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| Maximo Gomez. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, September 16, 1898.
AGITATION IN HAVANA.
Situation is Very Feverish and Widespread.
ABSOLUTE INDEPENDENCE.
Cubans and Spaniards Unite on the Issue.
HAVANA. Sept. 16.—The predominant feature of the situation is the feverish and widespread agitation of the Cubans in favor of the absolute independence of the island at all costs. Manifestos are being circulated, inviting the co-operations of Spanish residents and merchants to this end and pointing out that either annexation or an American protectorate would mean death to all trade with Spain in a couple of years.
General Maximo Gomez, who only a fortnight ago, gave expression to extremely moderate views, counseling harmony and patience, now expresses himself as strongly in favor of "absolute independence" or nothing. He says the Spanish element cannot afford to delay uniting with the Cubans, as a "necessary basis for the establishment of conditions that will forbid and prevent the United States grabbing and taking easy advantage of the treasures both Spaniards and Cubans have fought for at an expense of rivers of blood on each side."
General Gomez says, if report speaks truly, that those who fear independence belong to the same cowardly curs who fled from Havana at the first rumor of bombardment." These, he declares are, however, a minority, and—to quote further—"almost the entire Spanish population remains protecting their homes and defying the dangers of war, and will now remain to unite their efforts with those of the Cuban party, working together with the Cubans for the development of the island and the return of prosperity."
A leading evening paper published a local letter purporting to voice the opinion of Catalonia in favor of independence and promising aid and co-operation. How far the influence of the party agitation for Cuban independence may extend, it is at present difficult to estimate, but the fact is, its agents are working like beavers. Some former sympathizers with the annexation movement are now to be found in the ranks of the independence movements.
This violent impetus given to the agitation for independence is the result, apparently, of the arrival of the Resolute, or rather of the arrival of Mr. Porter and the examination he is making into tariffs, municipal taxation and other matters of internal government which the Cubans had expected to handle and administer themselves. Mr. Porter's operations are viewed with suspicion by an important section of the Cubans, who keep on calling meetings and protesting against a "usurpation of privileges purchased at such a sacrifice." They insist upon absolute freedom—unrestrained liberty or a fight to the death.
One reason why many Spaniards who at first favored annexation have now changed their opinion is that they fear the competition of American rivals as storekeepers, hotel managers and restaurant keepers. They are afraid that the Americans instead of coming to buy out their establishments and stocks at fabulous prices, based upon the old Spanish duties, will open shops next door, import goods at low duties under the new regime, ruin their business and reduce them to poverty.
Exactly the same spirit prevails among the planters, especially the smaller ones, who had hoped to sell at good prices the old French and Belgian machinery for which they paid dear and imported under excessive duties. They realize that the American syndicates will bring American machinery, much cheaper and paying practically no duties, establish a large central market, close theirs and push them to the wall.
The awakening of all such dreamers to the reality of the future nature of American competition causes them now to shout loudly for Cuban independence under which they would expect to enjoy the blessings of lenient laws without fear of active competition.
All this amounts practically to a silent admission of Cuba's inability to offer, if left to herself, the guarantees of stability that would induce foreign capital to come here to develop the island's natural resources. The deduction seems to be this: With Cuba independent no foreign capital and no competition; with Cuba under American rule, a competition against which the Cubans would not have the energy or the power to succeed.
These questions are uppermost in every mind, making for general uneasiness and discontent, preventing the resumption of the normal tone of the market and blocking trade and traffic.
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| Gen. Nelson Miles. |
ECHOES OF THE WAR.
Military Notes and Items About the Recent Conflict.
The "meat ring" in Havana continues keeping the price of meat at from 50 to 60 cents per pound, in spite of the protests and offers made by large and responsible firms to the government, offering to import cattle and place meat on the market at 25 cents per pound.
The Philippine insurgents are complying with the demands made by General Otis for the withdrawal of the Filipinos from Manila and in other matters, and it is safe to say that trouble has been averted.
Hundreds of Spanish officers in Cuba have asked to be discharged from the army. They refuse to return to Spain, where starvation stares them in the face.
General Miles is confined to his bed with a touch of fever, resulting in part from the work and exposure of his recent campaigns. There is no cause for alarm.
General Miles has recommended that 10,000 regulars be stationed in Cuba, 4,000 in Porto Rico and 4,000 in the Philippines.
The Spanish evacuation commissioners at Havana have not yet received their instructions from Madrid which has caused a serious delay in the proceedings.
