THE FIRE AT WHITNEY POINT

Photo credit: Village of Whitney Point.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, April 24, 1897.

THE WHITNEY POINT FIRE.

It Was a Hard Fight for the Buildings Were as Dry as Tinder.

   The fire at Whitney Point yesterday seems more awful the more one knows about it. It is true that it was a fortunate fire in that no lives were lost, and other fires elsewhere have resulted in greater financial loss. But in this instance the loss was divided among so many people and in so many cases almost the entire resources of the afflicted were swept away, so that they have nothing to rebuild with, that the hardship is grievous and widespread.

   The Binghamton firemen say that they have struggled with some pretty big fires in the past, but seldom have they waged a battle with such an uncompromising foe. The Whitney Point fire department consists of a steamer, two hand engines and two hose companies, but it was only a few minutes before it was discovered that help would be needed. The Binghamton company took 1,200 feet of hose with it and the other companies took a good supply.

   The fire started, as previously stated, in a harness shop. It is said that the chimney in this building did not extend below the third floor and that the stove in the first floor was connected with the chimney by a stovepipe running from the first to the third floor. The difficulty probably began with some fault in this pipe.

   Chief Hogg of the Binghamton fire department describes the fire as follows to a Republican reporter: When their company reached the depot at Whitney Point an appalling sight met their gaze. Heading toward them from the river was a solid wall of flame which seemed to reach to the very heavens and which was spread over a wide territory. The flames were urged on by a gentle breeze and a storm of glowing cinders was raining on the entire town.

   The men went quickly to work and two suction pipes on the steamer were soon drawing water from the river, but no set of firemen ever went to work when the task before them seemed so hopeless. The center of the town seemed for all the world like a monster torch. Some of the weaker buildings had already burned to the ground and only glowing embers remained to show where they had stood. Other buildings were in the embrace of the flames and through the sheets of fire the black frames could be seen. At other places the flames were just breaking out but they soon united with the others into a solid wall of fire.

   Everywhere people were running, shouting, wringing their hands in wild and helpless dismay or assisting to carry goods to points of safety. Oftentimes the goods of several merchants were piled in a confused heap at some seeming point of safety, but soon the advance flow of the fiery tide made it necessary to find a new place. These goods were finally carried to distant points or put in barns not in the track of the flames. Household goods and merchandise were piled together promiscuously and the owners will have considerable difficulty to pick out their belongings when they go after them.

   Every provision store was burned out and those of the private residents who had eatables gave them to the firemen. Late yesterday afternoon it was impossible to get anything to eat in the village and people were sending for supplies to the surrounding towns. The major share of the places burned out were business blocks but the upper floors were rented for living apartments. The burned out families were provided with shelter by their more fortunate neighbors. Every home in the village was opened for the accommodation of those who had no home.

Miss Covil is Dead.

   Miss Clara A. Covil died this morning at the home of her mother, Mrs. F. A. Covil, Clinton-ave., after an illness of a week with pneumonia. Miss Covil has for a number of years conducted music classes in Cortland, and was a member of and vice-president of the New York State Music Teachers' association. She was last at her studio, 13 Wickwire building, a week ago this morning for a short time. She was then suffering from a cold which developed into pneumonia and caused her death. She was 48 years, 11 months and 17 days of age. The funeral arrangements are not yet completed.

SPECIAL FARMERS' INSTITUTE.

Instructive Address by Prof. S. A. Beach of Geneva on Timely Topics.

   A special farmers' institute was held at the courthouse this afternoon. About forty farmers were in attendance, and the address was delivered by Prof. S. A. Beach of the Geneva experimental station on "Cabbage Diseases and Recent Methods of Treatment," also on ''Recent Methods of Treating Oat Smut and Potato Diseases."

   As this is a great cabbage and potato belt, the remarks of Prof. Beach were received with great interest, and many questions were asked on different phases of the questions. Several of those present gave their experiences in cabbage and potato raising, and the afternoon was one of profit to all.

Death of Mr. Walrath.

   Rev. Adoniram J. Walrath, for five years pastor of the Baptist church in Homer, died on Wednesday, April 21, at Penn Yan, N. Y., at the age of 46 years. He had been ill but a few days with bilious fever. He was graduated from Colgate university in 1877 and preached at Madison, N. Y., for seven years at Homer and at Troy. For the last five years he has been at Penn Yan. He is survived by his parents, his wife and six children.

Death of Samuel Colgate.

   NEW YORK, April 24.—Samuel Colgate, multi-millionaire and head of the firm of Samuel Colgate & Co., one of the largest soap and perfume houses in the country, died of heart trouble at his home in Orange, N. J. Mr. Colgate was born in New York city in 1822. His father had established the house of Colgate & Co., and young Samuel Colgate entered the firm and eventually succeeded his father as its head.

Captain General Valeriano Weyler.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

The Time for Intervention.

   Another campaign in Cuba is practically ended and Spain is at least as far away as ever from victory over her rebellious subjects. Indeed it would be within bounds to say that she is further away than ever.

