BURGLARS IN MADISON COUNTY AND MORE NIGHT WORK

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, May 1, 1896.

BURGLARS IN MADISON CO.

THIEF SHOT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROB A POSTOFFICE.

Three Business Places at Leonardsville Broken Into.—Wounded Thief Captured.

   ROME, April 24—Postoffice burglaries in the rural districts of Central New York have been frequent during the past few months. Another such attempted robbery by three men at Leonardsville, Madison county, was interrupted at 1:30 o'clock this morning, and one of the burglars was shot in the abdomen. He will probably die.

   Three suspicious looking men had been seen about Leonardsville last evening, and Eugene Tulley, son of Postmaster Tulley, as a precautionary measure, armed himself and decided to sleep last night with a friend on the second floor of the postoffice building.

   About 1:30 this morning the attention of Tulley and his companion was aroused by flashlights that were being set off outside of the building. Looking out of a window they saw three men, who soon engaged in putting up a ladder to the window. One of the men ascended, but before he had reached the top of the ladder Tulley raised the window and shot the intruder, who undertook to retreat, but fell from the effects of his wound. His two associates ran away.

   The injured burglar gave his name once as Wilson and again as Wilbur. His statement was taken officially, and he said his companions were William Gleason and Jack Fitzgerald, and that one was from Utica and the other from Rome.

   Neither Gleason nor Fitzgerald is known here. All of the names given are probably fictitious.

   A dynamite cartridge was found back of the postoffice this morning.

   It was also found that Hoxie's feed store, Wiley's milk station and Edwards' meat market had been burglarized during the night, but little of value had been found or taken.

BURGLAR WILSON DIES.

   UTICA. April 26.—Thomas Wilson, who was shot early Friday morning by Deputy Postmaster Eugene Tully while attempting to burglarize the post office at Leonardsville, died at St. Luke's hospital in this city yesterday.

   Wilson's two accomplices are still at large. Wilson has relatives in Buffalo, and a brother-in law named Higgins has telegraphed that he will come here. The remains will be taken to Madison county, where the inquest will be held.

BURGLARS WERE EXPERTS.

   UTICA, April 28.—In connection with the recent burglaries at Leonardsville and the killing of one of the burglars, it is recalled that several men arrested in Boston a few weeks ago had in their possession a map of New York State and around the town of Brookfield was drawn a blue pencil mark. Underneath it was written, "Good investment." Everything indicates that they were experts in their line. The dynamite cartridge found back of the Postoffice building was wrapped tightly in oiled paper and around it was a Buffalo newspaper. The whole package was tied in a fine linen handkerchief and around it was a white rubber band. This, together with the chisels, map, directory and other articles discovered upon Wilson's person and elsewhere, have been turned over to Deputy Sheriff Harold Bryant of Brookfield.

   On the day of their first visit, Friday, April 17, a large sum of money from a sale of real estate had been paid to H. M. Aylesworth. From something Wilson said soon after he was shot it is thought that the burglars were aware of this fact. They probably thought that the money was in Mr. Aylesworth's office on the second floor of the postoffice building. The money, however, had been paid by certified check and was beyond their reach.

   Nearly all the descriptions given of the two men who escaped agree that one was tall and dark complexioned, with a scar on his nose, and the other, who was short and fleshy, had a peculiar limp. They with Wilson camped one day in the woods on Gideon Kenyon's place in the town of Plainfield. Mr. Kenyon, of whom they bought potatoes, observed them closely. He held quite a conversation with them. Wilson claimed to be a clothing cutter; another said he was a moulder, and the third remarked that he had been with Barnum's circus.

   Whether Wilson was the burglar's real name there is still room for doubt, but it is probable that the name was one by which he sometimes passed. He claimed to have a sister, Mrs. William Higgins, living in Buffalo, on Seneca street near Louise avenue. A dispatch was sent to that address and an answer was received, stating that if he was in trouble he would have to get himself out of it.

