UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT

P. H. McGraw (1) and son A. P. McGraw (5) and residence (2). The McGrawville Corset Factory complex (3 & 4). Images from Grip's Historical Souvenir of Cortland.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, February 6, 1897.

McGRAWVILLE.

Crisp Local Happenings at the Corset City.

   Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Rowe have been spending the week in McLean and vicinity.

   Mrs. F. H. Forshee is sick with the fashionable disease, the mumps.

   John Clark is using a cane. Cause, a bruised foot received while drawing lumber from South Otselic on Thursday.

   The Y. P. S. C. E . of the Presbyterian church will hold their anniversary in the rooms of the Men's league on Tuesday evening. A fine program has been arranged.

   Mrs. Niver and daughter May are visiting relatives in Montrose, Pa., for a few weeks.

   About 8:45 Thursday evening Mr. A. P. McGraw discovered a brilliant light similar to an electric light in the valley between his residence and Cortland. It seemed to be near the Polkville crossing when first seen and higher than the trolley poles. Mr. McGraw and family watched it for more than an hour as with changing hues it traveled westward until it seemed to disappear beneath the horizon. It is only attributed to natural causes, but it would solve a mystery if its identity could be established.

   A party of young people were in Blodgett Mills Friday evening attending a surprise given to Miss Zelma Shepard, formerly of this place.

CABIN JOHN BRIDGE.

A Remarkable Structure—Origin of Its Name.

   Seven miles from West Washington, upon what is called the Conduit road which carries the water supply of the capital from the Great falls of the Potomac to Washington, is one of the most noted structures of modern times. This structure is a bridge of a single span, called the Cabin John bridge, built by the United States government for the purpose of carrying the water main across a ravine. Flowing through this ravine, in its rocky bed, is a small stream called Cabin John creek, from which the bridge takes its name. The stream has its origin in Rockville, Md., and its outlet at the Potomac, not far away.

   In constructing the Washington aqueduct the first serious difficulty was encountered at Cabin John creek. Here a deep ravine obstructed the way. The genius of man surmounted this obstruction, and the result was a model of engineering skill.

   A fine stone arch, 220 feet in width and 110 feet in height, spans the ravine and the creek and has the distinction of being the largest single arch in the world. It is built of brown sandstone brought from the quarries of Seneca, about 15 miles above this point, and is of solid masonry. Its construction was begun in 1858, under the supervision of the war department, during the official term of Jefferson Davis, by its architect and engineer, General M. C. Meigs.

   In 1862, owing to pressure of work in this department, the work of construction was transferred to the interior department—Caleb B. Smith, secretary—and remained there until 1867, about the time of its completion. During the process of building the names of Presidents Franklin Pierce and Abraham Lincoln and of Secretaries of War Jefferson Davis and Edwin M. Stanton were inscribed on one of the large stones on the west end of the bridge. After the secession of the south the name of Jefferson Davis was cut out, and only a blank space remains to tell of the obliteration.

   This celebrated bridge and the stream that it spans derive their names from a solitary settler who, tradition says, appeared on this spot some time before the war of the Revolution and built near the banks of the beautiful Potomac a rude log cabin. For a number of years he occupied these quarters and was known only by the name of John, or Cabin John. His only companions were three fierce hunting dogs, which were sheltered among the rocks near their master's abode.

   These dogs always accompanied John on his excursions about the country and served to protect him from the too curious intrusion of visitors and also from suspicious strangers who might appear in that section. The settler spent most of his time hunting and fishing, which were his chief means of support. His garments were made from the skins of wild animals, and his general appearance was not attractive. He seemed to avoid companionship with man, although possessing qualities fitting him for such associations.

   Those who visited his cabin said that he was a musician and that he played skillfully upon a violin, singing songs the words of which seemed to recall memories and friends of other days. Tradition throws no other light upon this strange being, whence he came or whither he went.

