburn has been appointed District Deputy Grand Master of Masons, for this, the 19th District, by the Grand Master.

   Emerald Hose company, of this village, are arranging many pleasing attractions for their field day, which will take place in August. Watch for the date.

   While workmen were repairing the leaks near the gates in the water mains of the Homer water works last Sunday, a hammer with an eighteen inch handle was found in the pipe at Clinton street corner.

   General passenger agent C. W. Williams, of the E. C. & N. railroad, has issued an order for tickets to be sold July 3d and 4th from all stations, good returning on or before the 7th inst., on all first-class trains.

   Census enumerator J. F. Wheeler has completed the work of his office and reports the total number of children of school age in the four wards of Cortland as 1,988. Last year's report showed 2,163 between the age of 5 and 21 years.

   The DEMOCRAT is under obligations to Messrs. Andrews & Slocum, the well-known Ithaca caterers, for a brick of as fine ice cream as we have tasted in many a day. Messrs. Andrews & Slocum furnished the spread for the Alumni banquet.

   H. P. Witherstine, Secretary of the Herkimer Firemen's Association, has remembered us with a Press Ticket for the coming State Firemen's Convention to be held in Herkimer, August 18-21. Nothing will be left undone to make this the largest and most successful convention ever held.

   Sylvan Beach is enjoying a liberal patronage thus far this season, and the management of the E. C. & N. railroad are to the front in catering to the public mind. Last Sunday seven car loads of people availed themselves of the special excursion rates from Cortland and vicinity. This train leaves Cortland daily at 7:20 A. M.

   The regular monthly mothers' meeting (central) will be a general meeting held at the W. C. T. U. rooms over Collins' china store on July 7th, at 3 P. M. Being more central as to location, it is hoped a large attendance will be the result of this change of place. Subject for consideration: "The child's body; its proper training and welfare." All ladies are cordially invited.

   On and after July 4th next, the National flag will be in accordance with the following order just issued from the war office: "The field or union of the national flag in use in the army will, on and after July 4th, 1891, consist of forty-four stars in six rows, the upper and lower rows to have eight stars, and the second, third, fourth and fifth rows seven stars each in a blue field."

   Mr. M. V. B. Riffenburgh, engineer at the electric light station, while working on one of the arc machines at 8:15, Wednesday evening, received an electric shock which may result fatally. He was immediately taken to his home, No. 6 Foundry Lane, and Dr. Edson called, who is now attending him. He suffers severe sinking spells, and it is feared has received internal injuries.

   Another false alarm was sounded from station 223, at 10 P. M., Monday night. The evening, however, was beautiful, and the multitude did not dislike the promenade. This is the second false alarm sent in from this station, and [fire] chief Dowd offers a reward of $10 for evidence against persons who have been tampering with the system when the services of the department are not required.

   The Trovatoire Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar club of Cortland have nearly perfected the details for the grand entertainment at the opera house on the evening of July 10th. Tickets are placed at 25, 35 and 50 cents, and may be procured of the members or at D. F. Wallace & Co.'s store the 6th inst. The superb renditions of the club during commencement bespeaks them a liberal patronage.

   Monday morning the three-year-old son of Mr. A. J. Goddard, proprietor of the Globe Hotel, Railroad street, came near meeting with a serious accident. His long sunny locks were caught by the upright shaft which drives the mechanical fans. Fortunately, assistance was at hand and the shaft stopped before more than a small loss of hair and abrasion of the skin resulted. The little fellow was out all right Wednesday.

   Edward F. Babbage, the celebrated St. Lawrence guide, died suddenly of apoplexy at Alexandria Bay last week. He had been a guide for eighteen years past, previous to which he was the advance agent for several minstrel companies. He weighed about 340 lbs. at the time of his death. He was at one time agent for Cal Wagner's Minstrels, and was often in this place and always registered his name as the "Phat Boy."

TOWN REPORTS.

SCOTT.

   A Mr. West of Oregon has been the guest of E. H. P. Potter.

   Byron H. Bierce has been appointed assessor in place of Cullen Bockes, deceased.

   Beautiful weather nowadays, and people are improving upon it cultivating and hoeing.

