THE EAST SIDE READING ROOM

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, May 17, 1895.

The East Side Reading Room.

   It is some time since the attention of the people of Cortland have been called to an enterprise, humble and unassuming, which has been quietly and steadily carried on now for over two years by the W. C. T. U., in a field where such work is much needed, and which has proved highly successful in proportion to the funds and labor expended.

   Reference is made to what is familiarly known as the East Side Reading Room, situated on the corner of Elm and Pomeroy streets, on the second floor of the Stevenson block.

   This is a thickly populated neighborhood where live and board a large number of men and boys employed in the large factories there. Yet there is no place in all this section (except this Reading Room) where these men and boys can drop in and read or spend an evening quietly and pleasantly unless they go into the several illegal saloons which still keep open in spite of law, and lay their snares to catch the unwary and lead astray all who once cross their threshold to enter.

   This fact led first to the establishment of this reading room, which was carried on the first year by a committee of leading citizens and at the end of that time passed over to the care of the W. C. T. U. The Union took up the work, and appointed a committee to take special charge of it in accordance with the rules governing the department work of the organization. This committee is appointed each year at the annual meeting of the W. C. T. U. executive board and plans and carries on the work. The committee at present consists of the following ladies:

   President—Mrs. Frank Place.

   Secretary—Mrs. H. L. Gleason.

   Treasurer—Mrs. P. H. Patterson.

   Mrs. H. F. Benton, Mrs. J. W. Keese, Mrs. E. W. Jepson, Mrs. Dr. Strowbridge, Mrs. James S. Squires, Mrs. Wm. Linderman, Mrs. Fannie Kinney.

   One whole flat is rented and part of it reserved and re-rented to the family of the janitor who gives his services in payment for rent.

   The reading rooms are kept clean and tidy, heated during cold weather, well-lighted, supplied with literature, and the janitor is in constant attendance during every evening except Sunday evening. The average attendance has been about 18, sometimes as high as 25 in an evening.

   Reports from neighbors in the vicinity are very encouraging concerning the improvement in the young men since the establishment of the reading room.

   If those plague-spots of the community, the outlawed saloons, could be removed, the improvement would, of course, be more marked and much increased. The "hard times" has rendered economy a necessity, and it has been practiced by the ladies having this work in charge. Last year the entire expenses were only $206.

   The list of literature, magazines, papers was not as large as the committee wished to make it, and it is the desire of the committee to increase it more generously this year.

   Sometimes friends have contributed some year's subscription of some valuable paper or magazine. This is a very acceptable contribution and will be thankfully received in behalf of the boys and young men whom we wish to interest in pure and profitable reading. We want a year's subscription to Scientific American, Review of Reviews, St. Nicholas. We were obliged to exchange the New York papers, the Tribune and World, for less expensive ones last year.

   If any generous-hearted Republican or Democrat, for love of his party and kindness toward those who cannot take the party paper would contribute these, they would be thankfully received.

   The organ is out of order. If some one who appreciates all the uplifting influence of music would send some skilled person to put this in order, this would be another acceptable thing.

   The funds for carrying on this enterprise have been raised by subscription, each member of the committee acting as solicitor.

   We need in order to carry on the work generously and with best success about $250. Now the members of this committee are all busy women who have undertaken this work for love of God and humanity. With many this work represents only a small part of the work undertaken from the same motive, beside the care of home and family. Time is hard to find to travel about with a subscription paper.

   This work is a public benefit to the town. Are there not public spirited citizens enough to furnish the means for carrying on this work, not in a narrow way but with a generous hand thus ensuring great success?

   We believe there are, and it is in the hope that these clear-headed, generous-hearted citizens may hand to some one of the ladies on this committee their unsolicited contribution for this enterprise at the earliest opportunity, thus saving time and the embarrassment of soliciting subscriptions, that this appeal is made.

   Should any miss the opportunity, the ladies will call soon on them and will expect a cordial response. Of one thing the public may be assured, there is no work of charity in our town where so great results of good for so little expenditure of funds can be found. Remember the apostolic injunction "Look not every man upon his own things, but every man also on the things of another.'' After all, our own interests are interdependent upon the interests of others that we cannot help another without blessing ourselves. COM.

   May 14, 1895.

HAVE THEY ELOPED?

W. N. ALVORD AND MRS. HENRY MAXIM.

They Drive Away in the Night—Homer People Have Something to Talk About.

