DRYDEN CENTENNIAL, PART ONE

Image of John Ellis copied from "The Centennial History of the Town of Dryden 1797-1897" by George E. Goodrich.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, July 10, 1897.

DRYDEN CENTENNIAL.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE PLACE.

Large Crowd in Attendance, but all are Melting With the Heat—All Buildings Decorated

—Everybody Celebrating—Relics and Heirlooms on Exhibition—Exercises at the Fairgrounds.

   DRYDEN, N. Y., July 10—(Special)—Dryden is nothing if not enthusiastic. The Dryden fair is the wonder of the state by reason of the great crowds of people which it attracts. To-day Dryden is celebrating the centennial anniversary of its founding and a regular Dryden fair crowd is present to assist in the festivities. They have been coming from every direction all the forenoon by train, by private carriage, by wheel and on foot.

   The one drawback to the whole thing is the heat. People are traveling about the streets with umbrellas over their heads and with fans and handkerchiefs in their hands, and vainly trying with the former to create a little breeze, while with the other they are mopping away the perspiration that flows in streams down their faces. Ice cream and lemonade stands are doing a good business.

   The day was ushered in with a salute of one hundred guns at daybreak. This was the official beginning of the day. The unofficial beginning was some time in advance of that and continued long after it. The official beginning was conducted by the committee in charge, the unofficial was under the direction of small boys with firecrackers and torpedoes. But nearly every one in the place joined in it in some capacity or other.

   The whole town is gay with decorations. The demonstration has never been equaled. The flags and bunting are not confined to the main streets, but all the side streets, the back streets and the lone alleys are vying with each other as to which shall present the gayest appearance.

   The stores were all closed for a couple of hours this morning and are to be closed again this afternoon during the exercises.

   The morning's program was to be held at the fair grounds at 10 o'clock, but it was some time after that before it was really under way. Still the time was devoted to visiting and talking over the days that are gone as well as venturing an occasional word on the heat. At 9 o'clock the gates were opened and the Dryden Cornet band of eighteen pieces took its place in the bandstand and played at intervals throughout the rest of the forenoon. A loan exhibition of relics of the county, portraits of pioneers and old residents, family relics and heirlooms was constantly being added to in the main building and great crowds were drawn to it.

   The log cabin which was erected by the citizens of Dryden under the direction of Daniel Bartholomew was a center of attraction. This was just such a cabin as used to be seen in every early settlement in the new country. It was about 14 by 20 feet in size and was composed of logs from 10 to 12 inches in diameter. The boys and girls looked at it curiously as if loth to believe that their elders ever lived in such houses and found them comfortable.

   The exercises were begun at 11 o'clock when George E. Monroe called the assemblage to order. The grandstand was then full of people, and another crowd was watching a ball game in another part of the grounds between the Dryden team and a team from the George Junior Republic. A third crowd was enjoying the free dancing in the pavilion, though only genuine lovers of the light fantastic would have been able to enjoy that pastime this warm forenoon.

   Mr. Monroe first made a general announcement of the program of the day, and then all united in singing the national hymn, "America," the singing being led Dr. E. S. Howe of Dryden. A second hymn to the air of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" with words specially written for the occasion and commemorative of the anniversary followed.

   A short and appropriate address of welcome was given by Mr. Monroe, who explained that on account of the temperature he should make his words few. Mr. Monroe then read letters written for the occasion from Andrew Allbright of Newark, N. J.; from Herbert M. Lovell of Elmira, who for some time was principal of the Dryden academy; and from Judge William Marvin of Skaneateles. He also stated that letters had been received from Judge Day of Moravia, from Hammond & Hammond of Seneca Falls, from Attorney Silver of Buffalo and from James Fulkerson of Iowa.

