Wednesday, September 30, 2020

COMMODORE SCHLEY MADE HIS REPORT AND DRYDEN'S CENTENNIAL HISTORY


Commodore Winfield Scott Schley.
USS Holland (SS-1).
Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, June 4, 1898.
SCHLEY MADE HIS REPORT.
Why He Fired on the Forts at Santiago Harbor.
ONLY A RECONNAISSANCE.
He Got the Lay and Range of the Spanish Batteries.
   WASHINGTON, June 4.—The navy department has bulletined the following report from Commodore Schley:
   Secretary Navy, Washington: Made reconnaissance this afternoon, May 31, with the Massachusetts, Iowa and New Orleans, to develop the fortifications with their character. The fire was returned without delay by the heavy batteries to the east and west, large-calibre, long range. The range was 7,000 yards. Reconnaissance developed satisfactorily the presence of the Spanish squadron lying behind the island near the upper fort, as they fired over the hills at random. Quite satisfied the Spanish fleet is here. SCHLEY.
   This bulletin went to confirm the press dispatches which told of the firing on the fortifications at Santiago. It appears from the bulletins given out that Commodore Schley concentrated a pretty good fire upon the Spanish defenses, and it seems probable that had he found conditions more propitious he would have resolved the reconnaissance into an assault in force.
   The great natural strength of the Spanish position and the formidable character of their batteries as indicated by Commodore Schley have confirmed the naval officials in the belief that they have been wise not to direct any such reckless assault upon the place in the absence of proper forces as has been advocated in some quarters. The problem would be simplified were it known that there were no mines in the channel. As it is the problem presented has enlisted the officers here. It is the duty of the army engineers in this country to lay just such mines as are supposed to be in place in Santiago harbor, and they are curious to see how their brothers in the navy propose to go about the work of destroying them.
   It remains to be seen how Sampson is going to solve this problem, whether by the use of the Vesuvius with her dynamite projectiles, by the aid of divers or by the recourse to the old method of dragging for the mines with small boats, as in cable cutting operations.
   The owners of the Holland submarine boat, who had proposed to go into Santiago harbor and destroy the Spanish warships at so much a vessel have come forward with a request for a practical test by the naval officers of their craft. The navy department was obliged to refuse the first proposition as it smacked of privateering and was in violation of international law. The principal objection was that the boat could not be in regular commission and in command of a naval officer. Besides they contended that she had never been thoroughly tested. Now the boat's owners propose that a naval officer or officers be designated to go down in the Holland, and then that she be commissioned.

DOWN AT TAMPA.
The Rough Riders and Thousands of Others Go Into Camp.
   TAMPA, June 4.—Colonel Wood's regiment of Rough Riders, officially known as the First United States volunteers cavalry, went into camp near the Sixth regular cavalry regiment in West Tampa on the ground heretofore used for drilling purposes. The regiment was unloaded in Ybor City and rode out to the camping grounds. The men, fully armed and equipped, made a magnificent appearance, and many favorable comments were passed by the veterans who congregated along the road leading through the camps and watched the westerners as they rode by on the bronchos.
   Thousands of volunteer troops recently ordered to Tampa from Chickamauga have arrived here. The First Ohio, One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Indiana, Third Pennsylvania and First Illinois have all been sent out to Port Tampa and were unloaded in the fields and along the beach opposite the artillery camp.
   Major General Miles and General Shafter had a conference, lasting for several hours. The general situation was gone over thoroughly, but no official information is obtainable regarding it.

USS Merrimac.
DYNAMITED THE MERRIMAC
So as to Permit the Cadiz Fleet to Come to Cervera's Relief.
   PORT AU PRINCE, June 4.—Further news received here from Santiago de
Cuba confirms the reports that the bombardment of that place commenced at 1 o'clock yesterday morning and that after the action the Spaniards blew up with dynamite the sunken American collier Merrimac. It is said they have since been at work clearing the channel so as, in all probability, to permit Admiral Cervera's fleet to put to sea in the possibility of the Cadiz squadron, under Admiral Camara, arriving in Cuban waters to relieve the blockaded ships.
   In the meanwhile the dispatches from Santiago de Cuba say the Spaniards pay tribute to the audacity of the Americans in so cleverly attempting to block the channel.
   According to the Spaniards, it would be foolishness upon the part of the Americans to attempt to force the harbor entrance, which is described as being long and narrow and thoroughly mined, seemingly forming an insurmountable barrier.
   There are a great number of insurgents in the vicinity of Santiago de Cuba, probably waiting for some decisive action upon the part of the American fleet which will undoubtedly be the signal for a land attack upon the town.

