Tuesday, February 16, 2016

SHERIFF MILLER AS DETECTIVE



Cortland Standard and Weekly Journal, Tuesday, August 2, 1892.

Sheriff Miller as Detective.
   Sheriff Miller relates some interesting experiences attending his trip on Monday last to “South America” to serve a warrant on Millard Crandall. Crandall who has something of a local reputation earned by years of petty thieving has also a record with the county official of being a very slippery customer and a hard man to interview. His house which is in the wild regions of Haight's Gulf is set back from the regular road and the lane leading to it is almost choked with bushes and young trees.
   When about a mile from Crandall’s house, the sheriff met some of the neighbor’s children and through some skillful questioning discovered that Crandall was working in a hay field some distance further on. From a rise in the road he was soon able to see Crandall and his oldest boy at work. Mrs. Crandall was also there picking berries. A few rods further on the sheriff came to the bars and drove into the field. When he looked around, he saw that Crandall had disappeared. Inquiry of Mrs. Crandall or the boy did not reveal anything, as they coolly denied any knowledge of Crandall’s whereabouts.
   The sheriff knew perfectly well that Crandall had recognized him and had crawled into the dense fringe of berry bushes which surrounded the field. He stayed for a while, however, and visited, picking berries as a pretext for rambling through the bushes to look for Crandall. This proved a fruitless attempt, as Crandall who is thoroughly at home in the bush, easily dodged him. The sheriff then tried a ruse and bidding the Crandalls good-bye he drove off homeward. As soon as he was out of sight he got out of the wagon and proceeded to go round lots, so as to get on the other side of the hay field and play spy. When he reached the edge of the fringe of trees and brush he was gratified by seeing the elder Crandall peering out of the woods on the other side of the clearing. The sheriff, according to the rules of all well-regulated dime novel detectives, promptly dropped to the ground.
   Crandall was too far off to intimidate and hold with a revolver and could make good his escape if the sheriff showed himself. So the sheriff lay in the berry bushes for half an hour, fighting innumerable flies and mosquitoes with the thermometer in the neighborhood of 100 degrees. There was a path near and the sheriff hoped that Crandall would pass that way. After patient waiting, the sheriff wormed his way round so as to take Crandall from the rear. During the operation he lost sight of his quarry for a few minutes and on reaching the clearing again he was gratified to see Crandall disappearing down the path on the other side so lately guarded by him. That was too much for the patience of the amateur detective and he gave up the chase for that day.
   Two days later, however, the sheriff made another raid and captured Crandall without any trouble, running upon him in the road near his home.

Another Pretty Tale Spoiled.
   The following paragraph, credited to the Albany Argus, was quoted, with the emphasis and approval of double leads, in the editorial columns of the Cortland Democrat of the 22nd inst.:
   It is a simple tale, that from California of the collapse of the great McKinley tin mine at Temescal. An English syndicate has sunk $2,000,000 in it, and it still runs behind $2,000 a month on a small output. To start this mine and establish the factories it was to supply, the people of the United States have been taxed $15,000,000 for the past year, and still it will not work. The republican remedy is to assess the people of the United States still more to put this syndicate on its feet. The Democratic plan is to allow that $15,000,000 another year to stay in the pockets of the American people to be invested according to the common sense of each citizen and not according to the theories of Republican congressmen.Albany Argus.
   Some people may perhaps believe that this paragraph is true, to the injury of their political judgment and economic good sense. But the fact is that it is as destitute of anything like truth as a puffball is destitute of meat. In the first place the story of the failure of the Temescal tin mine is a campaign fake. English capitalists would not have blown $2,000,000 into a hole in the ground, and would not keep up the outlay when there was nothing but loss behind or before them. This ought to be self-evident. But the proof that the story is made out of whole cloth does not depend on abstract reasoning. Special agent Ayer in his report gives a dispatch from the selling agents of the mine at San Diego which says: “Have just visited the tin mines, which are 100 miles north of here. There is a large amount of machinery and costly works being erected. The mine is now working 110 miners and shipped 162,000 pounds of pig tin the last six months, and will continue.”

