Wednesday, March 11, 2020

THE 1897 CORTLAND COUNTY FAIR, HILSINGER FAMILY REUNION AND TWENTY YEARS ON DUTY



Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, Aug. 19, 1897.

THE COUNTY FAIR.
CERTAINLY THE LARGEST EXPOSITION IN MANY YEARS.
Thousands of People in Attendance and the Show a Big One—Large Exhibit of Stock—Races and Everything Else Attractive.
   The second day of the county fair was a great success. To-day is a greater success, and the whole fair is an immense success. While in former years the exhibits have been excellent, the exhibition this year is much better, and more than that the people are giving their support and attendance. Yesterday the crowd would run into the thousands in numbers, and to-day the attendance is very much larger. The fair weather this morning induced many of the farmers from all the surrounding country to take a day off and attend the exposition. But to-day is not the last. The fair closes to-morrow, and with good weather another immense crowd is expected.
   Yesterday afternoon occurred the baby show. Thirteen proud mammas presented their chubby little babies before the judges, Mrs. Julia F. Twiss and Mr. William Lyman, whose task was by no means an easy one. They awarded first prize to Richard, the six months' old son of Mr. and Mrs. James Alton of Fisher-ave., Cortland, and the second prize to Esther E., the eight and one-half months' old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ulshoeffer who live one mile south of Cortland toward Virgil.
   In addition to the displays mentioned yesterday, J. S. Beach of Jacksonville, Fla., is on hand with a complete collection of rare and valuable shells from all parts of the world.
   F. M. Curtis of Cincinnatus has on exhibition the American cream separator, also the Superior maple sugar evaporator and Common Sense sugar mould manufactured by Corning & Haskins of Cincinnatus.
   The department of fancy embroidered and drawn work of all kinds is most complete and is attracting a large amount of attention.
   Joiners' business college is represented by two typewriters in operation, and in the booth are shown samples of work done in the school, while Mr. Joiner is busy writing personal cards and handing out to visitors.
   H. W. Price has Singer sewing machines and L. L. Scofield of Chenango Bridge is showing the good points of the DeLaval cream separator.
   The U. S. cream separator, Babcock milk tester, butter maker and churn is shown by R. J. Sanford of Bellows Falls, Vt. E. C. Rindge is the local agent.
   There is a fine display of fruits and vegetables of all kinds and varieties.
There are four cabbages which weigh respectively 23 1/2, 19, 21 and 23 1/2 pounds.
   Mr. A. P. Rowley of South Cortland has on exhibition state corn 10 ft. 9 in. in height, planted May 21.
   In the center of the north wing L. N. Hopkins has a complete and very handsome exhibit of plants and flowers of all kinds from his greenhouses.
   But there is one booth at which all like to linger. This is the handsome booth of Dey Brothers of Syracuse, which is in charge of their genial and popular representative, Mr. George E. Bates. The booth is one of the handsomest in the whole building. The decorations are of red and white, while handsome hand-painted tapestries form a most fitting background. Years ago  the name of Dey Brothers suggested the name of dry goods only, but now they have branched out in all directions, and carry everything desired in the household. Mr. Bates has on exhibition a single cut glass berry dish valued at $21, and a cracker jar valued at $9. Ladies' and children's fine shoes, sewing machines of all the leading makes, and Dey's Special bicycle form an attractive part of the exhibit.