The mayor of Havana, the Marquis Estaban, an autonomist, has sent a gift of a magnificent saddle horse to the insurgent chief Mayia Rodriguez.
It is believed that the battleships Oregon and Iowa are going direct to Manila instead of Honolulu as first given out by the navy department.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Disquieting News from Cuba.
Just before the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Spain, the attorney for the Cuban Junta in New York made the indiscreet announcement that the insurgents might find it necessary under certain conditions to turn their arms against the American forces. While he did not define clearly what those circumstances were, he made it clear enough that they included the right of the insurgents to have their own way.
Not much attention was given to the statement at the time. But in the light of the latest news from Cuba, it has a deal of significance. Indeed, it was a prophecy that now appears about to be realized. Indications of this fact have not been wanting for some time. Garcia's childish outburst because of the refusal of General Shafter to let him occupy the city of Santiago did not bode well for the future. His subsequent retirement to the interior and prosecution of the war even after the armistice had been signed were farther indications of the determination of the insurgents to have their own way. His resignation at the request of the so-called Cuban government did not tend to make the situation more reassuring. In Cuba it has been the military men not the civilians that have had the most to do with the management of public affairs. Their opinion and conduct are, therefore, the best indication of the trend of events.
We have been assured from time to time that the course pursued by General Garcia at Santiago did not meet the approval of General Gomes. It has been asserted repeatedly that this veteran was in accord with the Cuban government and was anxious to maintain the friendliest relations with the United States. But if the report just published that he has resigned is true, it is evident that he is no more satisfied with the Americans than General Garcia. In it is stated that he has declared in so many words that he disapproves of "the passive submission to conditions tending to the practical discrediting and retirement of the Cuban republic as such, and the establishing of the absolute dominion of the United States." What this means is plain enough. It is that the head and front of the Cuban insurgents does not propose to see what has been called the Cuban republic set aside and the authority of the United States made dominant. Whether he intends to take up arms against the United States, as the attorney for the Cuban Junta predicted, or retire to his old home in Hayti, he does not say.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.
GARRY E. CHAMBERS SLASHED HIS THROAT AT MC LEAN.
Terribly Cut About Head and Arms with a Razor—Sorry He Didn't Use Poison—Deliberate Plan to End His Life—Took His Burial Suit Along—Directions for the Undertaker Concerning His Interment—Belief that He May Recover Still.
At an early hour last evening word was received in Cortland that Garry E. Chambers, who is building the handsome new house on Tompkins-st., had attempted suicide at the Elm Tree House in McLean. A STANDARD man set out at once for the little town six miles away and found it all excitement. The Chambers family had lived in that locality since the early days of the century. There Garry E. Chambers, son of Garry Chambers, Sr., had been born and there he had spent all of his sixty-two years till last December when he was married and moved to Cortland, and from a financial point of view he had been McLean's leading citizen.
The attempt at suicide seems to have been deliberate in the extreme. Everything was carefully planned, and nothing but lack of skill in the use of the razor prevented its being successful. The facts are as follows: Mr. Chambers left Cortland on the 3:21 train yesterday afternoon and went to McLean. He took with him a good sized valise which he checked at the Lehigh Valley station here and did not remove from the baggage room at the McLean station. He walked up the street to the Elm Tree House, the favorite resort for sleigh-riding parties in the winter—a hotel which has been the objective point of more jolly parties of young people going out from Cortland than any other in this vicinity. On the veranda sat his old friend, J. M. Thomas, the proprietor, and several others of his former neighbors. He shook hands cordially with Mr. Thomas and with the others and then said to the proprietor that he wanted a room as he was not feeling very well and he expected to meet a man there on business some [time] after 6 o'clock. Mr. Thomas invited him to go into his own private apartments down stairs and make himself at home, but he declined saying that he preferred a chamber up stairs, as he wanted to lie down.
Before leaving he telegraphed to his nephew, Daniel E. Marsh of Ithaca, to come upon the evening train and meet him there on business. It was evident from subsequent events that he did not expect Mr. Marsh to find him alive on his arrival, but had summoned him to take charge of his remains.
