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| Cortland's second courthouse and jail building was located on the corner of Court and Church Streets. The first courthouse and jail building was located on the hill called Monroe Heights facing Monroe Heights Street and Main Street. |
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| The first courthouse and jail can be seen on the right looking up the hill at Monroe Heights from Court and Main Streets. It is a tall wooden frame building with a cupola or steeple. |
SIXTY YEARS AGO.
Cortland in a Turmoil Over the Location of
the Courthouse.
A letter
has been handed to us that was written from Cortland sixty years
ago to-day upon Dec. 17, 1836, from Mr. James
Leach of Cortland to his law partner, Mr. Daniel Hawks, who was spending the
winter at Cassville, Ga. We quote a few paragraphs from the letter because it
reports the weather to be so like to that this year and because it will have a general
interest over the matter of the location of the courthouse. Mr. Leach says:
"We
have had a great deal of weather and but little snow since you left. No sleighing
yet. Yesterday was a raw cold day. To-day the weather is quite warm.
Variableness is the peculiar characteristic, just such weather as would kill a
decent man.
"As
for matters and things about town for a few weeks the courthouse has been the all
engrossing topic. The village has been in a perfect turmoil on the subject of
its location. One party for the seminary lot, another for the school house lot,
another for Greenbush or the Owen farm, and another for the old site, the hill.
The supervisors
have finally set the stake conditionally, first on the seminary lot if the
citizens, the friends of that site, will furnish the lot free of expense to the
county. If not, the school house lot on the same unreasonable condition. If one
or the other is not procured then the probability is the act will have the
go-by and become a dead letter. But the villagers will never raise the sum of $3,000
for the seminary lot.''
The
letter also mentions that upon the previous day occurred the funeral of Mr.
Joshua Bassett, who was the grandfather of Mr. Wm. R. and Miss Wilhelmina
Randall of Cortland.
A
STANDARD man called upon Mr. Randall to inquire in regard to the several sites
referred to for the location of the courthouse. The seminary site included that
section west of Main-st. between West Court and Orchard-sts., with the exception
of the plot occupied by the old county clerk's building, and extending west up
the hill as far as to the west line of the M. M. Waters place. The schoolhouse
site was where the soldier's monument now stands and extending back into the
Normal grounds. The Owen farm occupied all that section of land east of
Greenbush-st. from Port Watson-st. to Clinton-ave., there being no streets cutting
into it then. The farmhouse was the present house in the corner of Port Watson
and Greenbush-sts. The site probably intended was what was then the foot of
what is now Railroad-st. This street then extended from Church-st. to
Greenbush-st. and there was a gate into the pasture just north of where now
Henry Kennedy's house stands. The other site was on land owned by Mr. Randall's
father at the head of W. Court-st.
Mr.
Randall says he does not remember this turmoil over the site, as he was then away
from home, a student of Yale college, from which he was graduated in 1837.
Evidently
the site chosen was none of those mentioned, for the same year, 1836, the
corner stone was laid upon the present location. At that time this corner was
occupied by a little shoe shop owned by Mr. Bement who had eleven children all
of whom were great musicians. There were three daughters and eight sons. The
boys were known as John, Jerry, Joe, Juke, Harry, Hi, Fred and Dan. It was
related of Mr. Bement that when Rev. Mr. Clark, a Cortland minister, approached
that gentleman and asked for the privilege of marrying his second daughter that
Mr. Bement replied that he wouldn’t have any picking in his family, he must
take them as they came. And so Mr. Clark changed his plans and married the oldest
one.
FIREMEN'S
ELECTION.
ALL THE
OFFICERS ELECTED UNANIMOUSLY.
L. A. Arnold for Chief, G. B. French First Assistant,
II. P. Davis Second Assistant, M. V. Lane Secretary, John H. Phelps Treasurer.
Annual Reports of the Secretary and Treasurer.
The annual
election of officers of the fire department took place in Fireman's hall last
night at which everything was done with unanimity.
The
meeting was called to order at 8 o'clock by Chief A. G. Bosworth and the oath
was administered to the following inspectors by Notary Public F. P. Hakes: A. J. Barber, F. W. Kingsbury, G. H. Kennedy, J.
D. F. Woolston, M.T. Roche and J. R. McComb. Secretary E. M. Eastman then read
his annual report which was adopted and which is given below.
Treasurer
C. P. Walrad submitted the following report which was placed on file:
RECEIPTS.
Balance
from last year, $176.97
Interest on
deposit, 1.28
On two per
cent insurance fund, 218.95
Davis,
Jenkins & Hakes, 105.93
Theodore
Stevenson, 89.32
J. A.
Nixon, 37.31
H. J.
Messenger, 11.24
Interest
on deposit, 3.66
Annual
appropriation, 100.00
Fines,
parade, 3.00
[Total] $747.66
DISBURSEMENTS.
