SUDDEN DEATH OF BENTON B. JONES

Benton Bushnell Jones.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, December 21, 1896.

BENTON B. JONES

Died Suddenly Sunday Evening as a Result of Bright's Disease.

   Benton B. Jones, editor and proprietor of the Cortland Democrat and postmaster of Cortland, died very suddenly Sunday evening at 9:30 o'clock of apoplexy proceeding from Bright's disease. Though he had been afflicted with this disease for a number of years he had been in usual health until Friday afternoon when he went home with a severe cold. Saturday he remained in the house hoping to throw off the cold and apprehending nothing more serious than that. Sunday afternoon at about 4 o'clock he had a shock and lost consciousness, almost immediately. He lingered until 9:30 that night when the end came.

   Mr. Jones was born March 20, 1840, upon a farm about two miles north of Homer. He was educated at Homer academy and at Claverack college, Claverack, Columbia Co., N. Y., from which latter institution he was graduated at the age of eighteen years. He studied law with Oliver Porter of Homer and was admitted to the bar early in the sixties. He practiced law in Cortland until 1868 when he bought the Cortland Democrat of L. S. Crandall, and has since been its editor and proprietor. For three years before assuming the proprietorship of that paper he had assisted its editorial labors, furnishing nearly all of its political editorials.

   Mr. Jones was appointed by President Cleveland postmaster of Cortland during the winter of 1894 and entered upon his duties upon April 1 of that year.

   Upon Oct. 9, 1867, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Virginia C. Gurley of Cortland who survives him, as well as two children, Mrs. Fay C. Parsons and Mr. Seymour S. Jones, both of Cortland, and the latter being the deputy postmaster. He is also survived by three brothers and one sister, George B. Jones of Cortland, Walter and William Jones of Homer and Mrs. Julia Staats of Homer.

   Mr. Jones was a member of Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. and A. M.

   The funeral will be held at the family residence, 141 Main-st., Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.

   The sudden death of Benton B. Jones has given a shock to the entire community. Born and reared in the town of Homer and a resident of that town and of Cortland all his life, it can safely be said that there is not a citizen of this village who is acquainted with more people throughout the county than was he, or who has more personal friends than he had. Unaggressive, quiet and somewhat retiring in his ways, he was, at the same time, kindly, warm hearted, generous and sympathetic. His abilities, which in many directions were remarkable, were little understood except by those who knew him best. He possessed an excellent legal mind and a memory which was phenomenal. He was a walking cyclopedia of political, historical and general information. He had the valuable gift, too, of remembering names and faces. He said to us once that a man very rarely came into his office whose name and face he could not afterwards instantly recall.

   As a local and editorial writer he had few superiors on the country press of the state. His English was pure, and his style clear, simple, direct and forcible. He had a keen sense of humor and a ready wit. As a writer of paragraphs he was a model, condensing into a few words what many editors would require ten times the space to express, and then not express half so well. Some of the campaign issues of the Cortland Democrat, when Mr. Jones was at his best, in point and effectiveness have challenged the admiration even of his political opponents. He enjoyed editorial work, besides doing it well, and if circumstances had permitted him to shift the burden of business and routine upon some one else and devote his entire time to his paper, his editorial ability would have shown itself much more conspicuously and been more generally recognized even than it was.

   Though he never learned the printers' trade as an apprentice, he was a master of the business, knew good work and how to get it, and could go into his job rooms and set up tasty work himself or show his subordinates how it should be done. He had a large measure of mechanical genius also, understood machinery well and could tell instantly when anything was out of order where the trouble was and what should be done to make it right. To all these qualifications for his work as editor and manager he added practical expertness and accuracy as a bookkeeper and beautiful penmanship.

   In all his personal and social relations he showed his honorable, kindly and generous characteristics. He was a faithful, affectionate and devoted husband and father, a loyal friend, a liberal and a public spirited citizen. During the twenty years and more that we have published a paper in Cortland of opposite politics to The Democrat, and in spite of the hot firing which has sometimes passed between the two, it is a pleasure to remember that neither office has ever asked a favor of the other which was not cheerfully granted, and that no unkind or discourteous words were ever spoken and no personal differences ever occurred.

   The STANDARD, in common with the entire community, deeply deplores the sudden death which has at once deprived Cortland of one of its most conspicuous and useful citizens and his family of a husband and father, respected and loved; and our sincerest sympathy goes out to the wife and children upon whom the blow has fallen with so little warning and such crushing weight.

A NEW PROPOSITION.

John C. Hamlin Proposes to Put in an Electric Light Plant.