   The chairman then introduced Ex-Sheriff Smith Robertson of Eau Claire, Wis. Mr. Robertson was the sheriff of Tompkins county at the time of the celebrated Ruloff murder. Mr. Robertson spoke of the early settlers of the town and of the coming of his father to Dryden a hundred years ago this summer. He described the condition and appearance of the country in this vicinity at his earliest recollection, and as described to him by his father and uncle who had cleared up much of the town of Dryden. The speaker was the first president of the Dryden Agricultural society and did much to establish it and make it a permanent institution. He had been away from the county for thirty-four years and in the course of his remarks mentioned some of the evidences of enterprise noticed on his return. He said young men were often advised to go West, but he knew of no country to compare with Tompkins county and Dryden town for actual advantages to young men.

   The next speaker was Hugo Dolge, proprietor of the Dryden woolen mills, and brother of the man who has made Dolgeville celebrated. He spoke of modern Dryden. His impressions of the place are favorable and it is excellent for manufacturing, and some of his best friends are here. He closed by proposing three cheers for Dryden which were given with a will.

   Daniel Bartholomew was called upon and gave many facts regarding the founding of the Dryden Agricultural society and some things which through modesty Mr. Robertson had omitted. He proposed three cheers for Mr. Robertson, which were given.

   The morning's program closed with music by the band. This afternoon

Judge J. E. Eggleston of Cortland and others are to speak.

   A large number of Cortland people are to be seen here. Among those who were noticed by The STANDARD man are Judge J. E. Eggleston and daughter, Miss Aria Eggleston, Mrs. I. V. Johnson, Lee Bartholomew and family, A. L. Bouton, Misses Sara and Grace Hare, Frank Cole and family, C. B. Peck and wife, William Niver, George D. Bailey and family and I. M. Judd of McGrawville, Lew Fralick and Brownell Bulkley.

Lt. Robert E. Peary.

Mr. Peary of the North Pole.

   We observe by a dispatch from Washington that "Civil Engineer R. E. Peary has been detached from duty at the New York navy yard and granted a leave of absence of five years. This action has been taken by Secretary Long to enable the officer to prosecute his arctic explorations." This probably is the only time that the public has been vouchsafed a glance at "Lieutenant" Peary's true title. He has invariably been known to the press and the public as "Lieutenant Peary, U. S. N.," the front end of which and the hind end of which do not belong to him. This ceaseless and, in their opinion, studied befogging of the polar gentleman's status has somewhat irritated naval officers, and one of them not long ago in conversation, when he heard Peary spoken of as "Lieutenant" Peary, said, somewhat tartly: "Not 'Lieutenant'--Mr. Peary." To which a somewhat astonished auditor replied. "Is not Mr. Peary of the navy?" To which the naval officer retorted: "No, Peary is not of the navy. He is merely Mr. Peary of the north pole."—San Francisco Argonaut.

LEE'S CAREFUL WORK.

Small Sum Expended, but Many Distressed Americans Relieved.

   WASHINGTON, July 10.—United States Consul General Lee has been tendering some account to the government of his expenditures from the fund appropriated by congress for the relief of destitute American citizens in Cuba.

   His figures were presented to the cabinet, and the showing was remarkable, for it appeared that, of the total of [$30,00] at the disposal of the consul general, he had expended only $6,000 and yet had given substantial relief to every distressed American whom he could find ready to receive aid, and besides had shipped some  of them back to the United States.

Sultan Abdul Hamid II.

Sultan Advised to Accept Terms.

   VIENNA, July 10.—The sultan, having wired Emperor Francis Joseph asking his friendly assistance in arriving at a settlement of the frontier question, the emperor replied by telegram, assuring the sultan of his "sincere friendship" and urging him to "conclude peace with Greece on the basis of the conditions the ambassadors have formulated, which are the maximum concessions recognized as equitable by the concert." The telegram concluded as follows: "The concert of the powers is firm and united in its decisions. Therefore, I request your majesty to take my advice into earnest consideration."

Coon Pleads Guilty to Assault.