W. B. Houghton, the hotel clerk, showed Mr. Chambers to a pleasant suite of rooms at the north-west corner of the hotel on the second floor. There was a parlor, containing the usual parlor furniture and a bedroom in the rear opening out of it. The clerk with two lady assistants was engaged upon some work in a room adjoining the rooms occupied by Mr. Chambers, and they heard him moving about at intervals. It was nearly 4 o'clock when he went to his rooms. About twenty minutes later they heard him lock the door. Then they noticed nothing further for about a half hour. Suddenly there was a sort of cry heard from Mr. Chamber's rooms and then came three loud calls, almost shrieks of "Murder! Murder!! Murder!!!" Clerk Thomas rushed toward the sound. The door of Mr. Chambers' room stood wide open and Mr. Chambers himself was on his knees on the floor near the door covered with blood and with blood flowing from terrible gashes in his throat and arms. He had removed all his clothing except his undershirt and had laid it on the bed in the rear room. A large wash bowl had been carried from the rear room to the parlor and stood on the floor about midway between the center of the room and the door. The bowl was half filled with blood, and blood was all over the carpet in the vicinity. A blood stained razor of medium size bent back at the joint as when used for shaving purposes lay on the floor near the bowl. The razor case was on the table. The wall near the door was stained with blood, Mr. Chambers' bleeding arm having evidently run down over it in an attempt to save himself from falling while trying to open the door when he called for help. The man himself was bent forward, his head almost touching the floor.
The clerk was horrified at the sight and exclaimed, "Good God, Garry, what have you been doing?"
"I've tried to commit suicide, but failed," was the reply. "If I'd only brought the poison along, I'd been all right. Send for LeDru." "LeDru" is Dr. B. L. Robinson who lives but a stone's throw from the hotel. The clerk had laid hold of Mr. Chambers under the arms from behind and had tried to help him to his feet, but at these words he dropped him again and started for the doctor.
Dr. Robinson had been sick in bed for a week with a fever, but when he received such a startling call as this he dressed himself with all speed and hastened over to the hotel.
Sitting upon the steps of Gunn's store on one side of the park at this time was C. C. Whinnery of Cleveland, O., a representative of Burnap & Burnap of Cleveland, manufacturers of dairy supplies. He had been in McLean for ten days past putting in the machinery for the Elgin butter factory at the creamery. He saw the messenger speeding over for the doctor and saw the doctor hurrying back, and noticed the excitement at the hotel across the way and he followed on. When he arrived he was the coolest man on the scene who was doing nothing and Dr. Robinson pressed him into the service and secured his assistance in dressing the wounds.
They carried Mr. Chambers into the middle of the room and placed him on his back on the floor and proceeded to make an examination of the wounds. One gash extended across the front of the throat from ear to ear, and was over six inches long. It took fourteen stitches to close it, but it didn't go high enough to touch the facial arteries, nor deep enough, nor far enough back to reach the jugular veins or carotid arteries. A second cut or rather double cut, for it looked as though it had been made from both sides, extended around the back side of the head across the scalp from ear to ear. Then there was a deep cut in each forearm about midway between the wrist and the elbow. These were vicious looking slashes going diagonally across the upper side of the arm from the outside of the arm upwards toward the inner side. But they too failed to reach arteries.
During the whole time they were dressing these wounds Mr. Chambers was conscious and talked with them. Dr. Robinson exclaimed as he first saw his patient, "Garry, what in God's name did you do this for?" and the answer was "Oh! I don't know, I don't know, I wish I'd brought the poison. I'm tired of life, I don't want to live any longer." And this was the burden of his talking all the time. But he showed nerve. He was only given 6 teaspoonfuls of whisky, and that diluted, to help him through the sewing process, and he was never seen to flinch once as the sharp needle was inserted or the thread drawn through.
As soon as Dr. Robinson discovered the extent and character of the wounds he directed a telephone message sent to Dr. Dana in Cortland asking him to go over in counsel. The doctor responded promptly and got there about 6:30 o'clock and assisted in the latter part of the work and also looked over and approved of what had been done before he arrived.
Soon after the painful process of dressing the wounds began the patient suffered a collapse, but hypodermic injections of stimulants were given and before 9 o'clock in the evening he had rallied and was resting easily. Dr. F. S. Jennings of Dryden, who married Mrs. Chambers' sister, heard of the situation and came up and he remained all night with the patient.
