MRS. ELVIRA HYDE OBITUARY, AND TWO GIRLS LYNCHED

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, May 13, 1897.

MRS. ELVIRA HYDE.

   The death of this much beloved Christian woman, so long a resident of Cortland, demands more than the brief notice that has been already given to it. It took place in New York on last Sabbath morning at the home of her son, Dr. Miles G. Hyde. She had recently been seriously ill, but thought that she had so far recovered that she might with safety make this much desired visit to the city. The result proved that she had overestimated her strength, as very soon after her arrival there was a severe attack of pneumonia and, despite the most loving care in less than two weeks death came.

   Her remains were brought to Cortland for burial, arriving on Tuesday afternoon, accompanied by Dr. and Mrs. Hyde and their two children, Miss Vigne Hyde and Mr. Frederick Hyde.

   The funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at her late home and were attended by a very large number of friends, including many from out of town, among whom were Dr. H. D. Didama of Syracuse, Dr. H. C. Hendrick of McGrawville and Dr. Frank Green of Homer, long time friends of the Drs. Hyde, father and son. Rev. Dr. N. B. Remick of Geneva and Mrs. Remick were also present, Mrs. Remick being a niece of Mrs. Hyde.

   The Scriptures were read by Rev. John T. Stone, pastor of the Presbyterian church, and an address was made and prayer was offered by Rev. J. L. Robertson, Mrs. Hyde's former pastor. The former choir of the Presbyterian church, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Graham, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Greenman and Mr. A. D. Blodgett, sang Scripture selections, beginning with "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord," and also a hymn which, at Mrs. Hyde's request, was sung at the funeral of her husband, as being a special favorite with him and beginning:

   "There is a safe and secret place

     Beneath the wings divine."

   The burial was beside the grave of her husband in the Cortland Rural cemetery, the bearers being Messrs. Lewis Bouton, D. F. Wallace, C. F. Wickwire, L. J. Fitzgerald, J. E. Eggleston and B. L. Webb.

   Mrs. Hyde was the eldest child of Dr. Miles Goodyear and Polly Goodyear.

She was born on Nov. 18, 1817, in Danby, Tompkins Co., N. Y., shortly after the coming thither of her parents from New Haven, where Dr. Goodyear had been graduated from Yale Medical college, a member of its first class. Before she was a year old her parents removed to Cortland and here for many years Dr. Goodyear practiced his profession, being well remembered by very many of our citizens, as an eminently skillful physician and as a man of unusual scholarly attainments in various directions.

   The home on Tompkins-st. has long been known as the Goodyear home. In it the child grew to womanhood and from it she went forth on Jan. 24, 1838, as the wife of Dr. Frederick Hyde, who for so many years filled so large and useful a place in this community, not only as an eminent physician and surgeon, but as a man conspicuously identified with important public affairs. For nearly fifty years the two journeyed together until the death of Dr. Hyde in October, 1887.

   There were two children of this union, Miles G. Goodyear who survives, and Augusta, who died on May 12, 1894, the same day of the year as that on which these funeral services were held.

   It was in what was to be their home through all their years that the young couple began their married life, there being then no house between that and the bride's former home, so that for nearly sixty years she lived in the same house.

   She was a woman of rare intellectual endowments. As a child 9 years old, through an entire winter, she taught her younger sisters and two other children, orphans, for whom her father cared, gathering them daily in an upper room of the house and patiently instructing them. At 10 years of age she was a fair French scholar and a student of philosophy and chemistry. Her father was especially devoted to the study of botany, and under his instruction she at that age, had made large attainments in that study—a study that to the end of her life was her delight. At that age too she kept a journal, still in existence and which embraced among other records not only the texts of the sermons that she heard preached, but also the divisions and subdivisions of the sermons and her own comments on them. Those who knew her well in later years can all bear witness of how the keenness and vigor of mind that thus characterized her remained with her, and of her wide and accurate acquaintance with literature and science and art. With such resources as she had at her command, she was signally prepared to enjoy the trip abroad that she made with her husband a short time before his death, and those who read her letters written during her travels, must all have realized with what intelligent appreciation she observed the scenes through which she passed.

   She was a woman of exceedingly kindly nature. None who came often into contact with her and few who met her even casually can have failed to note the light that was habitually upon her face and that often flashed out with peculiar brightness. It was not alone the light of a vivacious spirit, although it was that, but also of geniality and kindliness and sweet charitableness. She could not endure censoriousness. It always clouded her face and how quick she was gently to suggest some more kindly view, as it would seem, to find something to commend in everybody. So much had she learned in some way of that "charity that thinketh no evil."

