THE KING'S DAUGHTERS

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, November 18, 1896.

THE KING'S DAUGHTERS

Are Doing Much Good In the Way of Local Charity Among the Needy.

   Last Sunday Mrs. Lyman Jones, chairman of the committee on local charity work of the King's Daughters, addressed the Presbyterian Sunday-school for a few minutes explaining the work accomplished by that organization in anticipation of the annual Thanksgiving offering of the Sunday-school for this work which will be received next Sunday. Many who were present were amazed at the need of assistance on the part of worthy persons right here in our midst, and were surprised at their own ignorance of that need and at the same time were gratified at the work which the King's Daughters are accomplishing. A STANDARD representative afterward called upon Mrs. Jones to inquire more in detail as to the work.

   Mrs. Jones said that originally the work of the King's Daughters here in Cortland had been conducted along ten separate lines, but six of those had temporarily been dropped owing to the urgency of the other four lines. These four lines include local charity, the intelligence office, hospital work and the sewing school. Among these four divisions so great had been the need of local charity that the other three lines had come to take a subordinate position for the time being.

   There are now in Cortland nearly 300 members of the King's Daughters organization. It is their aim to see to it that not a sick person suffers for lack of proper care and medicine, that not a deserving person goes without food, and that the children of needy parents are decently and comfortably clothed so that they can attend school.

   Owing to the recent hard times the work of the organization has increased very materially. So many people are out of work and their income has stopped so that they have not the means to provide food or clothing for themselves. Nearly all of these people are self-respecting and very many have so much personal pride that they prefer to suffer from lack of food, fire and clothing rather than to permit others to know their circumstances.

   Were it not for the activity of the King's Daughters many of these would go unrelieved. The King's Daughters make it their personal business to search out all cases of need, to investigate the facts for themselves so that they may not be imposed upon and to provide work for the able bodied when possible, rather than to give the food, clothing, etc., outright. Through their efforts many people capable and anxious to work, but out of employment, have been assisted so that they were able to take care of their families.

   On the other hand, the King's Daughters are glad to receive from any one food, clothing and gifts of money. They assure their friends that such gifts will be put to the best possible use, and they have the means to know the facts, so that it is likely that they can bestow them more wisely than can almost any private individual. Nothing is too poor to be turned to some account. Many articles of clothing have been rescued from the ragbag and the good parts have been saved and made of service.

   From Oct. 15, 1895, to Oct. 15, 1896, over 2,000 garments were given away by the King's Daughters here in Cortland and over eighty families were assisted. The record of the year by months is as follows: October, 1895, (last half) 43, November 214, December 232, January 233, February 186, March 276, April 141, May 205, June 157, July 102, August 62, September 111, October (first half) 187. In addition 83 bushels of potatoes which had been contributed were given away. One gentleman in town furnishes the King's Daughters with all the needles which they have occasion to use in their sewing or to give away. Nearly all of the garments above referred to were tried on before they were taken from the home of Mrs. Jones and were found to fit. So far as is possible the recipient of the clothing does the work of refitting or altering to make garments fit.

   The King's Daughters now are in special need of women's dresses and underclothing that can be cut over. So many times underclothing that is worn out in the sleeves or about the arms is thrown away. Save this for the King's Daughters. The worn parts can be cut out and the garments made over for children. Mrs. Jones says that she believes that the carpet bugs are sent by the Lord, as they compel people to look over their old clothing and make some use of it rather than to keep it in their clothespresses and attics for years and years.

   Mrs. Jones told a number of instances (without mentioning names) of people helped during the last year where the circumstances were so pitiful as almost to draw tears to the eyes. At one time last year in the dead of winter she had reason to believe that one family needed assistance. She went to the house and found a young husband and a wife and a 10-weeks-old baby sitting in a single room around a little fire. The room itself was damp and cold from the effect of wet clothing hung up there which the mother had washed that day. The father was ill and unable to do a thing for the support of his family. The mother was wrapped in a quilt holding her baby, and she had on only summer gauze underclothing and an old calico dress. She seemed likely to catch her death of cold, as well as endanger the life of her little one, and they had scarcely anything to eat. The King's Daughters were able to relieve their immediate necessities in the way of food and clothing.

   One lady gave to Mrs. Jones a handsome little overcoat that her son had outgrown. A few days after a small boy came to the house with a coat he had received the previous winter, but had outgrown and inquired if Mrs. Jones had any coat she could exchange with him for, as though the one he had on was not worn out he could not button it. The change was made and the larger coat fitted him well. The smaller coat was exchanged again and again a third time and finally the last coat was given away, so that four boys were made comfortable by the one coat.

   There is one deserving family in Cortland that made their Thanksgiving dinner last year from some potatoes, a short allowance of bread and a little gravy made from melted lard. Mrs. Jones thinks she has arranged it so that they will fare better this year.