   W. W. Rainey of DeRuyter is on hand with a full line of harness, robes, blankets and whips.
   J. L. McKee of Cortland shows an 8-horse power Clyde engine in operation, and Ohio ensilage cutters.
   L. P. Norton of Homer has the Osborne farm harvesting machinery, the Dutton plow and Osborne binding twine.
   The horse races yesterday drew a large attendance. The first, the novelty race, was won by Nell, g. m., owned by Dudley Smith of Freetown in 3:08, and the novelty purse race was taken by Spot, owned by M. Murphy of Homer in 3:15.
   Mr. William A. Hoagland, the champion walker in the world, walked an exhibition mile in 7:51 1/2. He also walked a quarter of a mile while A. C. Crandall of Hunt Corners trotted his horse a half. Hoagland won in 1:30 1/2.
   The Japanese acrobats pleased the audience in the grandstand by doing some excellent tricks on a stage erected in front of the stand.
   D. C. Barnard of Binghamton shows the Barnard & Wallace washing machine.
   L. G. Rosenthal, manufacturing optician of Brooklyn, is fitting people's eyes with spectacles.
   The display of stock is by far the best and largest in years. Nearly all the available space is taken up. J. R. Hathway of Little York, B. H. Wheeler and J. C. Atwater show short horn Durhams. Carley Smith of Lisle has a herd of sixteen Devons, and Charles Witty of Marathon and E. D. Tarbell of Groton City exhibit Red Polls.
   McLaury Bros. of Portlandville have twelve head of Brown Swiss and fourteen head of thoroughbred Jerseys. These will be shown at the State fair. B. R. Knapp's herd of Jerseys are among the best on the grounds. Other exhibitors of Jerseys are B. H. Wheeler, Willard Knapp, T. D. Button & Son of Cottons, N. Y., I. F. Rice, N. E. Smith of Harford Mills, E. D. Tarbell of Groton City, and J. J. Murray.
   E. S. Clark of the Fenimore stock farm of Cooperstown has twelve head of fine thoroughbred Guernseys, also Southdown sheep.
   Other exhibitors of Guernseys are N. E. Smith of Harford Mills and J. J. Murray of Homer. Holstein-Friesian cattle exhibitors are Carley Smith of Lisle, L. H. Corning, L. H. Dunham of Etna, H. F. Benton, C. L. Goodelle of Homer and E. D. Tarbell of Groton City.
   Ayreshire exhibitors are Jay Heath, E. H. and C. S. Barney of Milford, E. A
Schouten and N. E. Smith.
   Among the exhibitors of grade cattle may be mentioned Carley Smith of Lisle who shows grade Devons. B. R. Knapp has a herd of grade Jerseys which in addition to his thoroughbreds is receiving a good deal of attention.
   George Lough of Hartwick has on exhibition a nice pen of Southdown sheep, as does T. A. Rose of Cortland and H. J Brown of Harford.
   In the line of swine there is a large exhibit including those of Jay Heath, R.
D. Butler & Son of Cottons, B. H. Wheeler and B. R. Knapp.
   The fair closes to-morrow afternoon. The Palmyra-Cortland ball game was to have been called promptly at 1 o'clock, but the heavy shower which occurred at just that time and the second one which followed at 3 o'clock compelled the postponement of the game and also of the races.