   Last Thursday night. W. N. Alvord, who resided on Williams-st. in Homer with his wife and son Bert, drove to the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Maxim in the same place, and after loading a quantity of goods in the wagon, Mrs. Maxim got into the vehicle with Alvord and the pair were driven out of town. Mr. Maxim had gone to bed and did not discover his loss until the next morning.

   Alvord and Maxim were both employed in Brockway's wagon works, the former as a painter and the latter as blacksmith. Alvord was discharged last week because of his unreliability. Before leaving, Alvord fulfilled a promise which he made some time since, to give his wife the title to the place where they lived. The pair have undoubtedly been making arrangements to leave for some time. Maxim says his wife has been making extra clothing, bedding, etc., for several weeks past. She gave as a reason that she was going to visit her father soon, who lives in Canandaigua.

   Alvord drove to Cortland and stored the goods in a barn and then shipped them to some place unknown. On Monday last Alvord undertook to sell his horse in Horseheads for such a low price that officers suspected that it had been stolen and they telegraphed Jusice Bull of this village to know something more about him. Whether Mrs. Maxson was with Alvord or not is not known, but it is certain that neither party has been seen in Homer since the date of their departure. Mr. Maxim said that he and his wife had had no trouble and his surprise is all the greater because of this fact. He will make no effort to secure her return.

   It was 9 o'clock at night when Alvord left home, saying he was going to drive to Cortland to see Mr. Chubb, who he thought would give him a job. His wife told him it was too late and tried to persuade him to wait until morning, but he declined to wait.

FOUND IN A SPRING.

A RESPECTED FARMER COMMITS SUICIDE.

Gilbert Francis of McLean Drowns Himself While Temporarily Insane.

   Last Saturday night Gilbert Francis, a well-known and highly respectable farmer residing about two miles north of McLean, committed suicide by drowning himself in a spring on his premises. He had been in rather poor health for some years and a few weeks ago had an attack of the grip from which it was supposed he had nearly recovered.

   Last Saturday night the family retired and left one of the outside doors unlocked for the hired man, Thomas McDermott, who had gone to McLean. A few moments after the clock struck eleven, Mrs. Francis thought she heard a noise. She got up and went to Mr. Francis room. There was no one in the room. Considerably alarmed she went out and around the house but could not find him. Just then McDermott came home and he searched the premises including the barns but could not find the missing man. He then aroused Maurice Francis, the nearest neighbor, whose son, Fred, returned with him.

  Within a few rods of the house is a large spring with a stone wall built around it and it was suggested to look there. Mr. Francis was found in the spring. He was removed and every effort made to resuscitate him but without avail. There was about eight feet of water in the spring.

   Coroner Brown of Ithaca was notified by telephone but did not consider it necessary to hold an inquest. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon and the burial was at McLean.

   Mr. Francis was until within a few years a very genial man and a very prosperous farmer. A brother who was insane died a few years ago and this seemed to affect Mr. Francis, and his friends had noted a considerable change in him. He had lost considerable property but was still in good circumstances.

FISH AND GAME.

The Laws Governing the Catching of Fish as at Present.

   Following is a summary of the fish and game laws under the new code just signed by Governor Morton:

   Deer—Open season August 16 to October 31. Limit, two deer to each person.

   Squirrels, Hares and Rabbits—Open season from September 1 to November 30. Ferrets prohibited.

   Birds and Wild Fowl—Web-footed wild fowl, open season from September 1 to April 30. Quail, open season November and December. Woodcock and grouse, open season from August 16 to December 31. Plover, snipe and English snipe shall not be shot or possessed during May, June, July or August. Snareing, netting or trapping of game birds prohibited.

   Fish—Polluting streams or taking fish by drawing off water or by dynamite or taking from a stream to stock a private pond or stream prohibited. No fishing through the ice in waters inhabited by trout or salmon.

   Trout—Open season from April 16 to August 31, with six inch limit.

   Salmon, Trout and Land-Locked Salmon—Open season from May 1 to September 30.

   Bass, Pickerel, Pike or Wall-Eyed Pike—Open season in St Lawrence river from May 30 to December 31; in Lake George from August 1 to December 31, and in the rest of the state from May 1 to December 31. Bass, eight inch limit.

   Muskallonge—Open season from May 30 to February 28. Fishing through the ice for pickerel, pike and wall-eyed pike with hook and line permitted during December, January and February, in waters not inhabited by trout or salmon of any kind.

Death of Mrs. Clute.

