LIGHTNING FREAKS

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 10, 1892.

Lightning Freaks.

   Lightning struck a tree in front of J. D. Doran's barn No. 134 Clinton-ave., last Thursday afternoon, and glancing, struck a corner of the barn tearing off the boards and making a big hole in the floor as it passed down and into the ground.
   The telephones at the Cortland Steam Laundry, the Arlington house and at the residence of A. H. Winchell were burned out. The line crossing Tompkins street was cut in two and the direct line between this place and Auburn and the local line from here to Syracuse were both down.

   The telephones in the offices at Homer, Marathon and Whitney's Point, were burned out. The big elm in front of the Elm Tree house in McLean was shattered by lightning. The storm was a severe one and the only wonder is that more damage was not done.

An Immense Aerolite.

   ST. PETERSBURG, June 3.—What is believed to be the largest aerolite ever known to have fallen is lying in the Caspian sea, a short distance from the peninsula of Apsheron. In falling, the aerolite made a most terrific noise, as it rushed through the air with incredible speed, and the white hot mass made a light that illuminated the country and sea around about for a great distance. Those who saw it were struck dumb with consternation. When it struck the water, immense clouds of steam arose and the hissing could be heard for a great distance. Huge masses of water were thrown upward and the sight to those who were not frightened was a most beautiful one.

   So enormous is the aerolite that it projects twelve feet above the water, and save for its fused black crust, which gives it the appearance of having been varnished, it has every appearance of being one of the usual rocky formations met with along the coast. Scientists are deeply interested in the phenomenon and a number of them are making preparations to visit the peninsula to examine the aerolite.

Wheelmen's Tournament.

   The Cortland Wheel club of Cortland, N. Y., will hold their second annual tournament at the Cortland Driving Park on Monday, June 13. The morning will be taken up with a grand street parade in which 500 uniformed wheelmen take part.

   Beginning at 1 o'clock in the afternoon there are thirteen different but almost continuous events, including a 16 mile road race to Little York and return, finishing four laps on the track.

   Most of the fastest racing men in the country will be present and compete, as Cortland is in the regular L. A. W. racing circuit, and one of the State Championships will be run. The half-mile track at the Driving Park has been put in prime condition and it is confidently expected that there will be some magnificent contests for the $1200 worth of prizes offered by the club. Those interested in the relative merits of the horse as against a bicycle will be glad to note that one of the best horses in Cortland county with a mark of 3:24 will trot a mile against a speedy rider for a $50 purse.

   A prize worth $150 has been offered to the wheelman making the best mile under 2:23 which will stimulate the riders to their best efforts.

   The admission is only 25 cents and those attending will be sure of getting the worth of their money.

   The prizes are now on exhibition in the large window of Mr. F. D. Smith on Main street.

   A large delegation of the Cortland boys will go to Syracuse, Saturday, to boom things and escort the racers and visitors to Cortland.

   The Hitchcock band and orchestra will furnish music day and evening. Prizes will be distributed at the Floral Trout Park at 8 o'clock in the evening and a dance will follow.

Mahan's Music Festival.

   Mahan's annual music festival opened on Monday, with a very large chorus. Additions have come from day to day until it has proved to be the largest in its history. The attendance every afternoon and evening has been large, showing that the interest in these annuals is not decreasing. The concert on Thursday evening was listened to by a crowded house, and the frequent encores testified that the entertainment was highly appreciated. The following are the programmes for Friday:

Copy of programs.

HERE AND THERE.

   Mr. D. M. Roberts, employed in the Cortland Desk factory, had one of his thumbs taken off by a buzz saw he was operating last Friday. Dr. Hughes dressed the injury.

   The summer meeting of the Cortland Driving Park Association opens June 28th and lasts four days. This promises to be one of the grandest meetings in the history the Association.

   Mr. Wade Stevenson, of Homer, received the State scholarship at Cornell University, his percentage footing up 330 out of a possible 350. The examination was held Saturday last, in the Normal building.

