MOHAMMED OUTDONE

John D. Rockefeller.

Rockefeller estate, Kykuit.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, January 2, 1896.

MOHAMMED OUTDONE.

JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER CHANGING THE FACE OF NATURE.

To Accommodate His Palace the Oil Magnate Is Leveling a Mountain—The Place a Region of Historic Interest.

   John D. Rockefeller's latest scheme is to cut the top off a mountain. Millionaires have a way of fixing things to suit themselves, but this is the first time one of that interesting class has undertaken to give nature points.

   Mr. Rockefeller is the owner of a baronial estate back of Tarrytown, N. Y.—1,000 acres—which he will convert into a huge park at an expense of no one knows how much. On this estate is Kykuit mountain. From its summit can be viewed a scenic panorama that is not likely to pall on the vision even of the man of many millions. Mr. Rockefeller made up his mind that this was the place for his baronial residence.

   But Kykuit mountain had not been laid out for a residence site. Its summit was too sharp. So it was decided to cut the top off, and a small army of men are hard at work now performing that singular operation.

   Nowhere could be found a finer illustration of the potency of wealth. Here is a man using his gold to give the lie to tradition, welding it into a sword wherewith to shave the crests off "the everlasting hills." Mohammed, who ruled millions of men, was compelled to go to the mountain. Rockefeller, who owns millions of dollars, compels the mountain to descend to his chosen level.

   Up at Tarrytown the people call the country round about the Pocantico hills. What the standard by which they distinguish between hills and mountains is no one seems to know. But after the visitor has toiled up the winding road leading from Tarrytown to the Rockefeller estate, he will make affidavit the Pocantico hills are in the same class with the Andes or the Himalayas. This is the scene where the millionaire's Brobdingnagian whim is being faithfully put into effect.

   Nor is the removal of the mountain top all that is being done. The mountain is being remodeled. Rows of stakes at different points on the slope indicate where additions are to be made, terraces constructed, and how far the lawn is to stretch its velvety surface before the Rockefeller slope begins. It is only proper to call it the Rockefeller slope because nature has nothing to do with it. It is the millionaire, his money and his men who are making this mountain. When the new mountain is finished, which will be some time next spring, an architect will draw plans for the mansion which is to be built thereon. Just what sort of a mansion it is to be has not been decided, but it is safe to say seven figures will be required to tell the cost.

   When Mr. Rockefeller bought the old Parsons place at Tarrytown a few years ago, he kept his plans to himself. Little by little, however, he bought in adjacent property, and as the months rolled by his estate grew to mammoth proportions, until now it is a long journey from one end of his domain to the other. Nowhere along the Hudson river is there an estate like this, not a foot of which is to be used for growing anything but trees and grass and flowers. It is to be made as beautiful as the landscape gardener can conceive it. Drives are to be constructed throughout and the whole transformed into a park of exceeding beauty.

   Much of this mammoth estate, where Mr. Rockefeller is making mountains of valleys as his fancy suits, is famous ground, partly for historical reasons and partly because of Washington Irving's legends. On the house where Mr. F. A. Bolze, Mr. Rockfeller's superintendent lives, is a big brass plate which tells the curious that it was here Major Andre stopped the night before his capture. Then, not far away, is the site of the old schoolhouse where, Irving has it, Ichabod Crane taught before his encounter with the Headless Horseman, and winding by is the road down which Brom Bones thundered that night so fatal to the schoolmaster's ambition.

   The little tree-fringed valley at the foot of the northwestern slope is a part of Sleepy Hollow, and if one could see over the next hill Sleepy Hollow's ancient cemetery and the old Dutch church would come into view.

   So reticent has Mr. Rockefeller been about his plan to remodel a mountain and to transform his 1,000 acres into a park that Tarrytown people themselves know little about it. It only needs a visit to the place, however, to see the most convincing proof that the same resistless energy that has gathered a colossal fortune is urging toward completion a work which will be a marvel of its kind.—New York Journal.

LEGISLATURE CONVENES.

Lawmakers Called to Order at Albany.

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE RECEIVED.

Brief Session Held and an Adjournment Taken Until Next Wednesday. When the Committees Will Be Announced and Regular Work Begins.

   ALBANY, Jan. 2.—The legislature of 1896—the assembly to serve for that year alone and the senate to exist for three years—assembled in the beautified and improved Capitol building in their respective halls at 11 o'clock yesterday morning.

   It is the first assembly of a legislature on New Year's day in many years, and it is the largest body of legislators that ever assembled in the state of New York.

   From the rostrum of the senate the lieutenant governor looked down upon 50 senators, an increase since the first senate in 1777 of 26 members.

   In the assembly the speaker presided over 140 members, an increase over the first assembly in 1777 of 80 members.

   Particularly noticeable in these two enlarged bodies was the lack of Democrats and the apparent evidence of the utter rout of the Democratic party at the polls last fall. In the senate there were 39 new faces out of the 50, and in the assembly over 100 unfamiliar faces looked up toward the speaker's chair.

