THE CORTLAND HOSPITAL AND DICK MCKEAN, THE CANINE HUSTLER

This house on North Main Street was the second hospital site in Cortland. Before 1895 the hospital was conducted in a small cottage on Clayton Avenue. In previous posts we had mistakenly identified this building as the cottage on Clayton Avenue--CC editor.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, January 18, 1895.

THE CORTLAND HOSPITAL.

THE BENHAM CORNER PURCHASED FOR $6,000.

Some Liberal Gifts, But More Money Needed—Heating Not Provided For—Memorial Rooms. 

   The Cortland Hospital association yesterday purchased of Mrs. Mary Gussman of Syracuse the Benham corner [Benham lived at 90 North Main Street--CC editor] at the head of North Main-st. in Cortland for $6,000. The deed was drawn by Lewis Bouton and was delivered at once. Two thousand dollars of the purchase price were paid and Mrs. Gussman took back a mortgage upon the place for the other $4,000 which may stand for a time, the mortgage bearing five per cent interest. This is the successful outcome of the project started last October for the purchase of this place. The ladies have worked very hard to secure the money. Many promises have been made to them which are to be fulfilled at a later time, and these will help to diminish the mortgage. The $2,000 which have been raised and paid do not represent any few very large gifts, but a considerable number of gifts of moderate size. Within a few weeks the hospital has had left to it in bequests $1,000 by the late Mrs. John McFarlan and $100 by the late Mrs. Orissa A. Baker. Neither of these sums is yet available and in the case of the former, at least, it is expected that the money cannot be paid to the association in less than fourteen months. The board of managers have in mind the use of a part of this sum for furnishing a memorial room in the hospital which shall always be known as the McFarlan room. If this meets with the approval of the family friends and heirs it will probably be done.

   Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Beach have also subscribed $1,000 to the hospital which is absolutely secured to the association by legal papers, but which is to be paid at a time yet to be named. They will also assist in the fitting up of a room as a memorial to their son who died in the summer of 1893, and which will always be known as the Henry Merrick Beach room. When these sums have been received and other amounts which have already been promised the mortgage on the place will be reduced to a sum which can easily be carried until it can be taken care of.

   There is one other matter, however, which is just now a cause of anxiety to the managers, and that is the heating. The house itself is in very good condition. Few repairs will be needed except some painting on the inside, and possibly the putting up of a few cupboards and shelves. But there is no arrangement for heating the house. It is thought that the best system to put in would be a system of steam. But that will cost approximately $600. The ladies earnestly hope that some kind friends will come forward with subscriptions which will help them to raise this sum.

   A heating system can be much more conveniently put in before the house is occupied by sick people than afterward, and yet they are not disposed to go ahead on this unless they see some sure way of meeting the bills They have a few stoves that have been used in their present house and perhaps more can be borrowed, but it will then be a very unsatisfactory way of heating the large house. Now is the time when help is needed.

   The hospital is an assured institution of the place. Its patronage has greatly increased during the past year, and its receipts for the past year have come nearly to $800. If the patronage and the receipts increase as much during the present year as in the past the hospital will come very near to being self-supporting.

   Possession will be taken next week and the repairs will be made, but it is not expected that patients will be received there until April 1, as the lease of the present quarters does not expire until that date.

   The ladies have done a magnificent work in raising the sum already obtained and in securing this desirable house and lot and they are to be most heartily congratulated.

Runaway on Railroad-st.

   Mr. John Felkel left his horse in charge of a man in front of the St. Charles hotel on Railroad-st. last evening. The animal became frightened at the omnibuses which were going up from the D., L. & W. station at a rapid rate after the 6 o'clock train. The horse plunged through the snow across the sidewalk, tipping over the cutter and spilling out its occupant. The horse ran to Orchard-st. where it was stopped. The cutter was somewhat damaged, but Mr. Felkel's man escaped with a few bruises.

A Hustler.

   "Dick McKean," a fox terrier belonging to Mr. George McKean, was this morning taken to the store room of Frazier & Bouck's market on Court-st. to hunt rats. In a little over an hour the dog had killed fifteen large rats and once killed two at one time. As soon as Dick killed one he carried it to one side of the room, where he piled them up for exhibition. It is a question, which is the more proud, the dog or his owner?

Still in Trouble.

   Sheriff Henry Seigle of Olean was in town to-day and this morning took C. P. DuBois to Olean to answer to the charge of forging a check of thirty dollars. DuBois served six months in the penitentiary for appropriating a [railroad mileage] book and this morning finished his thirty days sentence in Cortland county jail for defrauding Landlord Bauder of the Cortland House of a board bill.

A Surprise Party.

   About 50 young friends of Miss Grace Fitzgerald surprised her at her home last evening at 64 East Court-St., and a very pleasant evening was passed in playing games and dancing. The arrangements for the gathering were all planned and put in execution by Miss Louise Nodecker and Miss Winnie Waters.

