WORST BLIZZARD IN YEARS.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 4, 1896.

WORST BLIZZARD IN YEARS.

COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF TRAFFIC IN THE NORTHWEST.

Cattle Trains Stalled in Drifts and the Animals Frozen to Death—Business

Almost Suspended.

   ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 27.—The storm which has been raging throughout the Northwest for the past forty-eight hours is the greatest that has visited this section since the blizzard of January 12, 1888, in which 107 lives were lost. No lives are reported lost in this storm, but there is a complete blockade of traffic in northern Minnesota, North Dakota and portions of South Dakota. Trains into St. Paul from the West are from five to ten hours late or abandoned altogether. It is four degrees below zero here to-night with a terrific north wind blowing.

   At Moorehead, Minn., the blizzard has been on for 21 hours and there is no prospect of abatement. Traffic in the streets and business is suspended. Nearly all passenger and freight trains are snowed in, but the Northern Pacific managed to move one passenger train to-night.

   The northbound passenger train on the Great Northern reached Moorehead an hour late this morning. It became stalled in the big drift right at the depot and had to be dug out. It took four powerful engines to lake the four passenger coaches across the river to Fargo. The snow in some places is five feet deep.

   Grafton, N. D., reports the worst storm that ever visited that section. It began Wednesday evening. The Great Northern southbound train due here at 6:30 last night is now at St. Thomas, fourteen miles north of Grafton. One of the engines reached here this afternoon, coming down for coal.

   A train load of cattle is reported stuck in a drift near Church's Ferry, and frozen to death.

   Argyle, Minn., reports drifts in the streets there as high as the buildings alongside. Mail and freight trains are tied up. The storm shows no signs of abating.

   The mercury at Fergus Falls, Minn., is at zero and business is suspended.

   PORTLAND, Ore. Nov. 21.—The weather throughout Oregon is very cold, the thermometer registering 21 degrees below zero last night, which is colder than it has been in Portland in twenty-four years. At Kemola in the Blue mountains the thermometer registered 15 below zero. It is feared that much damage to grain will result.

Gen. Calixto Garcia.

CAPTURE OF GUAIMARO.

Rebels Took 300 Troops Prisoners and Secured a Big Supply of War Material.

   NEW YORK, Nov. 30—The first definite news regarding the capture of the town of Guaimaro in the district of Camaguey, Cuba, by the insurgents, arrived in this city to-day in the form of a personal letter from General Calixto Garcia to the Cuban junta.

   The report of the siege and capture which was cabled here s some time ago has been denied by the Spanish authorities, but the Cuban leaders in this city declare that General Garcia's letter leaves no doubt now that the report was correct.

   It states that the siege of the garrison of 295 men in the town lasted twelve days. When the officers surrendered the Cubans took as prisoners all the men in charge of the forts, which included one captain, two lieutenants, two sub-lieutenants, eighteen sergeants, one surgeon and sixteen corporals. All the officers were paroled, but the men were sent to the mountains to work on the Cuban plantations.

   The booty captured by General Garcia's men was a great boon to the patriots. It included 500 "centenes" (a gold piece worth $5.30) and other money aggregating 21,000, two hundred Mauser rifles, 125,000 rounds of ammunition, six pack mules loaded with medicines and stores and machettes, besides a quantity of clothing.

   Guiamaro is in the district of Camaguey and in the province of Puerto Principe and is a three days march from the capital of that province.

   It was said by the Cuban leaders in this city to-night that news of the capture of Puerto Principe is expected daily from Cuba.

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   Indiana congressmen propose to have postmasters elected. [In 1896 post masters were appointed by the President.]

   McKinley will be 54 years old at the time of his inauguration.

   The Oneonta, N. Y., postoffice returns a profit of $9,000 to Uncle Sam this year.

   Boys under sixteen years of age have been discharged from the Erie shops at Susquehanna, Pa.

   A wild duck met his death by striking in his swift flight the mast of a sailboat on Cayuga lake the other day.

   Mrs. Carver of Deposit held up a tramp, who had insulted her, at the point of a revolver until an officer took him away.

   The New York Association for the protection of fish and game will hold its annual meeting in Syracuse, Jan. 14, 1897.

   A Fayette farmer sold ninety barrels of apples last week at thirty cents a barrel. The barrels cost the farmers 28 cents each.

   Syracuse contractors have secured many canal contracts, which will give employment to large numbers of men throughout the winter.

   Elmira College is richer by over $600 as a result of a lecture of Ian Maclaren's in that city. The receipts were over $900, the lecturer receiving $300.

   Captain Henry Plumb, one of the oldest residents of Ogdensburg, and one of the best known river men on the St. Lawrence, died on Friday of last week aged 94 years.

   The skeleton of an Indian was unearthed while grading and paving in front of the cemetery at Gorham, Ontario county. It was in a sitting posture and well preserved.