   He disappeared suddenly one day as mysteriously as he had appeared. A search was made for him, but no trace could be found. His dogs deserted their rock bound kennel, and his cabin crumbled to the ground. Little did John of the cabin think that a wonderful work of man would one day bear his humble name and hand it down to future generations.—Washington Post.

Cornell's Washington Celebration.

   ITHACA, N. Y., Feb. 6.—President Schurman of Cornell university announced that Washington's birthday will be especially celebrated at Cornell this year by an address on Chief Justice Marshall by Hon. Henry B. Brown, associate justice of the supreme court of the United States. On this occasion, Hon. Andrew D. White, ex-president of Cornell, will formally present to the university six copies of portraits of distinguished jurists, including one of Chief Justice Marshall.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Changes in Book-selling.

   Evolution in the publishing and selling of books in both this country and

Europe has been so rapid and surprising during the past few years that at the moment the men who are at the head of the publishing and book-selling business are at their wits' end to keep pace with the times.

   No more remarkable changing influence has entered the book trade than the influence of the dry goods' stores, where departments devoted to the sale of the day's popular books have grown to large proportions. But it does not follow that the regular bookstores in their totals of trade have really suffered. What they may have lost in one direction they have probably made up in others—for one thing, in what are known as collectors' books; for another, in fine editions, in well bound books, and again, in limited editions. Moreover, it is necessary to remember that the number of persons who buy books has enormously increased.

   Verily this is the age of books. The figures and facts at hand ore proof of this. The total of books published and the total of sales for each successful book present striking contrasts to the corresponding totals for 10 and 20 years ago. The sales which Du Maurier and Maclaren, Hall Caine and Kipling, Stevenson and Mrs. Ward, have had would have astonished the trade and set all the world to writing novels, as has now, unfortunately, been done.

   There is a noticeable change also in the old or second hand book trade. The book lover can no longer find rare bargains on the sidewalk. This has naturally resulted from the increase in collecting and in knowledge of books. Now the auction rooms become the places where collectors go to find rare and first editions. Before it had become a large pursuit to hunt for these books they were rarely to be found, save at the small second hand dealers' that were once so frequent in all large cities. Now they may be had in the best stores, where are found thriving departments devoted to these books, and whence are issued special catalogues of them.

MRS. VIRGINIA JONES

To Take Possession of the Cortland Postoffice at the Close of Business To-day.

   Postoffice Inspector S. P. Kyle of Syracuse is in Cortland to-day and the formal transfer of the business of the Cortland postoffice will be made to Mrs. Virginia Jones at the close of business to-night. Mrs. Jones' commission was received from Washington this morning and Mr. Kyle had received instruction from the postoffice department to come to Cortland to-day to make the transfer.

Higginsville Tavern.

Pleasant Sleighride Party.

   A party of sixteen Cortland people enjoyed a sleighride to Higgineville last night, where a most enjoyable evening was spent at the popular hotel of Landlord Freer. "Happy Bill" Daniels was in attendance and furnished excellent music for dancing. Fine refreshments were served. The party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. E. Alley, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Stilson, Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Nourse, Mr. and Mrs. F. P. Mooney, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Wood, Dr. and Mrs. E. A. Didama, Mr. and Mrs. G. J. Maycumber, and Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Brockway of Homer.

Moving to Cortland.

   Mr. Philip Clark, a cigarmaker, is to-day moving his family to Cortland from Binghamton. Mr. Clark comes very highly recommended as a cigarmaker. Mr. George Ellis, formerly superintendent for C. H. Wells & Co. of Binghamton, and P. H. Tobin, also expect to move here about March 1. All will be employees at Bliss' cigar and tobacco works on Clinton-ave.

Y. M. C. A. CONVENTION.

Some of the Speakers Who Will Visit Cortland Next Week.

   Mr. George A. Warburton is one of the best known secretaries of association work, and his reputation as a speaker is known to all who have been in attendance at the conventions of other years. He is the secretary of the railroad work in New York at the Grand Central station, at which an admirably equipped building is provided for the hundreds of railroad men entering at that point.

