 |
| USS Marblehead. |
Cortland
Evening Standard, Tuesday, February 9, 1897.
LOST THREE
SEAMEN.
Admiral
Bunce's Fleet Arrive at Charleston.
ENCOUNTERED
ROUGH WEATHER.
Six
Sailors Swept Overboard—Boat's Crew,
Commanded by Walter R. Gherardi, to the Rescue—Worse Gale the Fleet
Ever Encountered.
CHARLESTON, S. C., Feb. 9.—Admiral Bunce's
blockading squadron reached port after a disastrous voyage from Hampton Roads.
Three men were lost overboard from the battleship Maine during the gale of
Friday, one man was crushed to death on the cruiser Marblehead, another was
fatally injured and six others were so badly hurt that several may lose limbs.
The details of the accident on the Marblehead
are not obtainable, but it seems that the cruiser made bad weather of the blow.
As she lies off the jetties she presents a dismantled appearance. Her
forecastle is stove in, a portion of her superstructure and two hatches carried
away.
The heavy seas that swept her decks also carried
away her searchlight, lower port boom, smashed the rails and swept overboard
the lifeboats.
Carpenter Shawberl was crushed to death in
the forecastle when it was wrecked by a monster wave, and Plumber Hickey had
his skull crushed by the wreckage and will probably die.
The six seamen who were injured are believed
to have been hurt at the same time, but the officers of the vessel are reticent.
It is understood that the injured men will be brought ashore today. Carpenter
Shawberl was buried at sea. The other vessels show marks of their tempestuous voyage.
The squadron weighed anchors in the Hampton
Roads Thursday morning and put to sea. Friday evening the weather thickened and
by night was blowing a gale. The Indiana returned to the Roads owing to the
condition of her turrets. The rest of the fleet, however, poked their noses
into the storm and headed south. When about 60 miles off Hatteras the fleet
encountered the full force of the blow.
Open squadron formation was maintained and
the vessels were put in order for a siege of weather. The battleship Maine
rolled in the big seas, the water washing her decks at every plunge.
It was late Friday afternoon that the accident
occurred which cost three seamen their lives and three others were rescued only
by prompt and heroic work. A gang of men were ordered forward to make more
secure the lashings of the big guns. The deck was deluged and the wind was
freshening every moment. The men were at work with the lashings when an
unusually heavy sea curled over her bows and swept aft. Six of the gang were
picked up and carried overboard before they could escape the wave.
When the cry of "Man overboard"
was carried back there was a scene of momentary confusion, but in an instant
the splendid discipline of the crew was apparent.
Life buoys were cut loose and the order quickly
given to get a boat overboard. The high seas made this a work of peril and
difficulty, but a boat's crew under Naval Cadet Walter R. Gherardi, son of Rear
Admiral Gherardi, retired, was finally lowered, excellent seamanship alone preventing
the frail craft from being rushed against the sides of the big battleship.
While the engines had been reversed at the
first signal from the bridge, the momentum of the ship had carried her some distance
beyond the spot where the seamen were swept overboard, and the set of the
current was carrying them further away every moment.
The ship's crew watched the rescuers as they
pulled manfully in the heavy seas, the waves running so high that the little
boat was at times hidden from the vessel's deck as it rushed down into the
trough. Meantime the drowning men fought bravely, and three of them managed to
keep afloat until their mates hauled them from the water. They were Seamen
Hassel, Cronan and Freeman. The three remaining, Brown, Nelson and Kogel, were
not to be seen. The lifeboat cruised back and forth over the spot, but the
brave fellows had given up the struggle and met a sailor's fate. Cadet Gherardi
and his boat's crew were highly complimented by the officers for their brave
work.
Friday night the fleet made heavy weather of
it, but managed to keep within signalling distance of one another. Toward morning
the squadron was hove to and weathered out the rest of the gale in that manner.
The officers say it was one of the worst gales
the fleet has ever experienced and all unite in praising the seagoing qualities
of the vessels.
The Fern made this port before the worst of
the gale, being 48 hours ahead of her consorts in making harbor.
The Dolphin, which came up from the South,
arrived Sunday and experienced no severe weather.
A boat from the Maine came up to the city
with several officers. They visited the collector of the port and filed
telegrams.
A dispatch from Washington was awaiting
Admiral Bunce, presumably from the navy department in connection with the
blockading manouvers.