Salary,
secretary, 1895, $25.00
Postal
cards and printing, 4.25
L. N.
Hopkins, flowers, 1.00
Dorr C. Smith, banquet, 26.25
Six companies'
share two per cent fund, 462.72
Annual
dues, S. F. A., 2.00
Annual
dues, C. N. Y. F. A., 2.00
M. F.
Cleary, flowers, 8.00
Expenses
chief at Waterloo, 5.14
Expenses
chief at Lockport, 100.25
Postage,
.10
Carrying
banner, July 4, 1.50
Cash on
hand, 96.85
[Total]
$747.66
Chief
Bosworth then made a short verbal report complimenting the department on its
success at home and abroad. He said that he had been on the board of engineers
two years during which time a quorum had been present at every meeting both
regular and special.
Nominations
for chief were then in order and in fitting words M. F. Cleary nominated First-Assistant
L. A. Arnold for chief. There being no other nominations, the secretary was
instructed to cast a single ballot for Mr. Arnold and he was declared elected
unanimously.
F. W. Kingsbury
named George B. French for first assistant and his election was made unanimous.
For second assistant E. N. Sherwood nominated H. P. Davis, who was elected
unanimously.
M. V.
Lane was nominated for secretary by A. J. Barber and his election was unanimous.
N. J.
Peck nominated John H. Phelps for treasurer and he was the unanimous choice of
the convention.
Each of
the officers-elect made a short speech thanking the firemen for the honor.
SECRETARY'S
REPORT.
The annual
report of the secretary is as follows:
CORTLAND,
Dec. 16, 1896.
To the
Officers and Members C. F. D.:
As your
secretary for the year 1896, I would offer the following report:
In
looking over the records of the department for the year that is now fast
speeding to its close the secretary is able to find little material with which
to construct either a lengthy or interesting report. Whether due to the
prevailing hard times, the excitement of a presidential campaign or to causes
not known this fact is plain to all that the department has experienced a year
of comparative quiet. The alarms have been less frequent than for several
preceding years and, owing to the prompt and efficient work done by the
different companies, the actual fires where any great loss has been sustained
have been exceedingly few. This shows that Cortland has a fire department that
stands ready at all times to aid in the preservation of life or property and is
willing to respond at a moment's notice whenever duty calls.
The
department has been called upon to mourn the death of two of its members during
the year, that of Charles R. Yorke, a member of Hitchcock Hose, No. 6, who died
after a long and painful illness, and of Dr. Jerome Angel, a member of
Protective Police, No. 5, who was stricken down suddenly when enjoying his
usual good health and died Sept. 2, 1896.
The board
of engineers has held eleven regular and three special meetings with an average
attendance of nine members. The deliberations of the board have been conducted
with perfect harmony and all its members have stood unanimously for anything
that would add to the efficiency of the department, or would in any way promote
the friendly feeling which should exist between all the members and companies
that compose a volunteer fire department.
The board
attended the convention of the State Fireman's association (which was held at
Lockport in August, 1896,) in a body and all were well pleased by the manner in
which they were entertained while on the trip. The department was represented at
this convention by its chief, A. G. Bosworth, and at the convention of the
Central New York association by its secretary, E. M. Eastman.
Several
changes have been made in the workings of our fire alarm system during the past
year by Superintendent Bickford, and the system was never in better condition
than at present. A majority of all the boxes have been tested recently by the
chief and superintendent and in every case the result obtained has been perfect.
The
annual parade and inspection took place at 10 A. M., July 4, in connection with
the business men's celebration and on invitation of their executive committee. Nearly all the companies had visiting companies
from out of town as their guests for that day and they, with our own companies,
presented a fine appearance.
The
strength of the department at present is as follows:
Water
Witch Steamer and Hose, No. 1, 38.
Orris
Hose, No. 2, 80.
Excelsior
Hook and Ladder Co., No. 3, 40.
Emerald
Hose, No. 4, 30.
Protective
Police, No. 5, 41.
Hitchcock Hose, No. 6, 30.
Total,
209.
A loss of
two members during the year.
Four of
the companies, namely Co.'s 1, 3, 4 and 6, have well equipped bunkrooms and at
night bunkers are always in attendance to respond instantly to any alarm of fire.
The
following alarms have been responded to by the department since my last report.
1. Fire,
Dec. 19, 1895. At 5:10 P. M. Box
422 rung in, fire in the second story of a barn in the rear of 6
Blodgett-st., owned by C. H. Stone. The origin of this fire is
still a mystery. The frame and contents of this barn were saved. Loss
about $200. No insurance.
2. Fire,
Feb. 5, 1896. At 2 P. M.