   HIGHLAND FALLS, N. Y., July 10.—Edward Jones, colored, pleaded guilty to criminally assaulting Miss Anna Terwiliger of Waldon, N. Y. and was held without bail for the grand jury. The court was held in a vacant house in an isolated part of the town. It was feared that the freely expressed threats of lynching might be carried into effect, if it were known that Jones could be got at. Jones was brought here from the Newburg jail, where he has been since Wednesday. The assault was committed last Tuesday at a picnic here.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Wilson Law Responsible.

   The coal miners' strike has brought to the public attention some interesting and important facts as to the effects of the Wilson tariff law upon this industry, and upon the miners themselves. The Wilson law reduced the rates of duty on coal from 75 cents per ton to 40 cents per ton. This is just about the amount of reduction in miners' wages, of which complaint is now being made and emphasized by the strike announced for July 4.

   President Ratchford of the United Mine Workers' association, in a communication to the New York Herald, indicates that the wages of miners have been reduced since 1893 an average of 80 cents per ton, which is just about the amount of the reduction in duties made by the Wilson law. Curiously this reduction in wages is thus coincident as to time and amount with the reduction in tariff.

   That the reduction in wages was a direct result of the tariff is, however, accurately shown in another and equally striking series of facts. Prior to the enactment of the Wilson law, the eastern cities and manufacturing establishments were supplied with coal largely from the Virginia and West Virginia mines. As soon as the Wilson law was enacted, however, coal from Nova Scotia invaded the eastern market, driving out the Virginia and West Virginia product, and compelled the mines of that section to find a market elsewhere. The result was that their coal went West instead of East as it formerly had done, and with reduced railroad rates was laid down in the markets of Cincinnati, Chicago and other western cities at such low rates that a coal war, followed by a railroad rate war, was precipitated. The natural result of this and the reductions in prices which followed was a reduction in the wages of coal miners, all of which is thus clearly traceable to the Wilson law and its reduction in duties on coal.

   Happily the new tariff bill now pending restores practically the McKinley-law rates, and there is good reason to believe that the miners, as well as other laboring men, will soon feel the effects of restored protection and restored prosperity.

Happy is the Small Boy.

   Buffalo Bill is coming to Syracuse, N. Y., on July 22, 1897. Now let the small boy save up his pennies in preparation for the great event. To him, Buffalo Bill is greater than president or cabinet, and he would rather see Buffalo Bill's Wild West than celebrate the Fourth of July. However, the small boys of this vicinity will have an opportunity to do both this summer, for all the traffic lines have granted reduced excursion rates in order to accommodate the throngs who will wish to visit the exhibition. The Wild West is not a circus, and in all probability will not again be seen in this section of the country, at least for several years. All who wish to see this remarkable aggregation should not miss the present opportunity.

   The Wild West is perhaps the most original amusement enterprise ever put before the public, and for over a dozen years its career has been one continuous round of successes. In that time, it has visited Europe several times, and has also toured over the United States with great success. This season, previous to starting on tour, it exhibited for a month at Madison Square Garden, New York City, where it met with marked approval, and where thousands of people were turned away, unable to even obtain standing room. The exhibition as given on tour is an exact reproduction of that given in New York City. The Indians, cowboys, Gauchos, Russian Cossacks, Mexicans, Arabs, Royal Irish Lancers and Germans, together with the United States artillerymen and cavalrymen, will all perform their evolutions exactly as during their metropolitan engagement. Buffalo Bill (Col. William F. Cody), appears in person at every performance. The original Deadwood coach, made famous in history, is also with the exhibition, and one of the exciting features is an attack on the stage coach by a band of Wild Indians, who are repulsed by cowboys under the leadership of Buffalo Bill. Annie Oakley, "Little Sure Shot," and Johnnie Baker, both experts with firearms, are also features of the Wild West exhibition. The whole aggregation should be liberally patronized when in this vicinity.

Cortland Park.

THE PARK PROGRAM.

Band Concert To-night—Vaudeville Entertainment—The New Cast.