   She was a woman of strong Christian faith. It was in very early years as a mere child, that she connected herself with the Presbyterian church, in whose membership she continued until her death. It was very unusual in those days and in this region, for one so young to be received into the full communion of the church, and when her application was made, she was subjected to an especially severe examination as to her fitness for such an exalted privilege. But such was the evidence that she gave both of her spiritual experience and of her knowledge of Christian truth that all the doubts of her examiners were swept away and that with themselves the little child was permitted a place at the table of her Lord. That it was no unintelligent impulse that had moved her, all her future life clearly showed in the evidence that it gave of her true devotion to him whom she thus confessed. It was from him that she learned that charity that was so singularly true of her. It was in fellowship with him that she came to experience that absorbing interest in the cause of missions that grew to be so characteristic of her and that made it so fitting that so recently a large missionary meeting was held in her own home.

   It was thus that she came to possess that serene and trustful spirit that made her so brave and undaunted in the midst of trouble, fairly amazing her friends when they saw the quiet cheerfulness with which she bore herself when first her husband and then her only daughter was taken from her and in her advanced years amid increasing infirmities she was left alone in her home. It was not simply the result of her resolute bracing of herself against the inevitable. It was the outcome of her deep, strong faith in him to whom so long ago she had given herself.

   By the death of such an one any community is made poorer. Such an one may well be deeply missed and sorrowed for by all who knew her when gone. But for herself there need be no sorrow.

TO TEACH AT CAZENOVIA.

Principal Bailey of McGrawville and Miss Morgan of Cortland Chosen.

   The Cazenovia Republican says:

   An adjourned meeting of the board of education was held Thursday evening, and the faculty of the Union school for the coming year was completed by the election of the following teachers:

   Principal, George D. Bailey of McGrawville.

   B. Junior department, Miss Jessie L. Maltby of DeRuyter.

   B. Secondary department, Miss Cornelia MacDermott.

   Assistant in the primary department, Miss Evaline Morgan of Cortland.

   Mr. Bailey comes with the highest recommendations. He is a graduate of the Cortland Normal school, and for the past six years has been the principal of the Union school at McGrawville, where he is universally commended as a teacher of more than ordinary ability, and a Christian gentleman of high standing in the community. He is a man of mature years, with a family consisting of a wife and four children.

   Miss Maltby was reared and educated in Cazenovia, and her high rank as a student is well known here. She has taught at DeRuyter for the past five years with unqualified success, and we believe the school is to be congratulated in securing her services.

   Miss MacDermott has taught in the Cazenovia Union school the greater part of the past year, so that her work is well-known.

   Miss Morgan graduated from the Cortland Normal school in January, and has had one year's successful experience in teaching. She, also, comes with the best of recommendations.

   The STANDARD can personally testify to the truth of all that The Republican says of Prof. Bailey and of Miss Morgan, and much more might be added. They are to be congratulated upon the prospects.

Ancient History Regarding the Bicycle.

   Mr. Yang Yu, who was Mr. Wang Wu's predecessor in the embassy, did not take kindly to the bicycle. He said they were used extensively in China over 2,000 years ago, but that on account of the women of that country, who rode not wisely but too well and neglected their husbands and children and household affairs, the emperor abolished the manufacture of wheels in the Flowery kingdom.—St. Louis Globe-Democrat.

HE SKIPPED TOWN.

Engaged his Men and They Worked a Half Day—Forgot his Board Bill.

   One day last week a stranger appeared at the Park hotel near the fair grounds kept by Charles Mosier and said he was M. A. Merrick, a lineman in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph company. He claimed that he was going to superintend the setting of some poles between here and Great Bend, Pa., and that he should want to make that hotel his headquarters for some time. He went about town, it is said, and hired half a dozen men to work for him, and they were to report Tuesday.

   He is reported to have made several excuses for not setting them at work when they reported Tuesday noon, and to have told them that if they wanted to put in their time they might go to splitting wood for Mr. Mosier, which they did, and continued that afternoon. Early yesterday morning he arose and skipped out, forgetting to settle for his board or to pay the men for their half day's work.

   Inquiry at the Western Union office was made, and it was found that no such person was expected here to do any such work.

THE FORTNIGHTLY CLUB.

Pleasant Afternoon Spent Yesterday at the Home of Miss Collins.

   The Fortnightly club met with Miss E. Jeanette Collins at her home, 17 Grant-st. yesterday afternoon and the attendance was not as large as at some times owing to the absence from town of many of the members. At the business meeting plans and suggestions were discussed for the coming year's work.

   "Lord Lytton and His Works" was the subject of an exceedingly interesting paper by Miss Elizabeth Turner. Miss Anna L. Clarkson gave a review of Vanity Fair, which was very much enjoyed by all. Miss Harriet Allen gave a paper on "Charles and Mary Lamb," which proved both interesting and profitable. The next meeting is to be held with Mrs. George W. McGraw on May 26.

Japan Not Seeking War.