Box 142 rung in, fire in the cellar of the Arlington hotel on Railway-ave.
owned by M. H. Ray. The box was read wrong at the engine house, the department
starting for the D., L. & W. station. They soon found out their mistake and
started for the fire, but in the meantime the employees of the Wick wire mills had
responded with their hose carts and had the fire under control. Fire supposed to
have been caused by the explosion of a lamp in the cellar. Building and
contents were badly damaged by fire and water. Insurance $3,500, which will
cover the loss.
3. Fire,
Feb. 6, 1896. At 9 P. M., Box 332 at the D., L. & W. station sent in an alarm.
The companies responded as soon as possible and found that a piece of oily
waste had been thrown into a truck load of shavings which stood in the drying
room on the third floor of the Cortland Wagon Co.'s factory. Owing to the prompt discovery of the fire, it
was extinguished by the night watchman, and the services of the department were
not needed.
4. Fire,
March 15, 1896. At 6 P. M. an alarm was rung in from Box 232 for a fire in the
second story of the house, 33 North Main-st., occupied by Mrs. Sherwood, fire
being caused by an overheated oil stove. The flames were soon extinguished, but
little water being used. Loss small.
5. Fire,
March 26, 1896. At 9 A. M. Box 333 rung in fire in the second story building at
103 Main-st., owned by H. P. Goodrich and occupied by J. N. Dean as a grocery.
Caused by woodwork taking fire from a torch which was being used to thaw out a
frozen water pipe. The department responded, but their services were not
needed.
6. Fire,
April 7, 1896. At this time occurred the most disastrous fire of the year, which
resulted in the almost total destruction of the large plant of the Cortland Forging
Co. At 6:20 P. M. fire was discovered in what is known as the forgingroom by the
night watchman. The whistle was pulled wide open and the engineer who had
arrived turned on the city water from the company's standpipe and turned the
hose on the flames, but for some reason the water works failed to work and before
the pumps could be started in the engineroom the fire was beyond control. The
whistle had been heard at the enginehouse and a general alarm was rung in by
Superintendent Bickford. The department responded promptly, but owing to the
great distance and lack of water pressure, the immense plant was soon a mass of
ruins. The loss was estimated at $80,000. Insurance $42,000.
7. Fire,
May 17, 1896. At 1:15 P. M. Box 314 was rung for a fire in the two-story
dwelling house at 9 Franklin-st. occupied by Ray Reeves and owned by Theodore
Stevenson, caused by an overheated oil stove. Loss on building $125, covered by
insurance. Loss on contents $150. No insurance.
8. Annual
test alarm, June 3. At 7:30 P. M., Box 331, corner of Church-st. and Clinton-ave. was pulled by the chief and the
annual contest for the prize of $5 was on. Emerald Hose won first place. Time
1.40. Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co., second. Time 2.17 [minutes, seconds].
9. Fire,
July 8, 1896. At 9:10 P. M. Box
333 was rung in for a fire in the second story of the Second National
bank building. The department responded promptly and the fire was
found to be in the merchant tailoring rooms of J. E. Bliss. The flames
were quickly extinguished, but not until the stock of Mr. Bliss
was almost totally destroyed. The entire block was badly damaged by smoke
and water. Fire is supposed to have been caused by clothes being hung
too near the coal stove. J. E. Bliss, loss $2,000; insurance $1,500;
Mrs. T. P. Button, loss $40, no insurance; Case, Ruggles &
Bristol, drygoods, Second National bank, Vesta lodge rooms, Smith &
Dickinson, lawyers, all sustained quite heavy losses which were covered by
insurance. Loss on building estimated at $5,000.
10. Fire,
July 31, 1896. At 10 P. M. Box 432 was rung- in for a fire in a two-story wooden
building in the rear of 134 South Main-st., the lower floor occupied by
A. D. Leroy for the manufacture of the climax welding compound and the
upper floor by L. L. Gillett. Fire supposed to have been caused by a
spark from a portable forge. Loss on building $500, insurance
$1,300. A. D. Leroy's loss $100. No insurance.
11. False
alarm, Sept. 24, 1896. At 10:15 A. M. Box 331 was pulled by some one who saw
smoke issuing from the basement windows of the Congregational church. The
department responded, but found no fire. Smoke was caused by the janitor
starting a fire in the furnace.
12. Fire,
Oct. 15, 1896. At 11:45 P. M. Box 333 w a s rung in for a fire in the law
office of B. A. Benedict over 27 Main-st. Fire was located in a room in the
rear of the main office. A bookcase containing books, reports and other legal
papers was destroyed. Very little water was used, the Orris ball-nozzle and the
Hook's chemical being used with first-class results. Fire is supposed to have been
the work of an incendiary. Loss about $500. No insurance.
This ends
the record of the year 1896. Total alarms 12, false alarms 1, test alarms 1.