THE HILSINGER FAMILY.
Over One Hundred Attended the Reunion Yesterday.
   The annual reunion of the Hilsinger family was held yesterday with Sheriff and Mrs. Adam Hilsinger at the courthouse. A historical sketch of the family appeared in The STANDARD of July 15. The day was given up to sociability and visiting, and was a happy one for all. The tables were spread in the main corridor and in the grand jury room, where dinner was served. A short informal program was rendered, preceded by Rev. W. C. B. Turner of Summit Station. The program included recitations by the little daughter of Marion Hilsinger, by Alfred Potter and [by] Miss Mertie Jones, also remarks by Rev. Mr. Brooks of Marathon. Marion Hilsinger and Sheriff Adam Hilsinger were appointed a committee of arrangements for the next reunion which is to be held the third Friday in August, 1898, at the home of W. H. Ensign in Marathon.
   Those who were at the reunion were: Ruby Green, Syracuse; George Peak,
Cortland; Warren Hilsinger, Harford; Clarence Hilsinger, Cortland; Benjamin Peak, Cortland; Leon Hilsinger, Cortland; Mr. and Mrs. P. Conrad, Marathon;  Mr. and Mrs. W. Jennison, Blodgett Mills; Mr. W. H. Ensign, McGrawville; Mrs. Harry Ensign, Chicago; Jennie Neil, Chicago; Alfa Potter, Marathon; Mabel Jones, Marathon; Mrs. Jewett Johnson, Willet; Mrs. A. Johnson, Willet; Mrs. S. Niles, Cortland; Mr. Marion Hilsinger, George Gilbert, Cortland; Maud Sager, Cortland; Robert Lang, Cortland; Jewett Johnson, Willet; Emma Johnson, Willet; Will Hilsinger, Jessie Elliot, Harford; Mr. and Mrs.. O. M. Hilsinger, Cincinnatus; W. C. B. Turner, Summit Station; Mrs. George Merrick, Marathon; Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Beckwith, Marathon, Mrs. Betsy Ayers, East Virgil; Mrs. Henry
Hammond, McGrawville; Mrs. Benj. Seaman, Cortland; Alice Ensign, Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Warner Ensign, McGrawville; Mr. Nathan Lombard, Marathon; Mr. and Mrs. David Hilsinger, Marathon; Annie Hollenbeck, Harford; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Hilsinger, Harford; Mrs. Henry Depuy, Freeville; Miss Bertha Seaman, Cortland; Nellie Peak, Cortland; Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Hollenbeck, Jr., Willet; Rosette Parker, East Virgil; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Green, Taylor; John Hilsinger, Harford; Mr. and Mrs. James Elliot, Harford; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Peak, Cortland; Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Potter, Marathon; Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Stafford, Blodgett Mills; Mr. and Mrs. Dewitt Depuy, Freeville; Flora Depuy, Freeville; Mr. and Mrs. William Campbell, Marathon; Mrs. Wayland Parker, Messengerville; Carrie Parker, Messengerville; John Hilsinger, Sabula, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Newman Harvey, Kettleville; Martin Brooks, Marathon; Mr. and Mrs. Amos Green, Syracuse; Lida Hilsinger, Taylor; Marcia Cass, Taylor; Floyd Sexton, Flora Salisbury, Marathon: Bessie Horn, Syracuse; Mr. and Mrs. Ransom Hilsinger, Cortland; R. S. Lang, Cortland; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hilsinger, Marathon; Ruth Mack, Marathon; Bertha Green, Taylor; Jessie Hilsinger, Taylor; Lena Jennison, Blodgett Mills; Herbert Hilsinger, Texas Valley; Kirkland Hilsinger, Texas Valley; Lillie Hudson, Cortland; Mertie Hansburg, Maggie Leet, Altha Leet, Marathon; Mrs. Salsbury, Marathon; Lillian Lang, Cortland; Lillian Potter, Syracuse; Edith Parker, Martha Seeber, Cortland; May Palmer, Lyman Potter, Blodgett Mills; Mrs. N. E. Conrad, Mrs. B. H. Mack, Marathon; Mrs. M. Ham, Syracuse; Mr. Greene, Mr. Peak, Cortland; Mrs. Jennie Woodin, Cortland; Mrs. Mabel Johnson, Marathon; Miss Lulu Woodin, Cortland; Nettie Lombard, Cortland.