   Mr. John C. Hamlin, an experienced electrician, will soon ask the board of village trustees for a franchise to erect and operate an electric light plant for the village. When seen by a STANDARD reporter he had this to say regarding his proposition:

   I propose to erect, build and equip an electric light plant within the corporate limits of Cortland village and within the corporate limits of the village of Homer, for the purpose of lighting the streets of said villages of Cortland and Homer, and also to furnish incandescent lights for private consumers and for business places, upon the following terms and conditions:

   First—I agree with the said village of Cortland, its board of trustees, officers and representatives that I will furnish and equip for said village of Cortland seventy-five arc lights at a price to be agreed upon. I further agree to run said lights all night for 365 nights in the year. I further agree to furnish to private consumers and for business places incandescent lights to be run all night for 365 nights in the year.

   I further propose to run said incandescent lights at all times during cloudy weather, whenever the weather so necessitates.

   I further propose to erect the poles to be used in construction of said lines, according to the directions and requirements of the board of village trustees, and all construction lines to be erected according to the requirements of the board of underwriters, and to paint all poles erected in a good and workmanlike manner.

   This contract is made by me on the condition that the village of Cortland, through its board of trustees, will make a contract with me to light said village with arc lights for the term of five years, the terms of said contract to be hereafter agreed upon, and upon the further condition that I can secure subscribers for incandescent lights to the number of five hundred.

   Mr. Hamlin stated that he had sufficient capital behind him to equip a plant and that the rates he would give would be as low as the lowest. He also said that he would also put in a plant for the village on a salary, the plant to be the sole property of the village. He has just returned from Syracuse, where he has been looking up the probable cost of a plant and equipment and says that he shall probably apply for a franchise at the meeting of the board Jan. 4.

CHASED FOUR BOYS.

They Said the Reason They Ran Was Because Mr. Marks Ran.

   Saturday night the bakery of T. M. Marks was entered for the third time within about a week. They got nothing except several quarts of milk down in the bakery which they drank leaving the glasses from which they drank, standing around on the tables.

   Last night Mr. Marks was passing the Messenger House shortly before 10 o'clock when his attention was attracted to the suspicious actions of four boys or young men across the street [Squires block] in front of his bakery. He stepped into the shadow and watched them for a few minutes. They saw some one across the street and started to cross the street toward him to see who he was. He disappeared around the hotel and shortly emerged from the south side of it and nearly met the boys face to face. When they saw him they turned around and ran at full speed north up Main-st. and he after them. Near Court-st. he caught up with some of them and brought them to a stand, and the others at once joined the group. They denied being the burglars and he said that he hadn't charged them with the offence, but inquired why they ran from him. They replied that they ran because he ran, and further than that could give no reason for their sudden burst of speed. He took their names and let them go, as he had no evidence against them.

TRUXTON.

   TRUXTON, Dec. 19.—At the last regular meeting of Miller grange, No. 442, P. of H., held in Dodd's hall the re-election of officers was held. The following are the officers:

   Master—Howard F. Buell.

   Overseer—David S. Severence.

   Secretary—Thomas Dodd. Jr.

   Treasurer—Mrs. C. H. Webster.

   Chaplain—Mrs. Thomas Dodd.

   Lecturer—Alvarado L. Lansing.

   Steward—George W. Miller.

   Lady Asst. Steward—Mrs. Leman Calkins.

   Doorkeeper—George K. Atkinson.

   Flora—Mrs. Charles Curtis.

   Ceres—Mrs. B. F. Kinney.

   Pomona—Mrs. A. L. Lansing.

   Insurance Director—H. F. Buell.

   The dancing club gave one of the series of club dances at Woodward's new hall Thursday evening, which was well attended. "Happy Bill" Daniels' full orchestra of Cortland furnished the music.

   Miss Jennie D. Wicks was in Homer Friday.

   Miss Alice McAllister, who is taking lessons on the violin of Prof. Alton E. Darby of Cortland, spent Saturday at her home.

   The Young People's society of Christian Endeavor of the M. E. church will present a cantata entitled "Santa Claus' Home or the Christmas Excursion" at Woodward's new hall Thursday evening, Dec. 24. Rehearsals are being held every evening. The cast of characters will be an follows:

   Santa Claus, Coolidge F. Beattie.

   Frost Queen, Mrs. F. I. Woodward.

   Snow Flake, Mrs. H. C. Wicks.

   Minerva, Miss Hattie Meldrim.

   Hanko, Mr. Dorr Kinney.

   Panko, Mr. Harry Kinney.

   Dick, Coolidge Beattie.

   Mr. Vim (Superintendent), Mr. Charles W. Beattie.

   Mr. Wait (Asst. Superintendent), Mr. Clinton R. Freeman.

   Mr. Scribbler (Secretary), Mr. Benj. Beard.

   Clara, Miss Jennie D. Wicks.