Marathon.

   MARATHON, Jan. 17.—The donation at the M. B. church Tuesday evening for Rev. E. R. D. Briggs was well attended. Receipts were $80.

   The week of prayer was observed in all the churches here.

   David Orcutt of Binghamton was calling on friends here this week.

   Wednesday the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Fish was taken possession of by numerous friends from East Virgil, where Mr. Fish held meetings the past winter. Eatables of all kinds were brought, and soon a happy company gathered around the board. After dinner a further surprise awaited them. A beautiful plush rocker was brought in and presented in a few well chosen words by Miss Sarah Angell. After singing and prayer, the pleasant gathering broke up with hearty handshakes and good wishes.

Tully Lake Park Hotel.

TULLY LAKE PARK.

Many Improvements to be Made Next Season.

   The annual meeting and election of officers of the Tully Lake Park association was held last night at the Yates in Syracuse.

   The report of the secretary and treasurer, George S. Leonard, showed the association to be in a flourishing condition. The new hotel was reported to have had a successful season, and there has been a general activity at this popular resort which promises bright things for the present year.

   The matter of raising the water in the lake by building a dam at the outlet was talked of. There is also a scheme on foot to cut channels between Sand and Green lakes and Big Lake, thus affording a free passage through the whole chain of charming lakes.

   It is probable that the coming spring will see the building of several new cottages. Last summer there were so many applications for cottages from people who could not be accommodated that a number of lot owners have decided to build summer houses to rent.

   M. J. French announced that he had made application for a large number of pike and bass fry with which to stock the lakes, and trout fry for the streams in the vicinity of Tully. About 350,000 fish fry have been put into the lakes within the last five years. This year the authorities at the state hatcheries have promised to be more liberal than ever in supplying fish fry. A very successful season is looked for this year at the Tully lakes.

CORTLAND RURAL CEMETERY.

Many Bequests Left to Care for the Lots.

   Within the past nine months Superintendent B. B. Morehouse has secured about $2,800 in bequests which will be left at the death of the parties to the Cortland Rural Cemetery association to perpetually care for the lots named in the cemetery. This sum is being added to from day to day. The idea is a good one. A circular letter issued by another cemetery to bring about the same result says, "It is a labor of love, prompted by the tender recollections of the loved ones that are buried in our cemetery.'' "It is an organized effort to keep the grounds in a neat and tidy manner." "It costs money to mow and rake, dig and cultivate, plant and water, mend and paint."

   The following form is suggested for bequeathing money for perpetual care with guaranty of lot: "I hereby direct my executors to pay to the Cortland Rural Cemetery association of Cortland, N. Y., such sum of money as may be found necessary to obtain from said corporation a contract for the perpetual care of my lot . . . . in said cemetery.

   For convenience in mowing and raking, lots should be kept as nearly level as possible; also gravel walks replaced by grass paths, and on a level with the lots.

   "A good and well kept cemetery is one of the highest recommendations a people can have. With shabby churches, poor schoolhouses and disarranged cemeteries, there is little to boast of in any community. They are an index to the moral standing and social pride of a city or people, and when they go uncared for it is useless to expect an influx of good people, for they will look elsewhere for homes."

   "Familiarize yourself with the rules governing the Cortland cemetery, and do what you can to assist in their enforcement."

   For further particulars call or address B. B. Morehouse, superintendent, Cortland Rural cemetery, Cortland, N. Y.

A Famous Homer Woman.

   Mrs. Amelia J. Bloomer who died in Council Bluffs, Dec. 30, was born in Homer, N. Y. She was an early advocate of the enfranchisement of women, having published at Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1849, The Lily, a semi-monthly devoted to the advocacy of the cause of women and temperance. Mrs. Miller, the daughter of Gerritt Smith, the great abolitionist, first wore the dress afterward adopted by Mrs. Bloomer, and which was named for her because of her greater reputation, although she never claimed to have originated it.

"The Tornado."

   The Chicago Record speaks as follows of the opening night in that city of "The Tornado," which appears in Cortland next Monday night:

   A tornado behind the footlights and a mighty storm of applause from the gallery to the orchestra seats of Havlin's theatre were atmospheric disturbances attendant upon the introduction of Lincoln J. Carter's new scenic melodrama. Packed to the doors the temperature of the house was suggestive of "The Tornado," and probably for the first time this season the small boy with the palm-leaf fan negotiated sale. With a rushing, roaring tornado uprooting trees and carrying away houses; with two vessels colliding in mid-ocean; with a green sea tossing a drowning man high on its great crests and with a shadowy corpse with golden hair lying on a dissecting table, there is enough to satisfy the most ardent admirer of the realistic.