   Weyler's operations have been quite indecisive. During the whole campaign the Spaniards have not achieved a single success that can be considered a step toward the suppression of the insurrection. Only so much of Cuba is actually occupied by Spanish troops is under Spanish rule. And that is not very much. Spain does not entirely control a single province and holds undisputedly only Havana and a few other coast towns. So far as we know, the Cubans are in at least as good condition to carry on the war as they were at the beginning of the campaign. Spain, on the other hand, has almost exhausted herself of men and means and there is no longer an undivided public sentiment in support of the Spanish government's Cuban policy.

   There is every reason to believe that Spain is incapable of pacifying Cuba by force of arms. It will be long, probably, before the Cubans are able to drive the Spaniards altogether from the island and entirely conquer their independence by force of arms. It is too late, probably, for Spain to win the Cubans back to their allegiance by the most far reaching reforms. Nor is Spain likely to soon adopt the wise policy of owning herself beaten and abandoning a possession that is worse than worthless to her.

   Cuba is now practically useless. She is producing nothing, adding nothing to the world's wealth. As both parties to the struggle have adopted a policy of wholesale devastation, Cuba is rapidly being turned into a desert. Every year the struggle continues will probably add five years to the period of recuperation through which the island must pass to renewed prosperity. Unless some new force is brought to bear, the present most unsatisfactory situation must remain unameliorated for years.

   It seems to us that the time has come, with the close of the active campaign, when the United States can judiciously and effectually intervene to hasten the only possible final solution of the difficulty between Spain and her revolted colony, Cuban independence, with the unanimous approval of the civilized world outside of Spain and without danger of seriously complicating our relations with Spain itself.

BREVITIES.

   —The Daughters of Rebekah served a twenty-five cent supper to a large number in John L. Lewis lodge rooms last night.

   —In Justice Kelley's court the two cases of John J. Keenan against Margaret McDonald and the Cortland Wagon Co. have been settled, and proceedings discontinued.

   —The graduating class at the Normal [School] met yesterday afternoon and elected Anson D. Brown president of the class. The other officers will be elected at a future meeting.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Bacon Chappell & Co.. Dress Fabrics, page 8; J. Walter Thompson, Patee Bicycles, page 6: Palmer & Co., Shirt Waists, page 7.

   —Misses Mabel Boice and Katharine Murphy entertained several of their friends at a dancing party in C. A. A. hall last night. McDermott's orchestra furnished the music.

   —Mrs. John Daly died at her home, 4 1/2 miles northeast of Homer yesterday morning of Bright's disease, aged 43 years. The funeral will be held from St, Mary's church Monday morning at 9:45.

   —The board of education have employed Miss E. May Ward of this village, a graduate of the Cortland Normal school, as assistant teacher in the first primary department. She will do half-day service only.—Moravia Register.

   —Geneva and Rensselaer were yesterday added to the list of cities of New York state, Governor Black having signed the respective bills which thus became laws. Rensselaer is the former village of Greenbush, located across the Hudson river from Albany.

   —By special request Dr. F. J. Cheney will occupy the pulpit in the First M. E. church to-morrow night, and will deliver his lecture. "The Young Christian and His Bible," which he delivered before the Epworth league convention at Geneva recently.

McGRAWVILLE.

Crisp Local Happenings at the Corset City.

   C. D. Wavle has traded with Rose Grant for the fine black team which the latter recently purchased.

   The Academy Stars have been organized with Walter Sanford as captain and manager.

   Messrs. Earl Landers, Floyd Randall, W. S. Kelley and Arlie Ensign visited the scene of the Whitney Point fire Friday afternoon.

   Next Thursday evening the splendid operetta, "The Merry Milkmaids," will be presented in the village hall. Mrs. Charles Healey will preside at the piano and Prof. F. D. Hollenbeck of Cortland will play upon the violin. Fine music can therefore be expected. The company have been perfecting their parts for a long time and a merry and pleasant evening will be enjoyed by all who attend. Admission 20 cts. Reserved seat? 25 cts.

   Evangelist H. D. Sheldon, who has been holding meetings in Truxton, called on friends in town Friday.

   F. J. Hobart of Syracuse was a guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Hobart, on Friday. Mr. Hobart goes to New York next week for the fruit season.

McGrawvllle Academy Notes.

   Misses Maude Parchas and Mary Wright visited the school Monday.

   Miss Carrie Thornton of Solon was a visitor Thursday afternoon.

   Wednesday a baseball team was organized at the academy. Walter Sanford was elected manager and captain and the following students have been chosen as members: Daniel Grant. Arthur Benjamin, Floyd Randall, Edmond Torrey, Earl Rogers, Arvie Pudney, Harry Huntle, Arthur McElheney, Floyd Phillips, Grove Henry and George Hoag. The team has adopted the name of Academy Stars and it is proposed to make it as strong as possible. The boys will soon be open to engagements, notice of which will be given later.

   Miss Theresa Hall has been compelled to leave school on account of her eyes.

   Miss Libbie Humphreys visited the school Friday afternoon.

   Patriots' day and Grant day was celebrated at the school Friday afternoon. A very interesting program was rendered by the students of the different departments.