ORSON A. KINNEY

Orson A. Kinney.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, June 19, 1896.

ORSON A. KINNEY.

An Honored Resident of McGrawville Has Passed Away.

   Mr. Orson Alonzo Kinney, one of the most prominent and best known residents of this county, died at his residence on the corner of Academy and South-sts. in McGrawville Wednesday evening, June 17, 1896, after a long illness during which he was a patient sufferer. During the last few days, however, a merciful Providence relieved him of pain by a semi-unconscious condition.

   Mr. Kinney was the son of Gilmore Kinney, one of the foremost men of his day in this locality and was born on what is now known as the Cowan farm between Cortland and McGrawville. He attended the old Port Watson school, where he obtained a good common school education, which combined with his natural business ability made him a successful business man. At the age of sixteen years he left school and for the next few years his time was spent upon his father's farm, in driving stock to Philadelphia and in other like employments.

   On Feb. 24, 1846, he was married to Miss Julia E. Greenman, a sister of C. Greenman of McGrawville, and settled on what is known as the Kinney-Babcock farm southeast of that village. In 1857 he removed to Blodgett Mills, where he resided for a time, as well as in Polkville, returning to McGrawville in 1870, where he has since resided and where Mrs. Kinney died in 1876. He was the father of seven children by this marriage, three of whom died in Blodgett Mills in 1861, and one in McGrawville in 1871. The other three are still living.

   For his second wife, who survives him, he married Mrs. Nancy E. Lamont, sister of the late J. B. Lamont of McGrawville. Of this second union was born one child, June 25, 1881, who died June 28 of that same year.

   His surviving children who have been with him for some weeks are Gilmore Kinney of Yonkers, N. Y., who is in the United States Engineer corps., Mrs. Etta Lamont, wife of Secretary of War Daniel S. Lamont, and Orson A. Kinney, Jr., who is bookkeeper for Wickwire Bros. of Cortland.

   For the past few years Mr. Kinney has been engaged quite extensively in real estate business, having built and sold on easy terms many houses, besides loaning working men money for building purposes. He never has crowded any one hard for payment, but was always ready to help those who were seeking to make a home. He was not a professing Christian, but in deeds he carried out the principles of Christianity, and he was one of those rare men who had not a single enemy. No one could have died in his vicinity who would have been more missed or who will have more sincere mourners. He has a lasting monument in O.K. St., which was laid out and largely built up by him.

   Mr. Kinney was a prominent Odd Fellow. He joined the old lodge in McGrawville over forty years ago and was connected with it during the twenty or more years of its existence. When the present lodge was instituted in 1888 he was one of its charter members. He has held all the offices in the lodge, and was at the time of his death the Past Noble Grand, and was also a trustee of the lodge. For years he has been a trustee of the McGrawville school and has been prominently identified with every measure for the advancement and growth of the place.

   The funeral was held this afternoon from the family residence and was very largely attended. All the forenoon crowds of friends passed through the parlor for a last look at the familiar face. All the stores in McGrawville were closed at the time of the funeral. The services were in charge of Rev. E. J. Brooker, pastor of the M. E. church. A male quartet furnished music. Many prominent people were present, including of course the Secretary of War.

   The floral offerings were remarkably numerous and beautiful. Among them were a magnificent wreath from Secretary and Mrs. Lamont; a head rest with the word "Grandpa," from Benjamin and Mont Kinney; a tribute with the letters "F. L. T." from the Odd Fellows; a wreath from Dr. L. D. Warner of Bridgeport, Ct.; a box of flowers from Dr. Lucius C. Warner of New York; a wreath from Dr. and Mrs. Charles W. Sanders of New York; palms from Mrs. Lucius Babcock and Mrs. Mary Phillips of McGrawville, a bed of pansies from Mrs. James A. Brooks of McGrawville, besides a number of others.

   The service at the grave was under the direction of the Odd Fellows, the Cortland lodges joining with the McGrawville lodge.

McGRAWVILLE.

Crisp Local Happenings at the Corset City.

LETTER FROM MCKINLEY.

   In spite of the rumors to that effect, Mr. McKinley will not be present at the reunion of the One Hundred Eighty-fifth regiment. In reply to the invitation sent him by Mr. Henry E. Phelps, president of the regimental association, he expressed regrets but other important engagements will prevent his being with us. We trust no one will consider himself slighted, and refuse to vote for him for president on that account, at least until his letter in read at the reunion.

   Regents' examinations are being held at the school as this is the last week of the present term. The vacation will be for ten weeks.

   Mr. Charles Waters is reported as very low. His trouble seems to be a sort of rheumatic fever. It is very unfortunate for Mr. Waters, as he was at work repairing his residence when taken ill.