RANSACKED THE HOUSE.
Burglars Visit William Latimer's Home While the Family Were Away.
   Yesterday at 12 o'clock Mr. and Mrs. William Latimer of 101 Fitz-ave. left their home to attend a reunion of the Stafford family which was held at the home of Leonard J. Stafford on the gulf road west of the village. They returned at 4 o'clock and found that in their absence the house had been entered and ransacked by burglars. Entrance had been gained by raining a window. Upon investigation it was found that the thieves had taken $10 in money and also a valuable collection of old and rare coins that Mr. Latimer had been a number of years in collecting, and which he thought very much of. They had also taken an English lever watch that had been handed down as an heirloom in the Latimer family for a long time. Cupboard doors and drawers had been broken open and everything had been looked through. Doubtless other valuables will be missed later. There is no clue to the burglars.

THE CORONERS INQUEST.
FRANK DICKINSON'S DEATH WAS CAUSED BY A RUPTURED HEART.
But Four Witnesses were Sworn—Mrs. Dickinson and Son George Describe the Fight in Detail—The Son LeRoy Not Held Responsible and is Liberated From Jail.
   The coroner's inquest to determine the cause of the death of Frank Dickinson was held in the store of Beard & Peck last night and was concluded just before midnight. It was before Dr. W. J. Moore, coroner, with F. B. Miner acting as clerk. District Attorney Burlingame was present and took part in the examination of the witnesses, but four of whom were sworn, Drs. S. J. Sornberger and E. A. Didama, Mrs. Dickinson, the widow, and George Dickinson, the older son.
   The first witness was Dr. E. A. Didama, who was the first physician on the scene. He was called at this time simply to show that a death occurred. Mira M. Dickinson, the widow of the deceased was the first [sic] witness. She described in detail the trouble at and after the supper table and up to her husband's death. She said, Mr. Dickinson came home from work at about 4:30 P. M. We ate supper about 6 o'clock. George left the table before LeRoy sat down, and going outside sat down in a chair on the porch. My husband and LeRoy had some words at the table over a horse, which led to words over LeRoy's paying board. Before this conversation was finished my husband got up, and going outside sat down on the steps. I don't remember just what the father said, but the boy called him a vile name, when his father came in the door. LeRoy got up from the table. They met in the middle of the floor. They clinched and his father threw LeRoy to the floor and rolled or crashed right down on him. No blows were struck. It was just a clinch and a fall. They were right there in the open space and LeRoy was not shoved against the door, stove or table. I screamed to George to come in and part them. When they clinched I screamed to my husband, "Don't strike, don't strike." LeRoy had rolled his head from under his father when George came in and struck LeRoy twice. George took hold of his father's shoulders and jerked him over back. Stuff ran out of my husband's mouth and his eyes rolled back. He breathed, but he did not speak or make any sign of recognition. LeRoy got up crying and went out of the house. I told George to get a doctor as quick as he could. When LeRoy was struck, I saw the blood run. I saw none before and think it came from the blow. My husband had of late years been more passionate and quick in disposition than formerly. They have had trouble before, but never came to blows. Neither one of the sons struck Frank or took hold of him in the throat. My husband and George always agreed, but my husband has said that he perfectly hated the sight of LeRoy.
   George, the older son, next took the stand. His testimony was substantially the same as that of his mother except that it was brought out that the two brothers were not on good terms and had seldom spoken since last Christmas time.
   Dr. Didama was then recalled and he read from memoranda the result of the autopsy, saying that no visible marks of violence were found upon the body. The heart was about twice the size of a normal heart, weighing 16 ounces. On lifting the heart, blood was seen oozing through the walls. The aortic valves were imperfect so they would not hold water. The walls of the right ventricle were very thin, also the pulmonary valve walls. In the wall of the right ventricle was a rupture one-half inch long. There were fatty deposits. The mitral valves showed some thickening and a roughened appearance with granulations on the surface. The walls of the left ventricle were thickened. The whole appearance of the heart was one of fatty degeneration, causing weak flabby walls on the right side and a thickening on the left. He testified that in his opinion death was due to the heart rupture caused by the violent exertion. Found no evidence to prove that the man came to a violent death from external cause. The heart was an unhealthy one and showed that it had been troubled some time.
   Dr. S. J. Sornberger, who performed the autopsy, corroborated in every particular the testimony of Dr. Didama, and gave it as his opinion that the father was dead before he rolled from his son. This concluded the testimony and after a few minutes the jury rendered the following verdict which exonerates the son LeRoy, and he was released from custody this morning:
   We find that said Frank Dickinson died from heart rupture caused from over exertion and diseased condition of the heart; that he died a natural death and from no external violence and so the said jurors upon their oath aforesaid say that the said Frank Dickinson died by the visitation of God.
   WILLIAM C. CROMBIE, Foreman,
   MARTIN EDGCOMB,
   JOHN C. SEAGER,
   WILLIAM DONNEGAN,
   MORHIS L. ALEXANDER,
   FERDINAND DAEHLER,
   ZERA H. TANNER,
   JOH H. RYAN,
   JOHN MILLER,
   EUGENE W. BATES. Jurors,
   W. J. MOORE, Coroner.