Battleship
Indiana All Right.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9.—Secretary Herbert called
the chief constructor and a number of the officials of the navy department into
consultation respecting the battleship Indiana and as a result, orders were
sent to Captain Taylor to sail with his ship at the earliest possible moment to
rejoin the squadron. A thorough examination of the turrets was made by
Constructors Taylor and Stahl. It was found that the securing gear of the
turrets was in good order and was fully sufficient for the purpose for which it
was designed. Therefore no alterations were made, and the ship was ordered to
sea again.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
The New
Tariff Law.
The ways and means committee of the house of
representatives is making good progress with the revenue bill. The schedules
already practically agreed upon show careful consideration and the purpose in view.
They are framed on protective lines. Their rates are conservative. They are
levied on the only system that assures fair returns to the treasury. Specific
duties will replace ad valorem, the system which encourages undervaluation and
thereby defrauds the treasury and doubly wrongs domestic manufacturers.
Farmers will observe with pleasure and
renewed hope the practical restoration of the agricultural schedule of the McKinley
law. The McKinley law imposed a duty of $20 on cattle over one year of age. The
rate in the proposed bill is $5 with 25 per cent ad valorem added on all cattle
valued at more than $20. The change, it is believed, will be more helpful to
our farmers, and is provided for protection especially against Mexican
importations.
The Wilson law turned the barley market over
to the Canadians. The new bill restores the McKinley rate of [30] cents per
bushel, under which American farmers greatly prospered without the hardship to
maltsters which its opponents predicted. The rates on butter, cheese, eggs,
fruits, berries and hay are restored. The hop farmer is gladdened by the
restoration of the 15 cents per pound duty on imported hops.
The cotton and metal schedules are to undergo
very little change. The rates on tin plate will be increased and cotton
ties--with which cotton bales are bound—will be returned to the dutiable list.
The McKinley duty on cotton ties developed their manufacture in the United States
to a degree that home manufacture supplied nearly all that were needed and at a
price lower than previously paid.
The aim of the committee is to perfect a
bill that will yield revenues enough to sustain the government with adequate protection
and the least possible burden to the American people. To that end duties are
increased on articles of luxury, and products which compete with home labor and
capital are taken from the free list, on which the Wilson law carries them, and
made dutiable. The change from ad valorem duties back to specific will result
in largely increased revenues from the present volume of imports.
The tariff bill, it is expected, will be ready
for presentation to the house directly after its organization is perfected, in
extraordinary session, about the middle of March. It will add $50,000,000 to
the income of the government.
◘ Thomas A. Edison is exceedingly skeptical concerning reports that have been
recently current that [radio] telephoning across the Atlantic is likely to soon
be an accomplished fact. Indeed, he says, without qualification, it is
impossible. Mr. Edison is certainly good authority, but there are so many
existing facts that only a few years ago were scientific impossibilities, that
we are not inclined to accept even his decision on this point as final.
Mentions, Tuesday, February 9, 1897.
EPWORTH LEAGUE
PARLOR MEETING.
Large Attendance
at the Home of Mrs. H. P. Miller, 125 Port Watson-st.
The time from 8 to 11 o'clock last evening was
spent in an exceedingly pleasant way by more than 100 members and friends of
the Epworth league of the First Methodist church at the home of Mrs. H. P.
Miller, 125 Port Watson-st. This was the first of a series of social evenings
which the Epworth league expects to hold monthly in the future, in order that
its members may become better acquainted, may have some friendly intercourse,
and may spend a few hours together occasionally wholly in entertainment and
amusement. If we may judge anything of the future of these parlor meetings by
the one just passed, they will certainly be a brilliant success.
At 8 o'clock Mrs. Miller's spacious parlors
were well filled and, as a literary program had been prepared for the evening,
it was then thought time to present it. The bell, however, kept summoning Miss
Mabel Miller, the little maiden who so gracefully received, to the door, and
the program was therefore postponed until 8:30, when all had assembled, and
when, instead of the parlors being merely well filled, they were crowded almost
to overflowing. Mrs. Miller's arrangements, however, for making every one
comfortable seemed to be entirely adequate and, although a few of the young men
were carefully and tenderly deposited upon the floor (in lieu of chairs) and a
few others found it necessary to hold up the walls and door frames, all were on
the whole exceedingly well provided for—certainly much better than could have
been expected under the circumstances—and to the hostess, who handled with such
unusual ease so very large a crowd, are due many thanks.