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    The Argus’s statement that “the people of the United States have been taxed $15,000,000 for the past year to start this mine and establish the factories it was to supply” is as untrue as its story about the failure of the mine. Only the most desperate and unscrupulous campaign falsifier would hazard such a statement when the evidence of its utter lack of foundation is a matter of record and accessible to every one. Bar, block and pig tin have come into this country under the McKinley law thus far free of all duty whatsoever. Schedule C of that law , near its close and just preceding the subdivision “Watches,” provides that bar, block and pig tin, after July 1, 1893, shall pay a duty of 4 cents per lb. “provided that unless it shall be made to appear to the satisfaction of the president of the United States (who shall make known the fact by proclamation) that the product of the mines of the United States shall have exceeded five thousand tons of cassiterite, and bar, block and pig tin in any one year prior to July first, eighteen hundred and ninety-five, then all imported cassiterite, bar, block and pig tin shall after July first, eighteen hundred and ninety-five, be admitted free of duty.”
   Was there ever a more crushing answer to campaign falsehoods!  So far from the people’s having been taxed $15,000,000 during the past year to help British capitalists engaged in the tin-mining business in this country, these capitalists have thus far not been protected a penny’s worth. Nor will they or any other tin mining company be protected till July 1, 1898, and then if more than five thousand tons are not produced in any one year previous to July 1, 1895, off goes the tariff.
   That English capitalists should have invested $2,000,000, as The Argus says they have, under such circumstances, in a single American tin mine, shows that conservative and selfish foreigners have far more faith in the future of the tin industry in this country than have Democratic newspapers or congressmen. But with the Englishmen it is a matter of business, and with our Democratic friends it is one of politics. Profits are one thing, and campaign capital is quite another.

Iron Hall All Sound.
   Boston, Aug. 1.—The Globe this morning publishes an interview with Joseph J. Giles on the subject of a receivership for the order of the Iron Hall. Mr. Giles has been a representative in the legislature during the two past sessions, and served upon the insurance committee. Regarding the story telegraphed from Indianapolis, he says: “It is either a canard set up by old line insurance companies in the hope of stampeding the members of the Iron Hall or it may be a scheme, which I would not approve, to invite criticism and court investigation, to redound to the prosperity of the organization, showing it to be in a perfectly sound and solvent condition.

                                       An Explanation.
To the Editors of the Cortland STANDARD AND JOURNAL:
Sirs:—There appeared in Saturday’s evening papers a statement to the effect that a receiver had been asked for the Order of the Iron Hall, which statement is likely to damage that order to a great extent. The statement is a base libel and without any reason, as those who watched the arguments at Albany last winter well know. The order is not in the least affected by such base tactics and it only results in causing a sensation.
   As there are several hundred people here who belong to these orders, I wish to state this fact, that they have no reason to be alarmed in the least, as this is another instance of trying to injure us by our opponents. Any one can ask for a receiving order, but getting it is another thing. I enclose remarks from Judge T. L. Arms, who is well known here and whose opinion carries weight:
   Binghamton N. Y., July 30. Judge Taylor S. Arms, a prominent member of the Iron Hall, which has several thousand members in this city, was interviewed this morning regarding the Indianapolis dispatch which casts reflection upon the order. He denounces the affair as a base libel and traces the origin of the trouble to Superintendent of Insurance Merrill of Massachusetts, who has fought the Iron Hall for many years, and the line of argument and estimates made in the dispatches are identical with those advanced by Merrill before the senate committee at Albany last winter.
   The order has $3,500,000 in reserve and is paying matured certificates before the expiration of the ninety days’ limit. The Indianapolis scheme is similar to those practiced in the East by enemies of the order. Any dishonest member can secure an injunction upon a contested sick claim and demand a receiver by alleging the insolvency of the order. At one time speculators in Massachusetts made a practice of securing injunctions against assessment orders to excite distrust. Maturing certificates were purchased at a discount from frightened owners, and the speculators realized large sums of money when the certificates became due. Judge Arms stated the order could not become indebted for $1,000,000 upon the remainder of the certificates maturing in 1893. Yours sincerely,
   ARTHUR HOLT, Deputy Supreme Justice of O. I. H.