   Mr. A. H. Schwartz, who has been assistant superintendent of the Oswego and Binghamton branch of the D., L. & W. for some years past, has been promoted to the office of superintendent. The appointment will please the patrons of the road and the recipient has richly earned his promotion.

   The meeting of the Music Teachers' Association, 28th to 30th, at Syracuse, promises to outdo all its predecessors in merit and in interest. Grand concerts will be given by great artists. Essays on vital subjects, new ideas, improved methods, important inventions, will be offered to all, and subjected to discussion and criticism.

   Rev. Ure Mitchell, the former pastor of the Universalist church in this town, who a year ago changed his denominational relations and joined the Baptist church, has written to the committee on Fellowship of the Universalist denomination requesting restoration to the ranks of the Universalist ministry. Mr. Mitchell has just resigned from the pastorate of the Baptist church at Horseheads, which church he has been pastor of for about a year.

   Bret Harte's young daughter, Miss Jessamy Harte, will make her literary debut in the July Ladies' Home Journal with a most entertaining description of "Camp Life in the Adirondacks," in which it is claimed every evidence shows itself of inherited literary tendencies not unlike those evidenced in Bret Harte's earlier work. Miss Harte is a girl still in her teens, and has artistic as well as literary proclivities, as one of the illustrations accompanying her first article shows.

   The Assembly will give a grand party in Odd Fellows' Hall immediately after the Festival concert this evening. Dickinson & Beman's band will furnish the music. Invitations have been received by a large number of society people, and it is expected that several of the artists and members of the chorus will attend. The young people are indebted to Mr. Mahan, through whose courtesy the party is given. Messrs. F. Cy. Straat, F. J. Peck, J. L. Hickok, B. W. Rood and H. L. Smith compose the committee of arrangements.

   The Adventist camp-meeting, on Barber avenue, is in full blast this week.

   The Hitchcock Hose picnic takes place Saturday, at Floral Trout Park. Don't fail to be present.

   The Syracuse Evening Herald appears in a neat new dress. It always was well printed and carefully edited.

   The plans submitted by the architect for remodeling the Court House in this place are in the hands of the committee. It is estimated that the repairs will cost about $5,000.

   A four-in-hand dog team has attracted a good bit of attention on the streets of Cortland, the past week. It was used to advertise the Monitor oil stove, which is for sale by Buck & Lane.

   Did you attend the cooking school at Buck & Lane's store, Wednesday and Thursday? If you did not, you missed a treat. The work was all done on a Monitor oil stove, and it was done to perfection.

   The trustees at their meeting last Monday evening appointed Chester F. Wickwire, Frank H. Cobb, Stratton S. Knox, Chas. W. Collins and Hugh Duffey to be sewer commissioners for this village under the general sewer act of 1889.

   Next Sunday being "Children's Day" in the Congregational church, in the morning Dr. Taylor will preach to children and christen little ones, and in the evening there will be interesting exercises by the young folks, little and large.

   Bert Fellows had the fingers of one hand badly lacerated in a buzz saw at the Cortland Top & Rail shops, last Tuesday. He was taken to Dr. White's office, who amputated the second and third fingers at the second joint, and the thumb at the first.

   The line of march of the parade of the Cortland Wheel club, on Monday next, has been arranged as follows: Form at club headquarters on railroad-st., right resting upon Main-st., down Main to Tompkins, to Owego, to Union, to Main, to Port Watson, to Church, to Grant, to North Main, to Lincoln-ave., to Homer-ave., to Groton, to Main, to Railroad and disband.

   The Odd Fellows of this district will hold their sixth annual basket picnic at Floral Trout park, Cortland, June 18th. A grand good time is anticipated. All members of the order, and their friends as well, are especially urged to be present. We feel confident in saving Past Noble Grand Robinson, the proprietor of the park, will endeavor to the utmost of his ability, to make the gathering an enjoyable one.—McGrawville Sentinel.
    The Foundry and Machine Company advertise cultivators on another page.  
    The Buckeye Mowers and Reapers have all the latest improvements and are believed to be the best in the market. See advertisement in another column.