   Beyond question Wilson and his companions were certainly in Leonardsville a week ago Friday night, when a body of armed men sat up in residences for any burglaries attempted on their part. The day following they visited Howard's bakery and Ellsmith's meat market. Those in charge of the bakery and meat market say they can easily identify the men if they ever have a chance.

   On the day of their first visit they were seen at Brookfield by Edgar Harris and Howell Bryant of that place. Mr. Bryant is a Deputy Sheriff. He has been an officer many years and that fact in connection with the suspicious actions of the men led him to observe them closely. Mr. Bryant says he would certainly recognize them again by their faces as well as by the clothes they wore.

   The inquest in the matter of the death of Burglar Wilson was begun before Coroner Burhyte at Leonardsville yesterday.

More Night Work.

   Sometime after midnight last Tuesday, the grocery store of Chas. W. Stoker in the Garrison block was entered by burglars and the contents of the cash drawer was carried away. The amount of goods taken is not definitely known, but is believed to be only a trifling amount. Entrance was effected through a rear window, one light of which had been cracked in several places for some time. One of these pieces was broken out and by reaching through the catch was turned and the window shoved up. The intruders helped themselves to the contents of an open box of cigars in the office. The amount of money taken is not definitely known, but it was not large.

   We think the [Cortland] trustees would do well to have a larger police force on duty nights. There is very little need for them during the day as the sheriff and his deputies and the constables can do all the work during the daytime. What the citizens who have to pay for their services want, is police protection from 10 P. M. to 5 A. M. They do not care to pay for the services of detectives. The force is hardly adequate for the work required and unless all can be put on night duty, at least another policeman should be employed.

The corner block is Sager & Jenkins, a drug store, and the Dexter House Hotel.

She Never Said Good-Bye.

   Mr. J. B. Hamilton of No. 30 Maple-ave., is an employe of Wickwire Bros. and carrys his dinner. He left home as usual Wednesday morning and when he returned at 6 o'clock he found the house deserted and most of the furniture gone.

   Mrs. Hamilton had a truckman at the house early in the day and some of the furniture was brought to the Sager corner [Main Street and Clinton Avenue] and sold at auction while some was shipped to Syracuse. Their daughter, who lives in Syracuse, was visiting here and it is supposed Mrs. Hamilton has gone or is going there to reside.

   Mr. Hamilton knows of no reason for the sudden departure and has found no farewell note or letter explaining it. He says every thing was running smoothly as far as he knows.

   Mrs. Hamilton had made all preparations to guard against interference should her husband chance to return at noon for on Tuesday she asked Chief Linderman to be within hailing distance at the noon hour.

State Wants Damages From Armour.

   ALBANY, April 24.—Commissioner of Agriculture Fred C. Schaub, says that he caused papers to be served today on Herman O. Armour as the representative of the Armour Packing company in a suit instituted by his department against the company to recover penalties aggregating $1,150,000 for violations consisting of selling oleomargarine in this state made in imitation or semblance of butter.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   TOMPKINS.—A stage will run from Ithaca to Speedsville this summer.

   The Dryden Woolen Mills recently shipped a bill of goods to Amsterdam, Holland.

   The Central New York Congregational Association will meet at Ithaca, May 5th and 6th.

   Another gift of $2,500 has been donated for the contagious ward of the Ithaca city hospital.

   The iron bridge at Lafayette is being built and enlarged by the Groton Bridge & Manufacturing Co.

   It is reported that Mrs. Warren Hunt of Ithaca, owner of the lake steamboats, has refused an offer of $15,000 for them.

   The Tompkins County Christian Endeavor Union will hold their annual convention, in Groton village, Friday, May 29th.

   The new well just put down by the Groton Bridge & Manufacturing Co., near their south shops, is a gusher. It is over a hundred feet in depth.

   On Friday last. Dr. Robinson of McLean received 5,000 trout try from the state hatchery at Caledonia. They have been deposited in Fall Creek and tributaries.

