Cortland
Evening Standard, Wednesday, June 30, 1897.
PUZZLES
THE DOCTORS.
John H.
Price Sheds His Skin in July of Each Year.
CHICAGO, June 30.—John H. Price, a miner of
Phillipsburg, Mont., sheds his entire skin every year. He has twice come to
Chicago to be attended by physicians, but this year he will go to Butte, Mont.,
where he will undergo the process which occurs regularly on July 24.
Among the specimens in St. Elizabeth's hospital,
this city, is Mr. Price's skin of last year which, removed in sections, was
put together and stuffed. For the two weeks in which he was enduring the
illness, peculiar to reptiles and birds in shedding or moulting time, he was
under the observation of J. Frank McArthur, Beran and others.
Price underwent in the same institution the
same experience in 1890, and in the last 32 years he has annually exchanged his
old skin for a brand new one. He is now 40 years old.
"From a scientific standpoint Price's
case is most interesting," said Dr. Frank. "It furnishes a link of
testimony in Darwin's theory of evolution. No other explanation is possible. In
the medical records of 2,000 years the case has no parallel.
"Price becomes ill every year with unfailing
regularity about 3 o'clock in the afternoon of July 24. Sometimes he is
delirious for three or four days. On the third day the skin loosens and begins
to come off in strips. It is all off from his scalp to the soles of his feet,
usually within two weeks, sometimes longer. The finger nails become loose
gradually, and are not removed until the skin is entirely off. The toe nails
are the last to be removed."
HORSEWHIPPED
A MAN.
Miss
Hulse Was Cheered by the Farmers as She Rode Away on Her Wheel.
BENNETTSVILLE, N. Y., June 30.—Arthur
Hopkins of McLean Corners was horsewhipped by Miss Flora Hulse. The girl heard
that he had circulated false reports concerning her. She left home on her wheel
and took a riding whip with her. She had gone a mile and a half when she met
Hopkins with his younger brother.
"Mr. Hopkins, I want to see you a
moment," said Miss Hulse dismounting. "I learn you have been talking
about me, and I deem it best that we have a little understanding."
"Certainly," replied Hopkins,
sneeringly. "What is there about it you don't understand?"
The girl struck the young man several
stinging blows with her whip as she exclaimed:
"You'll mind your own business next
time, I guess. The law is too tame for a fellow like you."
Hopkins turned to escape, but received more
blows before he got away. As the irate young woman rode off on her bicycle, men
in a nearby field cheered her.
◘
The state department has replied
to Japan's protest against Hawaiian annexation, that this government cannot
recognize Japan's claim to perpetual treaty rights with Hawaii, for the reason that
with the lapse of a government its treaties lapse. This is recognized international
law, and will hold good in the event of Hawaii becoming part of the United
States. The status of Japanese residing in Hawaii will be subject to acts of
congress and the terms of the treaty negotiated between the United States and
Japan and taking effect in 1899. It is now Japan's turn to say what it thinks
of the United States position, and what it proposes to do about it.
◘
The residents of Poughkeepsie
are not all unanimous in considering the collegiate boat races an unalloyed
blessing. Last Sunday one of the clergymen of the city took occasion in the
pulpit to doubt whether the events proved beneficial to the town. He is quoted as
saying: "When I saw ladies and gentlemen and children yelling on the
streets, I thought if they were only at prayer-meeting opening their mouths as
loud as they did for Cornell, what a great meeting we would have." The
reverend doctor should have been at either New Haven or Cambridge the night
after the varsity race. A well-ordered and quiet prayer-meeting would have been
considered boisterous in either city.
◘
General Maximo Gomez, leader of
the Cuban rebellion, is reported dead—killed in a fight in the province of
Puerto Principle. The report emanates from "official circles" in
Havana. It is discredited quite generally and it is to be hoped, rightly. Gomez
has been reported dead often. May he survive to see his hopes and ambition
realized—Cuba free!
◘
The "tramp army" in
the United States is indeed appalling. It is estimated that there are from
90,000 to 100,000 at present and that they cost the country from $18,000.000 to
$20,000,000 annually. Four-fifths of them are under 50 years of age, are able-bodied
and have the physical ability at least to follow some useful calling. Most of
them give their occupation as laborers 'or general workers, but they are followed
in point of numbers by clerks, peddlers, tailors, carpenters, painters, cigar
makers, bricklayers and butchers. In fact, in this "tramp army" may
be found a representative of nearly every trade and occupation of the United
States. This, too, just at the dawn of the twentieth century of civilization.
 |
| Walter Wellman. |
SPAIN AND HER PEOPLE.
Her Financial and Physical Weakness.
CREDIT AT HOME AND ABROAD.
The Loan From the
Rothschilds and How It Was Secured—Her Population and Its Character—Her Army and
How It Is Recruited.