   The high temperature of last evening made the cool breezes of the [Cortland] park exceedingly refreshing, and the ride to and fro on the trolley cars the best thing of all. There was a band concert and the usual vaudeville performance. Large crowds went over, and many people took the trip simply for the cool ride, some not even getting off the cars, some stopping over one car to listen to the music, and some staying longer.

   To-night there will be another concert by the City band in the bandstand. And there is also a complete change in the cast for to-night for the vaudeville show instead of the change being made next Monday. This will be the first appearance of Miss Carrie Mack in her rendition of negro songs. Clark and Mack, the Irish and negro comedians and dancers, will appear and there will be a funny new farce by Russell and Franklin. This will all be in the pavilion. Outside in the grove there will be a grand free high-wire ascension by Mr. Less Berry, king of the high-wire.

   Next Monday night others of the cast for next week will be on hand and will include Billy Burke and his baby elephant; Garry and West in illustrated songs; Mr. George Clark, the funny Dutchman and dancer; and Burke and Andrus, introducing the trained lion, the giant head, and the trick donkey, Barney. Try and take in all this grand aggregation of attractions, and don't forget the band concert to-night.

Stockholders' Meeting.

   Notice is hereby given, that a meeting of the stockholders of the Cortland & Homer Traction company will be held at the office of the company, in the Garrison block, in the village of Cortland, N. Y. on the 20th day of July, 1897, at 10 o'clock, A. M., for the purpose of electing directors of the said corporation for the ensuing  year and two inspectors of election to serve at the annual meeting and for the transaction of such other and further business as may properly come before such meeting. Polls will remain open one hour. Transfer books will be closed from Saturday, July 17, 1897.

   C. D. SIMPSON,

   P. S. PAGE,

   H. BERHOLTZ,

   H. DUFEY,

   H. L. BRONSON,

   Directors.

   Cortland, N. Y., July 3, 1897.

Kingman Park.

   Bathing, boating, toboggan slide and high dive. Bathing suits and bath houses for rent. Soft drinks, cigars and candy on sale. Corner Grant and Rickard-st. Call and see its attractions.

   DR. E. O. KINGMAN,

   Proprietor.

BREVITIES.

   —Band concert at the park to-night at 7:30 o'clock.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Traction Co., Cortland Park, page 4.

   —In the absence of the pastor, the pulpit of the First Baptist church will be filled to-morrow morning by Rev. George H. Brigham.

   The meetings of the Junior Epworth league of the First M. E. church will be omitted during July and August, the society joining with the senior society in the meeting at 6:30 o'clock.

   —The union services to-morrow evening will be held in the Presbyterian church and the sermon will be preached by Rev. O. A. Houghton, D. D., pastor of the First M. E. church.

   —Tickets for the Sylvan Beach excursion Wednesday, July 14, will be for

Sale at the following places on Monday and Tuesday: Clark & Angell's, McKinney & Doubleday's and at Watson's drug store.

   —Reports of the great heat keep coming from every direction and along with them the reports of deaths and prostrations. Every one should take unusual care to avoid when possible over exertion in the sun.

   —The annual basket picnic of the Universalist Sunday-school was held at the Trout park yesterday, and was largely attended by the church people. Though warm outside it was comfortable in the park, and all enjoyed themselves.

   —While Adelbert and D. M. Fuller were driving a colt on Church-st. this morning, the animal became frightened at an electric car and turned around with them, breaking a front wheel, but doing no further damage, and not running away.

   —The weather of the past few days has tempted a large number of people to begin scorching. They must remember that they are living in a village where there is an ordinance against scorching [speeding on a bicycle] and a policeman may take them in charge at any time unless the practice is discontinued.

   —Parties from Moravia were in town last week looking after matters in regard to securing a franchise to run electric cars through this village. It seems that a company has been formed in Moravia to run an electric car line via Locke and Groton to Cortland.—Groton Journal. Nothing of the kind has been heard of in Cortland, but it would be good news if it should in time prove to be true.