   The assembly looked particularly new in its membership because some of the oldest and most tried members were either swept out by the tidal wave or else had been sent to the senate. Faces missing were, Ainsworth of Oswego, who was leader; Malby of St. Lawrence, who was speaker; Wilcox of Seneca, Seibert of Erie, Higbie of Queens, Wieman of Kings, Wray of Kings, Stewart of Tompkins, Foley of New York, Pavey of New York, Hennessey of Kings and a score of others.

   With the two exceptions of Ainsworth and Hennessey, these men were found in the senate where, while their faces are new, their familiarity with legislation is remarkable.

   In this respect the senate is better equipped than in many years for, in addition to these old legislators and the 11 re-elected senators, there are such old-time legislators as Ellsworth of Niagara and Grady of New York.

   This interesting body, serving for three years, will have the election of a United States senator to succeed David B. Hill in 1897.

   Both houses presented an attractive appearance.

   The rule-keeping [of] people from the floors is now enforceable because of the improved lobbies and the members have the privacy they so much desired.

   In the senate the president's desk and the fireplaces were banked with palms, and several of the senators' desks bore large floral tributes. In the assembly the same scheme of decoration was carried out, and the effect was rich and really beautiful.

   The members of both branches began arriving at the Capitol early, many of them taking the opportunity to sign the oath of office at the secretary of state's office.

   The spectators' galleries filled rapidly, and there was an unusual number of the fair sex present, the families of Governor Morton, Speaker Fish, General McAlpin, Secretary of State Palmer, State Treasurer Colvin and the leaders in Albany society.

   The usual ceremonies incident to the opening of a session were observed, the respective chambers being opened with a few timely remarks from the chair, the calling of the roll, choosing of seats and the reading of the governor's message.

   Both houses adjourned shortly after 2 o'clock until 8:30 p. m. on Wednesday next, at which time committee appointments will be announced.

BLOODSHED IMMINENT.

British Under Dr. Jameson Invade Transvaal.

BOERS ARE RISING TO MEET THEM.

Secretary Chamberlain Repudiates the Action and Orders His Withdrawal, but It Is Believed to Be Too Late to Avoid a Battle.

   LONDON, Jan. 2.—The news received here from Pretoria, Transvaal republic, tends to confirm the gravity of the situation there growing out of the invasion of the Boer territory by an armed force of the British South Africa company, numbering 700 men with six Maxim guns, led by Dr. Jameson, the British commissioner who was so successful in his operations against King Lobengula, resulting in the annexation of Matabeleland to Cape Colony.

   The Transvaal president, Kruger, has called upon the Burghers to defend their country, and a serious conflict is anticipated in spite of the fact that the colonial secretary, Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, has telegraphed to Dr. Jameson to withdraw into British territory and has urged President Kruger to do his utmost to prevent bloodshed.

   The newspapers comment at great length upon this fresh trouble which the

British government has to face. They recognize the fact that the invasion of the Transvaal, although made upon the urgent request of thousands of Englishmen and others in the Transvaal, who complain that they have to pay the whole revenue of the country while being denied representation, is liable to give particular offense to Germany, whose friendship at this critical stage the Marquis of Salisbury is most anxious not to lose.

   As the telegraph wires are believed to have been out behind Dr. Jameson's force, and as the Boer forces, well armed and equipped, have been mobilized under General Joubert, news of a bloody conflict is expected.

   The Boers can put in the field about [6,000] good fighting men, supported with Maxim guns and to oppose this force Dr. Jameson has only about 700 men with six Maxim guns, who may receive the direct or indirect assistance of about 2,000 untrained and badly armed men.

   However, Jameson may be able to call to his support 1,000 men belonging to the De Beers company whose headquarters are at Kimberley. Those men are well equipped and would prove an effective reinforcement for Dr. Jameson. But, as the latter is already said to be advancing upon Johannesburg with his small body of men, he may meet the Boers and the issue [may] be decided before they can arrive.

   Great Britain, through the colonial secretary, has offered to arbitrate the matter, but it is feared that the offer has come too late and that the most serious consequences are to be apprehended.

Holland Indignant, but Helpless.

   LONDON, Jan. 2.—A dispatch from The Hague to The Times says that the Rotterdamsche Courant regards Dr. Jameson's action in the Transvaal as a most flagrant example of British arrogance. It admits that Holland can do nothing for the Boers and fears that England will seize the opportunity to wipe out the stain of the Majuba Hill incident. It also expressed the hope that Germany will come to the rescue.

   The Berlin correspondent of The Times says:

   "The crisis is clearly endangering the Anglo-German relations. Public opinion is excited and angry, and without doubt the government will interfere, because relations have gradually arisen between the Transvaal and Germany which have assumed in the public mind almost the shape of a moral protectorate by Germany over the Transvaal.''

An Appeal.