WASHINGTON, Jane 30.—(Special.)—The possibility
of war between Spain and the United States, growing out of President McKinley's
demands for what will in the end amount to the freedom of Cuba, which is now
generally recognized as among the diplomatic developments of the near future, has
served to call attention to the finances of Spain, her commercial strength and
other facts concerning her people and their power of resistance. The newspapers
have recently chronicled the fact that Spain has negotiated a loan with the Rothschilds
with the Almaden quicksilver mines as security. When Spain's credit falls so
low that these mines have to be put in pawn, the world knows that she is in
desperate straits indeed. Pledge of this once great property is usually Spain's
last resort. When all other means of raising revenue fail her, then the
quicksilver mines are put under mortgage. In no other particular is the
disparity between Spain and the United States as great as in this matter of
credit.
Our Possible Foe.
While Spain, our possible foe, has been refused
loans based upon the general nation credit by all the great banking houses of
Europe and has finally been compelled to resort to the expedient of putting up tangible
property, the United States is among the foremost nations of the world as to
its credit both at home and abroad. If the United States were to ask for credit
in Europe it is not improbable a loan of $1,000,000,000 could be floated
without putting the rate of interest above 4 1/2 per cent. Spain is compelled
to pay considerably more than that on a score of millions, with quicksilver
mines pledged for security. Her condition at the present time is much like that
of a merchant whose general credit has become exhausted. He can no longer get
anything from his banker. His notes are not negotiable. He finds it necessary in
order to keep his head above water to give a mortgage upon his stock of goods
or to take his family plate and jewels to the pawnbroker.
The government of the United States keeps
well informed concerning Spain's financial difficulties and all her affairs. For
instance, an official report now on file in the state department shows that of
all the nations of the world the United States enjoys next to the best credit,
measured by the average rate of interest paid upon the public debt. Only
England leads this country. Spain, on the other hand, is next to the lowest. No
single fact could better illustrate the disparity which exists between the two
nations which are possible antagonists upon the field of battle.
The Spanish
Classes.
Some exceedingly interesting facts
concerning Spain and her people have been reported to the state department by
Consul General Bowen of Barcelona. Spain is a country about which Americans as
a rule know very little. Americans who go abroad rarely visit Spain, and it is
the rarest thing in the world to find a Spaniard traveling in this country. For
that matter, the Spaniards travel very little anywhere. A few of them are
seen in Paris loitering about or studying art, but they do not often go to
London or other European capitals. It is a tradition abroad that fewer
Spaniards are seen on the railway trains and steamship lines than any other nationality.
One may see 600 Americans where there is one Spaniard anywhere outside of Spain
itself.
The population of Spain is now about 18,000,000
or equal to the population of the United States 50 years ago. It is a
remarkable fact that three of our states—three out of 45—have a population
almost equal to that of all Spain. Consul General Bowen reports the amazing
fact that of the 18,000,000 people in Spain 11,000,000 may be called
illiterate. These figures are given upon Spanish authority. Spain is really one
of the most illiterate countries in the world. In the United States, with four
times the population of Spain, we have only one-half the number of illiterates that
Spain has. Of course there is no common school system in Spain, such as we have
here.
The Land and the
Army.
Fifty-one per cent of the land in Spain is
uncultivated, which is surprising in such an old country. Consul General Bowen
says all Spain lacks trees, and is therefore greatly subject to the ravages of floods
and drought alternately. The people, except in Madrid, live frugally and unostentatiously.
They are not at all progressive, and cling tenaciously to the old, old way of
doing things. The wealthy and noble classes have the idea that it is disgraceful
to work. A few of them, a very few, enter the professions or public life. The
Spaniard is generally a conservative. He takes up with new ideas and inventions
very reluctantly. They are so conservative that while there is much wealth in
Spain seeking profitable investment the men controlling it have stood back
cautiously and permitted French or English capital to step in and gain control of
railways, telephones, steamships, mines and electric lines.
The army of Spain is a strange mixture. The
officers are all from the higher walks of life, the privates all from the lower.
There is no such thing there as a citizen volunteer soldiery such as we have in
this country in time of war, an army in which the privates may be lawyers or
other professional men, and their officers mechanics or small shopkeepers.
Recruits for the army are drawn annually, and all who can raise 2,000 pesetas
($333) purchase exemption from service. The result of this system is that men
who have a little money will not serve in the army, while the poor fellows who
have not been favored by fortune, the ignorant, luckless masses, make up the
rank and file. The country people of Spain are, as a rule, honest, thrifty and
industrious. There is always more or less migration from Spain to the Spanish
colonies—Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines, but at the present time no
young men between the ages of 19 and 32 who are subject to military duty are
permitted to leave the country without permission of the government.
Consul General Bowen reports that Spain is
now suffering the effects of a great business depression, much worse than that
which the United States has passed through. The war in Cuba has hurt many of
the merchants and manufacturers of Spain.
OLD LADIES' HOME.
New Place
Purchased on Port Watson-st.—Thriving Institution.