   John E. Brown has sold the Exchange Hotel property, fronting 60 feet on West State street, Ithaca, to Joseph La Point. It is understood that the plan for a new hotel contemplated by Mr. Brown will be carried out by Mr. La Point, though perhaps in a somewhat modified form.

   The domestic animals of Merritt Bardwell of Newfield seem to have evil designs on his anatomy. A few years ago he was kicked by one of his horses, and his liver was injured. His life was despaired of for a long time. Finally an operation was performed and a portion of the liver removed, when he recovered. Two years ago he was leading a bull with the rope wound around a finger, when the animal became frightened and jumping, drew the rope so tight as to cut his finger off. A few days ago he was putting a ring in a hog's nose, when the animal grabbed his hand and bit off one of his fingers above the first joint.

Benton Bushnell Jones, editor and publisher of The Cortland Democrat.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

   Gov. Morton has appointed Chas. A. Wieting of Cobleskill to be state commissioner of agriculture in place of Fred C. Schraub of Lowville, whose term of office has expired. The office carries a salary of $4,000 with $500 for expenses. Several Cortland republicans are expecting places under the new commissioner.

   At the McKinly meeting held in the Cortland opera house last Friday evening, both the speakers declared that McKinly had already enough delegates pledged to vote for him in the National Convention to nominate him. This claim is undoubtedly wrong or else the other candidates for the nomination are wrong. Even the McKinly papers do not make any such claim. According to the other candidates McKinly has a good many delegates to get in order to secure the coveted prize. [The editor of the Democrat routinely misspelled McKinley's name—CC editor.]

   Rev. W. N. Cleveland, the President's brother, declares that partisan bigotry was the cause of his dismissal from the Presbyterian pastorate at Chaumont. Northern New York has long had a reputation for Republicanism of the rankest sort, but who would have thought that being a Democrat and brother of the President would be considered a sufficient reason anywhere on earth for such an act. Republican papers sometimes talk about Southern bourbonism, but the bourbonism of Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties surely parallels the worst political narrowness in this country.—Ontario Messenger.

   Senator John Sherman has written a letter to the Brooklyn Republican club defining McKinly's views on the money question. He says McKinly is in favor of the single gold standard, and believes that "silver should be employed in the minor transactions of life so long as it can be maintained at par with gold." What power could prevent the use of silver so long as it is at par with gold? The trouble is to keep it at par with the more valuable metal. Now if Senator Sherman or candidate McKinly can originate some method of keeping silver on a par with gold, they will accomplish something that no one else has succeeded in doing and besides, they will be entitled to the everlasting gratitude of the American people. According to Senator Sherman, Mr. McKinly's votes for free silver and the Ohio platform straddle on the financial question count for nothing. Candidate McKinly seems to be facing both ways.

HERE AND THERE.

Old newspapers for sale at this office.

   Tully village is now lighted by electricity.

   J. W. Cudworth, eye specialist, will be in his office every day next week.

   F. I. Graham has moved his drug business to the Graham block on Main-st.

   Messrs. Case, Ruggles & Bristol have a new advertisement in another column.

   Whiteson, the clothier, has a new advertisement on this page. Don't fail to read it.

   The office of the American Express Co. has been moved to the Democrat building, No. 14 Railroad-st.

   The colored people of this village are trying to secure a stated pastor for their church in this place.

   A picked nine from Truxton will cross bats with the Normals on the fair grounds to-morrow afternoon.

   Mrs. Anna Stone of Homer solicits pupils in painting and embroidery. She would also be glad of orders in the same.

   The carrier boys of the Syracuse Herald will play a game of ball to-morrow forenoon with the Cortland Standard kids on Crandall's flats.

   Don't forget the May party to be given by Vesta lodge, I. O. O. F., in their rooms on Thursday evening, May 7th. Daniels' orchestra.

   Frank J. Squires, formerly of this place, was seriously injured in a runaway at Medina last Friday and his recovery is considered doubtful.

   The Candy Kitchen has been moved from the Cortland House block to 17 Railroad-st., where the opera house diagram [and tickets] will be found hereafter.

