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| Human Meteor Plunging From Parachute. |
Cortland
Evening Standard, Tuesday, December 29, 1896.
THE HUMAN
METEOR.
DARING
LEAP OF AN AERONAUT FROM A BALLOON.
Done
Amid a Blaze of Fireworks—Diving From a Parachute Swaying Sixty Feet Above a
River—Rather Likes to Be a Flaming Torch.
A display of fireworks with a human being as
a centerpiece hundreds of feet from the earth is the marvel that is to be witnessed
throughout the United States. It is the
most astonishing combination that an aeronaut has ever conceived. To be sure, it
is fraught with greater danger than even the balloon man ordinarily encounters,
but to many that makes it the more attractive. Not only does the aeronaut appear
in the midst of a wonderful combination of fireworks, but he dives from great
heights into the river, lake or ocean, as may be selected, flaming like a human
torch, and leaving a trail of fire behind him in his perilous flight.
It is not a mere experiment that Oscar
Norin, the aeronaut who conceived the idea, is to make the country over. He
tried his plan a few days ago at a private exhibition near New Haven, and
achieved a distinct success. Norin's apparatus consists of the ordinary balloon
and parachute and some fireworks. When he prepares to make the ascension and
subsequent dive, he clothes himself in a tight fitting suit of scarlet, which
gives him the appearance of an up-to-date Mephistopheles, minus horns and
hoofs. He is a fine looking man withal, and combines something of the
appearance of an Apollo with that of his satanic majesty.
Buckled tightly to the waist of the aeronaut
is a strong and somewhat peculiar looking belt of leather, from which [descend]
numerous leather strings. These are used to tie to the belt a dozen tubes of
strange appearance, from which [descend] small fuses.
So much for Norin's attire. Presently balloon
and parachute are reported to be in readiness for the ascent. Norin thereupon takes
his seat on the bar attached to cables which extend downward from the parachute,
grasps one of the ropes firmly and looks for a moment at the audience. Then it
is noticed that in each hand he carries a tube similar in appearance to those
which hang, fuse downward, from his belt. This is just how the young man looked
when he made his trial ascension as a fireworks display at New Haven.
On this occasion, after Norin had seated himself
upon the parachute bar, he explained to the persons grouped around him just
what he expected to accomplish. It was, he declared, the fruition of an idea
over which he had pondered for years. He expressed the utmost confidence that
he would succeed because, while the exploit might appear both difficult and
dangerous to the inexperienced, to the aeronaut, familiar with the perils of
aerial navigation, it seemed fraught with very little more danger than that
which is ordinarily faced.
Then Norin revealed the use to which those
queer looking tubes were to be put. They were
nothing more nor less than roman candles, and it was his purpose to fire them
off at a certain time during the ascension. The candles would be lighted before
the daring aeronaut made his dive, and the fuses were made long, so that plenty
of time would elapse between the act of lighting and the moment of firing them.
In this manner all danger of a spark of fire reaching the balloon was avoided.
After this explanation the anchor rope was
[unreeled], and balloon, parachute and aeronaut began their eventful voyage into
space. As the curious throng watched, the trio grew smaller and smaller, until
at last they merged in one dark blot against the background of clouds. The blot
seemed to remain stationary for a minute, then swung like the pendulum of an
immense aerial clock. Soon a faint space was visible between two portions of
the blot, and this rapidly widened. A second later a spark of light shot out
from the lower half of the divided blot. Another and still another followed,
each brighter than its predecessors. Then came a dazzling blaze of fire with a
flaming tail streaming behind it, like that of a comet of high degree.
Nearer and nearer the earth this strange sight
sped, until about 200 feet above them and a little to one side, those who had followed the course
of the balloon saw the figure of Norin seated on the bar of an opened parachute
and surrounded by a fountain of fire spraying from the throats of the roman
candles attached to his waist.
When the parachute was within 60 feet of the
river, toward which it was rapidly descending, the spectators were horrified by
seeing the aeronaut apparently fall from the parachute bar on which he had been
seated, lunging headlong at a fearful speed toward the river. But he had not
fallen. That was soon apparent. It was a dive almost as daring as that of Steve
Brodie from the Brooklyn bridge and far more spectacular. Norin's body as it
descended seemed almost enveloped in fire, for during the entire distance
traversed from the parachute bar to the water the candles continued to belch
forth streams of sparks and flame. A second before he struck Norin brought his
arms together over his head, shrugged his shoulders as high as possible and
raised his feet to a peculiar
position. He penetrated the water like a shot from a 13 pounder, and the fire seemed
to stream upward from him in fantastic fashion.
