FAKE NEWS FROM CORNELL

Benjamin Franklin Hall in the 1890's, renamed Tjaden Hall in 1980, Cornell University.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, December 2, 1893.

It Was a Fake Dispatch.

   According to the Ithaca Journal the dispatch sent out from that city about Instructor Merriam and Miss Yeargin not being drowned, but had been seen in New York since the alleged drowning, proceeds from the pen of an irresponsible correspondent among the university students. The Journal says:

  "If anything of the kind occurs again he will be driven from the university by a process of social ostracism. In times past, "special" fiends have injured the university by sending out exaggerated and often fictitious accounts of rushes, etc., but nothing so utterly shameless and inexcusable has before been published by a New York or Rochester paper, as the special dispatch mentioned above." The dragging of the lake still continues under the direction of Charles E. Courtney.

MAY NOT HAVE DROWNED.

Rumors that Instructor Merriam and Miss Yeargin have Eloped.

   Ithaca is much excited over the report that Dr. L. S. Merriam and Miss L. Yeargin, who were supposed to have been drowned in Lake Cayuga on Nov. 18, were in New York City, and that the doctor had written a friend in Ithaca last Friday informing him of his whereabouts. Every day since the two young people first disappeared the lake has been dragged by boatmen. Four candlepower incandescent lamps, run by a small Edison dynamo, have been employed in illuminating the bottom of the lake, so that the search could be more thoroughly made. But all to no avail.

   There are some queer things connected with the affair. When Boatman Jarvis cautioned Doctor Merriam to keep near the shore as he started out on the fatal afternoon, the doctor is said to have replied something to this effect:

   "You will oblige me by minding your own business. I have charge of this boat, and as long as you receive your pay for it yon have no occasion to interfere."

   The doctor and the young lady then pushed off, heading directly for the center of the lake. The finding of the doctor's overcoat has also created considerable comment. The coat, together with Miss Yeargin's gloves, were found on the bank of the lake quite dry. The boat was near by partly filled with water. There are some who are inclined to believe the story that Doctor Merriam and Miss Yeargin are still alive.—Cortland Evening Standard, Dec. 1, 1893.

 

A Communication.

   The STANDARD is in receipt of the following communication which will explain itself and which we publish very willingly. The waywardness of the young man referred to is a great grief to his father, Rev. A. C. Smith, who is one of the most highly respected ministers who has ever preached in this county, as well as being a cause of deep sorrow to his other relatives and friends, and if The STANDARD can say anything by way of explanation which will tend to remove any of the reproach the young man has incurred, it is very glad to do it.

VIRGIL, Nov. 29, 1992.

Mr. Editor:

   You published in your paper of Nov. 21 an article taken from the Fair Haven Register headed, "Off with Another Woman." Although I am the most aggrieved party, in justice to myself and husband, I must ask you to give publication to these lines, hoping thereby to counteract a false statement made in regard to his practicing sin under a cloak of religion; praying in revival meetings one day and drunk the next.

   All his friends will tell you that until the tempter came to him which the cruel foe, strong drink, made him weak to resist, he had the confidence of all as a Christian. When overcome by these, he had the manliness to give up his office, and made no pretention to anything better than he was practicing. The author of the report is to me unknown, and why the editor of The Register so perfectly regardless of the feelings of the family and friends, and so entirely forgetful of his own failings, as to publish an article evidently written by some one willing to add another stroke to an already broken heart, is more than I can understand.

MRS. C. W. SMITH.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

  

◘ A citizens' committee at Altoona, Pa., has set an example that ought to be followed in every well-to-do town in America this winter. The members of the committee and their friends pledge themselves to subscribe collectively $5,000 a month during the next five months for the relief of the deserving poor of their city. The relief is not, however, to be distributed in mere charity, to destroy the self respect and habits of industry of the recipients. It is to be paid to married men for working on the city streets and quarries. Regular wages will be paid for regular days' work, Altoona will be improved all over, and the families of the men will be supported comfortably through the dreary winter. The plan ought to be extended. City streets need to be put in order. The country roads of America are something to be ashamed of daily and hourly. If the poor men out of employment can be hired by rich men who have money to spare to build decent roads in the country, then all of us will be happy. Rich men can thus do better with their spare money than in buying fast horses just now.

  

◘ Concentrated sun rays have been used instead of caustic in cauterizing ulcers, old wounds and granulated eyelids. The application is made by letting the sun rays shine through a biconvex lens upon the ulcer. This concentrated light is much superior to ordinary caustics in that the pain from its application passes away almost at once, and the rays have besides a healing, stimulating influence on the inflamed spot.

