CORTLAND BOYS AS BURGLARS

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, September 25, 1891.

Cortland Boys as Burglars.

   Last Friday evening Chief of Police Wright of Syracuse telephoned Sheriff Borthwick of this place, asking if a clothing house had been robbed in this vicinity, and also saying that he had arrested three boys from this village who were in Syracuse endeavoring to dispose of a quantity of clothing and gents furnishing goods. Sheriff Borthwick telephoned surrounding towns and when he reached Moravia was informed that L. Black & Brothers store had been burglarized Wednesday night. This information was telephoned to Chief Wright at Syracuse, who replied that the boys had confessed that they committed the burglary and that they gave their names as Dan Thompson, George M. Mee and Ed Garrity. They also told where they had secreted some of the goods in this place and subsequently Officers Borthwick and Burlingame found the same in a hen roost in rear of No. 78 Lincoln-ave.

   It seems that the boys hired a horse and wagon of Ed. Yager on Wednesday night to drive to Little York but went to Moravia instead, arriving there about midnight. They proceeded at once to Black's store which they approached through an alleyway in the rear and young Mee slid through a coal schute into the cellar where he groped about for some time but failed to find the way into the upper rooms. Thompson was then lowered into the cellar and lighting a match found the door, a panel from which he quickly cut away with his jack knife enabling him to draw the bolt. The rear door of the store was then opened and Garrity entered and the two carried out the goods to young Mee who loaded them into the wagon after which the trio started for home.

   Thursday evening the boys were noticed going towards the depot with a bundle of clothing on the shoulder of each without any wrapping whatever. The boys with their plunder were turned over to the Cayuga county officers. They were held for their appearance at Court, bail being fixed at $500 each, which was furnished and on Tuesday they returned home.

   Thompson is about 20 years of age and is a negro. He has done time in the penitentiary and is considered a bad one. Garrity is about 17 years of age and has been quite wild for the past two or three years. Young Mee is about 15 years old and is an exceedingly lively lad. Both Garrity and Mee belong to respectable families who are greatly distressed over this escapade.

Discrediting the Police.

   Last Saturday morning at about 3 o'clock Officer Goldsmith arrested Lennox Johnson at the corner of Main and Port Watson streets, at the request of three citizens who were returning home from the dance given in Wells' Hall by the Citizens' band, their wives and two other ladies being with them. The officer claims that Johnson was intoxicated and was threatening to injure the citizens with a jack-knife which he held in hand and flourished over their heads. Johnson was locked up and arraigned before Justice Bull at a later hour, when he plead guilty to the charge of intoxication made by the officer and paid a fine of $7.50, at the same time stating that if Officer Goldsmith had been present he should have plead not guilty and would have preferred serious charges against the officer. He also claimed that three men attempted to rob him, and that instead of arresting the robbers, Goldsmith took him in.

   The three citizens who claim to have been "held up" by Johnson, called upon us Monday evening and corroborated the officer's statement in all important particulars. They felt that this was due Officer Goldsmith from the fact that the Cortland Journal was writing him up in a very unfavorable light and apparently attempting to manufacture public opinion against him. The officer would certainly have been remiss in his duty if he had failed to make the arrest when ordered to do so, if the story of the citizens is to be believed and we have yet to learn any reason for disbelieving the same.

   There seems to be a disposition in certain quarters to annoy and injure Officer Goldsmith, who so far as we have been able to learn, performs his duty with tact and judgment and without favor. An officer who does perform his duty fearlessly is liable to make enemies, but the press ought to be certain that he deserves scoring before attempting to injure him. Johnson is a quiet citizen usually, and those who know him best consider his word to be good when he is himself.

Concerning Removals.

   The removal of trainmaster Thomas Kearsley and master mechanic Mott Thompson at the E., C. & N. shops in this place by Superintendent Allen has caused more comment in certain circles than the importance of these events would seem to require. Mr. Allen evidently became satisfied that the interests of the road required a change in these departments and he asked for the resignation of these gentlemen, which he had a perfect right to do. Mr. Kearsley evidently was satisfied with his job and he took measures which he thought would circumvent Mr. Allen but which failed and he was removed.

   When a railroad, or any other corporation, can properly be called to account by the public press, for its action in hiring or discharging employes, public confidence in the management of large enterprises will be greatly impaired if not destroyed altogether. When such employes neglect their business they should be discharged at once and their employers certainly ought to know when they are remiss in their duties and should alone have the right to remove them.

   The Journal has evidently taken upon its shoulders the duty of regulating everything on this terrestrial globe but we submit that in this case it is attempting a little too much. Possibly the fact that Mr. Thompson is the brother-in-law of the editor of our little neighbor, may have had something to do with its activity in the matter.

Homer's Holiday.

   Yesterday afternoon was the occasion of the annual parade of the Homer Fire Department and many visiting companies were in attendance. Business houses and private residences were handsomely decorated for the occasion. Mr. Fred C. Atwater was marshal of the day being ably assisted by Charles Merrill, and George

W. Loomis. The Cazenovia Hooks were unable to be in attendance, much to the disappointment of many, but a royal good time was had and everybody united in saying that the hospitality of Homer citizens and firemen were equalled by none.

   Excelsior H. & L., Emerald Hose, Hitchcock Hose and Protective Police of Cortland participated in the parade which was slightly delayed by the non-arrival of sufficient cars to carry the people out of Cortland at 1 P. M.

   A feature of the parade was the Smokeville Engine Co. drawing old Tempest engine, No. 2, which did duty back in the '40s and was lamed by a motley collection of youths with blackened faces.

   A ball game followed the parade and the day's festivities closed with a dance in the evening. The heat was so exceedingly oppressive that word was sent to Cortland friends to "Hurry up, as we are choking," but no deaths have yet been made known. Music was furnished by Homer and Hitchcock bands.

Items.

   Mr. C. W. Wiles, superintendent of the Homer Water Works, had his hand badly crushed in some of the machinery one day last week.

   Mr. Frank Smith, of the Cortland House hitching barn, had two fingers of his hand badly lacerated with rusty nails in a plank he was handling, Wednesday.

   The trustees are having the shade trees on Main street trimmed up. The street is greatly improved thereby.

   Frank Travis, an employe in the Box Loop factory, had the ends of the index and middle fingers on his left hand smashed in one of the machines last Saturday. Dr. White amputated the same between the joint and nail.

   Census Commission Porter has announced that the exact number of people in this country is 62,662,220.

Too Much Economy.

   EDITOR DEMOCRAT:—Can you tell me why the village assessors did not publish the fact that they had completed the assessment roll together with the place and time when those who felt themselves aggrieved could meet said assessors and show cause if any, why their assessments should be reduced. I looked the DEMOCRAT over carefully each week and saw no such notice. The consequence was my assessment was increased and I have had no opportunity to prove that it ought to be reduced. I supposed that the assessors were obliged to publish such notices.

   Respectfully, H.

   Cortland, Sept. 18, 1891.

   The DEMOCRAT cannot understand why the notice was not furnished for publication. The Editor suffered because of such omission and there certainly was no decent excuse for it. We have never looked up the law on the case, but if the assessors had done their plain duty they would have given the notice the widest circulation possible.