When the people entered the room after the alarm was given Mr. Chambers' straw hat was seen lying on its crown on the table. In the hat was a sealed letter addressed to "George Allport, Cortland, N. Y.," who is the contractor who is building his house here. On the brim of the hat lying face upwards was a note addressed to H. E. Galloup or Daniel E. Marsh. Mr. Galloup is the undertaker and druggist in McLean and Mr. Marsh, as previously stated, is Mr. Chambers' nephew. The note stated that the writer was about to commit suicide and that he desired to be buried in McLean by the side of his father and mother, but not in Cortland, and he did not wish his body removed to Cortland at all. He said that his valise at the railroad station contained his burial suit. Some other directions were also given. By the side of the note lay the baggage check, and when the valise was procured, it did surely enough contain just the things that would be needed for burial and nothing besides.
During the time that Mr. Chambers' wounds were being dressed he seemed to take note of the blood-stained condition of things and gave imperative directions that under no circumstances should his wife nor any of his relatives be admitted to that room. A number of times he said, "This will kill my wife."
Mrs. Chambers was spending the day with the family of Frank Haskins near South Cortland and was away from the Cortland House where they have boarded since their marriage at the time her husband left. A telephone message was sent to Cortland soon after the deed was discovered saying that Mr. Chambers was very sick and might not recover, and her presence was desired there at once. No one at the hotel knew where she was and it took some time to get track of her. She did not reach Cortland till just before the departure of the 8:55 train, and then she started, not knowing what was the trouble with her husband but fearing that it was a stroke of apoplexy. The word had leaked out in some quarters, however, for it was known that Dr. Dana had been called two hours before.
When the train reached McLean Dr. Robinson, who was an old friend, was down to meet Mrs. Chambers and took her directly to hi own home, where the news was broken to her as gently as possible by her sister, Mrs. Jennings, who had already arrived there. But at best it was a terrible shock and one which she can hardly realize. The sympathy of many friends will go out to her in this hour of sorrow.
Mr. Chambers, however, bad as are his wounds, in the opinion of his physicians stands a good chance to recover. He comes of a long lived stock. His father was born in 1803 and died three years ago at the age of 92 years. His mother died some ten or eleven years ago.
Mr. Chambers was born in the town of McLean, but about two miles north of the village. Fifty three years ago, when nine years old his father moved into town and Garry, the son, lived for fifty-two years in the house on the south side of the main street next to the creek which he last fall sold to Myron Webster for $600.
Mr. Chambers, the father, was known as a shrewd, careful, strictly honest man who developed a great talent for money getting, and the son has followed in his footsteps. If anybody owed him a cent he wanted it, and if he owed any one the fraction of a mill he was just as anxious to pay it. In this way both father and son accumulated large properties. During the last years of his father's life the son managed all his business affairs and with great success. How great is the fortune of the son no one knows but Mr. Chambers himself, for he took no one into his confidence, but conservative estimates made by people who think they know something about it place it as above $500,000.
Mr. Chambers' mother was insane for many years and some of his friends say they have heard him express the fear that he too might follow in her footsteps in that direction. There is a belief in McLean that the fear of this produced a state of mind which led to the rash step of yesterday.
On December 16, 1897, Mr. Chambers was married to Miss Mary A. Story of Moravia and brought his bride at once to Cortland where they have since lived very happily making their home at the Cortland House. In the spring he bought a very desirable lot in an excellent location on Tompkins-st. and started to build a handsome residence. The work is well under way and the house promises to be an ornament to Tompkins-st. and a comfort and a delight to the occupants. It seems beyond belief that anything besides temporary insanity could have caused Mr. Chambers to make this attempt upon his life when he had so much to look forward to and so much to make him happy as the world in general counts happiness.
Besides his wife he has one sister, Mrs. John Owen Marsh of Moravia, and a nephew, Mr. Daniel E. Marsh of Ithaca, and a niece, Miss Emma Marsh of Moravia. These constitute his only living near relatives.
Mr. D. L. Bliss of Cortland, the cigar manufacturer, was at the Elm Tree House at McLean yesterday when Mr. Chambers arrived there. He shook hands with him along with the rest, and Mr. Bliss says that Mr. Chambers appeared the same as usual. Lucius Davis of Cortland was driving toward the station at McLean when he met Mr. Chambers who had just stepped from the train. Mr. Chambers bowed, and Mr. Davis says he noticed nothing unusual about his demeanor.
Mr. D. C. Johnson of Cortland, who prior to last fall has been a resident of McLean and lived near Mr. Chambers and knows him well, met him in Cortland yesterday about noon and saw him again near the McLean station just after Mr. Chambers had stepped down from the train. When he met him the second time he said, "Why, if I had known you were coming over here I should have asked you to have driven over with me. I have just come from Cortland." Mr. Chambers gave him a rather queer look, he says, as he replied "Well, I expect to go on further before I return." Mr. Johnson thought at the time that it was a queer sort of a reply to that remark and was accompanied by a strange look.