   H. Ward Childs and wife of Syracuse have been guests of his brother, E. W. Childs.

   At the festival held on the S. D. B. lawn last Saturday evening, over $20.00 was realized.

   Cards are out announcing the marriage of Mr. Merton A. Whiting and Miss Ada M. Babcock, to take place on Wednesday, July 8th.

   George Colwell was buried on Monday at Nonesuch. Funeral at the S. D. B. church at this place; sermon by Rev. F. H. Dickerson. Mr. Colwell's age was 79 years. Cause of death consumption.

   Great excitement was caused last Saturday morning by the announcement that William Cullen Bockes of this town, had committed suicide by shooting himself through the head with a revolver. It proved to be too true. On Friday he was at Cortland and Homer, and on the morning of the shooting he went to George Burden's and borrowed a 32 calibre revolver, saying he wanted to shoot a cat. About 9 o'clock the hired man stepped into the horse barn and saw Mr. Bockes lying on a blanket in one of the stalls partly on his face. The hired man slapped him and asked him if he was asleep. He made no move and so he took hold of him and raised him sufficiently to see the blood and the revolver near the head where the bullet passed in. The ball entered a little above the ear and passed through to the other side of the head but not coming out. The hired man says he has found the same blanket in the same place two or three times previous, and thought a tramp might have lodged there. Mr. Bockes had borrowed the same revolver a few days previous and returned it. The act was entirely un-looked for by the family as we learn. Mr. Bockes was kind-hearted and benevolent, and an accommodating neighbor. Naturally social and jovial we are not aware that he had an enemy in the world, but for several years he had been leading a rather fast life to the sorrow of his friends, and he had become financially embarrassed and had borrowed and hired a considerable amount of money and had nothing with which to pay, and in a moment of desperation he did the cruel deed. His father, 84 years old, is nearly crushed, and his wife it is feared will be insane. They have the heartfelt sympathy of all. Mr. Bockes was in the prime of life being about 42 years of age, and held the office of assessor at the time of his death.

LITTLE YORK.

   John Wagner has the job of flagging the crossing for the fast mail train each way.

   Mr. and Mrs. Ab. Hoffman of Cortland were calling on friends the first of the week.

   Last Saturday the denizens of Little York were all even—the Odd's were off to Maple Bay.

   Scott's Highway Commissioner has just begun recovering some of the bridges in the east part of the town. It was high time with some of them.

   Frank Salisbury led the procession for haying by cutting a couple of acres Tuesday. He thinks to secure another crop to work in with his corn silo.

   Milton Salisbury returned Tuesday evening from his New York trip feeling much improved—either from the journey or perhaps his brother's medicine.

   Lyman Wood, the Homer plumber, and who for about thirty years has occupied the same bench under all changes of ownership, was calling on friends in Cold Brook Wednesday.

   On Monday Raymond's swinging grounds were taken possession of by a party who held them for a time against all comers. Mrs. Eugene Perkins had a swarm of bees who gathered on the small maple near the swing before going to their selected wild woods home. Ed. Morse armed "cap-a-pie" made the attack and soon had them in their little house and busy at work. The feat was witnessed by the whole company of boarders and several villagers. One 'kid' found they had a business end and that it was hot.

   ULI SLICK. [pen name of local correspondent]

COLD BROOK.

   Mrs. Byron Stevens of Iowa is visiting at the home of John Gillett.

   Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Lane of Cortland spent Sunday at the home of Mr. C. H. Gillette.

   Mrs. C. H. Gillette and granddaughter visited her sister, Mrs. Rice, in Otisco Valley, last week.

   Mrs. A. Constable, who has been the guest of Mrs. Ella Hoag, returned to her home in Cannonsville, Thursday.

   Mrs. D. N. Smith, Mrs. F. B. Gillette and Miss Anna O'Brien attended the teachers convention held at Cortland Saturday last.

   The Y. P. S. C. E. will celebrate the third anniversary of their organization, Wednesday, the 8th inst., with appropriate exercises at the Cold Brook M. E. church.

   Mr. and Mrs. Allen Clark, Mr. Henry Lawrence and Miss Cora Salisbury of Homer, attended the Y. P. S. C. E. sociable Saturday evening, and remained over Sunday with friends in this place.