CORTLAND COUNTY NEWS.
INTERESTING FACTS FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.
Things Seen and Heard in Villages and Hamlets About Us, and Items From All Over the County.
McGrawville.
   McGrawville, July 29.—Miss Eliza A. Harrison died suddenly yesterday morning after a brief illness of bronchial pneumonia. Her relatives were at once notified and Mr. Will Harrison and Mr. and Mrs. Uriah Loomis of Smithville came last night. Sad indeed was the meeting with the dear, dead sister from whose pale but smiling lips came no word of welcome, and from the closed dark eyes no glad awakening of recognition. Gentle, womanly and true, the slender hands will never more minister to the sick and sorrowing. Self-reliant, bravely and cheerfully she has smilingly passed out into the “Valley of Shadows.” Her remains were taken to her home in Smithville where the funeral will be held Saturday at 2 P. M., the Rev. J. J. Cowles officiating.
   Justice Parker went to Jamesville on business, Tuesday.
   Rev. A. C. Smith and granddaughter of Virgil visited at W. P. Henry’s Wednesday.
   Miss Hattie Burnham of Cortland has been visiting Miss Effie Henry.
   There are six ill with measles at Will Woolsey’s. May Jorden also has the measles.
   E. E. Harvey has just been granted $600 back pension and $10 per month hereafter.
   Many of our citizens have given up the idea of witnessing Forepaugh’s parade, their curiosity for such excitement having become satiated by viewing the taming of a wild and vicious bicycle as manipulated by Dr. Duane E. Ensign.
   Some of our friends are filled with rage because, as they express it, “some scoundrel is trying to usurp our place in these columns.” Banish the thought. We flatter ourselves that Nemo is altogether too unique, grotesque and ancient at the business to be crowded out by any one. Three cheers for “Dib.” No one welcomes you more gladly than yours,
   Fraternally,
   NICK & NEMO.
   McGrawville, July 30. Mr. Allan Russell was not injured as we heard yesterday. He is able to be out, but carries one arm in a sling.
   Frank Wheelock’s mother and aunt from Apulia and Mrs. Loomis of Syracuse have been guests at Mr. Wheelock’s.
   Charles Brooks of New York is here.
   Ephraim C. Palmer and family have gone to Eaton for a couple of weeks.
   There is to be a reunion in the Darrow family.
   Rev. and Mrs. J. J. Cowles became members of the McGrawville W. C. T. U. last Friday evening.
   M. C. Bean, Will Bean and Oliver Perry with their families attended a picnic at Little York lake Thursday.
   From Moritz, Switzerland, July 17—“Col. and Mrs. Lamont have just taken a little walk over the mountain and back, a distance of ten miles, and were caught in a snow storm,” and while they stood among the falling snow flakes they saw in the valley the sun shining, rain falling and a glorious rainbow and heard the reverberation of thunder.
   The literary ice-cream social at the hospitable home of W. P. Henry last evening was enjoyed by the forty-five present to the fullest extent. Rev. Charles Walker of Delphi and Charles Clements were present and every one was agreeably surprised to meet these two “Charlies” once more. Prof. Higgins’ “chalk talk,” explaining pictorially the Late Male, was so affecting as to draw tears (of laughter) from many eyes unused to weeping.
   Why can’t McGrawville have a ladies’ bicycle club?
   Inquiringly,
   NICK & NEMO. [Pen names of local correspondents—CC editor.]
East Homer.
   A number of people from this place attended the Sons of Veterans’ excursion to Sylvan Beach this morning.
   Miss Jennie Haight, having completed a successful term of school in district No. 13 last Friday, started Tuesday morning for a two weeks’ visit with relatives in Madison county.
   Miss Jessie Huttleson has returned to her home in South Otselic.
   The family of Mr. John M. Rose are visiting his mother, Mrs. Ann Rose. Mr. Rose returns to Scranton, Pa., on Saturday, while the family remain during the summer.
   After a vacation of two weeks, Miss Blanche Rose goes back to her work in the family of Dr. J. C. Nelson, Truxton.
   Mr. R H. Rose of Cortland spent Sunday in town.
   Rev. T. H. Hinman came from Cortland to East Homer on his wheel in twenty-eight minutes last Saturday.
   Mr. M. D. Murphey, Jr., of Cortland is to drill the M. E. church choir for a time.
Eaton Hill.
   Eaton Hill, July 26.—We are having very warm weather with frequent showers, hard winds and sharp lightning and thunder. Last Friday just at night there was a hard shower. Several trees and fences were blown over. Frank Smith’s barn was struck by the lightning. It split the cupola, broke one rafter, tore up some of the shingles and went down the side into the ground. Mr. Smith and his man Bert Hopkins were milking, but fortunately no one was injured. Bert said he felt as though a hundred-pound weight dropped on his head.
   This morning we had two severe storms, the last one accompanied with some hail. As yet we have heard of no serious damage.
   A few of our farmers are fortunate enough to be through with their haying.
   Hay is a good crop this year; oats will not be as good as last year.
   Mr. Cory Eaton has disposed of his sorrel team and has a pair of bays.
   Mr. Dempster Eaton of Brisben spent Sunday with friends here. His two little sons, Ralph and Leon, who spent the last two weeks at their grandfather’s, accompanied him home.
   Miss Belle Allen of Pennsylvania, who has been spending some time at her uncle's, Mr. Abel Eaton, has gone to Mrs. Lizany Gardner’s.
   Miss Phrona Humstead of Triangle has been spending some time with her sister, Miss Cory Eaton.
   Mrs. Joe Gibson was quite ill last week with erysipelas in her face. She is better at this writing.
   Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Read of Upper Lisle visited at Charles E. Eggleston's recently.
   Mr. and Mrs. Cory Eaton spent Sunday with friends in Triangle.
   KINO
 

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