  

◘ About this time of year coughs and colds are on, and the American "hog" expectorates over all creation. The American gentleman never acquired the expectorating habit.

  

◘ The "Gibraltar of Republicanism," as Philadelphia has been sometimes called, seems to be in a bad way over the colored police question. In Brooklyn, ruled till the last election by Democrats for some years, the colored policeman bunks in with his white brethren of the force, occupying the same headquarters and sleeping room. At first there seemed to be some friction and a nervous irritability in regard to it on the part of some police gentlemen of Hibernian descent, but this rubbed itself out after a time, and there was no further trouble. In Philadelphia, however, color feeling rose so high in police circles that at the Nineteenth district station house a separate room was provided for the colored police officers, and one of them was reminded by a white officer and brother that he belonged "with the niggers up stairs." Thereupon a committee of colored citizens waited on his honor the mayor, and informed him of the caste and color line that had been drawn by some of his white employes [sic,] likewise reminding him that colored votes made no small part of the Philadelphia Republican party. Then they gently hinted that colored voters did not approve of a policy in police quarters like that of the "Jim Crow car" system on southern railway lines. The hint was sufficient.

Engine 919 Lehigh Valley R. R.

NUMEROUS WRECKS.

GREEN MEN SMASHING THINGS ON THE LEHIGH.

Company Officials Think the Strikers May Have a Hand In It—Six Wrecks In One Day—Two Men Killed—Strikers Sharply Watched by the Company. Union Men Still Confident—Situation Along the Line.

   WILKES-BARRE, Pa., Dec. 2.—Non-union engineers in charge of locomotives were the cause of no less than five disastrous wrecks on the Lehigh Valley railroad.

   A freight train broke at the Conyngham crossing and left two cars standing on the main track.

   When passenger train No. 5 came along, it jammed into the cars and through the wreck which followed. The track was blockaded until the wreck car could be gotten to the scene and the debris cleared away.

   The fireman was injured by jumping and Conductor Kinney of Sayre was quite badly bruised.

   While a freight train was passing through Fairview on its way to the city, engine 402, going at the rate of 30 miles an hour, crashed into the caboose in which were seated two brakemen, who were instantly killed.

   The caboose caught fire, and as soon as possible the flames were extinguished and the bodies of the dead brakemen were taken out.

   The engineer of 402 was not injured.

   The name of one of the brakemen killed is Edward Wilson. He had been on the road only a few days.

   The railroad officials refuse to give out any information. The company has discharged three new engineers. The discharged men at once made application to the Brotherhood, but were refused.

   The officials insist on all applicants for positions as engineers giving good reference. Nine engineers from Chicago have arrived in town. They are supplied with good references, and will be given places at once.

   The company is investigating a charge made against some of the nonunion men now at work. It is alleged that there are a number of men in the employ of the company who are Brotherhood men in disguise.

   The men are employed in the capacity of brakemen. When the train is moving up grade, it is alleged, that the Brotherhood men pull the pins in the couplings and cause the train to part in several places. It is said that this is the whole trouble on the mountain cutoff. The grade there is 90 feet to the mile. Trains have been pulled over this heavy grade all right heretofore, but now it seems almost impossible to do it. If the couplings do not break some other mischief is sure to happen.

   The company will offer $500 reward for the detection of any employe in the act of removing a coupling pin while the train is in motion.

   The nonunion men have complained that the coffee furnished from one of the restaurants was poisoned with jalop. They have quit the place and are now being fed in a passenger car near the depot.

   When a Lehigh Valley train was passing Port Bowkley last night a stone weighing four pounds, thrown by some person, crashed through a car window, striking a brakeman in the side and severely injuring him.

   The company did not make much headway with its freight, and wrecks on the roads blockaded all trains.

A FREIGHT COLLISION.

It Sets the Whole Town on Fire—Three Killed.

   WHITEHAVEN, Pa., Dec. 2.—Early this morning two freight trains collided on the Lehigh Valley R. R. in the heart of this town. Fire followed, burning the cars and, it is thought at least three men were burned to death. The flames communicated to the Ruhnke hotel, and one of the worst conflagrations which has visited this place in many years took place. The trains were manned by nonunion men, and none knows them here.