   Mrs. Elizabeth H. Clute died at her residence, No. 60 North Main-st. last Monday afternoon of consumption, She was the widow of Mr. E. C. Clute, for many years teller in the Randall bank in this place. She leaves two daughters, Mrs. Ella L. Butler of Cortland and Mrs. Charles O. Vose of Joliet, Ill. The funeral was held from her late home yesterday afternoon.

Normal Matters.

   At a meeting of the local board of the Normal school held in this village on Tuesday the resignations of Miss M. E. Trow, teacher of History and English and Miss Martha Roe, teacher of methods and superintendent of schools of practice were received and accepted. Miss Mabel Hurd, of Syracuse, a graduate of Smith college, was appointed to take the former's place and Miss Clara J. Robinson, teacher of gymnastics, civics and school law was appointed to take Miss Roe's place. Plans for a brick building for janitor's quarters to be erected on the west side of the Normal were submitted and work will be commenced on the same as soon as possible.

Ancient Order of Hibernians.

   Last week Thursday evening a local division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of America, was organized in Empire hall with 91 charter members. The following officers were elected:

   County President—John F. Dowd.

   Division President—Charles Corcoran.

   Vice-President—Joseph Dowd.

   Recording Secretary—M. V. Lane

   Financial Secretary—J. F. Burns.

   Treasurer—J. T. Davern.

   Sergeant at Arms—Patrick Carmody.

   Inside Guard—J. Lonergan.

   A literary and musical entertainment followed, which was very enjoyable.

Gets Fifty Millions.

   YOKOHAMA, May 7.—The Japanese government has unconditionally relinquished all claims to the Liao Tung peninsula in accordance with the request made by Russia, France and Germany.

   LONDON, May 7.—The Times to-day says that it is reported that in consideration of Japan's abandonment of the Liao Tung peninsula she will receive an additional indemnity of £10,000.

   HONG KONG, May 7.—Five thousand troops have started from Canton for the island of Formosa in order to suppress the anticipated opposition of the black flags to the occupation of the island by the Japanese, according to the terms of the peace treaty. Many of the troops are unreliable, and may join the black flags.

HERE AND THERE.

   The Crescent club will give a party in Empire hall to-night.

   Burgess, the clothier, has a new advertisement on our last page.

   Six carloads of large sewer pipes to be put down in Elm-st. arrived on Monday.

   A statement of the condition of the First National bank will be found in another column.

   Prof. Jordanouis, the eye specialist, will be at Jewett's jewelry store to-day and tomorrow.

   Messrs. Bingham & Miller have a new advertisement on our last page that is worth reading.

   Mr. J. W. Daniels has exchanged his livery stock on Orchard-st. for Fred Bowker's house and lot on East-ave.

   The 35th session of the Harford and Lapeer Sunday School Association will be held at Hunt's Corners. Sunday, May 26.

   The hotel porters in this place wear badges which permit them to ride free on the electric cars to and from local stations.

   The Cortland County Beekeepers Association will hold a basket picnic at the home of Theo. Burrows, east of Groton on Thursday, May 23.

   During the storm on Saturday afternoon last, a barn on one of the Crouse farms west of Homer village was struck by lightning and burned to the ground.

   There was quite a sharp frost in this section Wednesday night and early vegetables were pinched considerably. It is feared that some kinds of fruit have also been damaged.

   Last Sunday, while the family of Mr. Jas. S. Squires were at church, a water tank on the second floor of their residence, 14 Tompkins-st., overflowed and caused considerable damage.

   Mr. W. T. Smith shipped two handsome omnibuses to parties in Saugerties. N. Y., last Saturday. The landscapes painted on each side were very artistic and the entire work was in keeping with the painting.

   The kerosene lamps in the post office have been removed and gas and electric lights have been substituted. The interior has also been painted. The improvements are quite notable and are highly appreciated by the employes. [The post office was located at the Standard building, first floor, first door on Tompkins Street—CC editor.]

   The village of Cortland took a judgment against C. H. Warren of the Dexter house last Saturday for $107.95 on the charge of selling liquor without license. No defense was made except to file objections to the jurisdiction of the court. The case will be appealed.

   A teachers institute for the first and second commissioner districts of Cortland county will be held in the Normal building in this place commencing on Monday next and lasting until Friday. The conductors are Augustus R. Downing, A. M. and Henry R. Sanford, A. M.