THE CORK DRIVEN HOME.
MERRIMAC SUNK IN SANTIAGO CHANNEL ON PURPOSE.
To Prevent Cervera's Escape or the Approach of a Relief Fleet—One of the Boldest Acts In History
—Only Men Enough on Board to Move the Ship Along and They All Volunteers.
   WASHINGTON, June 1.—"The cork is driven in the bottle" was the comment of the naval officers at the navy department this morning upon the news of the sinking of the collier Merrimac in the channel at the entrance or Santiago harbor. They are absolutely satisfied that the ship was sent in by design of Sampson to close the channel and prevent the escape of the Spanish squadron and that the undertaking was successful. If so this will rank as one of the boldest achievements in naval history. It will outrank even Cushing's famous attack upon the Albemarle with his little torpedo boat. That is the opinion at the navy department at least. The officers say that Cushing had a fighting chance to escape after making his attack and he did escape.
   There was no such chance for the men who took the Merrimac into Santiago harbor under the guns which Schley's report described as of great power and over nests of submarine mines, any one of which was sufficient to crush in the bottom of the ship. It is not possible now to learn who made up this crew that is destined to be famous in American history, for the opinion at the navy department is that Admiral Sampson directed that no man be ordered into such dangerous duty but that volunteers be called for. There is no doubt, however, that at least two of the officers were aboard, namely Commander J. M. Miller of Missouri and Assistant Engineer R. K. Crank of Texas. The captain could be relied upon, it is said, to stick to his ship to the last and from what is known of Crank's character he would not be likely to leave the ship, being the only commissioned engineer officer on board. There is only one opinion at the department of the courage of the man who coolly stood at the engine levers down in the hold and directly above the bottom of the ship that he momentarily expected to come flying upward on the blast of a mine or torpedo.
   One of the reasons that form the basis of the conviction that the Merrimac was purposely sunk in the channel is the fact that the ship was of little value as a naval vessel. She had broken down in her machinery and was kept at work with difficulty. Some of Crank's letters are at once laughable and pathetic in their recital of the trials and tribulations the young officer suffered (he is about 25 years old) in his efforts to make the machinery work at all. This is just the kind of craft that would be selected to block up the channel. She is of iron and therefore not likely to be easily removed by the Spaniards. She was empty and no further immediate value to the fleet.
   Another reason for believing that the Merrimac was purposely sunk is the small number of the crew aboard, according to the reports. There seems to have been just enough men on her to steer the ship and keep the engines moving. The normal crew of the collier was about forty men, so that the others must have been taken off in advance. It is said at the navy department that there is no possibility that the American sailors captured by the Spaniards will suffer. They are not spies in any sense, but prisoners of war, and so far there has been no disposition shown by the Spaniards to mistreat such prisoners.
   As to the change wrought in the situation by this bold exploit, it is said that it will now be possible to draw off the larger part of the American fleet for service elsewhere than at Santiago, perhaps at San Juan de Porto Rico or Havana for instance. A small force of say two monitors and a cruiser would suffice to keep guard at Santiago, for all that is necessary now is to be able to bring enough guns to bear upon the channel to prevent the Spaniards from attempting to clear away the wreck by the use of torpedoes, and to prevent the escape of the small torpedo boats that might be able to pass over the Merrimac's hull.
   The Merrimac's complement of officers consisted of Commander J. M. Miller, Lieut. W. W. Gilmer, executive officer; Ensigns J. R. Y. Blakely and J. M. Luby, Assistant Engineer R. K. Crank; Miller from Missouri, Gilmer from Virginia, Blakely from Pennsylvania, Luby and Crank from Texas. It is expected that reports giving details will be received to-day from Admiral Sampson.