   The accident occurred about 4 o'clock this morning. A heavy train came down the mountain at a good rate of speed. When the level was reached, just above the town, it appears the engineer put on a full head of steam and the green trainmen failed to release the brakes, with the result that the train parted in three places. Instead of repairing the break, the engineer, with a portion of the train sped away leaving the cars behind on the main line. The latter, after running a short distance, stopped just in the middle of the town.

   A trainman left the caboose and went back a short distance to flag approaching trains. He was, it is said, not more than sixty yards from his train when engine 171, drawing a train of freight cars, dashed around the curve at a speed of 50 miles an hour. To stop was impossible, and in another moment the engine struck the stationary train with tremendous force, turning the huge locomotive completely around. The momentum of the train drove the cars on top of each other and a moment later they fell a mass of broken timbers.

  Those who witnessed the collision had barely realized what had occurred when flames burst from the wreck. A heavy wind was blowing, and it was not long before the entire mass was enveloped in fire. Citizens hurried to the scene in hundreds and the wildest excitement prevailed. The fire had already communicated to the Ruhnke hotel which stood near by. The wreck was deserted for the time and all energies directed to save the hotel guests. This, it is believed, was accomplished. The fury of the flames could not be checked, and T. W. Ricker's store was next burning fiercely. From there the fire spread to the large livery stable owned by Edward Cramer, of Easton. For a time it looked as if the town was doomed, but a fortunate change in the wind gave the firemen an advantage and the flames were then gotten under control.

  Attention was again turned to the wreck. Four cars of grain and flour were still burning. The only man to be seen who rode on the ill-fated train was the engineer, who had bravely stuck to his post. How he escaped from his cab is a mystery. He had three men in the caboose behind him, and as these are nowhere to be found it is feared they have been burned in the wreck. The total loss by fire will reach $200,000. Both tracks are torn up and traffic cannot be resumed before noon.

No Signs of Weakening.

   EASTON, Pa., Dec. 2.—The 450 Lehigh Valley employes in this locality show no signs of weakening. At the South Easton roundhouse it is said that three engineers have handed in applications to be sent out on their locomotives. The strikers say there is no truth in the report and the officials refuse to give any information on the subject.

   There have been several wrecks on this division of the road within the past 48 hours, which are attributed to the incompetency of the men.

   A coaltrain was cut in two on the iron bridge spanning the Delaware river and the coupling pins and links were thrown into the river.

   A railroad tie was found under a switch in the Glendon yards by an employe. Fortunately several trains had passed over it in safety.

Alert For Acts of Violence.

   NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J., Dec. 2.—Railroad authorities at Perth Amboy are alert for acts of lawlessness among Lehigh strikers. Superintendent Donnelly sent to Sheriff Acken for more deputies. There are now 100 on the scene armed with revolvers and heavy clubs.

Knapp Family Reunion.

   Mrs. Helen Knapp Beard and Mr. Randolph Beard held a Thanksgiving day family reunion of the Knapp family at their beautiful home on Church-st. At 1 o'clock P. M. all sat down to an elaborate dinner. Mr. Charles H. Price did the carving in an excellent manner. Those present were Mrs. Beard's brothers, Mr. R. Knapp and wife of Onondaga Valley and Mr. Baxter Knapp of Syracuse: her sisters, Miss F. Knapp and son of Syracuse and Mrs. L. Northrup of Jordan; her niece, Mrs. Arthur Ellis, husband and son of Syracuse; her nephew Mr. Harry Knapp, wife and daughter of Pompey and her daughter, Mrs. Charles H. Price and husband of Cortland.

Thanksgiving at Hotel de Bulkley.

   The Hotel de Bulkley [93 Pendleton Street, Cortland] served a Thanksgiving dinner Thursday that was one of the most successful spreads they have ever had. The diningroom was tastily decorated with evergreens and potted plants, the sideboard was one mass of choice fruit, which made the boarders' mouths water as they sat down to the table at 3 o'clock. The napkins ware arranged in "bishop cap" style and a buttonhole bouquet was placed at each plate. The guests were served in an excellent manner by Miss Emma McEvoy and a great deal of credit is due her for the success of the whole affair. Jokes were cracked and it was 5:30 o'clock before the guests arose from the table. A photograph of the diningroom was taken.

   Those present were Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Bulkley, Messrs. John and Brownell Bulkley, Misses Blanche and Inza Bulkley, Mr. and Mrs. Totten, Messrs. Vernon R. Merrick, Thomas Phalen, Harry Hartwell, Dayton Young, Lewis Davis, Harley Davis and Harry Spencer. Misses Esther Patterson and Anna Moran. The other boarders had accepted previous invitations elsewhere.

