FIRST CUBAN LAND BATTLE AND DAY AT LAKE VIEW

"United States Marines Invade Cuba."

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 17, 1898.

FIRST CUBAN BATTLE.

Four of Our Marines Killed and Two Badly Wounded.

   KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 14.—Further details of the battle at the entrance to Guantanamo has been received here. The Spaniards attacked the camp of the First battalion of marines under Lieutenant B. W. Huntington, and were repulsed with heavy loss.

   Four Americans were killed, namely: Surgeon J. B. Gibbs of New York city, Sergeant Smith of Company D, Private McCallagan of Company D, and Private Dunneshy of Company D.

   The wounded were private McGowan of Company D, hand shattered, and the pilot on the United States cruiser Marblehead shot through the leg.

   Lieutenants Neville and Shaw of Company D with 30 men were on picket duty all night and were attacked by a heavy force of Spaniards. All the men killed were in this detachment, except Dr. Gibbs, who was shot in camp.

   The pickets held the Spaniards off until released in the morning. Then reinforcements were landed from the Texas and Marblehead. They consisted of 60 men and two rapid fire guns.

   The men are suffering greatly from heat and thirst, but they are all behaving splendidly in and out of fire.

   After McCallagan and Dunphy (Dunneshy?) were killed their heads were shockingly mutilated with machetes.

   Late in the morning the Spaniards opened fire from two guns placed on the west side of the harbor. The shots flew wild, but the Texas, Yankee and torpedo boat Porter, which were lying in the harbor, opened fire and in a short time silenced the Spanish guns. The latter fired only once after the ships opened on them. There were no casualties on the American side.

   It was decided by Colonel Huntington to abandon the position first occupied as a camp as there were no signs of reinforcements of troops and it was known that a force of Spaniards six times more numerous than the marine battalion was in the vicinity. Therefore, the crest of the hill which the troops held was given up to batteries and rifle pits and the tents were pitched on the side of the hill near the harbor, which is protected by the warships.

 

General Nelson Miles.

                                        PORTO RICO INVASION.

Troops Will Be Dispatched There Within the Next Ten Days.

   WASHINGTON. June 13.—In 10 days time, unless unforeseen obstacles are encountered, the movement upon Porto Rico will begin. The war department has been in close communication by telegraph with General Miles at Tampa and all of the necessary instructions have been given to the commanding general for the preparation of the military forces to be used in this part of the campaign General Miles in turn has been consulting Generals Coppinger and Lee at Jacksonville, giving the necessary detailed instructions, and all is so near ready, that were some essential supplies on hand, the expedition could start within 24 hours.

   The navy department has been advised of the purpose of the army and the war board and is making arrangements for the supply of the convoying fleet. This will be of a more formidable character than that which goes with the Santiago expedition, for the plans contemplate a joint attack upon the San Juan fortifications by the army and navy and the fortifications are so powerful that heavily armored ships only can be sent against them at the beginning. Therefore, it is believed that Sampson's battle ships will head this fleet.

 

A DAY AT LAKE VIEW.

FARMERS TAKE AN OUTING—A PLEASANT RESORT.

Speeches by Cortland County Men—Music by Daniels' Band—A Fine Day and a Big Time—Railroad Talk.

   It was a merry gathering that assembled at Lake View last Friday to enjoy a holiday at this resort which is becoming famous as picnic headquarters. The affair was advertised as a grange picnic, and when the DEMOCRAT reporter glanced over the multitude on the grounds and saw such prominent farmers [satire] as Irving H. Palmer, N. A. Bundy W. D. Tisdale, J. S. Bull, H. M. Kellogg, John C. Seager, Henry Corcoran and others from Cortland, with A. E. Seymour of McGrawville, he was forced to the conclusion that it was rightly advertised and that it was exclusively a granger gathering.

   It is estimated that more than two thousand people were on the grounds surrounding the lake, a large proportion coming from the three towns of Willet in Cortland county, Triangle in Broome, and Smithville in Chenango, these towns joining each other at that point. Many were also present from Cincinnatus, Taylor, Greene, Whitney's Point, Lisle and Marathon. Those who went from Cortland will never forget their experience by the way, the journey being made by the Eric & Central New York railroad to Willet station, and from thence to Lake View in heavy farm wagons with seats around the outside; no support for the back; no springs to the vehicle; the sun pouring its hot rays directly over the entire route of nine miles; the horses not allowed to go faster than a three miles an hour gait, and every passenger nearly famishing with hunger. No one was to blame for this unpleasant condition of affairs, but the Cortland contingent unanimously decided that they would henceforth be as strangers to Lake View until Major Bundy builds his railroad to that point.

