WORK OF THE CORONER AND LOVEJOY'S MONUMENT

Photos of New York Central train wreck near Garrison, N. Y.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, November 13, 1897.

WORK OF THE CORONER.

Three Witnesses Examined In the Wreck Investigation.

LESS INTEREST IN THE CASE.

Division Roadmaster Sparrow Said the Tracks Had Never Been Moved. Believes the Engine Broke the Bank When it Jumped.

   COLD SPRING, N. Y., Nov. 13.—There was waning interest apparent in the coroner's investigation of the Garrison disaster. The town hall in this village held not more than half its usual crowd of curious people when the third session was held last night.

   Only three new witnesses were examined.

   The first was James Fitzpatrick of Highlands, who has been a section hand on the railroad for 10 years.

   He said that he had been employed at or near the section where the wreck occurred for four months. All he knew was that repairs had been made there once, when the track was raised about one inch.

   Augustus Pazzi, an Italian track laborer of Highlands testified through an interpreter, that the last repairs he knew of in that section were made last winter, when new ties were put down.

   Abram R. Sparrow, division roadmaster of Peekskill testified:

   "I have been in the employ of the New York Central railroad 20 years and have been roadmaster since 1891."

   "Have the tracks to your knowledge, ever been moved in or out?" asked Mr. Southard.

   "No sir, they have not. The outermost rail was 14 feet from the edge of the embankment, and I never knew of any attempt being made to straighten the curve."

   This was in contradiction to the testimony of Michael Clare, former sectionmaster, who testified at the last session that the company moved the tracks outward in order to reduce the curve.

   Clare had also referred to the wall, but Sparrow testified that its function was not to give strength to the bank, but was merely a sea wall intended to protest the roadbed from the water.

   The only repairs that he knew of during the past year have been laying of new rails and the ties and slight raising of the tracks. Mr. Sparrow described a ditch which runs under the embankment, but said that the rise and flow of this stream could have no effect on the bank.

   By a juror—Do you think, Mr. Sparrow, that the bank caved out before or after the train passed upon it?

   Mr. Sparrow—I don't think it ever caved out.

   District Attorney Southard—What do you think caused it, then?

   Mr. Sparrow—I think that the engine jumped the track and then ploughed out the bank and wall as it plunged into the river.

   This was the last witness of the evening and an adjournment was taken to

Nov. 17.

   Colonel Cole stated that the state board of railroad commissioners, of which he is president, will, at a meeting to be held on Monday, fix the date for their investigation.

   Colonel Cole said that the reports of the expert engineers and surveyors who have been examining the scene of the wreck on behalf of the state will not be made public until they are presented at the investigation.

HEAVY ASSESSMENT.

Railroad Will Pay $30,000 For Death of Dr. Aaron J. Mixell.

   NEW YORK, Nov. 13.—A verdict for $30,000 was rendered in the supreme court here in favor of Emily F. Mixsell, and against the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad company. She instituted the suit as the administratrix of the late Dr. Aaron J. Mixsell of Mamaroneck, one of the most prominent physicians of Westchester county. He was killed by an express train at Mamaroneck on Oct 31, 1896.

   This is the largest verdict given under the new statute, which repeals the former statute replacing a $5,000 limit on jury awards in cases of this sort.

Pardons Favored by the Press.

   MADRID, NOV. 13.—The press generally approves the decree pardoning exiles from Cuba and Porto Rico. All foreigners will be handed over to the care of the consuls of their respective governments.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Lovejoy's Monument.

   A monument to the memory of Elijah Parish Lovejoy, the abolitionist editor who sacrificed his life for the cause of free speech, was dedicated on Monday last at Alton, Ill., where he was shot by a mob of Missourians on the night of Nov. 7, 1837. Lovejoy was born in Albion, Me., on Nov. 9, 1802. He graduated from Waterville college in 1826, and the following year opened a school in St. Louis. He wrote much for the press and in 1829 became editor of a paper which supported Henry Clay for the presidency. He then studied theology at Princeton. He was graduated in 1833, and returning to St. Louis, he took charge of The Observer, a religious paper. In it he strongly condemned slavery, and urged gradual emancipation.