   The menu cards were a model of neatness and the forty-one dishes from the Consomme a la Royal and blue points to the coffee were all represented by Mr. Dayton Young in fine pen work. A neat painting on the outside completed the cards.

BREVITIES.

   —Proofs of the first three sections of the New York state L. A. W. road map are out. They give promise of a very satisfactory map.

   —In police court this morning Justice Bull gave Thomas Hill his choice of paying three dollars fine or three days in jail for public intoxication.

   —World's Fair stereopticon views at the Presbyterian church, shown and described by Prof. D. L. Bardwell next Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock.

   —A special meeting of the Cortland Wheel club will be held in the club rooms this evening. Every member is requested to be present, as business of importance will come before the meeting.

   —The Forty-fifth Separate Co. will attend the funeral of Jesse T. Peck, at 2 o'clock to-morrow afternoon, in state service uniform, but as the family do not wish a military funeral no military ceremony will be observed.

   —A letter, postmarked Troy, N. Y., and directed to John Johnson, care Auburn prison, was returned to the postal authorities as Johnson is no longer in this world and his present address is unknown—Argus. The man referred to was "Blue Nigger Johnson," who was electrocuted a few weeks ago.

   —A brakeman was walking on the top of a freight train as it was running into Binghamton on the main line of the D., L. & W. R. R. last night. He looked back as he went to step from one car to another and fell between the two. The wheels passed over his waist cutting him in two and killing him instantly.

   —Mr. L. A. Arnold has presented to Fireman's hall another relic of the old jail. It is one of the hindges [sic] and hasps to one of the cell doors and has been hung up on the wall with the spikes, which Mr. Arnold previously presented. A few years ago one could find many relics of the old courthouse and jail in the cellar on Court House hill, but they have now nearly all been secured by curiosity seekers and few remain.

Business Change.

   Mr. A. S. Burgess, formerly senior partner of the firm of Burgess & Bingham, yesterday purchased the entire stock, business and good will of the firm of Burgess & Bingham both in the store at Cortland and in that at Fulton and will hereafter conduct the business alone at the same old place on the corner of Main and Railroad-sts. in Cortland and in the same store in Fulton. This change is rather a sudden one. The firm has been one of the most flourishing in Cortland and has done a thriving business ever since they first located here.

   Mr. Bingham is not yet quite decided as to his future, but it is to be hoped that he may find something to his taste in town and will not leave the place.

   Mr. Burgess is a young man of energy and push, is well and favorably known to nearly every one in this and the surrounding counties. He is possessed of great business ability, is an excellent judge of clothing and has done his full share in building up the immense trade which the firm has received. Within the last few months plans have been matured for largely increasing the business, and introducing a separate boys' and children's department of ready-made clothing. These plans will be carried out in full under the new management and possibly the arrangement will be executed on a larger scale than was first thought of. At any rate everything that is choice, new and stylish in the line of clothing, hats, caps, mittens, gloves and furnishing goods for men or boys will be found at the store and at prices to suit.

A Flourishing Business.

   The Hitchcock Manufacturing company is doing business at present something after the fashion of the days of old back to a time when business panics were unknown in this part of the country. A STANDARD reporter, calling at the works Friday, was given an outline of the business that is now being transacted by W. O. Nivison. The company is working at present, said Mr. Nivison, on an order of between six and seven thousand cutters and sleighs, over two-thirds of which number have been already disposed of.

   Something new in the line of fine surrey bobs are being made this winter, known as the "Empress surrey bobs." The turnout certainly makes a very fine one and retails at $150. The body is richly upholstered with heavy weight English broadcloth with spring back and is painted bronze green with basket work inside of the box. The bobs are green. Heavy nickeled [sic] ornaments adorn the dash, also large handsome plumes. An order of fifty of these surrey bobs has been placed and only seven remain unsold. Another handsome sleigh is shown in the "Old Comfort" style, which retails for $45. These cutters are also finely upholstered.

   The call for Portland cutters remains good. Large shipments East are being made this season, one Boston firm alone having ordered 1,000 sleighs. A large contract has just been closed with a leading eastern firm for wagons.

   The company is now running nights to fill orders and is over 1,000 behind on sleigh orders alone. A better grade of cutters and sleighs are being made this season than ever before, as the call seems to be at present for good goods. This has been especially so for the past two or three seasons and in order to keep pace with the demand fine turnouts are alone being manufactured.