BOMBARDMENT BEGUN.
Fleet Attacked Forts at Santiago at 3 A. M. To-day.
   CAPE HAYTIEN, Hayti, June 4.—Information received here direct from Santiago de Cuba confirms the reports that the bombardment began at 3 o'clock in the morning. It is rumored here that the insurgents in Santo Domingo have captured the town of Santiago de los Caballeros on the Yaque river, 103 miles east of this place.

FINE LECTURE ON CUBA.
Interesting and Instructive Words and Clear and Excellent Pictures.
   There was a good audience at [Cortland's] Normal hall last night to hear the lecture by Prof. Thomas J. McEvoy upon Cuba. The lecture was a very interesting and instructive one and was listened to with the closest attention. The speaker gave a short sketch of the relations sustained between Spain and Cuba, showed how the natives had been ill treated and oppressed and burdened with taxation, referred to former wars with Spain and to the broken promises concerning reform. He showed the relation of the United States to the struggling people and how and why it came to help in the cause of humanity.
   The lecture was illustrated by very fine up-to-date stereopticon views, showing a map of Cuba upon which he pointed out the location of the points so full of interest just now pictures of the exterior and interior of houses, palaces, royal gardens, streets, also noted Cubans, including Gomez, Maceo and others, also the condition of the starving reconcentrados. Altogether it was a lecture much enjoyed by the audience and one calculated to increase the interest in that island just now.

DRYDEN'S CENTENNIAL HISTORY.
Just Issued and Delivered—Prepared by George E. Goodrich.
   The Centennial History of the town of Dryden, which has been prepared by George E. Goodrich, has just been issued and in a model in every way. It is the misfortune of many local histories to be the offspring of the greed of ambitious publishers who furnish expensive volumes without much regard for historical accuracy. This cannot be charged against this undertaking, for it has been a labor of love growing out of the centennial celebration of the town of Dryden. The historian, Mr. Goodrich, has spared no pains to get to the bottom of things. He has searched every record and every paper which would bear upon the subject, and has interviewed all the oldest residents, so that the history as it stands can be vouched for. In a certain way it has been published upon the co-operative plan. Estimates of the number of subscriptions that could be obtained formed a basis for figuring on the cost of the book, and the price was fixed at $1 a copy. Then every cent of the aggravate sum was put into the book. It was published by the Dryden Herald and is a credit to that paper and to the editor, Mr. J. G. Ford. The type is clear and plain, the paper is of a fine quality. Of the press work we will say nothing—as it was done by the Cortland STANDARD for The Herald—except that we are not in the least ashamed of it, and it speaks for itself. The illustrations are profuse and happily chosen. The binding is the poorest part of the whole, but it was as good as the funds left in the hands of the committee would admit of, and it is substantial if not ornamental. A recent and carefully prepared map of the town, as well as maps of the several villages in the town, add to the value of the work. The whole forms a volume of 272 pages, the last chapter being an account of the centennial celebration held July 10, 1897. Mr. Goodrich is to be most heartily congratulated upon the success of his undertaking in the preparation of this book, and by it he has put the town of Dryden and every citizen of the town under a deep debt of gratitude to him. The history is one that will stand and can be referred to as authentic as long as the town exists.

MISSIONARY MEETING.
With a Fine Talk on Missionary Work in the City of Mexico.
   On Friday afternoon, June 3, the W. F. M. society of the First M. E. church convened at the home of Mrs. Robert Purvis, 19 Union-st. The meeting opened by singing, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name," Miss Carrie Kellogg presiding at the piano. Miss Mira Haskins followed with an appropriate Scripture reading, and Rev. O. A. Houghton, D. D., made the opening prayer.
   Mrs. Houghton who has recently returned from an extended tour through
California and Mexico, gave a deeply interesting parlor talk on "Foreign Missionary Work in the City of Mexico." Mrs. Houghton's facilities for research while in Mexico were of the best, and she spared no pains in making a comprehensive and detailed study of missions in the city of Mexico. The impression left by her earnest, instructive, and charming talk was intensified by the collection of curios, photographs and needle work which she very kindly permitted the ladies to examine.
   Mrs. Purvis attractive home was rendered still more so by rare and beautiful potted plants and cut flowers. The spacious parlors were filled and the closest attention was accorded the speaker. Especial mention should be made of the music on this occasion. The thanks of the society are due to Miss Kellogg for her piano solo, "The Last Hope," so exquisitely rendered, and also to Mrs. Hulbert and Mrs. Mooney, who delighted all present with two duets, "Fly Away Birdling," and "The Angel." Light refreshments were very daintily served in the diningroom, and the ladies separated unanimously voting the occasion one of the most interesting and delightful in the annals of the society.

