A HORRIBLE DEATH IN CORTLAND

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, September 5, 1893.

A HORRIBLE DEATH.

James Norton Dies of Delirium Tremens in the County Jail.

   One of the most horrible deaths that we have had to chronicle for some time occurred at the jail this morning, when James Norton, a tramp courier, died of delirium tremens. The deceased was sentenced Sept. 1, by Justice Wilson of Marathon, to twenty days in the county jail for public intoxication. He had been employed in Dumphy's tannery till about two and a half weeks ago, when he got his pay and went on a "drunk," which lasted till he was arrested.

   When he was brought to the jail be acted and looked as if he had eaten little or nothing since he began his "tear." He was reduced almost to skin and bones and weighed scarcely a hundred pounds. His system was run down, his nerves unstrung and the proper place for him would seem to have been the county alms house or a hospital rather than a jail.

   About 5 o'clock Sunday night he became worse and was taken with horrible convulsions of delirium tremens. He alternately cursed and prayed, at times begging the other prisoners to pray awhile and relieve him. He continued dodging and trying to escape from imaginary reptiles till last evening, when he became more quiet. Sheriff Miller made his rounds of the cells to see that everything was all right about 10 o'clock and Norton was then pacing the corridor like a caged lion. This was the last time the sheriff saw him alive.

   The jail physician, Dr. H. C. Gazlay, was in attendance and did everything in his power to relieve the prisoner's sufferings, but to no avail. The four other prisoners, as on previous nights, sat up with him till about 4 o'clock this morning when he died in great agony. His head and limbs were frightfully bruised where, in his ravings, he had fallen or dashed himself against the stone and iron work.

   The body was taken this morning to Fletcher & Blackman's undertaking establishment, where it was laid out and placed in a casket waiting orders of the authorities. It will probably be buried in the county house cemetery. The other prisoners in the jail stated to a STANDARD reporter this morning that all they could learn of his relatives was from some incoherent mutterings about his mother and a sister in Kentucky.

   The deceased was a young man only about 30 years of age, five feet, nine inches in height, blue eyes, brown hair and sallow complexion. When taken to Fletcher & Blackman's undertaking rooms this morning the limbs were all drawn up, the hands clenched and features distorted. The latter showed the unmistakable signs of the excessive use of alcoholic beverages to which the deceased had been addicted.

The Lucania's Excellent Time.

   QUEENSTOWN, Sept. 4.—The new Cunard line steamer Lucania, a sister ship of the Campania which sailed Saturday from Liverpool on her first trip to New York, reached Roches Point in 10 hours and 47 minutes. This is an average of 21 knots an hour. The engineers are delighted with the working of her machinery.

Gunboat Ordered to China.

   WASHINGTON, Sept. 4.—On account of the uncertainty of American interests in China because of the Geary law, the gunboat Petrel has been ordered to sail to Chinese waters from Unalaska in about two weeks. The Petrel will be joined by the gunboat Concord early in October.

Floral Trout Park was located between East Ave. and Owen Ave.(nearer South Franklin today) on this 1894 map. It had two trout ponds, separated by two small arched bridges. A pavilion was located on the west side of the ponds.

Labor Day at the Park.

   Labor Day at Floral Trout Park brought out about 600 people, the almost perfect weather making the place more than ordinarily attractive. The labor organizations having charge of the amusements, etc., formed in line of march, a little later than the time appointed, at the corner of Church and Court-sts. They were preceded by the City band numbering 18 men. Then came the barbers, 12 men; the carpenters, 21 men; the brick-layers and masons, 19 men and a number of others undesignated.

   After reaching the park the procession broke up and the athletics of the day were begun with a bicycle race for boys under 16, in which Harry Wells, Earl Barry and John Morgan entered. The run was from the park to River-st. to Clinton, to Church, to Port Watson, to the park, estimated at about 2 ½ miles. Wells came in first in 13 minutes, winning first prize, an umbrella; Barry second in 13:20, winning a bicycle cap; and Morgan third, winning a scarf pin. Both Barry and Morgan had a fall from their wheels during the run, and Morgan's leg was somewhat bruised.