   Conductors, trainmen and station agents on the Central railroad will hereafter have one gold band on the sleeves of their uniforms for each five years service in the employ of the company. One conductor wears eight stripes.

   The determination and classification of the botanical specimens brought by the Cornell University expedition from Greenland shows that the collection includes many rare and valuable species.

   The enterprising village of Skaneateles will soon have two systems of water works. The corporation is now putting in a plant to be run in opposition to the old works owned by a stock company.

   Ira Hill of North Litchfield, Herkimer county, who was also known as Ira Taft, committed suicide Friday morning because of his failure to break off the drinking habit. He was about 35 years old.

   The fastest railroading ever done west of Chicago was made last week Monday on the Rock Island road between Rock Island and Chicago. The 381 miles were run in 3 hours and 30 minutes running time. At one time a speed of 77 2-3 miles an hour was made.

   An American eagle was captured alive at Lisle a few days ago, and he is a bouncer and a fighter, too. Any one going near him is a signal for his eagleship, and he is ready for battle at the least provocation. The eagle's outstretched wings measured 7 feet from tip to tip.

   A German agent sent by J. H. Clark, proprietor of the Sidney silk mills, to

Germany to make purchases, has been nabbed by the military authorities and pressed into the army for service. The agent had not become a naturalized citizen of the United States, hence his sad plight.  Mr. Clark will send another agent with proper credentials.

   Next year bicycle manufacturers will put on the market a bicycle tire made of sole leather. By this it is meant that the outside casing is made of leather and the inner tube of rubber as usual. Another change in bicycles for next year is to widen the pneumatic tires. '97 tires will be two and a half inches wide, and will be much safer on damp roads because they won't slip.

  

BURGLARS AROUND.

Homes Entered in Homer, Cortland and Marathon, Probably by Amateurs.

   Thanksgiving night burglars entered several houses in Homer, but they secured very little booty. In one house they succeeded in extracting a pair of pants from under their owner's pillow, but that job only netted them about five dollars. In other places they secured very little or were frightened away while trying to effect an entrance.

   Burglars entered the residence of Daniel E. Smith corner or Tompkins and Owego-st. last Friday night. It is supposed they entered from the outside cellar door. They carried away a pair of pants belonging to Mr. Smith and his rubber boots. The pants have since been found in an old barn on the Randall farm. The same night the rascals entered the residence of Hon. L. J. Fitzgerald on Tompkins-st., but nothing has been missed. They effected an entrance through the outside door of the kitchen and fastened the swing door open between that room and the breakfast room with a silver crumb knife which they found on a table. Mrs. Fitzgerald was up several times during the night and it is supposed that the marauders were frightened away.

   Saturday night they apparently reached Marathon, for several places were entered and from the house of Mr. A. J. Lyman the burglars took a watch, which was presented him by comrades in the army, a revolver and some small change.

   In one place the lady of the house had a short interview with a caller about 3 A. M., but he explained that he was in the wrong house and soon left.

   The home of [Marathon Independent] editor Ed L. Adams was entered and he thus describes the affair.

   "The next place to be disturbed was one of the most absurd places for a burglar to visit that we have ever heard of. It was the residence of the editor of the INDEPENDENT. Whether the burglar had just heard that Cor. had let us have a ton of coal, and came after that or not we cannot say. It certainly was the most valuable thing we had. In any event, at about ten minutes past four, and while we were dreaming of an elysium where delinquent subscribers were unknown, our slumbers were wrecked by a fall of something in the rooms below. We thereupon aroused our wife, intending to have her go down and see what was the matter. While this was going on we heard a door slam, and the wife and us decided that perhaps both of us had better go. So making a hasty toilet and lighting a lamp, we descended the stairs."

   The burglars had been frightened away.

   Beyond a doubt from the clumsy way things were done the intruders are tramps who are amateurs at the business, but it is a good plan to have all doors and windows securely fastened at night.

A Patrol Wagon.

   Chief of Police Linderman came before the board at its regular meeting last Monday evening and asked that a patrol wagon and horse be provided for the use of the police department. He suggested that the horse now used by the Hitchcock Hose Co. could be used for this purpose, and thereby only a small additional cost for feed be made the village. The matter was held open for consideration and will be reported on at some future meeting of the board.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   TOMPKINS—A new foundry is being erected at Etna.

   Two Caroline skunk trappers have one hundred and sixty-five traps.

   The roof timbers on the rear part of the new Catholic church at Ithaca are being put in place.

   Wednesday evening. Dec. 16th, North Lansing Grange will hold a fair at the new hall. The ladies are arranging for a fine exhibit. There will also be interesting literary exercises.

   Charles Meddaugh of Ithaca, charged with assault and an attempt to commit a felony, was held by Recorder Van Kirk, Nov. 19, in the sum of $500 to await the action of the grand jury.

   The Tompkins County Bimetallic league has, through its committees, adopted a constitution and set of by-laws, and committees are to be appointed in each election district to carry on the work.

