WAS IT AN AEROLITE?

1861 Punch illustration.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, November 19, 1897.

WAS IT AN AEROLITE?

Strange Characters Found in an Aerial Visitor.

   BINGHAMTON, N. Y. Nov. 14.—Scientists in this city are puzzling over an aerial visitor that dropped in this vicinity early yesterday morning. Prof. Jeremiah McDonald, who resides on Park avenue, was returning home at an early hour when there was a blinding flash of light and an object buried itself in the ground a short distance from his premises. Later it was dug up and found to be a mass of some foreign substance that had been fused by intense heat. It was still hot, and when cooled off in water was broken open. Inside was found what might have been a piece of metal, on which were a number of curious marks that some think to be characters. When opened, the stone emitted a strong sulphurous smell.

   Prof. Whitney of the High school declared it an aerolite, but different from anything he had ever seen. The metal had been fused to a whitish substance, and is of unknown quality to the scientific men who have examined it. The aerolite is now on exhibition and will be placed in the geological collection of the High school. Several persons have advanced the opinion that this is a message from another planet, probably Mars. The marks bear some resemblance to Egyptian writing in the minds of some. Prof. McDonald is among those who believe the mysterious ball was meant as a means of communication from another world.

LIVED 112 YEARS.

Indiana Man Dies at a Ripe Old Age.

   MUNCIE, Ind., Nov. 9—James Lynch, doubtless the oldest man in Indiana and perhaps the oldest inhabitant of the United States, died yesterday at the county poorhouse. His age is generally believed to be about 120 years, and it is not less than 112 years, for his wife, who survives him, is 90 years old, and she says he was a little older than her mother, who was 22 years old when she was born.

   Lynch was born in Virginia and emigrated to this county forty years ago. Old residents say he was then old and decrepit and was expected to die at any time of old age. Forty years ago his feet were so badly frozen that he became a cripple for life. He and his wife have been in the poorhouse thirty years. "Uncle Jimmy" was a hard drinker, whisky being his favorite beverage.

FRANCHISE HELD UP.

VILLAGE TRUSTEES DID NOT GRANT ONE FOR NATURAL GAS.

Present Gas Co. Claim an Exclusive Franchise—Board of Trade Want

Natural Gas Franchise Given to First Man Who Finds the Gas Well—May be Begun in 10 Days.

   The full board of trustees were present at the special meeting Monday night. As there were also many other interested parties, after some routine business, the board signified their readiness to take up the matter of natural gas.

   Attorney T. E. Courtney asked that the franchise of Pierce and others asked for at the last meeting be granted Attorney Edwin Duffey then announced that he was there to represent the Homer & Cortland Gas Co., who are now doing business here on a 25 year franchise and to enter a protest from them to the granting of the petition of Marsh C. Pierce and others. He then read the existing franchise which was granted in 1886 for 25 years, calling attention to the fact that it provided also for natural gas if found and desired by the village; that the company had more than complied with its provisions for the extensions of its mains, etc.; that they have already paid over $1,200 to the village in gas, and that it is exclusive. He said that at the time it was granted the trustees had it under consideration for over three months whether or not it should be exclusive and that it was made so on a petition signed by business men all along Main st. He then read the proposed franchise, emphasizing the fact that its only consideration is $1.00; that it allows for other than natural gas; states no time when work shall be done and only requires that three miles of pipe to be laid

   C. S. Bull spoke briefly, saying the new company did not want to run any one out of business but that if his company found cheap gas it would benefit the entire community and they wanted a chance to dispose of their product if found.

   W. D. Tisdale of the Cortland board of trade told of their interest in this matter as relating to the entire community and how they had appointed a committee to thoroughly investigate the matter. He then called upon I. H. Palmer of that committee.

   Mr. Palmer enlarged upon the work of the committee and later read a resolution adopted by the executive committee of the board of trade which asked that the village trustees defer the granting of a franchise to lay pipes for natural gas until it shall be discovered in paying quantities and thereafter only on proper restrictions and especially that the preference be given to the first party who shall find gas. He stated that Mr. F. B. Morse, who sunk the Baldwinsville wells is willing to go to work on that basis within ninety days and would either find gas or prove it could not be found in ninety days from that time.

