Cortland
Evening Standard, Saturday, September 19, 1896.
CONVICT MURPHY HERE.
Like Dr.
Gallagher His Mind Is a Wreck.
BROKEN
BY ENGLISH PRISONS.
The ex-Prisoner
Has Rational Moments, but Failed to Recognize Old
Friends
and Seems Heedless of What Becomes of Him.
NEW YORK, Sept. 19.—John Murphy, who under
the name of George Albert Whitehead
served 13 years in English prisons, having been convicted of having dynamite in
his possession, and who was released some weeks ago, arrived here on the
steamship Lucania. He was accompanied on the voyage by his brother, James
Murphy, who was sent over specially to look for him, after his disappearance from
his native place, Skibbereen, on the day following his release.
The
Cunard steamship pier was crowded with former friends and present sympathizers of
the ex-prisoner, who cheered him to the echo the moment he appeared at the gang
plank. He was at once taken in charge by the committee of 24, which was
organized to receive and care for the prisoners as soon as they should arrive.
A cab was called and Murphy, or Whitehead, was at once driven to an uptown
hotel. There he will be examined by experts on insanity, and if they deem it advisable
he will be sent to a sanitarium.
Among those who were at the pier to receive him
were his sister, who lives in Jersey City, and Mrs. Connolly, the sister of Dr.
Thomas Gallagher, who was released a few weeks ago and who is now in an asylum.
Murphy's friends were surprised as well as
delighted at the appearance he presented. He does not seem to have aged very much.
From a physical standpoint, he could not be in better condition. He is of low
stature with a typical Celtic cast of countenance, eyes bright and keen and he walks
with an elastic step.
His brother is authority for the statement that
the ex-prisoner is perfectly sane. On the voyage over here the two had many
conferences. The ex-prisoner explained his sudden disappearance from Skibbereen
by the statement that he was afraid of too much excitement.
It appears that his friends in Ireland wanted
to get up a demonstration in his honor that he did not want. In order to avoid
that, as well as all the confusion and excitement, he disappeared during the first
night of his visit to his home. He said that he found employment on a farm a
short distance away and worked for eight days, when he made his way to Cork, where
his friends found him wandering aimlessly around.
In spite of the brother's statements as to
the sanity of the ex-prisoner, the physicians who were among the number on the
pier to meet him had no hesitation in pronouncing the man insane. He seemed to
have lost all recollection of old friends and refused to shake hands or greet any
of them. He seemed to be under a constant fear that he was being watched and
that there were spies all around him. Neither could he tell the place where he had
formerly lived in this city, and he positively refused to say a single word
about his prison experience.
The only person whom he seemed to recognize
was his sister, who drove off in the cab with him. He had no luggage aboard and
when informed of the fact seemed absolutely indifferent. He had no recollection
of General James R. O'Beirne, the chairman of the committee of 24, nor of William
Lyman, the president of the Irish National Alliance, when they greeted him.
Murphy, according to his relative, is at
present only 34 years old. As a matter of fact he looks all of 40, yet there is
not a gray hair in his head and on certain occasions he talks quite sensibly.
His condition is in marked contrast to that of Dr. Gallagher.
Arrangements are being made for a series of
meetings in this vicinity that will have for their object the bringing about of
reforms in the prison system of England.
It was announced here that John Daley and
three of the released men will arrive here within two weeks.
PAGE
TWO—EDITORIALS.
The
Motor Carriage.
Word comes from Paris that the horseless
carriage is beyond doubt practicable for daily use. The manufacturers of this
vehicle are overloaded with orders and cannot make them fast enough. Such a
craze for them exists among the French that premiums are paid to get orders
attended to earlier than the regular turn.
The craze will overtake this country. Already
the horseless carriage is so common as not to attract great attention in city
streets. When the heavy hauling wagon can be made to run by mechanical motive
power, a revolution equal to that which followed the introduction of the
bicycle will have been accomplished.
The benefits following the use of the
mechanical motor truck and express wagon will be incalculable. Humane persons
will no longer be shocked by the sight of panting, exhausted horses pulling
themselves in two in the vain effort to draw an impossible load up a steep
hill, while the lash of soulless drivers stings the ears as it falls on the
defenseless creatures. The expense and uncleanliness of horse keeping will be
abolished forever. The faithful, long tortured animals will be released from
bondage, the space they occupied can be taken by people, and the streets will
not wear out half so fast.
With the day of the horseless vehicle will
come the day when families of moderate means can keep their own pleasure
carriages. One more step will have been taken toward the downfall of the snob
whose only claim to superiority is that he can enjoy pleasures denied to poor
people.
DRY GOODS MEN WORKING.
Republicans and
Democrat Shoulder to Shoulder In New York.
NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 1896.
To the Editor of the Standard:
SIR—Any Republican in Cortland county who
lacks confidence and enthusiasm in the present political campaign, or rather
business campaign, should attend some of the daily mid-day gatherings in the
large vacant dry goods store of E. S. Jaffery & Co., 350 Broadway, where I have bought goods for
the past thirty years. The meetings are held under the auspices of the
Wholesale Dry Goods Republican club, and are unlike anything ever witnessed in
this city. Here are daily congregated all classes of men rich and poor, high
and low, regardless of former political affiliations, all seemingly with but
one aim and one purpose—the protection of the national currency and the
upholding of the honor and integrity of this blessed country. The room is
lavishly decorated with flags, bunting, shields and portraits of McKinley and
Hobart and other men of renown
and distinction.