Then all was dark, Aeronaut and flame had
alike disappeared. Before the spectators had recovered from their surprise, anxiety
following amazement, Norin's head appeared above the surface of the river, and
he swam toward the shore with those long, steady strokes that indicate unabated
strength and thorough command of the faculties. He was quickly pulled from the
water by friendly hands and warmly congratulated at having accomplished what is
beyond question the most remarkable feat ever performed by an aeronaut.—Pittsburg
Dispatch.
 |
| Gen. Antonio Maceo. |
PAGE
TWO—EDITORIALS.
Effect
of Maceo's Death.
If Maceo was ambushed and slain in the
manner described, or if he was slain at all, nothing worse for the cause of
Spain could have happened. Immediately on receipt of the news in the United
States a wave of sympathy spread like wildfire over the country. The number of
men who offered their services to Cuban agencies in this country would mount
into the thousands.
Subscriptions to the Cuban fund began to be
made at once. From Paris word was telegraphed that a large sum was ready for
the patriots. Much money has already been subscribed in this country, and any
necessary amount can be raised. The moment the Cubans signify their needs these
will be met. A Cuban
league has been formed in New York whose officers and members include some of
the wealthiest and most influential men of the city.
Enlistments seem to be proceeding without
any secrecy at all. From St. Louis recently 1,000 men went to join the
patriots. In one day 150 young men visited the Cleveland office of the Cubans
and asked to be enlisted. At Chillicothe 200 men volunteered. A considerable
number of recruits was raised in Columbus. The Cuban war enthusiasm has
infected even the women of Ohio. In Cleveland 11 women volunteered to go as
army nurses without pay.
Kansas City is the headquarters whence many
recruits leave to fight for Cuba Libre. Dallas, Galveston and New Orleans are
also points for the departure of numbers of men. The cause of Cuba appeals with
fascinating power to the adventurous and fiery spirits of the southwest. If
Maceo is slain, his death has brought Cuba thus soon nearer to liberty than it
ever was before.
GREAT
FIRE AT BINGHAMTON.
County
Courthouse Burned—Several Law Libraries Saved.
Binghamton had a great fire last night and
Broome county suffered a severe loss in the total destruction of the county
court house. The fire was discovered at about 10:20 in the evening in the roof
and is supposed to have originated from a defective flue. It was all burned
down before 2 o'clock. The building was insured for $50,000, but the loss will
be much greater.
The courthouse was erected in 1857 at a cost
of $32,000. It has several times been added to, the last time seven years ago at
an expense of $20,000. It was situated upon an eminence in an open square in
the center of the city and was a very handsome building. It had a frontage of
166 feet and a depth of fifty-eight feet. Its entrance was through a Grecian
portico of four Ionic pillars, six feet in diameter and thirty-six feet high.
The building contained the supreme court
library of the Sixth judicial district containing 15,000 volumes and insured for
$10,000, which was all saved, though many books were damaged by smoke and
water. It also contained the private library of Judge Martin with 2,000
volumes, valued at $6,000, the private library of Judge Arms and of Judge Lyon,
besides several other private libraries. Nearly all of them were saved in a
damaged condition.
Upon the first floor was the supreme court
library, rooms of the surrogate, county judge, supervisors' room, sheriff's
office, office of the county commissioners of schools and superintendent of the
poor. The court room was located on the second floor. Above the two stories crowning
the roof was the lofty dome surmounted by a small cupola, which was provided
with an iron-railed platform. The cupola was surmounted by a noble figure of
justice.
The supreme court judges for the Sixth district
have been: Judge Campbell of Cherry
Valley; Charles Mason of Hamilton; Ransom Balcom of Binghamton, William H.