   In five acts the principal characters are taken from a little Wisconsin hamlet through almost every danger of land and sea. A dark alley in Chicago and the foot of Randolph-st. viaduct, with sky-scraping buildings in the background are bits of scenery. During the course of the play the author was called for vociferously. After a few moments a bearded man in his shirt sleeves stepped before the curtain, bowed and retired amid a storm of applause. As a melodrama with great stage properties "The Tornado" promises success.

BREVITIES.

   —The Chautauqua circle will meet with Mrs. W. J. Moore, 42 Madison-st., Saturday evening at 7:30 o'clock.

   —The Cortland Wagon Co. have closed a contract with D. McCarthy & Co., Syracuse, for a special make of bicycles.

   —Norwich is to have a series of revival meetings this winter, commencing January 20, with Rev. Samuel W. Small as the evangelist.

   —The revival service at the First M. E. church last evening was largely attended. Several seekers were present at the altar service.

   —Engines No. 6 and No. 7 on the E., C. & N. R. R. are soon to be taken into the car shops to be fitted with new boilers and  to be otherwise rebuilt.

   —Cortland Commandery, Knights Templar, will meet in their rooms at 7:30 o'clock each Friday evening until further notice for drill and instruction.

   —While George Brooks of Cazenovia was cutting down an apple tree on Wednesday the tree swerved and fell directly on his head killing him instantly.

   —The Dillon Brothers will to-morrow night sever their connection with Field & Hanson's "Drawing Cards" Co. They go to New York to complete some contracts.

   —It is estimated that the passenger traffic on the E., C. & N. R. R. has increased about three per cent since the new rolling stock was put on the road.—Cazenovia Republican.

   —The party which the Crescent club give in Empire Hall to-night promises to be one of the most enjoyable they have ever given. All members are especially invited to be present.

   —A patty of ten members of the Protestant Methodist church of Cortland went to McLean last night to attend the revival meetings of that church which are now being conducted there.

   —The E., C. & N. R. R. reports that the volume of business now being done upon the road is considerably in excess of the same period last year. Especially is this true of the coal traffic.

   —Two more indictments were brought in yesterday afternoon by the grand jury. One was for Orwell Pickett of Freetown for assault and the other for Alvin Howe of Cuyler for unlawfully selling spirituous liquors.

   —Mrs. Mary E. Rindge died at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon aged 48 years. The funeral will be held from the residence of her nephew, Mr. William A. Smith, between Cortland and Homer, at 8 P. M. Sunday.

   —The next meeting of the state association of school commissioners and city superintendents which yesterday closed its sessions at Oneonta, will be held at Oswego. At the election of officers Miss Ella Gale of Groton was elected one of the secretaries.

   —An exchange truly says: "There is no good reason why any newspaper should insert notices of money making schemes free of charge. It costs money to set type, it takes money to buy paper, it requires labor in every department to issue a good journal and no person ought to ask another to give his time, money and energies to advance any project, the promoters of which are going to receive direct financial benefit therefrom. City newspapers do not insert free notices of any description and country papers are falling into line with their metropolitan contemporaries."

"TWIXT LOVE AND DUTY."

Given To-night—"Back Among the Old Folks" To-morrow's Matinee.

   "A fine entertainment" was the remark made by every person who attended the presentation of "Young America" by the Rice Stock company at the Opera House last night. The strongest parts in the piece were those of Miss De Haven, in whose impersonation of Mary Dunning she did some of the best work of the week; Mr. J. K. Keane and Miss Marie Acosta as Coati.

   The orchestra was as much an entertainment between the acts as the action of the piece.

   To-night will be presented one of the best pieces in the repertoire, "Twixt Love and Duty." The fine drama, "Back Among the Old Folks," with which the company opened, will be presented at to-morrow's matinee.

TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS.

Mr. and Mrs. Hoxie Celebrate their Wedding Anniversary.

   The twenty-eighth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hoxie was celebrated last night at their home, 95 River-st., in a most enjoyable manner. Mr. Hoxie is a prominent member of Grover Post, No. 98, G. A. R., and the knowledge of the anniversary reached the ears of his comrades as well as of the neighbors. Mrs. Hoxie's sister, Mrs. Stoker, spent the afternoon and evening with them. Mr. Hoxie had business away from home in the evening and left the two ladies together.

   At about 8:30 o'clock forty members or more of Grover Post, of the Woman's Relief Corps and of the Sons of Veterans appeared and took possession of the house. A messenger was sent out to find Mr. Hoxie and bring him home, but his search was unavailing. It was nearly 9:30 when that gentleman appeared and his surprise was complete, though his greeting was cordial.

   At about 10 o'clock Capt J. W. Strowbridge, in behalf of the three military organizations, presented Mr. and Mrs. Hoxie with a handsome couch and also with two easy chairs and an album, the gifts of the neighbors and friends. Mr. Hoxie expressed their thanks in appropriate words.

   After music and a general good time nice refreshments were served and the party broke up at about 2 o'clock.