FIRE ON ELLIS ISLAND AND DOUBLE FUNERAL

Ellis Island.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, June 15, 1897.

FIRE ON ELLIS ISLAND.

Government Immigrant Station a Total Loss.

IMMIGRANTS WERE RESCUED.

New York Harbor, Brooklyn and the Jersey Coast Brightly Illuminated

by the Flames—Many Valuable Records Were Lost.

   NEW YORK, June 15.—The government immigrant station on Ellis Island, a group of buildings covering several acres, was burned this morning.

   The immigrants, about 300 in number, recently landed and detained for inspection, were rescued. Probably no life was lost.

   The first flicker of flames was noticed a few minutes before 1 a. m., by a watchman, coming out of a window in that wing of the frame building used by detained immigrants for cooking and eating. The fire spread from wing to wing, enveloping the hospital, the main offices, the quarters for employes and the detention pen, as it is called.

   The immigrants and employes gathered together on the rather confined portion of the island, not covered by buildings. The entire area is only 14 acres.

   An inspector telephoned to the city for help. After some delay two police patrol launches, the fireboat New Yorker and the fireboat Zephyr got to the island. It was then too late do anything more than save the immigrants and guards. In this work the police and firemen were aided by volunteers with other boats.

   The island is about a mile and a hall from the Battery and within the inner harbor. The island from the water front seemed to be one immense torch illuminating the harbor, Brooklyn, the Jersey coast and Manhattan island.

   The entire government plant with valuable records of immigration are total losses.

   The ferry boat John G. Carlisle, which plies between the Battery and Ellis island, brought to the city the sick from the hospital. There were 75 men and 46 women and children on the boat. Twenty of the women were sick, one of them suffering from typhoid fever and said to be in a serious condition. With the party also were the doctors and nurses.

   The loss is roughly estimated at $150,000.

William McKinley.

STOOD BY REPORTERS.

They Were Refused Admission to Biltmore House.

THEN M'KINLEY REFUSED TO GO.

President Gave the Keeper to Understand That the Newspaper Men Belonged to His Party and Accompanied Him on His Tour.

   ASHEVILLE, N. C., June 15.—The president and party arrived here in beautiful weather, warm, but tempered by a delightful breeze. They were met at the depot by a local reception committee and the Asheville Light Infantry. The president was received by Mayor Rankin and E. P. McKissick, manager of the Battery Park hotel, to which all of the party were driven for luncheon.

   The president held a reception and then the party took carriages for Biltmore House, George W. Vanderbilt's palace, five miles away.

   A sensation was caused when the president, through J. A. Porter, his secretary, refused to enter Biltmore House if the newspaper men were barred out. The doors of Vanderbilt's mansion were therefore thrown open without discrimination to any but local committees.

   Mr. Vanderbilt is abroad and his representative, Charles McNamee, with him. In the absence of both the estate is governed by F. J. Harding, said to be an Englishman by birth. He refused to admit the press men for the reason that "Mr. Vanderbilt spits on newspaper notoriety and so do I." Mr. Harding used these words in talking to the local committee two days ago.

   So the matter rested till the president arrived and J. Addison Porter was told of the incident. He must have informed the president, for later Mr. Harding was called up on the telephone by Mr. Porter and asked if it were true that newspaper men would not be admitted to the mansion. Porter was told that it was true, and then he informed Mr. Harding that the president considered the newspaper men were his invited guests on the trip, and that they were as much a contingent of the party as members of the cabinet.

   Furthermore, Mr. Porter notified Mr. Warding, that the president had authorized him to say that if the newspaper men were barred from the mansion, he would not step his foot inside the estate.

   This brought things to a crisis and Mr. Harding capitulated with the best grace possible, and the newspaper men were admitted to the mansion on the same footing as the president and his cabinet.

   Before going to Biltmore Representative Pearson persuaded Mr. McKinley to attend a meeting at the Young Men's Institute hall of Colored People, the gift of George W. Vanderbilt.

   The hall was filled to its utmost capacity with colored people, comprising the laboring classes as well as local colored politicians and their wives and children.  With Representative Pearson on one side, for 10 minutes he shook hands at a rapid rate with all who were presented to him. It was very warm work. Presently the president called for air. Seven colored men fanned him while the handshaking went on.

   Secretary Alger was indisposed from the extreme heat of the past two days, but left Asheville somewhat recuperated.

Cortland Park and Pavilion.

AT THE PARK.

A Fine Entertainment and a Large Crowd to Witness It.

   The formal opening of the [Traction Co.] park for this season occurred last night. The evening would have been difficult to surpass and a great crowd was in attendance. The Cortland City band gave a fine concert at 7:30 o'clock and at 8:30 o'clock the vaudeville entertainment in the pavilion began. Every seat was occupied at the outset and before it closed, as each car brought its load, standing room was at a premium.