   Attorney T. E. Courtney appeared in the interest of Marsh C. Pierce and Wm. K. Pierce of Syracuse, John Courtney, Jr., Wm. Martin, C. S. Bull and W. W. Hout of Cortland, who petitioned the board two weeks ago for a franchise. He claimed that the charter does not give any board of trustees power to grant an exclusive franchise for gas, water, etc., and that if the board of '86 did this the franchise must be null. He said he does not believe there is 50 cents worth of gas under us but his clients want the privilege of sinking $6,000 to find out and if they find gas they want a place to dispose of it. They do not want an exclusive franchise but are acting in good faith and really believe they can do the community and themselves a good turn if they can find gas and distribute it throughout the village He said that if the trustees were not satisfied with the franchises as presented to change it as they deemed advisable.

   L. J. Fitzgerald, president of the board of trade, cautioned the trustees against granting promiscuous franchises and said he had his doubts of the sincerity of those asking for this one He also wanted the trustees to be sure to get something in return, if a franchise be granted.

   At the close of discussions the board voted to defer action in the matter till the next regular meeting which occurs Dec 6.

A. D. WALLACE WORSE.

Injuries Received in the Blodgett Mills Wreck Proves Serious.

   After the wreck on the D., L. & W. R. R., at Blodgett Mills on Sept 2, Mr. A. D. Wallace, proprietor of the Hotel Brunswick, was continually under a physician's care but his injury was supposed to be confined to his left arm. During the time until a month ago, he paid no attention to pains in his neck and head, after the abrasions on the latter had healed. He thought the pain was caused by the sling he wore to support his injured arm.

   About a month ago the pains in his head and neck became so pronounced that he called Dr. Didama's attention to them. They grew rapidly worse and for three weeks he was almost without sleep and could not lay down. The first of this week a gathering inside his head broke and with this came some relief. It continues to discharge and Dr. Didama and Dr. Dana are greatly puzzled over the case. They think it is the result of the terrible shock to that portion of his body at the time of the wreck. Dr. Wood, the McLean clairvoyant, who was consulted, said Mr. Wallace had received a severe nervous shock which injured the chords of the neck and his head. His attorneys, Dougherty & Miller, have brought an action against the S. B. & N. Y. R. R. Co. to recover damages in the sum of $20,000.

Cortland Fire Department Headquarters on Main Street.

Good as New.

   Water Witch Steamer and Hose company have had their hose cart in the repair shop of Allen & Chubb for a few weeks. It has been thoroughly overhauled and repaired and has been made four inches narrower. The cart is now a handsome red and the striping and lettering are in gold and silver. As a whole it presents a very neat and artistic appearance and is credit to Messrs. Allen & Chubb and to its company.

ELECTION EXPENSES.

What It Cost to Run for Office In Cortland County.

   In addition to the expenses of candidates published last week, the following statements were filed last Friday, the last day:

   Franklin P. Saunders, Republican candidate for member of assembly spent $503.75, of which $480 was paid the County committee.

   T. H. Dowd, who was on the Republican ticket for district attorney, expended $199.50, $172.50 going to the county committee.

   Edwin Duffey, the successful candidate for district attorney, was on the Democratic and Independent Citizens' tickets and his total expenses were $372.26. To the Democratic county committee he paid $175, and to the Independent Citizens' committee $125. He also paid $40.50 railroad fares, etc., of counsel who defended the motions in court relative to the Independent ticket appearing on the ballots.

   The total of expenses of all the candidates amounts to $3,118.35. This amount was apportioned among the four parties in about the following proportions: Republican, $1,383.29; Democrat, $986.86; Independent Republican, $747.20 and Prohibition $1.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

   ◘ The Hawaiian schemers do not wait for Congress to meet, but are already thundering at our doors again for annexation. If the United States wants to go into the annexation business, let us start with Cuba and relieve a suffering people. Hawaii is all right and her people are not suffering.

   ◘ The New York World correspondent tells of one fortified sugar estate [in Cuba] where, under Weyler's orders, 2,000 people had been huddled together, and 1,966 of them died. We believe that the people of the United States will not be content to wait much longer for Congress to take some action for the relief of this suffering people. America has suffered disgrace enough in the eyes of the world, because of our cowardly course, how much longer will the people submit to it?

   ◘ Look out for the new State of Manhattan which, according to Assemblyman Trainor. will be planned for immediately in the Legislature. The new State is to comprise 16 counties along the Hudson and at its mouth, it even proposes to take in a part of Schoharie county, whether for sugar or salt, it does not appear. Of course, as Albany is included, the present State capital would suffice for Manhattan, but where would the new capitol of the remaining 40,000 square miles be located? This problem in long division has not yet been wrought, and nobody is holding his breath until it is.

HERE AND THERE.

   Burgess, the hustling clothier, has a new ad. this week.

   W. J. Perkins & Co., druggists, have something new to say in a change of ad. this week.

   Victor Herbert and his great band gave a very pleasing matinee at the opera house Wednesday.