Order was called by the energetic president,
Mr. J. G. Marshall who, by the way, came early and left late—this latter at quite
an ''unMethodistic" hour in fact—and who made himself generally useful and
agreeable and caused the evening to be much more cheery and pleasant for all.
He was strictly in for a good time and popped corn, applauded the ghosts and
played charades in quite an undignified manner.
But to return to the program which was
skillfully prepared by Miss Anna L. Clarkson, Miss Angeline Gleason in her
usual happy style recited two humorous selections which were greeted with
applause. Music by Misses Caroline R. Kellogg and Bertha Powers was followed by
the reading of the "Battle of Blenheim" by Miss Nina Curtis with
piano accompaniment. This reading was also accompanied by a ghostly apparition
of some of the fallen warriors of that great battle who, evidently objecting to
having this event spoken of so lightly, appeared among the company startling
the guests with their ghostly tread, ghastly faces, and white robed figures.
They remained during the entire reading, all the while presenting every motion
and event as it was described in the poem. After the reading ceased, they
quietly took their departure and disturbed no more.
Then followed a very delightful violin solo
by Miss Rynders, accompanied by her sister. After these young ladies had kindly
responded to an encore, an extract from Mark Twain was read by Miss Anna L.
Clarkson in a charming manner, with which the program of the evening ended, and
all then adjourned for refreshments and games.
It was discovered about this time, that Mrs.
Miller had not expended all her energy in furnishing comfortable positions for
her numerous guests, but the demands of the "inner man" had also been
bountifully met. The refreshments were indeed most excellent and, to an eye
witness, it seems quite unnecessary to suggest that they were hugely enjoyed.
All were glad to greet the pastor, Dr. O. A.
Houghton, who was present during most of the evening. All want to know him
better and to work in unison with him, and by his genial smile and cordial
handshake were encouraged and helped.
Many times the clock reminded the company
that they ought to be making their way homeward, but finally it informed them
that they must go; so, with reluctance, but with the pleasant memory of a most
delightful evening, all said "good night" to the kind hostess and thoughtful
president.
As an organization the league sends greetings
to all its member and friends who were with it last evening, and hopes upon the
regular monthly recurrence of this event, that it will always have the pleasure
of welcoming them, and that others who were prevented from being present this
time may join in future.
A Kindergarten
School.
Miss Lena R. Bowen, a graduate of the Oswego
State Normal school, who is to conduct a private kindergarten school in
Cortland, has arrived in town and will immediately commence the work of organizing.
The school will be opened March 1, rooms having been secured in the residence
of Mr. William C. Crombie, 59 North Main-st. The rooms are centrally located,
and well adapted for the work, viz: light and roomy, well ventilated and easy
of access from the street.
In response to a circular letter sent out a
few weeks ago, a large number expressed a desire to take advantage of this
opportunity for their little ones, and as only a limited number of pupils can be
taken, it is desirable that those interested should communicate with Miss Bowen
as soon as convenient. Miss Bowen will call upon those whose names have been
handed her, and she may be addressed at 18 Lincoln-ave. Miss Bowen comes to Cortland
very highly recommended by her teachers and others who have seen her work, and
there is little doubt but that she will have a successful school.
BREVITIES.
—Mrs. Dr. G. H. Smith entertained a few of
her friends at 6 East Main-st. last evening. Music and whist were the order of
the evening.
—New advertisements to-day are—Chase &
Fox, Good Thing, page 6; T. P. Bristol, Merchant Tailor, page 6; Vito, Healing
Extraordinary, page 6.
—The annual stockholders' meeting of the
Erie & Central New York railroad will be held to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock
at the office of I. H. Palmer in the Keator building.
—A Binghamton resident who visited Elmira
recently and put up at a hotel is telling his townsmen that he had the nicest
room he ever slept in. It was, he said, lighted with red hot hairpins stuck in
bottles.—Elmira Star.
—The Black Diamond express has become one of
the best paying passenger trains on the Lehigh. No. 1, which passes through
Ithaca bound west at 5:20, ranks first as a dividend earner and the Black
Diamond next.—Ithaca Journal.
—The members of the Young Men's Christian
association will give an exhibition in the gymnasium this evening at 8:15. The
events include high jumps, club races, vaulting and tumbling. On account of the
limited space for seating, an admission fee of 10 cents will be charged all but
contestants. A lively contest is assured the spectators.