The first of these meetings was held
on Tuesday noon last. The room was literally packed and the greatest enthusiasm
prevailed. It was a grand and inspiring sight. Here were seen the wealthy merchant
and his burlaps-aproned porter, the millionaire and his coachman, the contractor
and his employee, the artist and the artisan standing side by side eagerly listening
to and heartily applauding the different speakers.
Major Strong, the president of the club,
made the opening speech, at the conclusion of which the vast audience joined in
singing "My Country 'tis of Thee." General Porter, Chauncey M. Depew,
Lemual E. Quigg and others spoke, each upon different subjects. The cheering
news on that day from Maine
added largely to the spirit and enthusiasm of the occasion.
Meetings of a similar character should be
inaugurated not only in Cortland, but all over the country. Any man who has a
good speech to make for sound-money and protection is at liberty and welcome to
do so at these meetings— none are debarred. Sky rocket and Roman candle oratory
is not required nor desired. The issues at stake are too serious and momentous.
People want to be enlightened, instructed, assured and when thus equipped they
will surely follow the example of Vermont and Maine.
The New York Sun speaks editorially of these
gatherings as follows:
From now until the close of the campaign meetings
in support of sound money will be held during the noon hour in this city. Of
course, it will mean little time for lunch. But what of that? The political
circumstances are altogether exceptional and the public spirit is roused. When
the ugly spectre is driven out the people will go back to their ordinary habits.
Some may ask why these meetings should be held in the city of a state that is
sure and safe for national honor. But an ordinary victory is not enough. The repudiation
of Bryanism ought to be as complete as the greatest enthusiasm for what is
right can possibly make it. In addition, it will be good for sound Democrats
and sound Republicans, who have joined hands in this great crisis, to see
something of each other at close range.
The tide is fast turning in favor of McKinley
and all he represents, and for proof of this assertion, we point to this city,
the great hotbed of Democracy. On every hand are signs of a radical change. Lifelong
Democrats are boldly and openly outspoken for McKinley, and some remarkable conversions
are cited.
I may be pardoned if I relate one of these: Immediately
after the Republican nominations, two fellow salesmen in one of the largest dry
goods houses in this city, one a Democrat
and the other a Republican, entered into a wager. The latter bet $50 that
McKinley would be the next president, and $50 additional that he would carry
the state of New York. The money was put up—the Democrat betting in the
negative. The two men are now members of one Republican club, and both are
working for the election of Mr. McKinley—one to win and the other to lose the
wager.
The marked preponderance of Republican banners
is another striking evidence of such change, and to which one's attention is
not unfrequently called. There are not 16 to 1, but more than 32 to 1 in favor
of the great champion of protection and sound-money. The present course of
political action of this great center of commerce, of wealth, of intelligence,
of activity, should be a straw of encouragement and hope, not only to the Empire
state, but to the entire country. Her lowest estimate for McKinley, protection
and prosperity in this state is 200,000 majority.
G. J. M. [George J. Mager]
 |
| Cortland Normal School. |
 |
| Fisk Jubilee Singers. |
NORMAL COURSE.
Five Splendid
Entertainments To be Given This Season.
The literary societies and the Athletic association
at the Normal, who conducted such a fine entertainment course last
season, have made arrangements for a course of five entertainments this year
which seems in some respects to be superior to any course they have so far
conducted, and that is saying a good deal.
The course will be opened on Oct. 23 by the
Kellogg Bird Carnival and Concert Co., which consists of Mr. Charles D. Kellogg,
bird warbler; Mrs. Emily Stuart Kellogg, contralto; Miss Emma M. Dillman,
reader and calisthenist; Miss Mary Bowman, pianist; and Mr. Donald F. Adamson,
electrician. This company is a remarkably good one, and the entertainment is
decidedly out of the usual order in all respects.
The second entertainment will be a lecture
Nov. 25 by Dr. Robert Nourse, one of the greatest dramatic orators in the
world. His subject will be "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."
The third entertainment will be on Dec. 9
and will consist of an evening with Mr. Edward P. Elliott, the impersonator.
Mr. Elliott was one of the attractions of last year's course and was so
thoroughly enjoyed that the committee had no hesitation in naming him at once for
this year. The program will be entirely different from last year.
On Feb. 24 the original Nashville
students—jubilee singers—will give a concert. This company is
considered one of the best of the colored concert troupes now on the road. They
are all graduates of Fisk university, Nashville, Tenn., and have sung nearly
all over the world.
The last entertainment will be March 3 and
will be a concert by the Ariel-Grilley Combination. This company consists of
the Ariel Quartet of ladies, who have twice in the last eight years visited
Cortland and met with warm receptions, and Mr. Grilley, humorist and impersonator.