Alarms where the services of the department were not needed 2, leaving but 8 actual
fires that the department has had to fight during the year.
This
report is respectfully submitted for your approval.
E. M.
EASTMAN, Sec'y C. F. D., 1896.
TWO MORE BURGLARIES.
Coal
Offices of J. C. Seager
and S. N. Holden Entered Last Night.
The burglars are still around and getting in
their work without being detected. The coal office of J. C. Seager on South
Main-st., near the Lehigh Valley station was last night visited by the miscreants,
but, nothing of value was taken. Mr. Seager thinks that entrance was made by
unlocking the front door, as the windows were all fastened down last night. But
this morning one of the windows was found raised from the bottom and Mr. Seager
is of the opinion that this was raised to furnish a quick means of exit, should
the intruders be disturbed in their work.
The safe doors were left unlocked last
night, but a small door to one of the vaults was locked and this was broken in
by the use of an old ax that is kept in the office. As there was no money in the
safe, the thieves were disappointed and nothing has been missing from it. By
using an old chisel all the drawers to the desk were pried open and all the
papers were dumped out on the desk, but none are missing. Mr. Seager says that
all he misses is a few boxes of matches, a postage stamp and a bunch of keys.
The keys were those to the dump and storehouses and to-day all the staples had
to be pulled to get inside. New locks have been put on to-day.
S. N. Holden's coal office on Squires-st.
also received attention, but here, as at Mr. Seager's, nothing of value was
taken. Entrance was gained by prying, up a west window after a south window and
the scale doors had been tried. All the drawers in the desk were pulled out and
the contents left on the middle of the floor.
Party at
Little York.
J. E. Kenfield as manager has arranged for a
Christmas eve party to be held at the Lake House, Little York, Alvin Gay, proprietor,
on Thursday evening, Dec. 24. Music will be furnished by R. J. McComb's full
orchestra. The floor managers are Dan Butler and Clarence Mathews. The full
bill will be $1.25.
BREVITIES.
—The Retail Clerks' association meets this
evening in C. M. B. A. hall.
—Warren, Tanner & Co., Great Christmas
Carnival, page 6; F. Daehler, Always Welcome, page 5.
—The skating flag is up. Superintendent
Mooney says the ice at the Traction Co.] park rink is in fine condition with the
exception of one little place which will be fenced off.
—The C. A. A. will give the first of a series
of boxing exhibitions in the new quarters to-night at 8 o'clock. Several good
bouts have been arranged, all by local talent.
—In Justice Dowd's court this morning in the
case of F. N. Harrington against D. McNish, a jury was drawn and the case set
down for trial Jan. 5. This is an action to determine the value of services
rendered in the sale of a horse.
—Two amusing curiosities in the front windows
of Collins' china store are attracting considerable attention. One represents
the African recruit in the army and the other a boy tickling with a fly the
nose of an old man who is trying to sleep.
—Mrs. Silas W. Sherwood and Miss Cornelia L.
Brown have just finished a very successful Christmas sale of hand-decorated china,
embroidery and fancy articles, the work of the two ladies, which was held at the
home of the former, 42 East Court-st.
—There was an unusually large attendance
last night at the supper and sociable given at the Presbyterian church parlors.
An excellent supper was served, the financial part was satisfactory, and the
social side of the event was also highly successful.
—Miss Lulu A. Legg of Binghamton, formerly
of Cortland, was married last night at Binghamton to Mr. R. H. Williams of
Montclair, N. J. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. H. Race. The bride was a
graduate of the Normal [School] in the class of June, 1891.
—One tramp occupied a cell at the police
station last night. He said his name was Charles W. Huffman and that his home
was in Baltimore, but that he had been thrown out of work at Syracuse and wished
to get to Binghamton where he had friends and hoped to get a position.
—John Madden, who has for six years been in
the Binghamton State hospital, is in town on a visit to his sister, Mrs. A. J.
Barber. This is his fourth visit since he was taken to Binghamton. His mind is
greatly improved and he says that he receives the best of treatment at the
hospital.
—Police Justice E. E. Mellon has purchased
of W. H. Newton his handsome house and lot at 7 2 Port Watson-st. This is one
of the finest pieces of property on the street. The house is fitted with all
modern improvements and is in first-class repair. There is also a fine barn on
the place. Mr. Mellon is to be congratulated on his purchase.
—The Dryden Herald contains a mention of the
death in November at Murfreesboro, N. C., of Mrs. Charles W. Scarborough of that
place, formerly Miss Martha Saltzman of Dryden, and a graduate of the Cortland
Normal school in the class of January, '81. Miss Saltzman was for twelve years the
teacher of natural science in the Chowan Baptist Female Institute at
Murfreesboro, and two years ago married Rev. Charles W. Scarborough, who was a
teacher in the same institution. She will be remembered by many friends here in
Cortland.
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