   A large audience witnessed the presentation of "Alabama" in the opera house last Monday evening. The cast was a good one and the scenery was fine.

   Chief Linderman says that since Dec. 14 last the doors, either front or rear, of fifty business places in town have been found unlocked after 10 o'clock in the evening.

   One hundred couples attended Daniels' party in Taylor hall last Thursday night and all enjoyed the dance. B. H. Bosworth and M. B. Filzinger furnished  the refreshments.

   Surveyors have been laying out the work for the completion of the trolley tracks in Homer village. The track will be laid as far as the second bridge above the village.

   Considerable interest is being manifested on the question of paving some of the streets in this village. Property owners on Madison and Railroad-sts. are the most active in the movement.

   Mr. John Andrews, for several years past proprietor of the Central House in this village, has leased the Mansion House in Homer and takes possession to-day. The Central House will be thoroughly overhauled and repaired.

   The lecture delivered by Rev. W. F. Dougherty in the opera house on Wednesday evening was listened to by a large and appreciative audience. The stereopticon views were grand, and the music was excellent; the song by Miss Bessie O'Connell was particularly fine.

   Last Monday while A. D. Barber was loading ice into a wagon from the Little York Ice company's storehouse on Pendleton-st., the horses started up as he was about to step on the wagon and he was thrown to the ground with considerable force. It was at first thought his shoulder had been dislocated but this did not prove to be the case. He was badly shaken up and bruised but will probably be all right in a day or two.

   Last Thursday morning an Italian, who was digging a trench on Port Watson-st., came near being killed by a cave in. A high bank of earth fell into the ditch surrounding the Italian and striking one of the water mains, which it broke and the water gushed out in an immense stream, nearly drowning the man. He was finally extricated from his dangerous predicament thoroughly drenched, but little the worse for the experience.

   Last Sunday Geo. Cass of Solon brought Joseph Baum, a penniless man nearly eighty years of age, to Cortland intending to turn him over to the superintendent of the poor. Baum objected and insisted on returning home with Cass, but the later declined to care for him longer. He is said to have children who are well to do, but he refused to go to them and also declined to go to the alms house and started off alone. Later Officer Goldsmith found him wandering about the streets and arrested him. He was sent to the alms house and his relatives were notified. He was once in good circumstances financially.

   A newspaper is always printed in a rush. There is always something in it that should have been left out, something left out that should have been put in. It is sometimes too quick to act, but with all its faults and shortcomings, there is more education in a bright, newsy paper than there is in a novel. You will find that the brightest boy on practical, sensible, everyday questions is the boy who reads the newspapers.—Exchange.

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   In 1851 the city of Scranton was a vast stretch of woods, not even a post office being there.

   Governor Morton hat signed the act making it a misdemeanor to place glass, tacks, etc., in the streets or roads.

   Delhi [New York] has sixty subscribers to a telephone exchange, who have to pay only $8 for a business place and $7 for a residence. [The first exchange in Cortland charged $35 per subscriber per year and later increased the fee to $49—CC editor.]

   The railroads of the country own 211,000,000 acres of land, enough to make six states as large as Iowa. Foreigners own 21,000,000 acres.

   The [New York] liquor tax certificates will be of four colors—blue for saloon keepers' license, red for store keepers' certificate, green for pharmacists', and brown for steamboats and railroad cars.

   Marie Barberi, the Italian girl, who cut the throat of her lover and betrayer in New York one year ago, and whose trial attracted such wide attention and ended in a verdict of murder in the first degree, has now been granted a new trial by the Court of Appeals, on the ground that the murder was the result of sudden passion from the taunts of the lover and not a premeditated killing.

   A Swiss watch maker has invented a watch that talks, that calls the hours in a small voice instead of noting their passage by a chime. This wonderful piece of mechanism was based on the inventor's knowledge of the phonograph. It can be distinctly heard while lying on a table but as it speaks in French only, it will not find ready sale in this country.