The quartet is composed of Miss Lillian Hanson, first soprano and pianist; Miss
Nellie May Holt, second soprano and violinist; Miss Fannie E. Holt, first alto;
and Miss Emma V. Foster,
second alto.
Course tickets for these entertainments will
be $1.50. Reserved seats can be obtained for fifty cents extra. This price, including
the reserved seats, brings the cost of each entertainment down to an average of
forty cents which is ridiculously low and could only be made on the supposition
of a very large number of tickets being sold. It is the object of the
management, not to make money, but to furnish a course of high class
entertainments primarily for the students, secondarily for every one at a price
within the reach of all. Two of the entertainments and perhaps three will be in
the Opera House, the others will be in Normal hall. Further details regarding
the arrangements, time of sale of tickets, etc., will be given later.
BREVITIES.
—The Central school football team left for
Dryden at 1 o'clock this afternoon for a game with the Dryden team. They
anticipated a wet time and from appearances they must have had it.
—The members of the bar will give a
complimentary banquet at the Cortland House to-night to
Judge Alton B. Parker of Kingston, who is presiding at the term of the supreme
court now in session.
—Quite a good sized bicycle club could be
organized in the Normal faculty. There are two gentlemen and seven lady riders
and several more are becoming converted to wheels. Several faculty rides have
already been enjoyed.
—The senior and junior Epworth leagues of
the First. M. E. church will give a joint reception to Normal students and their
friends in the church parlors this evening. Come and enjoy a delightful social
hour with your friends.
—The state tax for Cortland county for 1896
is $27,185.14. In 1895 it was $31,318.18. The decrease for this year is
$4,133.04. The tax rate this year is
2.69 mills; last
year it was 3.24 mills; a diminution of .55 mills.
—The present population of Auburn prison,
1,022, is the lowest in many years and each day the list is being further
curtailed. Twenty-six convicts will be discharged this month and in October eighty-eight
men will be given their liberty.
—All who are interested should take note of
the weather report published to-day at the head of this column. The forecast is
for a killing frost Monday morning and all who have plants or anything else
outside that needs protection should take the proper steps.
—Rev. B. Fay Mills will give a lecture in
the Opera House on Monday evening, Sept. 28. The
subject selected is "What Must Society Do to be Saved?" Mr. Mills is
one of the most celebrated evangelists and this will be a good opportunity for the
people of Cortland and vicinity to hear him.
—The fourth quarterly conference of the Homer-ave.
M. E. church will be held this evening at 8 P. M. Love feast Sunday morning at
9:30, followed by preaching at the usual hour by Rev. M. P. Blakeslee, P. E.,
and the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. It will be noticed that these
appointments are one week earlier than previously announced.
—Two young men, whose names were not
learned, had a narrow escape from injury at the Cortland House corner shortly
before 1 o'clock this afternoon. An axle of the buggy in which they were riding
broke throwing them to the ground. The horse was caught before going far by Mr.
B. H. Bosworth and no serious injuries were sustained.
—About thirty members of the Congregational Church
Cycle club, gentlemen and lady riders being about equal in numbers, rode out to
Riley Niles' last night for a corn roast. Scarcely had a half dozen ears of
corn been roasted when the first shower came down, and at its close all started
for home to avoid the next one. They did not get much wet.
—J. O. Vanderbilt has put an elegant new bus
on the road to take the place of the old stage formerly used to transfer
parties to and from the depot. The 'bus is made by the Ellis Omnibus & Cab
Co. of Cortland, N. Y., and it is a beauty. It is large and roomy, and will
carry ten or twelve passengers, who will be protected from the storms in bad
weather by glass windows, which makes it very pleasant and
comfortable.—Livingston Democrat, Geneseo.
McGRAWVILLE.
Crisp local
Happenings at the Corset City.
Mr. Bytron Smith of Cortland called on friends
in town Friday.
Messrs. George Pudney and Vern Stanton were
in Cincinnatus Friday evening in attendance at the delsarte entertainment.
The rain prevented the Ponies going to Willet
to play the [baseball] club of that place.
Postmaster M. C. Bean has had a hot water
heating apparatus placed in his new residence on East Academy-st.
Miss Grace Kinney is in DeRuyter today
attending the reunion of the One Hundred Fifty-seventh regiment. Miss Kinney
will give some of her popular recitations at the old soldiers' camp fire.
Mr. J. D. Plummer, who resided here about
twenty-five years ago, and whose home is now in
Whitman, Mass., is visiting relatives here. Mr. Plummer finds McGrawville much
changed, as the factories have been built and Elm, West Centre and Ok-sts. and
East-ave. have been laid out and in fact the western part of the village built
up. The old college building has been demolished and the new academy and
village hall built since he left this locality.
The great game of ball played yesterday resulted
in a victory for C. D. McGraw's nine which with such players as W. J. Buchanan,
Fred Graves, J. H. Hill, etc., outmatched the nine captained by "Pat"
Leach. The best hits were made by Buchanan, Hill and "Zeke" Mudge. The
score by innings was:
It will be noticed that Manager Leach made a
few changes in his men during the game. He now says he purposes to disband
before he is challenged for the deciding game.
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