   Being threatened with mob violence in St. Louis, Lovejoy in July, 1836, removed his paper to Alton. But the persecution of the pro-slaveryites followed him. His paper's press was destroyed two times within a year. A third press was ordered, and on its arrival it was stored in a warehouse. Here Lovejoy and some of his friends were assembled, when a mob began to batter down the doors of the warehouse. A shot was fired by one of the assailants, and he was mortally wounded by one of the Lovejoy party. A man muffled in overcoats to protect him from bullets, climbed a ladder and set fire to the roof of the warehouse. The Lovejoy party came out several times and fired at this man. Finally the mob fired a volley and Lovejoy was struck in the breast by four men, turned and walked fifteen feet to the door of the warehouse, climbed a flight of stairs, and fell on the landing. The shooting caused intense excitement all over the country, and greatly accelerated the anti-slavery movement.

   For many years Lovejoy's grave at Alton was unmarked, and in danger of utter oblivion until one who had known him in life, Thomas Dimmock of St. Louis, marked it with a simple stone bearing in Latin the inscription: "Here lies Lovejoy: now spare his grave." It was largely through the efforts of Mr. Dimmock that ten years ago the Lovejoy monument association was formed. It was not until the spring of 1896, however, that the Illinois legislature voted $25,000 for the erection of the monument. The appropriation was authorized, provided the citizens of Alton should raise an additional $5,000 by subscription. This was promptly done and the work rapidly pushed toward completion.

   The monument, which is the work of Sculptor Robert P. Bringhurst of St. Louis, crowns the eastern hills of the city overlooking the Mississippi for miles. There is a central column of granite 9 feet high, surmounted by a figure of Victory 17 feet high. On each side are two sentinel columns, topped by two great eagles of bronze. Shields occupy each of the four sides of the lower part of the shaft. The front one bears a medallion likeness of Lovejoy, underneath which is his name, and the dates of his birth and death. On the various shields are these inscriptions:

   "I have sworn eternal opposition to slavery, and by the blessing of God I will never go back."

   "But gentlemen, as long as I am at American citizen, and as long as American blood runs in these veins, I shall hold myself at liberty to speak, to write, to publish whatever I please on any subject, being amenable to the laws of my country for the same."

   "If the laws of my country fail to protect me I appeal to God, and with him cheerfully rest my cause. I can die at my post, but I cannot desert it."

   "This monument commemorates the valor, devotion and sacrifice of the noble defenders of the press who, in this city Nov. 7, 1837, made the first armed resistance to the aggressions of the slave power in America."

Jewish Farmers in Palestine.

   The first historic record of the Jews makes them a pastoral people, tending flocks and herds. This they remained till the destruction of Jerusalem. Then they were scattered to the four corners of the earth and persecuted by Christian nations. In Europe the fact that for centuries they were forbidden to own land changed the Jewish character apparently and forced them to become a commercial people. Now there seems to be a tendency to round out the circle of human experiences for the race by making many of them at least an agricultural people.

   In literature, in the professions and in scientific pursuits they have long since taken first rank. Now it only remains for them to become for the first time in their checkered history farmers.

   They were driven to the agricultural life once more by persecution, this time the persecution of the Turk and the Russian. Not all the starving Russian Hebrews came to America. There are thousands of them in Palestine, engaged in farming, successfully too. In fact there are already 22 agricultural colonies representing the modern return of the Jews to Palestine. The estimate has been made that of these Jewish farmers and their families in Palestine there are as many as 6,000, with 100,000 acres under cultivation.

   Wine growing, silk culture, fruit raising, and honey production chiefly engage these Jew farmers who have returned to the promised land. There is at Yafa, the Joppa of Bible times, actually a Jewish agricultural college which is doing a great work in the education of Hebrew farmers. Its graduates take charge of farm colonies of the men of their race in both Palestine and elsewhere. From the advance made in Palestine it looks as if the wilderness will indeed blossom as the rose in that dried up land and that the Jews will prove as successful at farming as they have done at everything else they have attempted.