   Messrs Crittenden & Chubb have just turned out a handsome wagon to be used by Hulbert & Crittenden's travelling store. It is a dandy in every respect. This new firm is turning out some very handsome jobs from their shops on Railroad-st. Messrs. Hulbert & Crittenden carry a fine stock of groceries, teas, coffees and spices and travel through the eastern part of the county the first three days of the week and the last of the week they call upon residents of the west part of the county.

   On Tuesday last that eminent authority on fruit and nursery stock, Mr. John H. Ryan of this place, informed the Standard that the fruit buds in this vicinity were badly blasted, that the east wind had played havoc with them and even if they escaped a frost, we would have but little fruit this year. On Wednesday Mr. M. F. Cleary, who has had almost a life-long experience in the best nurseries of the country, told the Standard man that he had taken pains to investigate the subject and that up to that date he had been unable to find a blasted bud anywhere. Unless the frost of Wednesday night damaged the buds, the DEMOCRAT will bet en Cleary's judgment on this question every time.

TOWN REPORTS.

SCOTT.

   There have been several sick horses in town of late and some have died. Among the latter may be mentioned one belonging to W. J Cottrell and one to B. H. Bierce

   Rev. B. F. Rogers goes to West Virginia this week to attend the S. D. Baptist association at that place. He will also attend two other associations before returning and will be absent three weeks. Mrs. Rogers goes with him.

   The very hot weather of late was superseded last Saturday night by icy cold weather, mercury running down 50 degrees within a few hours. Water frozen over quite thick on Monday morning followed by snow during the day from the north west. On Tuesday also, it snowed and rained from the south. A great many people were attacked with chills.

   Last Saturday toward night one of our citizens hitched up his horse before a covered carriage belonging to his son, just from the paint shop, and drove about town, finally taking in the saloon at the ''Head.'' About 10 o'clock that night while on the way home, his horse while going at a rapid rate failed to keep the ''middle of the road'' and destroyed the carriage quite completely as we learn. It seems too bad that a boy working out by the month should thus suffer the loss. And yet we find people foolish enough to declare that if any one is foolish enough to drink, let him take the consequences. The man in this case didn't get hurt, and his son took the consequences.  

MARATHON.

   Shortly after midnight Wednesday night, our citizens were aroused by the ringing of the fire bell. Upon hurrying to the place indicated by the light, it was found to be only a huge bonfire kindled by J. J. Hickey to prevent the frost from injuring his strawberries, and a disgusted lot of people trooped home again through the chill night air.

   The dedication of the Peck Memorial Library took place last evening. A pleasing program was rendered, including an entertaining speech by Rev. G. Parsons Nichols of Binghamton and a number of charming musical selections by artists of Marathon and other places. Mr. and Mrs. Alex Brown and Miss Severson of Binghamton and Miss Bowen and W. Y. Foote of Syracuse were present. The hall was crowded to its utmost capacity.

LITTLE YORK.

   Mrs. Daniel Cummings is visiting in Syracuse.

   Melvin Pratt has been quite sick but is now improving

   Mrs. A. G. Walker has gone to Washington Grove, Md., a suburb of Washington, D. C., to spend the summer.

   Miss Maggie Frazier of Cortland and Miss Etna Frazier of Scott spent Sunday with their sister Mrs. Grant Selover.

   The fruit trees are loaded with blossoms, the grain now in is coming up finely and everything so far has been favorable to the farmer, indicating a prosperous season, providing the weather bureau can keep John Frost in an obliging humor. The late rain assures the farmer of a good hay crop for 1895.

ELM STUMP.

   Miss Mabel Bristol spent several days in Virgil last week.

   Mr. Frank Gallagher and wife visited in Blodgett's Mills Saturday.

   Miss Inez Stillman of Virgil called at the school, one day recently.

   Rev. Wellington and son of Otisco spent Friday night at Daniel Browns'.

   Mr. Stephen Mudge and family of Lapeer, are visiting at J. L. Munson's

   Mrs. Patty Wood, who has lived alone for several years, has now gone to live with Mr. E. Wood.

   Among those sick at present writing are Mrs. Joseph Cotterell, Miss May Miller and Mrs. Wm. Terpening.

   Clarence Stafford attended the family reunion, which was held at Mr. George Dickerson's in Blodgett's Mills Monday.

   Mr. C. L. Judd and Daniel McNish are setting large fields of strawberries and raspberries. We are looking for cheap fruit of that kind as there will be plenty. Old growers can go out of business.

   We believe in the saying, "No loss but some little gain," as the sudden change in the weather has made the people in this vicinity look sad and down heartened. It has also paralyzed the June bugs and mosquitoes so they trouble us no more.