TWENTY YEARS ON DUTY.
Will Now Guard a Box of Valuables for an Indefinite Time.
   As is known, the soldiers' monument has been taken down to permit the of the base to conform to the grade established for the plot inside the new coping that is to be built about the monument.
   Comrade H. M. Kellogg, one of the trustees of the Soldiers' Monumental association, puts it in this way: We took pity on our bronze comrade and relieved him for a few hours from his post of duty where he was placed on guard over twenty years ago and where he has stood through sunshine and storm, summer and winter faithful in the discharge of his duty. After a few hours of relief he will again be detailed for duty, where he has so faithfully represented the boys who fought for the defense of the union.
   Trustees Beers and Kellogg improved the opportunity to place in the foundation beneath the monument a box containing the following articles:
   1. A copy of the Industrial edition of The Cortland STANDARD containing views of the town as it now exists.
   2. A picture of their comrade President William McKinley.
   3. A brief history of the Monumental association.
   4. A notice of the death of its first president, Judge A. P. Smith.
   5. Grand Army badge.
   6. Badge of Seventy-sixth New York Volunteers.
   7. A copy of the Grand Army Journal.
   8. A notice of the meeting of the national encampment to be held at Buffalo next week.
   9. Names of the original trustees of the association, eight in number, three of whom only are now living, namely Comrades Place, Sager and Kellogg; also names of the present board of eight members.
   These articles securely sealed in a metal box were buried in Portland cement nearly under the center of the base where in the distant future possibly it may be discovered and tell its story of the boys in blue after those of the present are gone and forgotten.


CEMETERY CARE.

