The Cortland Democrat, Friday, September
1, 1893.
ONLY A HOAX.
The
Rusty Old Wagon Tire Yarn of North Pitcher Nailed.
(DeRuyter Gleaner)
Many of the people of this part of the State
will recall the thrilling tale of the finding of a rusty old wagon tire in a ravine
near North Pitcher in April last, which appeared in the Chenango Telegraph. Eli Thornton of Pharsalia,
the old resident who made the discovery, the article went on to state, after
pulling out a tire from the side of the hill, ''took a stick and poked further
into the rock and dirt and found the perfect outlines of a carriage of the
style of 1810, and also the crumbled remains of what might have been a horse.''
''Thus,'' says the unblushing narrator,
"after nearly three-quarters of a century is a mystery which puzzled the
police of three continents probably explained. It is a story full of pathos,
and one which deserves a place in the history of Chenango county.''
Then follows a well written tale of the
early days when Pitcher Springs was in its glory as a summer resort. Among the
wealthy visitors attracted to that now desolate spot were a young gentleman and
lady, who graciously fell in love with each other. One day they started out for
a carriage ride to North Pitcher and through the ravine, and disappeared as
completely as though the earth had swallowed them—as it did in the story. ''It
is remembered,'' says the narrator, ''that soon after the couple left North
Pitcher a terrific thunder storm came up, and without doubt the couple drove
under the projecting ledge of the rock to escape the fury of the storm and that
the rain loosened enough of the rock and dirt to completely bury them.''
Notwithstanding the absurdity of Mr.
Thornton's "poking around with a stick in dirt and rock that had lain undisturbed
over half a century, sufficiently to reveal the "perfect outlines of a
carriage and a horse, this startling story was copied far and near, a Texas
gentleman even sending his local paper with the tale back to his old home in
Pitcher for its verification. And a strange coincidence was the fact that he
sent it to the identical individual who spoiled a stormy day in concocting the
tale and forwarding it to The Telegraph
very near the 1st of April last.
Some
Fake Stories.
Last Friday the Standard published a long
account concerning Eugene A. Hopkins, who disappeared from this town so suddenly
last spring, leaving a few hundred sincere mourners. The details of the account
stamped it as ficticious [sic] to most
of the Standard's readers, but the gullible editors evidently thought
they were publishing a stupendous piece of news. It is perhaps unnecessary to
say that there was not a particle of foundation for the story. It deserves to
be filed away with the equally false and senseless story that Barnum & Bailey's
show would appear here on the 9th of June last.
Close
Communion.
Some twenty-three years ago Mr. D. F. Wallace
of this place, commenced the jobbing trade in wall paper and each year his
business increased until he had the reputation of being one of the largest jobbers
in the state. In fact only one house in the state sold as many goods as he did.
Three or four years ago Messrs. O. C. Smith and Wm. McKinney became associated
in the business with him under the firm name of Wallace & Co. and the
business was extended and considerably more territory covered. They even went
into Canada, where they had a large trade.
Last fall the leading wall paper
manufacturers formed a trust which they called the National Wall Paper Co., and
they have frozen out all the jobbers, taking both the manufacturers and jobbers
profits to themselves. This fact was learned a week or two ago when Messrs.
Wallace and Smith went to New York to make arrangements for their next seasons
trade.
Mr. Smith has retired from the firm of
Wallace & Co., and will travel for the National Wall Paper Co., on a large
salary. Wallace & Co. will not send out any traveling men this year, but
will fill all orders forwarded them through the mails or otherwise.
My Aunt
Sally.
A positive and unique novelty is promised the
amusement loving public of this city, Sept. 4th, by the management of the opera
house, in the production which is to be presented here of the rural comedy,
"My Aunt Sally," which has caused all America to laugh. The comedy
abounds in humor and pathos, and is full of fun and excitement, original
specialties, thrilling climaxes, startling surprises, latest songs, dances and
melodies. "My Aunt Sally" is the laughing hit of the season, and is
presented by perfect management, with a perfect company of artists, with
perfect scenery and effects, together with perfect costumes and accessories, and
a complete perfect band and a perfect orchestra.
By all means visit "My Aunt
Sally," if you desire to enjoy a splendid evening's entertainment. The usual
people's popular prices will prevail.
Death of
Chas. H. Wheadon.
Chas. H. Wheadon, died at his home in Elmira
last week, aged 81 years, and was brought to Homer for burial Saturday.
Mr. Wheadon moved from Homer to Elmira in 1874, previous to which time he was a
prominent business man of Homer. He built the Wheadon block and was engaged in
the harness business for several years.
Wheadon block fire:
Wheadon block fire:
SUDDEN
DEATH OF A STRANGER.
A Barber
Giving the Name of Thomas Sullivan Dies Suddenly at the Central House in this Village.
On the 15th ult. a bright looking young man
arrived in Cortland from Rochester and applied to A. W. Stevens for situation
in his barber shop in the Grand Central block. One of Mr. Stevens' employes [sic]
being away on a vacation, the stranger was given a job until the return of the regular
hand. When the regular employee returned the stranger went to the Central House
to board, giving his name as Thomas Sullivan. On Sunday the 20th, he complained
of being ill and kept his bed most of the time the following day.
Tuesday he was up and about the hotel and in
the afternoon, he suddenly jumped up and started for the barn. On the way he had
a severe hemorrhage from the lungs and was obliged to hang on to the fence to
keep from falling. He was taken to his room and Drs. Angel and Reese were called
to attend him. He was up, and down from his room, to the reading room on
Wednesday and Thursday and complained of severe cramps in his stomach.
He went to his room Thursday afternoon where
he died at 5:45 o'clock. The body was taken to Fletcher & Blackman's
undertaking rooms soon after, where it was embalmed and left for
identification.
Deceased had dark eyes and hair, was about
five feet, eight inches tall and weighed about 120 lbs. In his pockets were
receipts from several firms in Syracuse. He informed one of the employes at the
hotel that his home was in Hamilton, Can., and that he had a brother in Toronto.
Supt. Angel telegraphed to the Chief of Police in Hamilton. Can., and was informed
by a telegram Saturday morning that if the appearance of the man corresponded
with a description which he gave, he was Thos. Sullivan of that city.
Chief Sager received a telegram on Friday
evening from Jas. Dwyer an undertaker of Hamilton, asking full description, which
was wired him. He then wired Chief Sager to forward the remains to Hamilton and
the body was sent on Saturday evening.
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