   The entertainment was an excellent one—far superior to what might have been imagined for a ten cent admission, in fact people often pay five times as much for a show not half as good. Herr Schalamm with his legerdemain tricks was capital. He kept the audience in a roar. He said there was no magic in it, but he simply wanted to show that his bands were quicker than his audience's eyes, and he succeeded without doubt. He borrowed George Richard's hat and with a glass he so mixed up eggs and lemons between the two that if there was not a first class egg nog there somewhere no one could be found to explain why not. He borrowed Will Squires' hat, showed it to the audience and then extracted from it twenty-four boxes the size of those that contain a pound of candy. He also found in this hat at the same time a pair of children's socks, some other wearing apparel for a child, a bottle of milk half full, ("evidently the owner is the father of a family," remarked the magician as he got hold of this,) a cocoanut and a cannon ball. Will looked at the hat very doubtfully when he received it again. Tricks galore the professor performed, while the audience could do nothing but wonder and laugh.

   Later in the evening the professor gave a very delightful exhibition of producing music upon goblets, the glasses being tuned by the quantity of water in each. The music was exquisite and elicited loud applause. Prof. A. B. Kingsley acted as accompanist all through the evening.

   Then came Mlle. Morello and her seven trained spaniels, and the tricks they couldn't do are not worth mentioning. Jack was the clown dog always upsetting the plans of the others and making the audience laugh. The dogs did everything but talk. One was dressed up like a new Woman. When two of them began to waltz in good time one lady in the audience gave vent to her feelings in the expression "Oh, my soul!" and others wanted to say it too. One small boy got so interested that he forgot his parents and walked right down to the stage and there he stood with elbows leaning on the stage taking it all in and scarcely breathing lest he lose sight of something those dogs could do.

   Then came Annie Whitney with some funny songs, and some jokes and some good stories and finally the Sisters Whiting appeared and were recalled as they played so sweetly and so skillfully their duets on the cornet.

   After the show which occupied about an hour and fifteen minutes, there was free dancing in the south grove, McDermott's orchestra furnishing the music. There was a great crowd to dance and it was a late hour before all got back to Cortland.

   Taken all in all it was a show hard to beat at a park for a summer evening's entertainment. This same program will be given this evening at 8:30, to-morrow at the same hour and to-morrow afternoon at 4 o'clock. The last three days in the week the program will be changed and at the end of the week the cast will be changed. It is the intention to give a full and complete program each time advertised no matter whether the audience be small or large. No one need stay away fearing no show because few are going. Cars will run at frequent intervals afternoon and evening.

PREVENTED A BURGLARY.

Intruders Found that Mrs. Beebe of Groton Was Handy With a Hatchet.

   Mrs. Lucy Beebe of Halseyville, near Groton, prevented the robbery of her home last Saturday night by nearly cutting off one of the robber's fingers with a hatchet. Mrs. Beebe heard a noise at one of her windows and saw a hand attempting to open the blinds. She took a hatchet and stood beside the window. The man soon succeeded in opening one of the blinds, but just as his hand caught the window sill, Mrs. Beebe's hatchet descended, nearly severing a finger.

   "My God," exclaimed a voice outside, and the next instant the man dropped upon the ground fainting.

   Mrs. Beebe summoned her daughter, and the two went to where the man lay. They recognized him as Michael Harris, who was employed by Mrs. Beebe two years ago. At sight of the women Harris attempted to escape, but they prevented him, and arousing a neighbor had the wounded man taken to a physician's house, where his finger was amputated.

   Harris said he had intended to rob his former employer, but begged her not to prosecute him. Mrs. Beebe said she regarded his punishment as sufficient, and allowed him to depart.

A DOUBLE FUNERAL.

Brother and Sister—Sad but Impressive Scene at St. Mary's Church.

   Rarely have Cortland people seen so sad a sight, as the two hearses followed by the two funeral processions moving side by side slowly up Main-st. this morning, bearing the remains of brother and sister to their final resting place. Mrs. Margaret Norton, wife of Charles L. Norton of 6 Park-st., died at the hospital Saturday morning from the effects of an operation for appendicitis. Mr. Daniel O'Connell, the fond and affectionate brother, summoned home on account of the death of the beloved sister, suffered an attack of heart trouble because of his grief Sunday morning at his home, 115 Railroad-st., and died almost immediately.

   This morning the two sorrowing families following the remains of their loved ones left the two homes shortly after 9:30 o'clock and met at the corner of Main and Railroad-sts. and from there proceeded side by side to St. Mary's Catholic church, which by this time was filled almost to the doors with sympathizing friends. From each house also proceeded on foot beside the two processions a company representing the employers and associates of Mr. Norton and the friends of both the deceased.

   At the church the two caskets were borne slowly up the long center aisle and were placed in the aisle in front of the altar. The coffin of Mrs. Norton preceded and was borne by Messrs. James Porter, A. M. Duffey, C. B. Boethig, E. H. Stockwell, Verne Topping and Albert Sheehey. The bearers of the other coffin were Messrs. John Courtney, Jr., James Dougherty, T. H. Dowd, B. H. McNiff, A. J. McSweeney and Henry Corcoran.