   The most interesting and remarkable show of the afternoon was the base-ball game, with a big, soft rubber ball, played by a team of ten from the band against a team of the same number from the barbers. The band got the barbers by the hair, so to speak, by a score of 19 to 11. The like of some of the playing had never before been seen in Cortland and probably never will be again.

   The 100 yard race was won by "Bobbie" Mills, with H. C. Sandwick second and John Reagan third. Prizes, a box of cigars and pair of running shoes. Reagan gave Mills and Sandwick 5 yards start, and claimed that the starter also sent them off before he was ready, but the race was not run over.

   The band gave an excellent concert after the games were over and dancing occupied the evening.

   The brick layers union presented the band with $5.

Two Days at the Police Court.

   Labor day was celebrated at the police court yesterday, notwithstanding the expostulations of the liquor dealers' attorneys, by holding court all day. A. J. Goddard's case was adjourned till Wednesday at 9 A. M., R. Burns Linderman's till this morning at the same time, A. D. Wallace's till Saturday at 10 A. M., John Andrews' till 9 A. M. Thursday. The other cases were adjourned till Sept. 25.

   The court room was crowded to-day, prominent among the crowd being about thirty ladies [W. C. T. U.], who are in favor of no-license and who were present to hear the case tried. At the time of going to press a jury had not been secured, but it was expected that within an hour one would be impaneled and the case proceeded with.

BREVITIES.

   —At the regular meeting of the board of trustees last evening Frank H. Monroe was appointed policeman in place of Albert Goldsmith. A full report of the meeting will be given in to-morrow's STANDARD.

   —Hereafter the STANDARD office will be open till 8 o'clock on Monday and Saturday evenings only.

   —O. D. Raymond of 4 Graham-ave. gathered quite a bunch of strawberries from his plants yesterday.

   —The Republican town caucuses for the town of Cortlandville will be held Thursday, Sept. 7, 1893. See call in another column.

   —Mrs. Comfort, mother of Mrs. Maggie Hibbard, Madison-st., died at her home, Seeley Creek, Thursday, after an illness of three weeks.

   —Cortlandville lodge F. and A. M., No. 470, will hold a regular communication this evening. Visiting brethren are cordially invited to attend.

   —The next attraction at the Opera House will be "A Social Session," Thursday evening. On Friday evening the celebrated Webster family will give a concert.

   —The spring hanger on the right side of engine 15, which draws the 6 A. M. train on the D. L. & W., broke at Chenango Forks Sunday morning, delaying the train about two hours.

   —The Spencer picnic at the Trout park last Friday numbered 480. It included members of all the churches and Sunday schools of the place. About 130 residents of Cortland were also present.

   —Lincoln lodge, I. O. G. T., will hold a social at the home of Job Taft on Railroad-ave., Wednesday evening, Sept. 6, and at the home of Ephraim Price, 95 Maple-ave., on Wednesday evening, Sept. 13.

   —Another of Barnum's advertising cars arrived from Syracuse on the 11:20 train last evening, and after covering the billboards with a fresh coat of bills, it was attached to the 3:15 train this afternoon bound for Owego.

   —The Cortland Cyclers will hold a basket picnic and corn roast at Little York lake, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Eastman, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Richardson, Mr. and Mrs. M. De Ver Westcott, Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Webster, and Dr. and Mrs. E. M. Santee, are the committee of arrangements. The start will be made from the soldiers' monument at 3 P. M. sharp. About thirty couples have signified their intention of going.

WHAT, WHEN & WHERE.

[Paid Advertisement.]

   Every other lot will be sold at a reduced price for the next 30 days on the Hubbard tract. Broadway is now being opened from Tompkins-st. to Groton-ave. Remember the place, just west of the cemetery. Also a small farm for sale, 2 ½ miles west from the postoffice on the McLean road.

   GEORGE ALLPORT, 115 Tompkins-st.

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