   Miss Ellen Brown has for years had charge of the Buffalo association Junior work. Her work there has been very successful in winning boys to the Christian life, and anything that she will have to say upon the work of the association among boys will command attention.

   Mr. George B. Hodge, the educational secretary of the international committee, will have charge of the session devoted to educational work on Friday afternoon. Through his efforts a uniform system of educational work has been outlined and to-day the evening classes of the associations are quite generally pursuing this system. Young men are being fitted for larger usefulness in their different lines of development, and an intelligent effort is being put into this important department of work.

   Rev. F. D. Leete of Little Falls was for some years the secretary of the Utica association. He is a successful pastor and will bring much of practical information in his treatment of the religious meetings of the association.

   Mr. C. H. Ketchum of Syracuse is the superintendent of the Western division of the West Shore railroad. He is also president of the Syracuse Young Men's Christian association, and the wisdom of securing so busy yet so broad-minded a man is prove by the strides the Syracuse association has made under his oversight. On account of his double occupation, Mr. Ketchum is exceptionally well qualified to speak on railroad work as carried on by Y. M. C. A's. His paper will be followed by short talks from other railroad men.

BREVITIES.

   —One tramp was sent on his way rejoicing from the police station this morning.

   —A Christian Alliance meeting will be held Monday afternoon, Feb. 8 at 3 P. M. at 19 Clinton-ave.

   —New advertisements to-day are—F. Daehler, Manhattan Shirts, page 5;

Dr. Vito, pages 5 and 8.

   —Mr. Maurice Brotherton has been engaged as janitor at the C. A. A. rooms in place of Jas. F. Costello, resigned.

   —Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Call entertained twenty friends at a 6 o'clock tea last evening followed by a season at whist.

   Mr. GEORGE G. REYNOLDS of Elmira, a student at Cornell university law school, is a guest of Rev. and Mrs. John T. Stone over Sunday.

   —A regular meeting of the Woman's Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. will be held in the Y. M. C. A. parlor, Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 3:30 P. M.

   —Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Wilson were made a surprise visit by a few of their friends and neighbors at their home, 81 Lincoln-ave., last night.

   —The third division of the Clef society met at Miss C. A. Covil's studio last evening and spent a very pleasant time with music and musical games.

   —An important business meeting of the Y. M. C. A. Junior department will be held Monday, Feb. 8 at 4:30 P. M. Every boy must be present.

   —Mr. Thomas K. Norris has been elected treasurer of the Little York Ice company and will soon open an office in the Democrat building. Mr. Norris has resigned his position as bookkeeper at the First National bank.

   —The regular union meeting of the young people's societies of the several churches will be held Sunday evening at 5:30 o'clock at the Homer-ave. church. Note the fact that it is a half hour earlier than the regular weekly meeting.

   —The delegates to the state grange at Rochester returned last night and report a very pleasant and profitable convention. Mrs. Laura Byram, who so unfortunately broke her ankle, is still in that city, but Dr. Higgins expects to go out there Monday and bring her home.

REDS VS. BLUES.

A Membership Content to Boom the Junior Y. M. C. A.

   Reference has already been made to the fact that the junior department of the Y. M. C. A. has been divided in two sections, each to work against the other in a friendly strife for additional members. The two sides will be known as the Reds and the Blues. The contest began this morning and will conclude March 31 at 6 P. M. The victorious party will then banquet at the expense of the vanquished. The two sides are composed of the following boys:

   Red—Baldwin, Briggs, Coleman, Callahan, Charlie Dowd, 2d, Doherty, Ellis, Gale, Hillock, A. Hinman, Jones, Keese, Lowell, O'Brien, Pierce, Ray, Saunders, Snyder, Stafford, R. Wheeler (Capt.)

   Blue—F. Alexander, Baker, Boynton, Collins, Crandall, Chas. Dowd, 1, Fox, Gleason, M. Higgins, J. Hinman, Holcomb, Jayne, Northrup, Rowe, Ryan, Sager, Tanner, G. Wheeler, W. Wickwire, (Capt.) Woodbury.