Sidepath to South Cortland.
   Misses Louise Rowley and Blanche Dudley have secured subscriptions for between $120 and $130 for the purpose of building a [bicycle] sidepath from Cortland to South Cortland. The idea is to continue it on to Ithaca. This subscription list was put into the hands of A. F. Stilson, president of the Cortland County Sidepath association, and has been turned over to George I. Watson, the treasurer. The young ladies have also made arrangements with Wickwire Brothers to furnish cinders, and with a number of farmers along the line to assist in drawing them. The ladies are much in earnest about this sidepath and their perseverance may well be an example to some of the young men.
   The path is to be staked out at once and work begun.



BREVITIES.
   —To-morrow will be Missionary day in the First M. E. church Sunday-school.
   —The Normal baseball team left at 12:50 to-day for Union, Broome county, to play the team of that place.
   —Valentine Brothers' harp orchestra of three pieces is in town on its annual visit, and is stopping at the Cortland House.
   —The Y. M. C. A. will have a harriers' run next Tuesday night at 8 o'clock preparatory to a hare and hounds run next Saturday.
   —Benjamin T. Wright, Esq., and wife of Cortland were entertained by Mrs. M. S. Clark and daughters Decoration day.—Lisle Gleaner.
   —The sixty Cornell students who have been spending a couple of weeks camping at Lake Como passed through Cortland to-day on their return. They left for Ithaca at 3:17 P. M.
   —The Lisle Gleaner speaking of the Decoration day address of B. T. Wright of Cortland at that place says: "A most graphic and interesting speech was listened to by a large crowd."
   —A regular meeting of the hospital board will be held at the hospital Monday afternoon next, June 6, at 3 o'clock. A full attendance is desired, as there is business of importance t o be transacted.
   —New display advertisements to-day are—Stowell's, Washing Machines, page 8; McKinney & Doubleday, Hammocks, page 6; G. F. Beaudry, Bicycle Pumps, page 6; O'Leary & McEvoy, Furniture, page 6.
   —The union meeting of the young people's societies for this quarter will be held with the First Baptist Y. P. S. C. E., to-morrow evening at 6 o'clock, one-half hour earlier than the regular young people's meetings.
   —Flower thieves are again in evidence. A large bed of peonies on the lawn of E. A. McGraw, 3 North Church-st. was stripped of blossoms last night. It would seem that people might be in better business than stealing flowers.
   —In war time a good illustrated paper is almost a family necessity. Realizing this fact The STANDARD has made arrangements whereby it is able to offer Leslie's Weekly, conceded to have only one rival among the illustrated journals of the country, to our old and new subscribers at the very low rate of $7.25 per annum for the Leslie's Weekly and the daily STANDARD or of $4.25 for the Weekly and the Semi-Weekly STANDARD. As $4 is the regular subscription price of Leslie's Weekly, subscribers accepting this offer practically get their home paper at very little expense.