   The requiem high mass was celebrated by the pastor of the church, Rev. J. J. McLoghlin, and absolution was given by Rev. John Grimes, pastor of St. Mary's church, Syracuse, who on May 6,1897, married Mr. O'Connell to Miss Mary Leahy, who is his second wife and who had long been a member of Father Grimes' church. Following this service Father Grimes made some very excellent and appropriate remarks in which he referred to the duties of every one, first to God, and next as a citizen to his country. He referred to the two departed ones and how well they had observed their duties. He spoke with much feeling of the duties of every mother to her children and of the five little ones who in this case are deprived of their mother and of the mother's instruction and love.

   The remains were then borne from the church where the two hearses stood waiting, and the procession proceeded to the cemetery.

   The floral emblems were very numerous and beautiful. In the case of Mrs. Norton there was a most beautiful pillow of roses ordered in Syracuse last Saturday by the brother now deceased; a wreath of roses, carnations and lilies from the husband, a circle of tea roses from the coarse wire drawers at the Wickwire mills, lilies from Mrs. B. F. Taylor, beside others. In the case of Mr. O'Connell there was a wreath of palms from his employers,  C. E. Crouse & Co. of Syracuse; a roll of honor composed of roses, lilies and carnations from the employees of C. E. Crouse & Co.; a pillow of roses with the word "Father" from his son, Mr. Maurice O'Connell; a wreath of palms from the classmates at the Normal [School] of Mr. Maurice O'Connell; lilies from Mrs. R. McMahon, bouquets from Mrs. Colligan, Mrs. Maher and others.

   Among those from out of town who attended the funeral were Miss Norton of Minneapolis, Mr. Daniel Ackerman of Syracuse, representing C. E. Crouse & Co., Messrs. Thomas and Frank Linnehan of Syracuse, and Miss Margaret Harrington of Rochester.

CLASS WHEEL RIDE.

Pleasant Evening Spent at the Home of Mr. and Mrs. Haskins.

   Thirty-six responded to the invitation of the Baraca class of the First Baptist Sunday-school to take a wheel ride to Mr. Frank Haskins' last evening. They were most cordially received by Mr. and Mrs. Haskins, who served the company with refreshments. After three rousing cheers for these hospitable friends the ride home was made in safety, and all agreed in voting the excursion a most delightful one.

   Those who formed the party were Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Cobb, Mr. and Mrs. M. J. Peck, Mr. and Mrs. E. Cummings, Mr. and Mrs. J. Morgan, Dr. and Mrs. Reese, Mrs. H. Williamson, Misses Ella Miller, Ella Walsworth, Chaffee, Gardner, Leah Cobb, Anna Thompson, Inza Bulkley, Maud Robbins, Daisy Hess; Messrs. J. R. Birdlebough, S. P. Bulkley, Fred Titchenor, Frank Phelps, Geo. W. Long, Frank Cole, Chas. Mosier, Floyd Smith, Arthur Smith, Lewis Randall, Geo. Robinson, Clyde Haskins, Will Hyde, Paul Stevens, Floyd Fowler and Fred Priest.

Bicycle Parade To-morrow Night.

   It is hoped that all bicyclists in Cortland will turn out in the bicycle parade to-morrow night, which will form on Church-st. promptly at 7 o'clock. A special invitation is extended to Homer and McGrawville riders. Let every one who has a wheel find a place in the parade.

BREVITIES.

    —The Ann Hunt case in police court has been adjourned until Monday.

   —Two tramps occupied the cooler last night and were this morning discharged.

   —Mrs. Keese's classes and Miss Cleary's classes at the Central school are picnicking at the park this afternoon.

   —In Justice Kelley's court to-day, in the case of W. D. Tuttle against F. D.

Dudley, judgment was rendered for $9 damages and costs.

   —The last issue of the School Bulletin contains a fine cut of Prof. George D. Bailey of McGrawville, who goes to Cazenovia as principal of the high school next year.

   —J. E. Weller has been appointed postmaster at Chenango Forks in place of B. P. Harper, and Dwight French at Lisle in place of F. P. Edmister. The terms of both the retiring postmasters had expired.

   —Invitations are out for the wedding of Prof. Arthur D. Call of Elmira, formerly of Cortland, and Miss Mabel Winter Soule of Stamford. Ct., which will occur at the home of the bride on Tuesday evening, June 29.

   —When the baseball team reached town at 11:20 last night from their victory at Lyons, a crowd of several hundred enthusiasts met them at the station, and headed by the Cortland City band escorted them up town.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Simmons & Grant, Clothing, page 8; D. McCarthy & Co., Great Sakle of Wash Fabrics, page 4; T. P. Bristol, The Summer Man, page 4; W. J. Perkins & Co., Soda Water, page 7.

   —Three young ladies in Ohio were struck by lightning Sunday returning from church. Two who wore corsets with steels in them were killed, the third who had no steels was only stunned and soon recovered, it was supposed that the steels attracted the lightning.

   —The meeting for the organization of the Cortland County Sidepath association is to be held in Fireman's hall at 8 o'clock to-night. Let every subscriber, and every other interested person attend, whether residents of Cortland, Homer, or any other place interested.