   Of Lake View and its surroundings one can but see it to admire the scene. Imagine a sheet of water a mile long and a half mile wide, thickly wooded on the south side, with here and there an opening to admit the building of neat cottages, a hotel, dance hall and immense shade trees on the north side, numerous boats skimming over its surface, and one has an idea of this popular resort. Place more than two thousand men, women and children around the lake, with hundreds of buggies and farm wagons, and the grange picnic is before the reader in imagination.

   Up to 3 o'clock the day was spent in various ways as the visitors were inclined. Farmers visited with each other, young people hired boats and crossed the lake, children romped, the young men escorted their fair partners about the dance hall and the rest drank beer.

   At 3 o'clock it was seen that several Cortland grangers (?) were liable to explode unless they were allowed to uncork their oratory, and the large dance hall was convened into an auditorium. The assemblage was called to order and George R. Jacobson of Smithville chosen chairman. He immediately introduced granger, I. H. Palmer [a Cortland lawyer and railroad investor—CC ed.] of Cortland as the first speaker. Those who know Mr. Palmer are aware that he can talk law and politics, and there was much anxiety to learn what branch of agriculture he would expound. Some thought he would espouse the cause of silos, others that he would give a dissertation on stock, and one old farmer from Killawog hoped he would tell just how to "crush 'tater bugs." But Mr. Palmer ignored all these and proceeded to give a speech that was full of interest and information, his theme being transportation and its importance to the farmer. He traced the improvements made in this direction from the time when all produce was hauled miles and miles by team over primitive roads, paying his respects to the canals, which have had their day, and espousing the cause of railroads. The speech was listened to with close attention.

   He was followed by A. E. Seymour from McGrawville, another granger, who admitted that there were a few points in scientific farming with which he was not familiar. But he gave a stirring address, however, and his many witty illustrations were appreciated by the audience.

   N A. Bundy was called upon and he gave a good granger talk on railroads in general and the Erie and Central New York in particular. He frankly said he would like to build the road to Lake View if it could be made to pay.

   H. M. Kellogg was the last speaker, and he talked along the same line as Mr. Bundy, closing with a reference to the Spanish war which aroused the patriotic spirit of the audience to a high pitch.

   After the speeches dancing was indulged in until late in the night.

 

                                        HERE AND THERE.

   Dr. S. J. Sornberger has had a telephone placed in his residence.

   The Hop Growers' picnic will be held at Sylvan Beach on Saturday, June 30.

   The derrick for the Canastota Gas company's well is up and boring began this week.

   Regent's examinations have been in progress at the Central school this week, closing to-day.

   The Dryden fair will be held this year on the 20th, 21st and 22nd of September. $2,000 will be offered in premiums and $1,100 in race purses.

   The Cortland Political Equality club will meet with Mrs. B. R. Smith at the home of Dr. Cheney Monday, June 20, at 3 P. M. All interested are welcome.

   Mrs. Charles W. Fleming has been declared insane by Drs. Dana and Reese and the surrogate committed her to the State hospital at Binghamton last Saturday.

   Potatoes have dropped from $1.20 to 60 cents a bushel. Farmers who have been holding their crops in the hope that the market would reach $1.50 are badly disappointed.—Lyons Press.

   Saturday night's storm was more severe in the eastern part of the county than here and our correspondents write of serious damage done by immense hall stones and the large amount of water that fell.

   Samuel Parsons,, the directory man, is fast completing his work and expects to have the books ready for delivery by July 5. He will go to Marathon next Wednesday to complete the work there.

   During the thunder shower Saturday evening the barn of Berdell Winters near Virgil was struck by lightning and burned with its contents, including a horse, as chronicled by our Virgil correspondent.

   The black bass season opened Wednesday. Fishermen must bear in mind that the bass must be ten inches long this year, and that not more than twenty-five can be legally captured by one person in a day.

   The fire department was called to the works of the Carriage Goods company Friday evening but their services were not needed. A small blaze in the japaning room had been extinguished with pails.

   Ernest Matthews of Blodgett Mills was arrested Wednesday afternoon for intoxication and paid a $3 fine for the privilege. He had started for McGrawville to get a doctor for his wife but took the wrong road.

   The Gas company are making rapid progress in the laying of their new mains in Main-st. The refilling of the ditch is being well done, too. No water is used and all the earth taken out is put back, hardly any ridge being left.

   The annual reunion of the 185th regiment, N. Y. Volunteers will be held in Cortland next Wednesday, June 22. Headquarters will be in G. A. R. hall. Col. Jenney of Syracuse and Robert P. Bush of Horseheads will be in attendance.