A LIVELY RUNAWAY.

Fragments of a Wagon Scattered Broadcast on Main-st., Cortland.

   A cold stormy day which caused a horse to be more anxious for exercise than in the hottest days of July, and a passing street car caused a lively runaway in Main-st. this morning. George Allport's white-faced horse was standing in front of Peck Brothers' store when like a flash he darted away and up Main-st. with a lumber wagon attached.

   In front of Warren, Tanner & Co.'s the rig collided with a carriage in which was seated W. R. Jones. The carriage was overturned, Mr. Jones was thrown out, but his horse did not attempt to run. One wheel of his carriage was demolished.

   On and on sped the fleeing horse and it was evident that the Main-st. mud was seriously impeding his progress, but fortunately for the horse, at Railroad-st. the kingbolt came out, leaving  the rear wheels there, the wagonbox having been deposited in a large mirehole farther down the street.  By the time the American hotel was reached the horse thought it wise to try the sidewalk, and when he struck that it was to him as is the cinderpath to a bicyclist after riding over some country roads. But in front of the millinery store of W. W. Gale, the animal was captured uninjured.

KELLOGG CAMP INSPECTION.

Assistant Inspector Mente Found the Camp in a Flourishing Condition.

   Seldom has the meetingroom [sic] of James H. Kellogg camp. No. 48, Sons of Veterans, presented a brighter appearance than it did last evening on the occasion of the camp's annual inspection. The inspecting officer was Captain Henry Mente of D. W. Burdick camp, No. 40, of Ithaca. Before the camp was called to order, Inspector Mente carefully examined the books of First Sergeant C. H. Fenner and of Quartermaster Sergeant A. Sager, Jr., all of which he found in perfect condition.

   Camp was called to order by Captain F. B. Miner at 8 o'clock, and in the course of the evening the full three degree ritual was exemplified with the new paraphernalia and furnishings. Aside from the members of the camp, several members of Grover post, No. 98, G. A. R., were present, also Grant Alger, a member of the camp at Oneonta.

   Under the proper order of business, remarks were made by Comrades H. M. Kellogg, Martin Edgcomb and George W. Edgcomb of Grover post, and Inspecting Officer Mente, who touched upon the past work of Kellogg camp and its influence throughout the New York division. The inspector complimented the camp on its proficiency in degree work. Last year the camp was rated at 95 per cent [sic], and was excelled by only a very few camps in the state. It is expected that last night's inspection will show as high a per cent, if not higher. After the inspection, an adjournment was taken to the dining hall, where coffee and sandwiches were served.

   The present outlook for the camp is very bright, as new features are being introduced. Military drill will probably be a feature of each meeting in the near future. Every son of a soldier who is 18 years of age should become a member. The enjoyment of the evening was greatly enhanced by the music furnished by the camp orchestra consisting of Verne Hoxie, A. J. Cooper, Herman Cooper and R. E. Barned.

   Mr. Mente stopped at The Kremlin [Hotel] last night and returned to Ithaca on the early train this morning.

Cortland County Clerk and Surrogate Office Building.

THE CONTRACT AWARDED

For Putting Steam Heating Apparatus into the County Clerk's Building.

   The contract for putting steam heat apparatus in the county clerk's building has been awarded to W. W. Bennett, who will proceed at once to fulfill the contract by putting apparatus in the county clerk's office, county judge's chambers and the supervisors' rooms. The boiler will be a Florida, manufactured by Pierce, Butler & Pierce of Syracuse. The new system will be much more satisfactory than the present system by furnace heat.

   Mr. Bennett has just placed the same kind of heating apparatus in the residences of Mrs. Elizabeth M. Greenman and Mrs. Almira Wickwire. He has also this fall set [installed] five hot air furnaces.

BREVITIES.