—Mrs. Kate E. James, wife of Henry James,
died at her home, 34 Madison-st. at 8 o'clock last evening of heart failure. A
short funeral service will be held at the house to-morrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock,
and the remains will be taken to her former home, Newark, N. J., for burial. Mr.
and Mrs. James removed to Cortland from Montclair, N., J., last October.
—Rev. Dr. Alexander C. Mackenzie, now pastor
of the Presbyterian church
in Owego, has
succeeded in raising $65,000 of the $100,000 additional endowment it had been
decided was necessary to continue in existence and properly sustain Elmira
female college. It is said that the remaining $35,000 will soon be forthcoming.
The institution is certainly to be congratulated on its apparent good fortune.
It is now hoped and believed that Dr. Mackenzie will accept the presidency of
the college, which was offered him several months ago.
—The special train to Ithaca to-morrow night
with the party which now numbers seventy-seven people who go to see The
Bostonians present "The Bohemian Girl," will leave the Lehigh Valley
station in Cortland at 7 o'clock sharp. Every one should be on hand. Round trip
railroad tickets can be purchased at the ticket office at the station for 70
cents. Special care on the electric road at Ithaca will be at the station over
there to take the party down the hill. The one-half rate of 5 cents each way
has been secured on the electric road. No tickets are required on the electric
cars. The train is expected to arrive in Cortland at about midnight on the
return. Be sure to be on hand at 7 o'clock sharp for the start.
HOMER.
Gleanings of News
From Our Twin Village.
HOMER, Feb. 9.—Last evening a meeting of the
citizens of Homer opposed to the granting of liquor tax receipts to the various
hotels and saloons was held in the Salvation Army hall. The meeting was called
to order at 8 o'clock and Rev. F. A. S. Storer was elected chairman and the
Rev. J. A. Hungate, secretary. A report was then read by Mr. W. E. Burdick, who
was treasurer last year at which time $24 were raised. A motion was made that
an attempt should be made to raise $25 to pay the expenses involved in the
campaign at town meeting this year and the following committee was appointed to
solicit contributions: Messrs. Oliver C. Churchill, chairman, Charles Schenck
and T. Blackman.
The Good Templars will meet at their hall in
the Bennett block on Friday evening of this week.
Mr. Fred Corbin of Susquehanna, Pa., is visiting
at the home of his mother on Pine-st.
The regular Thursday night prayer-meeting at
the Baptist church will be held on Wednesday evening instead of the usual time.
Rev. A. C. Smith of Preble is visiting at the
residence of Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Watrous on Elm-ave.
On Sunday evening a very interesting address
by Prof. D. L. Bardwell of the Cortland Normal
school was listened to by those who were present at the Congregational Church at
that time. The chorus choir of male voices sang well, making a great addition
to the enjoyment of the service.
This evening at the home of Rev. and Mrs.
Frederick Storer on Albany-st., a reception will be given to the members of the
Congregational choir.
Mr. Jay Lay, an old and respected citizen of
Homer, was found dead in his bed this morning, death probably occurring from
heart failure. Mr. Lay had for many years conducted a shoemaking and repairing
business on James-st. near the depot, so that the old gentleman working in his
shop window had become a familiar sight to children who long since reached
manhood.
The King's Daughters on Thursday evening
will serve an oyster supper from 4 to 6 o'clock P. M. in the Porter block on
North Main-st. Twenty cents will be charged for supper.
John H. Mourin of Glen Haven was in town on
business this morning.
Mr. Chas. T. Cortright has purchased the
livery business of George Thompson and will conduct the same at the Hotel Windsor
barns.
SCOTT ROAD.
SCOTT ROAD, Feb. 8.—The venerable George
Frisbie called on some of his friends last Friday.
Most all of last week the Scott road was a
busy thoroughfare. Hundreds of tons of cabbage, potatoes, hay, flax, straw and
baled tow were drawn from Spafford and Scott to Homer.
Friday evening, Feb. 5, as Milton H. Fairbanks
entered his house he found eighteen of his friends there. They told him to be
calm for they had come to inform him he had arrived at the fortieth milestone
in life. The beekeeper was somewhat taken back as he welcomed the company. The
evening was pleasantly passed with music and games after which refreshments
were served. As the company left for their homes they left an easy chair for
the beeman and here are his thanks:
I thank you friends for this easy chair,
Now I'll bid adieu to work and care,
And when the busy bees hum all the day long
I'll sit in my easy chair and sing them a
song.
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