   "John Bags" took too many nips Monday and Officer Nix arrested him. While waiting for the police justice John took "French leave" and a lively time ensued for awhile. The chase was short but interesting. This time he was given 59 days in jail.

   Our newsy Peruville letter this week contains some reliable particulars direct from Chickamagua Park where many volunteers are encamped. It also contains an account of the death of William H. Richardson of Freeville, formerly of Freetown, this county

   John L. Burns was injured at 2 o'clock last Friday afternoon by having the first and second fingers of his right hand caught between the bumpers of a Lehigh Valley train. He was immediately brought to Cortland where the injuries were dressed by Dr. F. W. Higgins.

   Volumn I, No. 1, of the Cincinnatus Times reached us last week. Editor Blanchard has made an excellent beginning, putting out a sheet containing an abundance of local and general news and with a liberal display of advertising which looks as though a paying basis had been struck at once.

   Henry D. Freer is reported to be considering the starting of a restaurant and catering establishment in this city, to be conducted by him in addition to his hotel at Taughannock. Mr. Freer had a restaurant at Cortland prior to his experience in the Ithaca hotel. He has not yet succeeded in finding a vacant store filling his requirements.—Ithaca Journal.

   A farmer writes to an exchange as follows: "Every year I hear of caterpillars destroying whole orchards. There is nothing so easy to dispose of. I bore a hole in the tree deep enough to reach the sap, fill the hole with sulphur and plug it up. The sap takes the sulphur to every limb and twig and the caterpillars disappear at once. I have used it for years."

   Willie Crawford, an 11-year-old lad, took an independent trip last week which gave his mother a great amount of uneasiness. He has been subject to fainting spells and she feared he had had one in an out-of-the-way place and died. In reality he was out for a visit with relatives in the eastern part of the county and after a four days' search his mother found him in Delphi, N.Y.

   The illustrated souvenir edition of the Whitney's Point Reporter which Editor F. C. Branday sent out last week is a very creditable edition. To people of Whitney's Point and vicinity it is particularly valuable for the history it contains and to others it ably illustrates the quick recovery of a small but enterprising town from a disastrous conflagration. The subject matter and numerous illustrations are well selected and edited and we congratulate Mr. Branday upon his success.

 

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   A. G. Loomis of Deposit is contemplating opening a unique livery at Liberty, Sullivan county, a summer resort. All horses are to be pure white, or as nearly so as possible. The running gear of the carriages and wagons will be painted white, and the harness will be of light-colored leather. Such an establishment should have a red-headed girl for bookkeeper.—Kingston Leader.

   The greatest searchlight in the world is now being erected at Fortress Monroe. The lenses are nine feet in diameter. It will illuminate an object 100 miles away, and can be seen in the sky at even a greater distance. The light is gathered into a nine foot beam, and its estimated intensity is 90,000,000 candles. It will turn night into day around Hampton Roads. Its location is especially appropriate, as vessels passing to and from Baltimore and Washington can be plainly seen in the Chesapeake Bay some fifteen miles away on the darkest night.

   Lawrence E. Meader, chief of the Oneida fire department, has a novel and unpleasant law suit on hand. Some time ago a fire occurred in a small dwelling situated in the outskirts of the village and the firemen after starting were ordered back, it is alleged by the chief, who believed the fire to be across Oneida creek, away from a water supply and out of the corporation limits. The fire proved to have been within the village boundaries, and the owners of the building have sued Chief Meader for damages alleged to have been caused by his neglect of duty.

   A man named Frank S. Allen, who sells worthless watches for from $7 to $10, was arrested in Little Falls on Saturday. He told about his game and was released. The watches look nice, and are liable to keep time for a few weeks, and the cases will turn black in less time unless they are carefully cared for. He says that on an average he will dispose of three watches per day at an average price of from $7 to $8 each. He travels around the country, from place to place, and does the most successful business among the farmers. Many of the purchasers think that the watch has been stolen and think they have struck a rich bargain.

   The general rule of law that an officer whose official duty it is to make arrests, cannot claim a reward offered by the State for the capture of a criminal, has recently been affirmed by the highest courts in California and Kentucky. The Kentucky Court of Appeals said that "the reason underlying this rule is that, were it otherwise, law officers, whose official duly it is to make arrests, might be induced to delay making them until rewards should be offered; and, consequently, criminals might escape arrest and punishment. The rule which prohibits the acceptance of rewards by policemen and similar officers is thus founded on public policy."