   The ice cream sociable held at the home of Mrs. W. H. Lawrence Saturday evening under the auspices of the Y. P. S. C. E. was a grand success. There was a good attendance, a number being present from Homer, Cortland and other adjoining towns. Music was furnished by Mr. Sweatland, Mr. Clark, Mrs. Sheerar and Mrs. Constable. Ice cream and cake were served and an enjoyable time was had. Receipts were $10.10.

TRUXTON.

   The case of the People vs. Sarah Ryan stands adjourned to July 8th.

   Freeman Schermerhorn was hurt quite badly Tuesday last by being kicked by a horse.

   Mrs. Eliza Schermerhorn was taken last Saturday night with pneumonia. She is some better but not out of danger.

   Edward Hicks and wife, of Apulia, Lawrence Stone, wife and daughter of Cortland, were in town last Sunday.

   Gilbert Davis and family, of Syracuse, are visiting at E. B. Lincoln's. Mr. Davis is in poor health and may remain here several weeks.

   Quite a number of people from this place went to Sylvan Beach on the excursion train Sunday. Some who, perhaps, never before had beheld such charming scenery, were so impressed by it that, on reaching home, they were still visibly affected.

   Mrs. Vandelia Varnum, of Franklinville, N. Y., has been giving a course of lectures on temperance reform beginning on the 25th inst. Mrs. Varnum, whose reputation as an orator had preceded her here, has not failed to verify such reports. Her lectures have been well attended and, with the exception of Tuesday night, undisturbed by any of the rowdy element. On that occasion the young "bloods," some of whom are so-called Christians, received such a rebuke as ought to hold their ill-mannered volubility in check.

WILLETT.

   Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Finn were at Marathon Tuesday.

   Jefferson Greene is in New York City on business this week.

   Mrs. E. W. McBirney was a guest of relatives in Cortland last week.

   Willie Palmer of Binghamton is a guest of his uncle, Mr. E. J. Dyer.

   Marvin Babcock raised the frame for the addition to his horse barn, Monday.

   Mrs. J. C. Bailey of Whitney's Point is visiting among relatives and friends in town.

   Austin Mooney is improving the appearance of his house with a coat of paint. Charles Day is doing the work.

   Mr. Stephen K. Jones, of Virgil, an aspirant for the office of County Clerk, was in town looking over the ground Tuesday.

   School closed for the summer vacation Friday. This was the second term of Misses Davern and Gardner here, and as far as we are able to learn they give excellent satisfaction.

SOLON.

   Mr. Henry Powan, of Yonkers is visiting at D. Hanley's.

   Mr. John Shaver, of Freeville Sunday with C. Corcoran.

   Mrs. D. E. Morris is on the sick list. Dr. Hendricks is attending her.

   The Misses Turner, of Elmira, are at Miss Hatheway's for the summer.

   We expect that Solon will celebrate the Fourth at McGrawville, this year.

   Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Severance, of Cortland, spent Sunday with friends in town.

   Mrs. J. V. Shannon and daughter, Mrs. Irvine, of New York, who have been spending a short time at D. E. Morris', returned home on Saturday last.

   Nearly all of our maple sugar producers have applied for a license to obtain the bounty. Still some think they will not be benefited, and have paid no attention to it.

   S. K. Jones, of Virgil, Judge J. E. Eggleston, Sheriff Borthwick, Jas. Dougherty, C. F. Peck and John Mark, of Cortland, and F. J. Woodward, of Truxton, were in town the past week.

TAYLOR.

   Myron Brooks of Syracuse made a flying visit to his parents Saturday.

   Mrs. A. H. Jordan is visiting her daughter near Syracuse, this week.

   Asa Turner and wife of Willett visited her parents one day last week.

   Mr. and Mrs. Byron Nichols of McGrawville spent Sunday with her parents.

   There is a young democrat been stopping at Thomas Crane's since the 16th.

   Michael Deming and Mrs. Sarah Brooks were united in the holy bonds of matrimony Saturday evening.

   DeLong's factory have sold the remainder of their May skim cheese to George B. Whitmore, for 6 1/2 cents per lb.

   Mrs. Mary DeLong has been in Pitcher for a few days helping care for her son, who has been dangerously ill with inflammation of the kidneys.

   CALUMET.

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