Mr. Johnson says further that Mr. Chambers was up at his house a few weeks ago and in the course of conversation said to him that he was not feeling very well this summer, the excessively hot weather had affected him unpleasantly. Besides he had had an unusual amount of anxiety about his new house. He had desired to personally superintend all the work and it was something entirely out of his line and in consequence he did not feel in usual health.
Mr. Bradley Mix of McLean told a STANDARD man this morning that he saw Mr. Chambers yesterday at 1 o'clock in front of his new house and paid him $15. Mr. Chambers seemed to be about as usual, and they had a few pleasant words before separating after they had finished their business transaction.
A resident of Tompkins-st. who lives near to Mr. Chambers' new house spoke with him a few days ago about the time when they should get moved in and settled, and Mr. Chambers replied that he feared that the house would not be ready before Dec. 1, and it was greatly to his regret. He had hoped to get settled by Nov. 1.
Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Hout called upon Mr. and Mrs. Chambers at their rooms at the Cortland House Wednesday night, and Mr. Chambers spoke quite at length about the new house, and expressed the keenest anticipation of pleasure in getting into their new home. He said they expected to be very happy there. Mrs. Hout is a sister of Dr. Jennings of Dryden who is Mrs. Chambers' brother-in-law, and was a schoolmate and has been a lifelong friend of Mrs. Chambers. She was called out of the Presbyterian prayer- meeting last night and started at once for McLean when she learned what had happened and that Mrs. Chambers had already gone there by train.
Several people at McLean have expressed the feeling within a few weeks that Mr. Chambers seemed so greatly changed for the better since his marriage. He appeared so much happier and cheerful and took such keen interest in his new house and in his home life that he seemed almost like a new man.
In view of all these things his action yesterday seems all the more unaccountable. Dr. Jennings said this morning to a STANDARD man that all the way in which he could explain it was that he had got worried over the ordinary tread of his quiet life being interrupted and disturbed by such a thing as the building of a new house. And he had chosen too to personally watch every nail that was driven and superintend everything that was done and it had taxed his nerve power almost beyond endurance, and had led him to attempt to free himself from it all.
A STANDARD man was in McLean again this morning and learned that Mr. Chambers had passed a quiet and restful night and seemed much stronger. During the early part of the night he begged for solid food as he was so hungry. He had eaten no dinner yesterday and the unfortunate occurrence had come about before supper time, but they did not think it wise to give it to him.
About 10 o'clock last night Mr. Chambers asked to see his wife and Mrs. Chambers hastened to his bedside. He expressed his gratification at seeing her there and talked for a few minutes with her in quite his usual manner. But because of the stitches and bandages he spoke with some difficulty and Dr. Jennings was unwilling that he should try to say much and was also unwilling that Mrs. Chambers should remain long for fear of the excitement that always comes to a sick person from the presence of any one in the room. He had so far improved this morning, however, when The STANDARD man was in McLean that Mrs. Chambers was with him and was attending to his needs in the sick room.
Isaac M. Seaman.
Isaac M. Seaman, one of the oldest and most respected residents of Cortland, died at 11:10 o'clock last night at his home, 28 Maple-ave. Mr. Seaman was 82 years of age last Sunday. He had been in feeble health for several years, but a few days ago was seized with a bilious attack which hastened his death. He was at one time a Justice of the peace of the town of Cortlandville, and also served the village one term as collector of taxes. Mr. Seaman is survived by one son, James F. Seaman, who resides at Seattle, Washington. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, and interment will be made in the Cortland Rural cemetery.
BREVITIES.
—The board of village trustees transacted no business last evening, and adjourned until Monday night.
—Rev. J. L. Robertson will speak to the young men at the Y. M. C. A. rooms on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Union Shoe and Clothing Co., a week of specials, page 8; Baker & Angell, Jenness Miller shoes, page 4; F. Daehler, imported woolens, etc., page 6; A. S. Burgess, latest fall styles, page 8.
—Twenty-five Italians arrived in Cortland yesterday to work on the paving job. One gang of concrete mixers began work this morning on the north end of the street for the asphalt strips. Concrete for the railroad strip is laid as far as the Cortland House.
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