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

EXPECTING SOMETHING, W. C. T. U. CONVENTION AND PATRIOTIC PEPPERBURG


Commodore Winfield Scott Schley.
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, June 3, 1898.
EXPECTING SOMETHING.
Important News May Soon Come From Santiago.
AN ATTACK MAY BE MADE.
Sampson Will Probably Not Wait For Our Troops.
   WASHINGTON. June 3.—It is plainly noticeable at the navy department that the officials are expecting news of the first importance, but that they do not look for it immediately. The firmness with which they have insisted that Schley could have had no general engagement with the Spanish forces, ships and forts at Santiago as was reported, appeared to be based on a full knowledge of the plans under which the commodore is acting, and the greatest concession they would make toward admitting that a fight had taken place there Tuesday was to say that possibly Schley had detected some earthworks going up and had razed them with the shells. They were confident he had made no attempt to enter the harbor.
   It is now believed, however, with Sampson in the field and in command off Santiago with an augmented force, that interesting events may be looked for. These are expected too, notwithstanding the fact that no troops have yet started from Tampa as was established by inquiry at the war department. The insurgents are known to be in force in the neighborhood of Santiago, and through Captain Dorst, the war department has not only been in communication with them, but has supplied them fully with good weapons and an abundance of ammunition. The headquarters of the best of the Cuban generals, Garcia, are distant from Santiago only 75 miles, so that it is possible Sampson feels strong enough with their support to begin the assault by sea upon the doomed Spanish fleet and forts without awaiting the arrival of the United States troops from Tampa. The trend of the news that came to Washington from unofficial sources all went to support this belief, so there is some ground for the expectation of the officials that important information may be expected shortly.

Domingo Mendez Capote.
CAPOTE INTERVIEWED.
Vice President of the Cuban Republic Tells About the Cuban Army.
   NEW YORK, June 3.—Domingo Mendez Capote, the vice president of the Cuban republic, when asked what his mission to this country was, said:
   "My mission is not a public one. All public acts relative to the situation between the United States and the Cuban republic will continue as heretofore to be conducted by General Palma. He has the thorough confidence of our people, who have a high appreciation of what he has done.
   "I do not come here to negotiate any loan. I come to consult with General Palma on matter which does not concern international questions or public interest. I have no present intention of calling upon President McKinley although I probably shall make a call upon him before I return. How long I shall remain here I cannot say at this time but shall make my stay as short as possible."
   Mr. Capote holds the position of judge advocate general in the insurgent army. Questioned as to the strength of the army he said:
   "Not counting those who have recently joined the forces, Garcia has about 12.000 men under him in the eastern department at Santiago and Porto Principe. About 3,800 of these men were in the neighborhood of Santiago when I received word. All were fully armed and equipped, and it was the intention to concentrate all of the force in the eastern department at that point. I cannot tell definitely how many men there are in the other provinces. Gomes had about 5,000 men at Santa Clara. Probably 30,000 men in all, fully armed and equipped are in the ranks of the Cuban army. A large number, probably 20,000 more, are armed with machetes, and there are thousands of others who have recently left the towns to join the army because they could no longer live in the towns. From Porto Principe alone 10,000 men, women and children have left because of the scarcity of provisions, preferring to take their chances in the country and further influenced by the fear that at the last moment the Spaniards, driven to desperation, will out of revenge resort to slaughter."
   Mr. Capote was asked to express his opinion as to whether or not Commodore Schley could affect the capture of Santiago, and the Spanish fleet by an attack from the sea, but said that he should prefer that Commodore Schley himself or Admiral Sampson should answer that question.