   William Snyder's barn at North Candor was burned Wednesday, Nov. 18, together with two horses, eleven cows and a large quantity of hay and grain. The origin of the fire is not known. The loss is about [$700] above the insurance.

   On Tuesday last the Board of Supervisors considered a petition that had been largely signed to raise the pay of the District Attorney to $1,000. The resolution was amended and the vote to raise the salary to $800 passed, and an allowance of $200 per year for office rent was granted, the same to take place after January 1st.

   The steamer, Ithaca, when on the way from Cayuga to this city Monday, was caught in a gale between Longpoint and Sheldrake. Both smokestacks were carried away and for a time it was almost impossible to make steam for lack of draft. After the wreckage was cleared away though draft was obtained to permit the boat to make the shelter of Sheldrake harbor. An old boatman, who has followed the lake for eighteen years, says he never saw the waves roll as high as they did on Monday.—Ithaca Journal.

HERE AND THERE.

   Pork barrels for sale at H. B. Hubbard's grocery.

   Druggist C. F Brown has a new advertisement.

   H. B. Hubbard has a new advertisement in another column.

   Dr. F. D Reese has just placed a very fine microscope in his office.

   Perkins, of the City Drug store, advertises Christmas goods for sale.

   The Lehigh Valley are putting in a new set of car scales in the Cortland yards.

   SS. in legal papers stands for the Latin word "scilicet" which means namely.

   The new firm of Case & Ruggles have a timely advertisement on our fourth page

   Sheriff Hillsinger gave the prisoners in Cortland jail a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving.

   Bingham Bros. & Miller have a new advertisement in their regular place on our eighth page.

   Clothier F. Daehler mentions children's clothing in a new advertisement on the opposite page.

   Messrs. Kellogg & Curtis have a new advertisement in another column that will interest our readers.

   The Central school football team beat the Marathon team on the fair ground on Thanksgiving day. Score 30 to 0.

   The Manhattan club will give a private party in Empire hall next Friday evening, Dec. 11. Daniels' full harp orchestra will furnish the music.

   The D. L. & W. road has been collecting material with which to rebuild the wood work of the bridges on its line between this place and Homer.

   On Monday afternoon next, Dec. 7, a regular meeting of the board of managers of the Hospital Association will be held at the hospital, beginning at 8 o'clock.

   The dance given by the St. Vitus club in Taylor hall on Thanksgiving evening was well attended and was a most enjoyable event. McDermott furnished the music.

   Mr. Thos. P. Bristol has deposed of his interest in the firm of Case, Ruggles & Bristol and hereafter the business will be conducted under the firm name of Case & Ruggles.

   Last Monday morning Thos. Costello of 13 Pendleton-st., a weaver in Wickwire's shops, fell in a fit under one of the looms. He was somewhat bruised but was soon able to go to his home.

   Mr. E. C Johnson will give the first of a series of club dances at the Baldwin House, Truxton, next Friday evening, Dec. 11. Gibbons' orchestra will furnish the music. Bill only 75 cents.

   Messrs. Dougherty & Miller have moved their law offices from rooms in the Beaudry block to rooms directly over the Second National bank, where they have very handsome and commodious quarters.

   Last Sunday attorney I. H. Palmer who resides at 5 James-st. undertook to descend a pair of stairs at his home. Usually he performs the operation with moderation and in the ordinary way, but in trying to avoid stepping on a cat he lost his footing and consequently his equilibrium and landed at the bottom with dispatch if not with neatness. He received several bad bruises about the face and head and is quite lame. If he had kicked the cat down stairs she would undoubtedly have landed right side up with care.

   Last week Thursday Messrs. M. B. Filzinger and Harry Schellinger of this place took a ride in a canvass boat on the blue waters of the Tioughnioga north of the village and amused themselves by firing shots from a revolver at a tin can in the water. Filzinger undertook to reload the revolver and as he was putting the barrel in place the revolver was accidentally discharged, the ball entering his left leg just above the knee. Drs. Dana and Didama decided not to remove the ball. Mr. Filzinger is able to walk but he is somewhat lame.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

Beating the Blanket Ballot.

(From the Kingston Leader.)

   Ingenious methods of beating the blanket ballot so that purchased votes could be identified were used in various parts of the state at the recent election. In Allegany county the purchased voter wrote a name agreed upon in advance in one of the blank spaces in the column prepared for the accommodation of voters who desire to vote independently. The Kinderhook Rough Notes says that in one of the districts of that town "the old method of placing a portion or a sample ballot with a piece of carbonized paper between was adopted. Sometimes the bought voters made a mistake and put the carbonized paper wrong side up so that the marks appeared on the backs of the official ballot. There were 16 Republican ballots at one poll marked in that way, against which a protest was duly entered." It seems to be well nigh impossible to prevent bribery with absolute certainty, but the big ballot now used is as good a device as has yet been prepared for that purpose. Making men honest by statute is a difficult job.