EXTENSIVE IMPROVEMENTS AT MILL VILLAGE AND CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP OF CORTLAND WATER WORKS

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, September 25, 1891.

Extensive Improvements.

   Legislative enactment two years ago permitted Homer to extend her corporate boundaries southward into the town of Cortlandville and embrace a narrow strip of territory formerly known as Mill Village. For what purpose it is not the intent of this article to state. Situate [sic] in this annex to our sister village are several manufacturing interests which appear upon the tax list of the town of Cortlandville, prominent being the old stone building for years styled "Cortland Co. Superior Mills" but which, since passing into the hands of James A. Tisdale, has been subjected to transformations until it stands second to none of the flouring mills in the State, the roller process being adopted several years since.

   At an expense of $2,000 the work of reconstructing the flume has just been completed. A new 56-inch LeFell double-wheel supplants the set of five turbines formerly under the mill; the old discharge arch has been built up and a dry basement for storage is the result. By the new arrangement a great saving of water and increase of power is secured. From the top of the masonry to the bottom of the flume is a distance of eighteen feet, numerous iron bars and heavy timbers covered with plank serve as the bottom of the race way, underneath which is an open space of five feet for accommodating the water discharged through the wheel. The entire work is a marvel of millwright engineering and results from Mr. Tisdale's untiring study to maintain the output of his mill in keeping with the demand. It will repay any one to visit the surroundings and note the constant improvements.

Straightening Crooked Places.

   There is some comment up in the second ward over the location of a line of stakes set by the civil engineer from the intersection of Arthur and Homer avenues northward toward the Cortland Corset company [later Gillette Skirt Co., Miller Street--CC editor.] Said line of markers are upon the inside of the east walk and at so great a distance as seven feet from the walk now down. Even Graham's blacksmith shop extends some four feet beyond this survey line into the street as held by the officials. Notices have been served upon the owners of the above mentioned section to build new walks. This inside survey has interrupted the compliance with the order to say nothing of disturbing the humor of those so notified.

   In conversation with members of the village board it was stated that where new walks—cross or side—were required to be rebuilt or new ones constructed they must be on the line of the street limit. In regard to the Homer avenue changes the same authority alleges that after searching the records and surveys of the Homer town clerk's office back to the period when that township embraced the present town of Cortlandville, it is clearly shown that the street limits in question had not been properly placed by former inhabitants, and it is now proposed to erect the walks on the proper line. The foot bridge upon said Homer avenue has already been moved eastward and relaid, and some preparation begun for completing the work.

Sad Death in Homer.

   "Save my baby!" were the last words uttered by Mrs. Frank McCormack at her pleasant home on Maple avenue, Homer, last Sunday evening. Mrs. McCormack rose from a chair with the intention of crossing the room, carrying her infant child in her arms. Whether she tripped on the carpeting or some obstruction is not definitely known. The lady fell striking her face squarely against the projecting door stop. Death was almost instant—only a few gasps for breath following the accident, and an examination disclosed the cause to be concussion of the brain. Deceased was but twenty-five years of age and highly respected in the village of Homer. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. William A. Robinson, Tuesday afternoon. The child was quite seriously injured by the fall.

Died Suddenly.

   D. B. Card, a well-to-do farmer, who resided in Dryden, was one of the exhibitors of live stock at the county fair. On Thursday he felt ill and at about three o'clock he sought the office of Dr. Besemer who was his physician. He stated his case and as the doctor turned to prepare some medicine, he heard Mr. Card gasp once or twice; before the doctor reached him he fell to the floor dead. Coroner Brown was called who took charge of the valuables on his person, and messengers were sent to search for his family. The deceased was subject to heart disease.—Ithaca Dem., Sept. 17.

Death of a Veteran.

   Sergeant Albert W. Pierce of Truxton, who was a member of Co. F., 185th N. Y. Vols., died at the home of his brother Frank, on Park street in this village, last Sunday morning. While in the army he contracted a disease from which he never fully recovered and from the effects of which he had been unable to labor for the past two years. He was a genial gentleman and had many friends who will sincerely mourn his death. The remains were taken to Truxton where the funeral services were held on Tuesday.

Twenty-sixth Annual Reunion.

   Saturday last was the occasion of the twenty-sixth annual reunion of the 157th regiment of N. Y. S. Volunteers, which regiment made itself famous on the field of strife in the late war. The reunion was held at Smyrna, Chenango county, and the citizens of that attractive village vied with one another to extend a hearty welcome to the visiting veterans. Excellent band and vocal music was profusely intermingled with the supreme joy of the day.