   A contract has been closed with the Groton Bridge Co. for a 70 foot iron bridge across the river at Rickard-st.

   Blaneys "A Railroad Ticket" drew a good audience at the opera house last evening and everybody was more than pleased.

   Hitchcock Hose company hold their annual dance in C. A. A. hall this evening. McDermott and his full orchestra furnish the music.

   Messrs. Jenkins & Davis have sold their matched bay team to Liveryman Fred Maricle in the Cortland House barn. They are high steppers.

   A special meeting of the Loyal Circle of Kings Daughters will be held with Mrs. Wm. McKinney, 5 Church-st., Friday, Nov. 19th, 1897. A large attendance is urgently requested.

   W. R. Munyard has moved from No. 33 to No. 41 Railroad-st. The new place has been put in shape for the increased manufacture of electric washing fluid which is meeting with ready sale.

   Among the patents granted by the Government last week we note the following: C. D. Howard, Syracuse, grate for stove or furnace, O. L. Keeler, Truxton, corner iron for wagons and C. T. Redfield, Glen Haven, snap-hook.

   Pomona grange have taken up the matter of holding the annual meeting of the New York state dairyman’s convention in Cortland, Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 8 and 9. They will push things and this will be the place of meeting.

   The commission appointed by Judge Eggleston to ascertain the necessity of a new highway in the town of Virgil found it advisable to build one on lot 46 of that town and awarded damage of $36 to Charles Ryan and $12 to Adaline Holbrook. It will run from the farm of Jacob Shultz in Virgil to Harford.

   Proprietor L. D. Carns of the Kremlin [Hotel] is interested in a patent just granted for a chainless bicycle.

   Mrs. Marietta R. Richardson, for many years a resident of Cortland, died at the residence of her son, Mr. Burdette E. Richardson, 104 River-st., Sunday morning, Nov. 14. Mrs. Richardson lost her husband a number of years ago, since which time she has been tenderly cared for by her son who has done all in his power to make her declining years, years of rest and peace. Mrs. Richardson was 79 years of age, and the funeral was held from her late residence at 2 o'clock on Tuesday.

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   Ex-Governor Flower takes the place of Henry W. Sage as chairman of the Cornell board of trustees.

   Reports from Malone state that bears and deer are more plentiful on the outskirts of the Adirondacks now than ever before.

   It is said that oranges will be more plentiful and cheaper this winter than heretofore. This will be good news to the lovers of this most delicious fruit.

   Tracy Remington of Treadwell, Delaware Co., has in daily use on his farm a lumber wagon the axles of which have been in continual use for 108 years.

   James Harden, while plowing near Grahamsville, Delaware county, found 72 snakes' eggs nearly as large as hens' eggs. Several of the eggs were taken to the village store for inspection. On opening them they were found to contain small milk snakes from six to ten inches long.

NEIGHBORING COUNTY.

   TOMPKINS.—Four pans are now running at the Ithaca salt works.

   Kings Ferry has a book club with a membership of thirty.

   The newly appointed postmaster at Enfield Center is W. Barber.

   Geo. E. Hanford of Etna had a horse stolen last Thursday night

   The evaporator at North Lansing has a large quantity of fruit yet to handle.

   An Ithaca physician reports 20 of his patients as suffering with malarial fever.

   Highwaymen are reported as getting in their work in the vicinity of Kings Ferry.

   Ithaca has been chosen for the next annual reunion of the 137th regiment N. Y. S. Volunteers.

   Biggs & Co. of Trumansburg have begun the erection of a building on the site of the one burned in February, 1896.

   The M. E. parsonage of North Lansing has just been repaired, papered and painted for the reception of the new pastor, Rev. Melville Terwilliger.

   Walter A. Belcher of East Orange, N. J., was installed manager of the Ithaca Street Railway company in place of Herman Bergholtz, resigned.

   A team belonging to F. D. Sincepaugh, Ithaca, recently drew a load of flour, weighing five tons, from the D. L. & W. railroad depot to an up-town merchant.

   The annual report of the President of Cornell University shows that the total number of persons receiving instruction at the university for the year 1896-97 was 2,062.

   Prof. S. G. Williams of Cornell has resigned his professorship of the Science and Art of Teaching—his action being taken in pursuance of his intention, long entertained, to retire at the age of seventy, which he has just passed. He has been connected with the University 19 years.

   Byron Brewer of Freeville left Tuesday, Nov. 9, on the afternoon train for San Diego, Cal., where he expects to spend the winter. Mr. Brewer makes the trip principally on account of his health and possibly may locate there permanently should a desirable opening be presented.