Some little time ago Mrs. E. M. Moore
established the Old Ladies' Country
Home on a farm in a
pleasant location west of Cortland village. A considerable number of elderly
ladies have availed themselves of the comforts of the institution, but it
became so popular that it has had to be enlarged. New applications continued to
come and the alternative was soon presented of enlarging again or of denying
admission to the new applicants. As this place was several miles out of town
and it appeared that the institution was bound to grow rapidly it seemed inexpedient
to expend more money in enlarging or in building anew on a farm so far out of
town, if one more centrally located and otherwise as desirable could be found.
Mrs. Moore looked about and decided that the
old Fairchild property on Port Watson-st. would answer the purpose in every
respect if it could be obtained. This is the well known place which is nearest
the Tioughnioga river on the north side of Port Watson-st. The house is large
and commodious, and years ago was built for a hotel. There are nearly nine
acres of land lying along side of the river on the high bank, and here all the
vegetables and garden materials that would be needed in the Home could be
raised. It is scarcely twenty rods from the house to the electric car line [Elm Street]
across the bridge. Mrs. Moore was greatly pleased with the property and at once
sought Mr. George L. Warren, who had charge of the place for the Fairchild
heirs. Mr. Warren fixed the price of $4,000 upon the place, and this amount was
satisfactory to Mrs. Moore. The papers have not yet been drawn, but we are
authorized by both Mr. Warren and Mrs. Moore to say that this is a sale and
that the details will be arranged in a day or two and papers passed.
Mrs. Moore is to take possession at once. She
plans for some extensive repairs upon the house, which will include the
building of a broad veranda on three sides of the house. She hopes to have it
in condition for occupation by the ladies of the Home by Sept. 1.
Here is an opportunity in which all benevolently
inclined people can be of assistance. Mrs. Moore has not sufficient furniture
to furnish all of this large house, with rooms for from eighteen to twenty
ladies, and some help in this line would be very acceptable. Help in paying for
the place will also not come amiss. Mr. Edmund Potter of Port Watson-st. has
sent word to Mrs. Moore that he will donate $25 as a starter to the cause. Mrs.
Moore purposes to make this a home for women regardless of age who may be in
poor health and with small means where they can be kindly cared for. Further
information can be obtained of Mrs. Moore herself or of Dr. W. J. Moore or of J. A. Jayne.
IN THE STATE
LEAGUE.
All Games
Yesterday Prevented by Rain—Notes.
On account of the rain no State league games
were played yesterday. Cortland was scheduled to play at Canandaigua to-day,
and just before the time to leave town this morning, a dispatch was received
from Canandaigua stating that the grounds would not be in a condition for
playing, and so the team is in town today. To-morrow only one game to
scheduled: Auburn at Batavia. On Friday Cortland plays at Lyons and on Saturday
Batavia comes here for a game.
Cortland and Auburn are scheduled for two
games on Monday, in the morning at Cortland and at Auburn in the
afternoon. If a satisfactory rate can be secured, an excursion will be run from
Cortland to Auburn after the morning game, returning in the evening. The matter
will probably be settled to-night.
Hornellsville and Corning, having become tired
of battling with each other, not being able to get games with other strong
teams, have applied to President Farrell for
membership in the State league, and the matter will be decided the latter part
of the week. If these towns are admitted, a new schedule will be necessary.
Houlihan, who last year played with
Cortland, and has this season been playing with Hornellsville, to now playing shortstop
for Palmyra.
Umpire Doyle has resigned and J. J. Rafferty
of Chicope Falls, Mass., has been appointed in his place.
PLACING THE CANNON
At the Soldiers'
Monument—Grounds to be Beautified.
The mounting of the two large howitzers donated
to the Cortland Monumental association through the influence of ex-Secretary of
War Daniel S. Lamont, was begun yesterday under the direction of J. R.
Birdlebough. Excavations were made for the mason work. The cannon will be
mounted on either side of the soldiers' monument, and near each cannon will be
a pyramid of shells. The grounds will be enclosed by a coping one foot in
height, on top of which will be placed an iron fence. When completed, the
grounds will be greatly increased in beauty and sightliness.
BREVITIES.
—New display advertisements to-day are: Dey
Bros. & Co., Greatest Dry Goods Store, page 4.
—The corner stone of the new municipal building
at Binghamton will be laid on Monday, July 5, with appropriate ceremonies.
—On next Sunday and the succeeding Sundays
this summer the grounds and buildings of the George Junior Republic at Freeville
will be closed to the public and to visitors.
—Arrangements are in progress for a lawn
sociable to be given by the ladies of the Foreign Missionary society of the First
Baptist church on the evening of July 9 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. W.
Bradford. Full particulars will be given later.
—The missionary rally at Elysium park will
be held to-morrow. The program has already been published in The STANDARD and
the exercises will begin at 2 o'clock. The special train will leave the Lehigh
Valley station at 10:30 A. M., and returning will leave the park at 5 o'clock.
Excursion tickets for the round trip 15 cents.
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