Superintendent Morehouse Doing an Excellent Service in Cortland.
   For several years Superintendent B. B. Morehouse of the Cortland Rural cemetery, working in behalf of the trustees, has been seeking to raise a fund for the perpetual care of the lots in the cemetery. This is brought about by inducing parties to make a provision in their wills for the placing of a sum of money in the hands of the trustees to be invested by them, the interest of which is to be forever devoted to the care of the lot of the donor after decease. This idea appeals very strongly to people who may not have children or relatives likely to survive them who will care for the lots in the future, and it appeals to others as well. This places the care of the lot in the hands of responsible parties whose business it is to care for it. At present Mr. Morehouse has secured bequests from over sixty people, so that sixty lots in the cemetery are likely to be kept in good order. The sum of money realized from these is now $15,200.
   This idea is being impressed upon people in other parts of the county as well as in Cortland, and the Park and Cemetery, a paper devoted to the care of public grounds, has the following to say upon the subject:
   As important as any matter connected with cemetery development and management is that provision, nowadays very prominent in the consideration of cemetery officials, which looks to the future care and permanent establishment of the cemetery. This provision is termed "Perpetual Care," and is intended, as the name implies, to secure for all time the permanent existence of the cemetery under the best possible conditions of preservation as to physical appearance and legal stability. The principal agency in the consummation of such an important object is, of course, a fund of sufficient magnitude to afford an income large enough to meet all the requirements that our present knowledge deems desirable;  for the legal means to command at this time are ample to cover all future contingencies affecting permanency. To attain the goal of an adequate fund is the work of to-day, and in regard to the older cemeteries, in which the question has only recently been raised and in which the major part of the properties are owned and operated under old rules and regulations, the race is a hard one. This does not lie so much in the direction of influencing individual lot owners, for a little serious missionary work among them is apt to be convincing, but the difficult feature of the undertaking is to reach such lot owners as are non-resident, or who have inherited the lots, or who have lost immediate interest, with sufficient force as to induce the guarantee of a subscription or bequest to meet the conditions imposed.
   Human affection or sympathy decreases in a very rapid ratio as relationship widens, and respect which may act as a substitute in human nature is not so keenly prone to make sacrifices for such a purpose as the preservation of a cemetery lot. But, nevertheless, the natural desire to keep the family grave and its surroundings comely and restful is a powerful motive on generations immediately affected, whether resident or non-resident, and it is upon this sentiment that active work must be brought to bear, as the mainspring of securing the fund, so far as reliance on available lot owners is trustworthy.
   The next thought as to how most effectively to impress the question is met by the conclusion that the cemetery officials are in a position to know most concerning the individuality of their lot owners, and from that standpoint must act. Unremitting educational effort must be the watchword, and every new argument forthcoming must be vigorously presented. As a general proposition there should be no better promoter of the perpetual care idea than the clergyman, and it is a matter of constant and growing surprise that the clergy have not been more active in cemetery work. It is simply astonishing that the clergy as a whole have not made effective protest against the degrading condition of the average rural cemetery. It is not too late to invoke the aid of the minister, and his aid should be the most effective of all, all things considered.
   The arguments in favor of the perpetual care of the cemetery are so conclusive, because so in harmony with the sentiment controlling the higher aspirations of humanity that to deny them is to degrade that humanity and to place oneself on a lower plane in the scale of human progress. To feel assured that the graves of departed kindred, tied to us by varying degrees of affection, shall be maintained in a high degree of care without imposing upon us any active attention, and that we ourselves shall finally rest under like conditions, imparts a sense of comfort unattainable in any other direction; and to know, further, that this care win be unremittingly administered for all that have gone and for all actually interested to the limit of the capacity of the lot and for all time, affords a satisfaction and relief for those "doubts and fears" which with the unsatisfied longings of the human heart, make life oftentimes but a weary waiting.
   The subject, however, has a far wider significance than the mere fact of
keeping the cemetery in order for all time for its own lot-owners, which when realized, as it surely will be as the beauties of the question develop in the mind, will render the perfecting of the scheme more easily attainable as time pro greases. It is gratifying to note the progress being made all over the country and as the whole question becomes appreciated and understood a very rapid advance will surely result.


BREVITIES.
   —It has been decided to hold the State firemen's convention next year at Binghamton.
   —The St. Vitus club gives another party at the park to-night. McDermott's orchestra will furnish the music.
   —New display advertisements to-day are—Dey Bros. & Co., dry goods, page 7; A. S. Burgess, men's all wool suits, page 8.
   —Rarely does it become so dark in the daytime as it was to-day before the shower at 3 o'clock. Lights were needed in nearly all buildings.
   —We begin to-day the publication of a twelve column article upon "The True Story of the Klondike." It will be continued through several days and will be read with interest by all.
   —A regular meeting of the W. C. T. C. will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 24, at
2:45 P. M. Consecration service will be followed by a business meeting and the annual election of officers.
   —We never had the convention before and we just let our belt buckles out three notches, and mossied in and beat Owego of '95, and set a hard pattern for Cortland in '98, and that is glory enough.—Waverly Free Press.
   —Mrs. Annie Reese Greene, wife of Prof. John Greene of Colgate university, died at her home in Hamilton, Tuesday evening, Aug. 17, 1897, after a long and painful illness. Mrs. Greene was the only sister of Dr. F. D. Reese, and leaves beside her brother a husband and five sons.
   —District Attorney Miles E. Burlingame appeared before Police Justice Mellon this morning and made a motion for the release of LeRoy Dickinson, who was held to await the result of the coroner's inquest regarding the death of Frank Dickinson. The motion was granted and LeRoy was released from jail a free man.
 
 

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