   She had occasion to assist a family a few days ago in which there are four people whose aggregate age is 319 years, and only one of the four (aged 82) is able to do a thing about the house to assist in relieving the necessities of the household.

   Now the King's Daughters would be glad of assistance from any and every quarter in carrying out this good work. Farmers who can spare vegetables will be doing much good if they will contribute them to the cause, and will notify the King's Daughters. Every one is urged to look over their old clothes and old shoes. Throw nothing away. Nothing is in too bad condition to be of service in some place or in some line. A few jellies or dainties can be used to advantage among the feeble and sick.

   The King's Daughters are anticipating, from present appearances, that the coming winter will be a hard one for the needy in Cortland, because of lack of work. Times are picking up in general, but many of the local factories are overstocked with manufactured goods in some lines so that they will first reduce their stock before resuming work very heavily, and in this way the business activity will not be felt as quickly here as in other places. If any one has need of help to do any kind of work, indoors or out-of-doors, if they will notify Mrs. Jones she can supply that demand in almost every case from some needy people who are anxious to work and earn money but cannot find the work.

   The King's Daughters would urge upon all who have clothing or material of any kind on hand that they would bestow upon the needy that if they do not give it away through their organization they be very careful that the people to whom they do give it are both needy and deserving, for impostors are abroad on all sides. Mrs. Jones called attention to one family who begged from house to house last winter and with good success, for it became known to her that when the family moved away some months ago they took with them four large boxes of clothing in good condition and that after they had left the house the owner found in the shed ninety-four pounds of clothing that had been regarded as of no account. It could all of it have been turned to account by the King's Daughters, but this family obtained so much more than was needed, then that they threw this away, and it became musty in the shed so that the owner weighed it up and sold it for paper rags.

   The King's Daughters take pains to look up every case before giving aid and are very rarely deceived. If they can furnish work where work is needed and desired, they do so instead of furnishing food or clothing.

   If there are any children in town who have toys to spare they might remember that the King's Daughters know of little children here in town who have not a single plaything in the world aside from chips and dirt. Some toys have already been put into the hands of this organization by those who have more than they need and they are being saved till Christmas time, and it is sure that they will make some little people very happy.

A NEW ENTERPRISE.

The Gillette Skirt Co. Soon to Begin Work in Cortland.

   In these days of dull times a new enterprise which promises employment of any one is hailed with joy, but Cortland is to have a new manufacturing establishment. It will be known as the Gillette Skirt Co. Its promoter and manager is Mr. N. H. Gillette, who has had twenty years' experience in this line of business, and who was last year with the McGraw Corset Co. at McGrawville, but formerly with the Warners of Bridgeport. Ct., and New York City.

   This company is to manufacture the Paris skirt—a garment which promises to be very popular with ladies because of certain advantages which it possesses. It will be sold through agents and a number of traveling men who handle that style of goods have already expressed their approval of it and their desire to handle it.

   The company will begin in a small way and hopes soon to enlarge. What is known as the McFarlan cabinet shop, in the rear of the house of Dr. H. P. Johnson on Port Watson-st. has been obtained. Ten Wheeler & Wilson and Singer sewing machines have been purchased and put in position. The shafting and belting is up. All that delays the beginning of operations is the failure to appear of the electric motor which is to furnish power. This will be connected with the electric plant of the Cortland and Homer Traction company.

   The motor is expected this week and it is likely that work will begin next week. About a dozen people, mostly women, will be employed at first, and this force will very likely be increased at an early date.

COURT PROCEEDINGS.

Special Term of Supreme Court, Judge Mattice Presiding,

   A special term of the supreme court convened at the courthouse in Cortland Tuesday, Hon. Burr Mattice, the justice presiding. The most of the forenoon was devoted to the hearing of contested and non contested motions. Just before noon the calendar was called and the three following cases were put over the term:

   Andrew J. Carpenter vs. Robert Purvis, J. K. Winslow for plaintiff. George E. Goodrich for defendant.

   Jane Andrews vs. Henry D. Thompson, Smith & Dickinson for plaintiff. John O'Donnell for defendant.

   Stephen Sweet vs. William Sweet and Emma Sweet. Baldwin, Kennedy & Magee for plaintiff. E. W. Hyatt for defendant.