   —Hamilton has a young woman's organization called the Bachelor Girls' club.

   —Mr. A. Mahan sold a Packard cabinet grand upright piano to a New York lady this week.

   —Rev. B. Winget of Chicago will preach in the Free Methodist church tomorrow at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M.

   —One tramp occupied a cell at the police station last night and was this morning given one hour in which to leave town.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—L. N. Hopkins, Chrysanthemums, pane 6; C. F. Brown, Old-fashioned Horehound, page 8; Opera House, "A Railroad Ticket," page 5.

   —Frank E. Tracy, advance agent for Blaney's "A Railroad Ticket" is billing Cortland to-day for the above great attraction which appears at Cortland Opera House on Thursday evening, Nov. 18.

   —The sermon of Rev. John T. Stone at the Presbyterian church to-morrow evening will be the second in the series of "Periods in Old Testament History." Its subjects will be "The Age of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."

   —All working men desirous of joining a Working Man's club to be unsectarian and non-partisan for the discussion of all debatable questions, are requested to send their names to the Rev. John Kenyon, pastor of the Universalist church, at once.

   —A prayer-meeting will be held by the Woman's Auxiliary in the Y. M. C. A. parlor Tuesday, Nov. 16, from 3 until 4 o'clock and will be conducted by Mrs. T. D. P. Stone. All women interested in Christian work for young men are invited to be present.

   —A mass meeting for young men will be held at the Y. M. C. A. rooms to-morrow afternoon at 4 o'clock and will be conducted by the board of directors. The subject will be "The Supreme Object of Our Work." There will be inspiring music and a hearty welcome for all.

HOMER.

Gleanings of News From Our Twin Village.

   HOMER, Nov. 13.—Mr. Will Coon of South Main-st., who is principal in the Marathon academy, came home last evening to spend Sunday with his family.

   A very quiet wedding took place Thursday evening at the home of Mrs. M. Reed on Wall-st., when her son Mr. M. Burton Reed of this place was united in marriage with Miss Carolyn H. Bennett of Little York by the Rev. Loren Eastwood. Only the immediate friends and relatives were present at the ceremony. Supper was served and all joined in wishing them much happiness.

   Dr. D. W. Burdick of Syracuse was in town this morning.

   Mrs. Elmer Alexander and son Ralph, who have been spending a few days at the home of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Wilcox on Williams-st., returned to their home in Lafayette this morning.

   Mr. O. A. Wood, proprietor of the Starr bakery on Main-st., has on exhibition in his window a specimen of his work in fancy bakestuffs. It is a cake in the form of a pyramid which is covered with a very beautiful frosting designed to represent different fruits. It is certainly a good job of workmanship and attracts considerable attention.

   The funeral services of Mrs. William Pierce were held at the home of the deceased on Elm-ave. The commodious rooms were hardly sufficient to hold all the friends and neighbors who had gathered. Rev. F. A. S. Storer made a prayer and some very sympathetic remarks to the members of the family and the relatives after which interment was made in Glenwood cemetery. The flowers sent by friends were very numerous and beautiful and were the expressions of the sympathy which is extended to the bereaved family by the community.

   Officer G. F. Jones was called to the north end of the town last night by residents in the vicinity of the forks of the road to stop a drunken row between father and son who had come down to t he village from Cold Brook to spend the day and at last they spent the night in the lockup. In police court this morning they were both recognized by Justice Kingsbury and the father, Elisha Wagner was given a thirty days commitment to the county jail at Cortland and the son, Oren Wagner, aged 18 years, was given fifty days at the same place, as both have figured before in our police court for the same charge of public intoxication. The father and two sons had been down to the Cortland hospital to ascertain how their mother was who is very seriously ill of pneumonia at that institution and on their return it is said that they drank quite heavily and in deciding about going home the father was knocked down in the mud and kicked by one of the sons and on the arrival of Officer Jones were arrested. The other son escaped arrest as an uninterested party to the fight. The two were taken to Cortland this morning.