   A business meeting was held in the [Cortland] Opera House where one hundred responses were made to the roll call. Six deaths were reported during the year past. A resolution committee thoughtfully framed a touching clause relative to the kind act of Mrs. J. C. Carmichael who had presented each survivor with a neatly bound biography of her deceased husband—the head of the regiment while at the front.

   The new officers are President, G. G. Waldron of Hamilton; Vice-president, J. C. Atwater of Homer; Secretary, G. L. Warren of Cortland; Treasurer, Major F. L. Briggs of Eaton; Quartermaster, Dr. H. C. Hendrick of McGrawville.

   Following the business meeting refreshments were served at the Messenger House and parlors of the M. E. church by the Smyrna Post, G. A. R., followed by a list of toasts and camp-fire. Col. Frank Place of Cortland was awarded the honor of toastmaster. The day's festivities happily concluded with a parade through the principal streets.

   Hamilton, Madison county, was chosen as the place for the reunion of 1891.

Old Soldiers' Evening.

   The Methodist ministers of the Central New York Conference who served in the army during the late war have organized an association, called the "Veteran's Union," and will hold their first anniversary in the 1st M. E. church on Tuesday evening, Sept. 29th, at 7:30 o'clock. I enclose the programme. Grover Post, No. 87, G. A. R; Grover Relief Corps, No. 96 and James H. Kellogg Camp, No. 48, Sons of Veterans, have accepted an invitation to be present. All old soldiers and sailors cordially invited to come. Prof. Clements, the principal speaker of the evening, lost a leg upon the battlefield of the Wilderness, about which battle he is to lecture.

H. M. K. [H. M. Kellogg]

Will Open November 1.

   "The new factory at Tallapoosa, Ga., is built," said a member of the Hitchcock Manufacturing Company to a DEMOCRAT reporter last Monday. "A new two hundred horse power boiler and an engine of the same capacity have been purchased and are to be shipped to the new plant during the present week." In response to the query as to whether the machinery in the Cortland works were to be shipped to Tallapoosa, the same gentleman said: "A portion of the machinery in the wood working department will be removed in time for the opening of the southern factory which will be as soon as November first.

   The local manufactory have well under way about 5,000 cutter woods, which will be completed and put upon the market this season. The smiths are busy forming the irons for the same this week and a general air of activity pervades the works.

It is a Model School.

   Did it ever occur to the parents of this village that the little boy or girl over three years of age could be instructed as well as entertained by collections of toys? A visit to the Kindergarten and first primary departments of Miss Ormsby's preparatory school on Court street, will conclusively prove that much good is the result of this enterprise and it is the wish of the able corps of teachers as well as the principal, that parents should visit the school during its daily sessions.

   Miss Clara Hurd is instructor of the Kindergarten department giving special attention to singing, drawing, modeling and gymnastics. The card system is instructive and pleasing to the child and the interest they take in perforating and forming characters with various colors is very noticeable.

   Miss Minnie Brownell has been engaged to instruct the first Primary or graduates from the Kindergarten, and the interest exhibited by the pupils shows the value of this addition to the school. Miss Ella Lobdell, second Primary and Miss Ormsby Intermediate, complete the faculty.

   The Normal course in vocal music and Prang's system of drawing are taught throughout the school and from observation the DEMOCRAT recommends parents who are battling with the question of schools, to call and become acquainted with the advantages offered by this school before the few remaining seats are taken.

Cortland Water Works.

   Public attention is directed to the fact that the water service on Port Watson street will be shut off this (Friday) forenoon to permit of placing a four inch main to supply the new works of the Box Loop Company with water for fire purposes. It will also be interesting to the DEMOCRAT'S readers to learn that the controlling interest of the Cortland Water Works Co. passed from the hands of Messrs. Moffett, Hodgkins & Clark of Syracuse, into that of Hon. L. J. Fitzgerald and Benjamin F. Taylor of Cortland, yesterday. This transaction places the entire stock of the Company in the hands of Cortland capitalists where for years it has been contended it should be owned. Under the new management extensive improvements are to be promptly effected and the well known business activity of the two above mentioned gentlemen of Cortland is a guarantee that nothing will be spared to make the service first-class and the good results of Mr. Taylor's past record as president will be rewarded by greater confidence in Cortland's water supply system and an increase of consumption.