   The case of Charles H. Smith vs. George Johnson was tried. This was an action to foreclose a mortgage in which the plaintiff claimed $1,300 and interest from April 1, 1896. The defence [sic] was the payment of all but $250 and it was claimed that that also had been tendered. The plaintiff had other mortgages and obligations and the defendant claimed that some of the money which he alleged he had paid on this mortgage the plaintiff had credited on others. A further claim of the defendant was that some of the money paid on this mortgage and on others that were due bad been endorsed at 6 per cent instead of at 5 per cent as he claimed it should be. The plaintiff on his part claimed with regard to this point that after the mortgage was due he had a right to charge 6 per cent. The court held that this was correct and ordered the foreclosure of the mortgage for the sum of $1,300, and interest from April 1, 1896, and costs. Nathan L. Miller was appointed referee to sell the property. Franklin Pierce for plaintiff. B. T. Wright for defendant.

   The case of Hattie P. Bickford vs. Frank A. Bickford and Henry Kinney was tried. This was an action to set aside a power of attorney and also to set aside a deed given by Defendant F. A. Bickford to Defendant Henry Kinney under said power of attorney, and also to set aside a deed from Henry Kinney to Frank A. Bickford. The evidence was finished and the court ordered briefs to be submitted by Dec. 10. Dougherty & Miller for plaintiff, I. H. Palmer and T. E. Courtney for defendant.

   The case of Hattie P. Bickford vs. Frank A. Bickford was called. This is an action for separation and support. The evidence was taken, and the judge decided that the defendant had abandoned the plaintiff and he gave the parties till Dec. 10 to furnish briefs in the matter of alimony and support. The further decision was reserved. Dougherty & Miller for plaintiff. I. H. Palmer and T. E. Courtney for defendant.

   Court then adjourned sine die, all business being completed.

BREVITIES.

   —A regular meeting of the A. O. H. occurs to-night.

   —New advertisements to-day are—Warner Rood, "Shores Acres," page 4.

   —The county lodge, I. O. O. T., is in session in Good Templars' hall to-day.

   —The Retail Clerks' association meets at 8:30 o'clock to-morrow night in Empire hall to complete organization.

   —The next entertainment in the Normal course will be a lecture at Normal hall on Wednesday evening, Nov. 25, by Robert Nourse, the great dramatic orator. His subject will be "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."

   —The Thanksgiving services this year will be held in the Congregational church at 11 o'clock A. M. and the sermon will be by the pastor, Rev. W. H. Pound. The other ministers will assist in other parts of the service.

   —The subject is again being agitated among the Onondaga county supervisors of removing the penitentiary to one of the towns. It is claimed that the land in the heart of the city where it is now located is so valuable that when sold it would pay the expense of building a new penitentiary in one of the towns.

   —The Presbyterian church will be open every day this week in anticipation of the special collection of the church and Sunday-school next Sunday for the local charity work of the King's Daughters. Every one who has clothing that may be turned to account or food can leave it there. The south door of the chapel will be the place where entrance can be obtained.

J. R. Sovereign.

SOVEREIGN RE-ELECTED.

Knights of Labor Again Choose Him For Their Leader.

   ROCHESTER, NOV. 18.—The principal business of the Knights of Labor was the election of officers. James R. Sovereign, the present general master workman, was re-elected without opposition. For the office of general worthy foreman there were but two candidates, Phillip L. Amon, master workman of District 197, Jersey City, and Thomas B. McGuire of Amsterdam, N. Y., the latter being elected.

   General Secretary-Treasurer John W. Hayes of New Jersey was re-elected without opposition. For the general executive board, consisting of three members, there were eight nominations, two of which declined. Henry B. Martin of Minneapolis, at present a member of the board, Andrew D. Best of Brooklyn and Daniel Brown of Butte City Mont., was elected.

   It was voted by the general assembly to refuse to recognize or sustain organizations of any men who have taken the places of men on strike.

   It is probable that the general assembly will conclude its labors by tonight.

NEGROES DRIVEN OUT.

Mob Opens Fire and Several of the Blacks Are Wounded.

   LOUISVILLE, NOV. 18.—A special from Paducah, Ky., says: Smith Torian, colored, was brought here from Altoona, near this place, on the Tennessee river. He is riddled with buckshot.

   He reports that about 16 colored people were cutting stove timber for the Standard Oil company. About 8 o'clock Monday night a mob of about 100 men surrounded their hut and opened fire.

   Altoona is in the "Calvert City locality" where no negro is allowed to stop.

   Later reports from the scene show that no one was killed. Smith Torian, Mitch Clark, John Boyd and Zena Jenkins were seriously shot and five others received flesh wounds.

   The negroes had been ordered to leave, but their foreman decided that there was no danger.

   The men occupied an old smoke house and were outside when the mob swooped down and began firing. Some of the negroes ran off into the woods, and others sought refuge inside the hut with the foreman. The mob then started to burn the house, but the foreman appeared and sued for peace, and the negroes were given 25 minutes in which to leave. The wounded were assisted to Stiles, four miles, on foot, and two reached the city on the early train.

   No effort has been made to apprehend the mob or its leaders, as all the residents of that locality seem to sanction the action.