   Mrs. J. J. Cowles and daughters, Misses Pansy and Marguerite, drove to Tully lake on Wednesday afternoon to join Atwood and Frank Cowles at "Idlersholm" cottage, where they are to spend the summer. Master Haviland Cowles, who is taking Regents' examination this week, expects to join them one week from next Monday. Rev. J. J. Cowles is still at home and does not expect to go to Tully to remain for some weeks to come.

   Mr. Chester Card was on the streets with his new pneumatic sulkey for the first time Thursday evening. It is quite a "wagon," but will probably work better after he cements the tires on.

SECOND BASEBALL NINE [AT MCGRAWVILLE].

   The baseball fever has struck us worse than the cyclone did St. Louis, for it has spared no one. Thursday evening a meeting was held in Kinney hall and a second nine organized. Mr. Arthur G. Benjamin presided and Albrose Bingham was chosen as secretary, after which Messrs. A. G. Benjamin, Louis Marks and Albrose Bingham were selected as a committee to select the players for the new club. Their deliberations resulted as follows: A. G. Benjamin, Arthur Ayres, Linus Maybury, Floyd Randall, Henry Stevens, Louis Marks, Layton Webster, Ambose Bingham and Harry Huntley. The officers elected are:

   Manager—A. G. Benjamin.

   Captain—Arthur Ayres.

   Secretary—Louis Marks.

   Treasurer— Linus Maybury.

   The new club is open for engagements with any second nines in the county. Communications should be sent to A. G. Benjamin.

ORDERED TO LEAVE TOWN.

They Were Traveling Men and Justice Mellon Told Them to Travel.

   Word was sent to the sheriff's office early this morning that two men, who were strangers in town, had spent the night and were sleeping at the barn in the vacant lot at the corner of Port Watson and Hyatt-sts. near the screen factory. Sheriff Hilsinger and Deputy James Edwards went at once to the barn and found the two men. They were brought before Police Justice Mellon and gave their names as Joseph McManus of New York City and Frank Daley of Syracuse. They claimed to be traveling men and to have come from Syracuse, said that they had goods at the express office and were traveling through the country selling songs, etc. They were discharged and ordered to leave town at once.

Arrested at Norwich.

   Sheriff Hilsinger went to Norwich yesterday morning and arrested Wm. L. Woodworth and Miss Mary Hubbard of that place on the charge of grand larceny in the second degree in stealing a team of horses, wagon, etc., from T. H. Young of Cortland on the night of June 14. The prisoners were brought before Justice Mellon and their examination set down for 9 o'clock this morning. They were taken back to jail and this morning their examination was adjourned at their request until 10 o'clock Monday morning in order to give them time to procure counsel and get their witnesses.

   Bart Cornell who was arrested on the same charge and whose examination had been adjourned until the same hour this morning requested that his examination be again adjourned to Monday morning which was granted.

COMPLAINT DISMISSED.

Charges Against J. H. Talmadge at Syracuse Not Proved.

   The matter of the charges against J. H. Talmadge of Cortland, which was referred to Wednesday in a quotation from the Syracuse Journal, was brought up again yesterday at Syracuse before Judge Northrup. It was charged that he had no books in his business. He yesterday took his books with him to Syracuse and produced them in court. The judge announced that he had looked up the matter since the previous adjournment and had satisfied himself that the charges could not be substantiated. He said that Talmadge was doing a lawful and perfectly legal business and had a perfect right to send out catalogues and circulars. No further evidence was brought forward to prove the charges and the complaint was dismissed and the defendant was discharged.

CENTRAL SCHOOL.

Excellent Program at Opera House—Many Friends Present.

   At the commencement exercise of the Central School held last evening, the program of which was published in full yesterday, the Opera House was filled to the doors with patrons of the school and friends of the graduates.

Each number of the program was a credit to the school, and showed careful preparation on the part of the young people.

   The oration of Mr. Benedict deserved its place of honor on the program.

   Miss Julia Tuthill's bright article, "The Queen, the Best Man on the Board," in which the rules of chess found their analogy in human life, and Miss Mildred Alexander's, "The Misson of Shadows," were greatly enhanced by the clear tones and distinct enunciation with which they were delivered.

   The ever popular subject, "The Bicycle," was pleasingly handled by Miss Carlotta Hollister.

   Messrs. Byrn, Goldsmith and Brown treated their subjects in a thoughtful, practical manner.

   Special mention should he made of the class song, which was published yesterday, and which was remarkably creditable for so young a person as the writer.

   Prof. Coon's remarks in presenting the diplomas were very appropriate and fitting. They could hardly fail to have a deep influence on the young people addressed. Only lack of space prevents their publication.