USS Brooklyn.
TO DRAW THE FIRE
AND LOCATE THE BATTERIES WAS SCHLEY'S AIM.
Santiago Is Strongly Fortified—Has Some Modern Guns that Use Smokeless Powder Which Makes it Difficult to Locate Them—Description of the Bombardment on Tuesday.
(Copyright, 1898, The Associated Press.)
   ON BOARD THE FLAGSHIP BROOKLYN, OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, May 31, (via Port Antonio, Jamaica, June 1.)—Commodore Schley determined to test the batteries of Santiago de Cuba to-day and determine where they lay and their capacity. At 10 o'clock he transferred his flag to the Vixen and was taken to the Massachusetts.
   At 1:15 the Massachusetts, as the flagship, signaled the Iowa and the New Orleans to form column and follow. A course due east was steered until the ships were about 7,000 yards from the shore and then, circling until they headed due west, they passed, starboard side on, by the forts. The heavy 13-iuch guns of the Massachusetts and the 12-inch guns of the Iowa were told to open on the Cristobal Colon, which was about 1,000 yards inside the Morro, while the New Orleans' large calibre guns were to open on the forts, so as to draw their fire.
   The narrowness of the harbor entrance and the speed of the ships, which made ten knots, allowed of the Cristobal Colon being made a target for only a few minutes. In that few minutes, it is believed she was hit twice, but was not seriously damaged.
   The entire set of forts, some six in number, opened fire and the object of the expedition was attained. Some of the modern guns, with smokeless powder, were aimed well, but of all the shots fired not one did any damage to Commodore Schley's ships. The Cristobal Colon replied to the fire, but all of her shots fell short. The American ships fired not more than four rounds from their heavy guns, consuming in all fifteen minutes for the fire. The Spaniards fired more than one hundred rounds, keeping up the fire when the ships were fully two miles out of their range.
   During the action Commodore Schley occupied a position near the forward 13-inch turret of the Massachusetts and unconcernedly watched the shells go whistling by as the ships got in the line of fire of the batteries.
   At 3:30 o'clock the commodore was back on board the Brooklyn. It is evident that the Spaniards have fortified Santiago very carefully and well. There are a number of modern guns there, evidently of English or French make, and they use smokeless powder, which makes it difficult to locate or destroy them. It will take a heavy bombardment to dislodge the batteries and the Spanish fleet.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Patriotic Pepperburg.
   Some years ago there came to this country from Warsaw, Poland, a Hebrew youth, by name Julius Pepperburg. He had the acumen and energy of his race. Taking advantage of the opportunities that lie all around in our happy land for those who have eyes and brains to see them and the hustle to grasp them, Pepperburg went on and became prosperous. He settled at length in Plattsmouth, Neb., there to enjoy the fruits of his years of work. Pepperburg was not like hundreds of rich native American men and women who never earned a dollar themselves, but who spend in lavish living in Europe the incomes their humble, hardworking ancestors earned in our republic. Pepperburg loved his adopted country more than most native Americans love the land where they were born. He loves it because he knows when all is said and done, it is the country of the people.
   The war with Spain came on. Pepperburg could not go and fight, for he was 50 years old and would not be accepted. So he drew a check for $200 and sent it to President McKinley. In the accompanying letter he said that since he owed his happiness and prosperity to the institutions of this free country he wanted to help the government in the present crisis, therefore he enclosed the check, to be used in the national defenses. The letter was signed "Your Jewish fellow citizen."
   Loyal Pepperburg!

W. C T. U. CONVENTION
Of Cortland County Held at Virgil, N. Y. on Wednesday, June 1.
   The county convention of the W. C. T. U. was held in the M. E. church in Virgil on Wednesday, June 1. The convention opened at 10:45 A. M. by singing "Guide Me, Oh, Thou Great Jehovah." Following this was a Scripture reading from Isaiah and Revelation by Mrs. Mary Yager; singing by convention, "Give to the Winds Thy Fears."
   The convention elected Mrs. Mary H. Polley recording secretary, pro tem.
Rollcall of officers and superintendents followed, to which six officers and five superintendents responded.
   The chair appointed to the following committees:
   Credentials—Miss Hare, Mrs. Lumree.
   Courtesies—Mrs. George Dann. Mrs. Anna Bentley.
   The address of welcome to the convention was given by Mrs. George Dann, president of the Virgil union. Response was made by the following unions: Preble, Cortland. Blodgett Mills, Freetown, McGrawville, Cincinnatus and Homer.
   The subject of "Scientific Temperance Instruction" was taken up and the following selections were read: "Temperance Instruction in the Public Schools" by Mrs. Bentley of Cortland; "Teaching Temperance in Public Schools" by Mrs. Hinman of Cortland; "Talk to the Teacher" by Miss Hare of Cortland. The subject was then opened for discussion. A short address was made by Miss Celia S. Hutton, president of the Yates county union and national lecturer on scientific instruction.
   A Bible reading upon the subject, "Women of the Bible," was given in which Mrs. Smith of the Preble union ably illustrated Christian influence and love.
   A selection, "The Devil's Business," was read by Mrs. M. H. Yale of Cortland.
   The noontide prayer was led by Mrs. Bentley of Cortland and the convention adjourned for the noon recess, the benediction being pronounced by Rev. A. C. Smith of Preble.
   In the afternoon the convention was called to order at 2 o'clock. Devotionals were led by Mrs. Rayfield of Freetown, followed by singing of "Coronation" and Scripture reading from Ephesians, the sixth chapter. Prayers were offered by several members of the convention. The minutes of the morning session were read and approved.
   The report of the credential committee was read by Miss Hare and the subject of "Christian Citizenship" was discussed by Mrs. J. S. Squires of Cortland. Extracts upon the same subject from John G. Wooley's address were read by, Mrs. Lumree and Mrs. Culver. Extracts from Miss Willard's address were read by Mrs. Warren and Mrs. Boynton. Short addresses, cheerful and encouraging, were made by Rev A. C. Smith of Preble, Rev. O. L. Warren of Blodgett Mills, Rev. Mr. Rayfield of Freetown and Mr. Geo. A. Norton of Cortland. The selection, "Mother's Boy" was sung by a ladies' quartet. A recitation, "Strong Drink is Raging" was given by Mrs. Nina Pond, and then "Non-Alcoholics" was discussed by Mrs. Edith Cotton. This was followed by a recitation, "The Path of a Calf," by Miss Gladys Sherman and then Mrs. Watrous made a plea for the temple.
   Question box was conducted by Miss Hutton. A solo, "Only Remember What I Have Done," was sung by Mrs. Rayfield and a memorial service was conducted by Mrs. Squires.
   The report of the executive board was offered; the minutes of the afternoon session were read and approved and the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Mr. Warren.
   The executive board met at 1:30 and at 6 P.M. After considering several questions it decided to hold the annual convention in Cortland next September.