Shankland of Cortland; John M. Parker of Owego; Douglas Boardman of Ithaca;
William Murray of Delhi; David L. Follett of Norwich; Celora E. Martin of
Binghamton; H. Boardman Smith of Elmira; Frank R. Gilbert; Garret A. Forbes of Canastota;
Walter Lloyd Smith of Elmira. Judge Martin was re-elected and after him came
Burr Mattice. Last year a n additional judge was appointed in the person of
George F. Lyon. When Celora E. Martin resigned, Burr Mattice was appointed to
fill the vacancy, and has since been elected to the office.
A
BUSINESS CHANGE.
Thomas
P. Bristol Buys the Clothing Business of F. N. Harrington.
There has been a business change on Main-st.
in the purchase of the clothing and merchant tailoring store of F. N. Harrington
by Thomas P. Bristol, late member of the dry goods firm of Case, Ruggles &
Bristol. Mr. Bristol is a young man of activity and energy and has no desire to
remain out of business. He took possession to-day and will carry a full line of
goods to suit all classes in the merchant tailoring department. He will also
have on hand all kinds of gentlemen's furnishing goods and will add a new line
of hats and caps, which Mr. Harrington did not carry.
Mr. E. B. DuChette, who for the past nine
years has been a popular cutter at Harrington's, will still be found behind the
table, shears, chalk and tape measure in hand, and Mr. Ray Harrington will
remain as a clerk. Mr. Bristol intends to carry a line of goods that will be
calculated to please the trade and his many friends in this vicinity will be
glad that he is again in business here, as that will insure the fact that he
will not be induced to leave town by greater attractions elsewhere.
Mr. Harrington is a veteran in the clothing
line and there can be only regret that he should sell out the well established
business, which he has been so long in building up. It is over twenty-five
years since he came to Cortland and engaged in trade. For two years he was located
in the old Squires building, for six years more in the newer Squires building where
Baker & Angell now are, for fifteen years in the Schermerhorn
building and for two years, lacking one
month, in the present store. Mr. Harrington assures us that he shall
continue to reside in Cortland, and that he has no thought of going elsewhere.
He says he was never idle a week in his life and he expects soon to be in
business again of some kind here, but just what it is he is not yet prepared to
state. He is a man highly respected and
that he is well liked by his employees, as well as by those who have so long
patronized him, is evidenced by the fact that one of the present employees of
the tailoring department has worked for him seventeen years, and several others
for periods nearly as long.
To Make
Bicycle Wrenches.
Messrs. J. H. Wallace and P. B. Canfield have
formed a co-partnership and will at once engage in the manufacture of bicycle
wrenches in the building east of the Lehigh Valley tracks at Elm-st. and near
the works of the Cortland Forging company. Machinery is now being put in and a
few orders have been received. Messrs. Wallace & Canfield are hustling
business men and will undoubtedly build up a large trade. Only n few men are
now employed, but the force will be increased as necessity demands.
ENTERTAINMENT
AT TRUXTON.
Grand
Opening at Woodward's New Hall on Dec. 31.
The young Catholic people of Truxton, N. Y.,
will give a grand musical and inaugural ball at Woodward's new hall on Thursday
evening, Dec. 31, 1896. Mc-Dermott's
full orchestra of Cortland will furnish the music and will give a select concert
program for one hour before the dancing begins. Competent committees have the
arrangements in charge and promise all who attend an evening of refined music and
merriment.
A Fine
Production.
The
"Rajah" was presented at the Opera House last night to a large and very
appreciative audience. The company is a good one. In fact it is much above the
usual repertoire company. Mr. Marley and Miss Bayer in their specialties were
exceedingly clever. The principal character, in the hands of Ralph R. Lewis,
was really a fine rendition of an exceptionally difficult role. Mr. Lewis is a
young man of much promise, a former student of the Western University of
Chicago, and although but four years upon the stage is coming to stand high in
his profession.
Miss Bayer as Gladys Wyncot and Miss Evans
as Amelia, were both clever and pretty. Messrs. Sinclair and Hynes as Mr. Jekyll
and his assistant, Mr. Job, were good both in makeup and business. The company
carries a large amount of fine scenery, which is used with good effect.
To-night the play will be a comedy entitled
"Jerry & Co." and there will be the same reduction in price, 10,
20 and 30 cents.
We are informed by the management that the
hooting in the gallery by boys, which proved so annoying last night, will
positively not occur to-night.
BREVITIES.