   The writer begs to call attention of the citizens of Cortland to the recent calamity [murder of Mr. Galpin—CC editor] which has befallen the family of the late Geo. W. Galpin. In his death an almost invalid mother is left a heartbroken and a lonely widow, three little boys who should now be in school are left fatherless.

   A few days ago they were a happy family with bright prospects in view, now with dark clouds intervening between them and the sunshine of a father's love and affection. What kind-hearted man, woman, boy or girl would not be willing to deny himself of a small portion of his New Year's gift and send a small cash gift, whether it be a penny, a nickel, a shilling, or a dollar to them at this time? It will not be given in vain.

   Mr. Galpin's early life did not run as smoothly as the brooks by

which he sometimes played, for he was left an orphan at about the age of ten. His father having enlisted in the 5th N. Y. cavalry, was wounded May 5, 1864, in the Battle of the Wilderness and about two or three months later was taken prisoner of war and fell victim to rebel atrocity in Andersonville prison and no tidings [of] the absent father ever reached his home. So it was that a family of a mother and five little children was broken up and the children scattered to live in different parts of the country and some never permitted to gaze into each other's faces again.

   Amid many difficulties and hardships, George started out to brave the difficulties of life and had he been spared a few years would undoubtedly have succeeded in making a home for himself and family.

   Now there is an encumbrance and in the name of sympathy, charity, love, sorrow and good will, I appeal to all who can do so to come forward and help lift the veil and remove some of the obstacles that beset the pathway of this afflicted family.

   A FRIEND.

Obituary.

   Mr. Edward Kennedy, a highly respected citizen of Cortland, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. M. Wilcox, 9 Argyle Place, Tuesday night at 11 o'clock, of heart failure, aged 72 years. Mr. Kennedy has been in poor health for some time and was taken much worse on Christmas day since which he has gradually failed.

   The greater part of his life was spent in the town of Groton until six years ago last April he removed to Cortland where he has since resided, and gained a large circle of friends by whom he was held in the highest esteem. Mr. Kennedy was an honest, upright man, a kind and indulgent father, a good neighbor, and was held in high regard by all who knew him.

   The funeral will be held at his late home, 9 Argyle Place, Friday morning at 8:30 o'clock and at St. Patrick's Church, McLean, at 10 o'clock.

Partnership Change.

   The well-known hardware firm of Cramer & Mellon was yesterday changed to that of Cramer & Hollister, Mr. Mellon disposing of his interest to Mr. W. K. Hollister, who for four years past has been foreman of the plumbing and tinning department, and has established a reputation as one of the best mechanics in these lines that Cortland has ever known. Besides his practical experience here, he some time since spent several months at the plumbing school in New York City, taking the full course and made himself master of all the latest methods. His services have been highly satisfactory to all who have employed him, and his name and the assurance of his remaining with the firm, will add strength to the already well-established business. Mr. Cramer, who has looked after the business management of the old firm and made himself deservedly popular in this position, will conduct the affairs of the new firm as he has of the old. The STANDARD wishes the new partnership prosperity and a large increase of the very handsome patronage which the concern has hitherto enjoyed.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The village schools opened this morning with a full attendance after the Holiday vacation.

—The Alpha C. L. S. C. will meet at the home of Mrs. H. H. Robbins, 20 Park-st., Monday evening, Jan. 6.

   —Happy Bill Daniels orchestra was in Willet last night and played at the opening of the new Hotel Ingalls.

   —New advertisements to-day are— F. Daehler, page 5; Smith Premier Co.,

page 7; G. F. Beaudry, page 5; Palmer Bros., page 4.

   — Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Russel entertained several of their friends and neighbors at dinner on New Year's day at their home on Townley-st.

   —In our report of the gymnasium contests at the Y. M. C. A. the column headed standing high jump should have been headed standing broad jump.

   —A Farmers' Institute will be held at the court house, Cortland, N. Y , on

Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10 and 11, 1896. An interesting program has been prepared.

   —Regular meeting of W. C. T. U. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 1896 at 8 P. M. Consecration service followed by business meeting and subjects suggestive for the new year.

   —Hit removal of the board fence from the old skating rink to the E. C. & N. railroad tracks makes a decided change in the appearance of the east side of South Main-st.

   —Mrs. Susan Haughton Wheeler, wife of Charles Wheeler died at 3 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Nathan Salisbury, two miles west of the village, aged 77 years. The funeral will be held at the residence of her daughter at 2 o'clock P. M. Saturday.

   —Some time ago two prizes were offered to the members of junior department of the Y. M. C. A. for the person bringing in the two largest lists of new members before Jan. 1st. The prizes, five dollars and a membership in the department, were awarded to Leroy Clark and Elbert Fox respectively.

   —The Nobles of the Mystic Shrine will attend this evening's performance of ''The Catspaw'' at the Opera House. The star of the company, Mr. Samuel Edwards, is an old and well known member of Mecca, the parent temple of the order in New York. Nobles William Wallace, Albert Alton and A. D. Wallace have the matter in charge and will make a gala affair of the occasion.