   Mrs. Rhea, Mrs. F. I. Woodward.

   Bessie, Miss Gladys Westcott.

   Elsie, Miss Gertrude Applegate.

   Evaline, Miss Grace Wicks.

   Gertrude, Miss Amelia Pierce.

   Blanche, Miss Ella Miller.

   Percy, Harry Arthur Stafford.

   The cantata will be found a fascinating and enjoyable entertainment. Let no one miss it.

   The Singing School association has been fully organized and meets every Tuesday evening in the upper room of the Union school building. Miss Jennie D. Wicks has been elected secretary in place of Miss Lizzie O'Donnell resigned. There are twenty-five members. There will be no school next week.

   The officers of the Y. P. S. C. E. met at the home of Rev. E. A. Huntington last evening and appointed the various committees for 1897.

   Many complaints having been made, we have been asked to call the attention of the taxpayers and others interested in Dist. No. 6, to the much needed improvement which should be made in regard to the proper ventilation of the union school building, which would be for the benefit of the health of the students. At this writing several of the students are unable to attend school owing their having hard colds which they have contracted while attending school. The building to which we refer consists of two stories, the upper being occupied by the senior department and the lower by the intermediate department.

   In the center of the ceiling of the lower room is a ventilator through which all the foul, impure air from below is drawn up into the room above, where the students have to breathe the impure air from below. Aside from this ventilator, or "death trap," as one teacher has termed it, there is no means of ventilation except by opening the doors and windows. When this is done the students are required to sit in a draught and can hardly escape taking cold.

   In the session room which is occupied by the primary department the ventilation is but little better. Since the union school was formed it has ranked among the best. It has been equipped with a library, charts, maps, globes and other aids to teaching. The very best teachers have been employed, but the question of proper ventilation and the care of the health of the pupils have been sadly neglected.

   The question of sanitary precautions is one that presses upon every observant mind and demands constant and thoughtful attention. We trust the people of this village will become awakened to the fact that it is an important factor in the education of their children that the school building shall be placed in a proper sanitary condition and if those who have the authority and power will investigate and see that the building is properly ventilated before the opening of the school after the Christmas vacation they will confer a great blessing upon both teachers and scholars.

   CRAZY PAT [local correspondent].

BREVITIES.

   —To-day is the shortest day in the year.

   —A meeting of the Republican league will be held in their rooms to-night at 8 o'clock.

   —A special meeting of the C. A. A. is called for Tuesday evening, Dec. 22, at 8 o'clock. All members are urged to be present, as business of importance will be transacted.

   —The twelfth holiday conference of the Associated Academic Principals of the State of New York will be held at Syracuse, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, December 28-30, 1896.

   —A special communication of Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. and A. M., is called for Wednesday afternoon at 2:15 o'clock to attend the funeral of Benton B. Jones. A full attendance is requested.

   —The fourth annual midwinter reunion of the Gamma Sigma fraternity will be held on Monday evening, Dec. 28, at The Kremlin. All members of the fraternity who are in town at that time are expected to be present.

   —New advertisements to-day are—G. J.  Mager & Co., 33 1/3 off, page 6; A. S. Burgess, Christmas Gifts, page 8; Stowell's Christmas Presents, page 8; W. J. Perkins, Perfumes, page 6; Baker &Angell, Christmas Presents, page 6.

   —The three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Price, while with his parents at Beaudry's department store Saturday afternoon, fell backwards through a trap door into the cellar. Very fortunately he was uninjured beyond a bad shaking up.

   —All members of the G. A. R., W. R. C. and S. O. V. who can do so are requested to meet at G. A. R. hall to-morrow afternoon at 5 o'clock to go in a body to the Univcrsalist church to give the retiring pastor, Rev. H. W. Carr, a farewell greeting.

   —The Sunday-school of St. Mary's church will have a Christmas tree entertainment in the basement of the church on Wednesday evening of this week at 7 o'clock, in addition to the attractions of the tree there will be a musical program.

   —There were four cases on the calendar in Justice Dowd's court this morning, all of which were settled without coming to trial. They were Van Alstine against Doran, Van Alstine against Thomas, Cortland Water Works company against Snyder, and King against Bennett.

   —Two cats in a barn last Friday night upset a lantern which had been set down for a moment on a stairway in a large barn belonging to Albert Watkins at Jamesville. Three barns were burned and thirty tons of hay and 8,000 bushels of grain were destroyed. There was a heavy loss as the insurance was light.

   —A prominent physician claims that there will be no diphtheria, scarlet fever, nor worms for children if they eat plenty of onions every day, especially when there is a scarcity of fresh fruit. He buys onions by the barrel for his young folks, and they are served in every imaginable form.—Ithaca Journal.