—New advertisements to-day are—Warren,
Tanner & Co., inventory sale, page 6; Stowell, clearance sale, page 8.
—The village trustees met in regular session
last night and transacted only routine business beyond the auditing of a few
bills.
—During the Holiday vacation at the Normal
Janitor F. E. Seeber is giving the building a thorough cleaning from one end to
the other.
—An exchange tells of a couple who live by
getting married every day in some different town. Their profit comes in when
they give the clergyman a counterfeit twenty dollar bill and get back fifteen
dollars in good money.
—Mrs. Thomas M. Dorwin of Syracuse, formerly
of Cortland, has just received a $5,000 bequest in the will of Capt. George E.
Lemon, a distant relative. Mrs. Dorwin's Cortland friends will be glad to hear
of her good fortune.
—For the information of skaters it may be
said that the crosstown car passes the Cortland House bound for the park rink at
6:35 o'clock each evening and every forty minutes thereafter. Passengers may
also take the McGrawville car which leaves the Messenger House every hour and
just on the hour.
—The case of William Towne against his son,
Charles Towne, occupied the attention of Justice Dowd Saturday and Monday. The
action was brought to recover $200 for services claimed to have been performed.
The parties reside in Virgil.
George B. Jones, assisted by N. L. Miller, appeared for plaintiff, and W. D. Tuttle
for defendant. The justice reserved his decision for two days.
—There was an error in the temperature report
yesterday through failure to note that certain records were below zero instead
of above zero. The thermometer was 9 degrees below zero at 8 o'clock Sunday
morning and 4 degrees below at midnight Sunday night. These represent the two
lowest points of temperature between Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock and Monday
afternoon at the same hour.
—A paragraph from the Blodgett Mills letter relating
to the W. C. T. U. by mistake dropped into the local copy yesterday and was set
up as a brevity. The name of Blodgett Mills nowhere appeared in the item and it
appeared to be a local notice. It spoke of the W. C. T. U. holding a temperance
crusade meeting at the Baptist church Wednesday evening, Dec. 30, at 7 o'clock.
The item is true, only it is true at Blodgett Mills and not true in Cortland.
HOMER.
Gleanings
of News From Our Twin Village.
HOMER, Dec. 29.—The meeting of the Knights
Templars of Cortland and
Homer at
the Old Ladies' Home last year proved such a decided success that it has been
thought wise by the board of managers of the Home to hold a similar meeting
upon New Year's morning.
The concert given in Keator opera house last
evening by the Syracuse Banjo, Guitar and
Mandolin clubs was a success in every particular. Each number on the program
was rendered in that style characteristic of this company and to the credit of
the director, Mr. Chas. E. Cooney. The people into whose hands the matter of
securing the club had been given are to be congratulated for the musical treat furnished
to the people of Homer. After the concert was over a reception was given for the
members of the company by Miss Frances Pierce at her home on Cayuga-st. Dainty
refreshments were served and a delightful time was participated in by all
present.
Mr. Horace Smith of Syracuse was in town
yesterday looking after the business interests of Perry, Candee & Co. of
that city.
Mr. Chas. Fairbanks and family and Mr.
Hubert Fairbanks of Ithaca are the guests of Mr. C. A. Williams on King-st. to-day.
Mrs. L. L. Clarke went to McGrawville on
business this morning.
Miss Markley of Cortland is spending
sometime with her cousin, Miss Norma Davis on Wall-st.
Mr. C. C. Doll of Syracuse was in town yesterday.
Mr. William Smith returned to his home in
Binghamton this morning.
Lyman Fosmer went to Apulia to-day.
Mr. J. M. Schermerhorn and Mrs. Cox are
among the Homer people in Syracuse to-day.
The Syracuse University Glee club left for
Owego this morning.
Mr. E. C. Ercanbrack of Preble was in town
on business yesterday afternoon.
Mrs. J. Andrews has returned from Elmira,
where she has been spending the past week.
Mr. Irving Coon, who has been visiting his
brother, Wm. Coon, returned this morning to his home in Dutchess county.
Chas. Mullen, who has been spending the
Holidays with his people in Syracuse, returned to-day.
Mr. Blanchard of the firm Blanchard &
Co., glass dealers of Syracuse, was in town this morning.
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