Sanford J. Ellsworth.
   The May number of The Brooklyn Teacher contains on its first page a cut of the large and handsome school building, where Mr. S. J. Ellsworth of Cortland is principal. The school has an attendance of 600 and the faculty numbers fourteen. The Teacher also contains an excellent cut of Mr. Ellsworth, and says in connection with some facts about the school:
   Mr. S. J. Ellsworth, the present principal, is a native of Cortland, N. Y., and received his education at the Cortland Normal school and Cornell university.
   After several years of experience in teaching in the central part of the state Mr. Ellsworth came to Brooklyn, where he was for two years connected with the Polytechnic institute as instructor of mathematics. This position he resigned in 1895 to become the principal of the school at Far Rockaway.
  Fitted by nature to become a successful teacher of children, he is endowed with tact, perseverance, executive ability and above all an inborn fondness for children. These natural gifts are supplemented by a thorough professional training, broadened by extensive reading and travel abroad.



BREVITIES.
   —W. P. Robinson's Plymouth Rock hens have struck on the [low] price of eggs along with some other's previously noted. The latest product in an egg that weighs less than a half ounce.
   —At the meeting of the University Center next Monday night members are invited to bring items of interest in reference to Japan with which to answer to their names in response to rollcall.
  —Prof. T. J. McEvoy will give his lecture on "Cuba" at Normal hall to-night at 8 o'clock for the benefit of the Normal Athletic association. The lecture will be illustrated by a large number of views of the country, the people, fleets, etc.
   —Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr. William F. Harvey and Miss Harriet May Burnham, which will occur at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Burnham in Cortland on Wednesday evening, June 15, at 8 o'clock.
   —New display advertisements to-day are—F. Daehler, Straw Hats, page 6; A. S. Burgess, Fine Shoes, page 7: F. E. Brogden, Prescriptions, page 4; Cately & Ettling, Buggy Attachment, page 4; Angell & McFall, Meat and Groceries, page 6; J. R. Boice, Puncture Proof Tire, page 7.
   —The poem which we publish on our second page to-day entitled "I Have
Crept in With Mother," the last words of the late Miss Frances E. Willard, were written by Prof. A. A. Hopkins who is to give the course of lectures at the First Baptist church next week.
   —The person who furnishes items to a newspaper is always a valuable friend to the editor. Many persons hesitate about sending personal notes to the newspaper regarding the movement of friends, lest the newspaper man should think them too anxious to see their names in print. He will think nothing of the kind, but on the contrary he is glad to get such notes. Many seemingly unimportant items when printed are news to a large number of readers.