   SAN FRANCISCO, May 13.—The steamer from Honolulu, May 5, arrived. On May 5 the Japanese cruiser Naniwa arrived from Yokohama with Japanese Commissioner Abiyama, who is to investigate the cases of the rejected immigrants. Commissioner Abiyama states that his mission is friendly. If he finds the Hawaiian government has erred, a claim for damages will be made. He denies that Japan seeks war and says that negotiations will be conducted diplomatically.

TWO GIRLS LYNCHED.

Suspected of Having Poisoned the Kelly Family at Jeff, Ala.

   NASHVILLE, May 13.—A Huntsville (Ala.) special states that the bodies of Mollie Smith and Mandy Franks, two negro girls, were found swinging from ropes on trees on the side of the road leading from Jeff to Huntsville.

   The lynching was done by a mob of about 20 persons.

   The two girls were suspected of poisoning the family of Joshua O. Kelly at Jeff.

   Mollie Smith was arrested while making her way across the Tennessee line, and Mandy Franks was captured at home. The latter is said to have made a confession.

   The first poisoning of the Kelly family was about two months ago, and Mr. Kelly died. A few days later several other members of the family were poisoned, but all are recovering.

NOTHING TO SAY.

H. L. Bronson Declines to Discuss the Railroad Situation Further.

   H. L. Bronson, attorney for the Cortland & Homer Traction Co., when asked what he had to say in reply to I. H. Palmer's remarks on the railroad situation, declined to speak further on the subject. He said there was no use in talking about it. He was convinced that the Erie & Central New York R. R. company would not accept the Traction company's offer and he should write Mr. Simpson to that effect at once. As to the point that because of the prospect of the building of the steam road the Traction company's bonds did not meet with a ready sale, that was all nonsense. The First National bank had negotiated $60,000 of their bonds in one block and $24,000 in another block. Those bonds meet with a ready sale, whenever offered. But then, said Mr. Bronson, there is no use in talking and I won't say any more.

BREVITIES.

   —The Loyal circle of King's Daughters will meet with Mrs. Bickford, 28 Elm-st., Friday, May 14 at 2:30 P. M.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—G. P. Rowell, A Good Man Wanted, page 5; G. F. Beaudry, Bicycles, page 6; Baker & Angell, Good Shoes, etc., page 7.

   —A western paper in reporting a funeral said: "the corpse, tastefully arrayed in white, lay quietly in the coffin." Such conduct on the part of the corpse, says the Groton Journal, may have been unusual but all will concede that it was perfectly proper.

   —The entertainment given by Prof. Lyman H. Howe's animotiscope at the

First M. E. church last night will be repeated to-night at the same place. It will not begin till 8:30 o'clock, so as not to interfere with the prayer-meetings in the several churches.

   —The entertainment given at the Normal gymnasium some weeks ago by the Normal basketball club under the direction of Miss J. Anna Norris, will be repeated at the same place on Saturday evening, May 29. The number of tickets will be limited to 225.

   —A Union, Broome county, man descended into a well to clean it after pumping the water out, and soon screamed for help. He was found amid hundreds of frogs which were jumping all over him, while the odor of the slime on their bodies had made him deathly sick.

   —S. T. Lusk of Geneva, while riding a bicycle, ran into a rut and was thrown against a barbed wire fence. His clothes were badly torn and flesh lacerated. He will seek damages of the property owner who built the fence. Barbed wire fences along the highway are prohibited by law.

   —The Cortland Dairy Co. is now taking in about 7,000 pounds of milk each day at their creamery at the junction of the two railroads. This is being manufactured into both butter and cheese. The butter is shipped to New York each day. The manufacture of cheese only began this week.

   —The Junior Y. M. C. A. baseball club of Cortland came over Saturday and had a game with the juniors of the Groton Union school. The score was 50 to 3 in favor of the Cortland club. Some of our boys are of the opinion that the Cortland score was "out of sight."—Groton Journal.

   —Duffey, the umbrella mender who created such a disturbance when being taken to jail yesterday morning, was last night given a suspended sentence of six months in the Onondaga penitentiary on the condition that he leave town. He was allowed to remain over night, and left this morning.

   —Mr. H. Bergholtz has purchased the beautiful Cram steam yacht Iskoodah for his personal use and has rechristened it Hilma after his elder daughter. The yacht is the largest and finest private craft on Cayuga lake and has sleeping accommodations for a passenger list of eight persons, exclusive of crew.

   —Messrs. E. G. Wyckoff and H. Bergholtz have purchased of their partner,

Judge Alfred Hand, his interest in Renwick park, Ithaca, and in the Cornell Heights tract and also the bulk of the electric transit, lighting and power stock held by that gentleman. Judge Hand is contemplating a trip to Europe with his family and will be gone several years on account of his health and has thus disposed of a portion of his property in this vicinity.