DEATH OF OSCAR F. KNAPP

 

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, November 1, 1898.

DEATH OF OSCAR F. KNAPP.

   To the Editor of the Standard:

   SIR—The Auburn Daily Advertiser of the 26th brought the sorrowful news of the death of the veteran senior editor and publisher of that paper. More than forty years ago the writer of this brief note of respect, when entering upon the ministry as a pastor in Cayuga county, made the acquaintance of that good man, and during all the passing years it has been a highly prized privilege to continue that acquaintance and to count him as a friend. In his office, at the meetings of the denomination, associational, state or national, and in his own hospitable home, he was ever the kindly, courteous Christian gentleman, with whom it was a privilege and blessing to be associated.

   In his church, the First Baptist church of Auburn, to which he was devotedly attached, his ability and willingness to serve gave him great influence. He rose to the greatness of a highly respected and beloved Christian man by his readiness to fill any position in church, Sunday-school, association or community at large, where his help was needed. To his generosity and that of his son-in-law, the Hon. Sereno E. Payne, the first Baptist church is very largely indebted for its fine house of worship and the final liquidation of the debt upon it. Upon my last and pleasantly remembered visit with him in his home some two years since, as we walked down to the church he remarked that when he had paid $400 more upon his pledge for the payment of the debt, he should have invested $10,000 in it, and that Mr. Payne had invested about an equal amount. While so fully occupied, and sometimes overwhelmed with his many official cares and duties, he took a deep and tender interest in the welfare of many individuals of humble station, who found in him a sympathetic, generous friend.

   His early years spent in this and adjacent towns were by him remembered with great interest and upon the occasion of my last visit with him he had many questions to ask in regard to the town, and the many acquaintances of the long ago, and at that time he planned a visit to this place which, however, he failed to carry out.

   His long and useful life peacefully ended, his work well done, over against his name a multitude of friends will write, “The memory of the just is blessed.”  GEO. H. BRIGHAM.

   At the request of the editor of The Standard, Rev. Mr. Brigham has prepared the above communication. Few residents of Homer and Cortland remain who remember Mr.Knapp, but all who do cherish for him the same high esteem and affection which Mr. Brigham so feelingly expresses. In the special edition of The Standard of May 3, 1883, commemorating the beginning of its seventeenth volume and its removal to its present location, appeared a letter from Mr. Knapp the following extracts from which will have a special interest at the present time:

   Office of Daily Advertiser and Journal, Auburn, N. Y., April 25, 1883.

   William H. Clark, Cortland Standard, Cortland, N. Y.:

   DEAR SIR—Yours of the 23d inst. received. In reply: In the year 1835 I went into the office of the Cortland Republican and Eagle, then published by Rufus A. Reed, to learn the printing business. I was drawn thither by Daniel C. Allen, who had been my former schoolmate, and who had already preceded me in that office a year or more.

   In the spring of 1837, during a series of meetings then held and in connection with some twenty-five or thirty others I experienced religion and united with the Baptist church in your village—Rev. O. Montague, pastor. About this period, perhaps a year later, Charles W. Sanders first issued his Sanders Speller. Friend Allen and myself did on the ordinary hand printing-press, the press work for the entire edition. Daniel Bradford did the binding.

   I remained in Cortland till May, 1839, when I was tendered the position of foreman in the office of the Auburn Journal and Advertiser, which I accepted.

   The words “Cortland village” ever revive many and pleasant memories of acquaintances formed while a resident of your beautiful village. The fine streets and beautiful residences and surroundings have always afforded me pleasure, as I have recalled them. I can say truly, that I share with you in pride of Cortland county journalism, and shall be much pleased to see your proposed supplement.

   Respectfully, Oscar F. Knapp.

   Mr. Knapp was nearly 80 years old at the time of his death, yet a few months since when we saw him last at Auburn, he was well and vigorous, and made many inquiries concerning Cortland, saying that he hoped soon to run over and revisit the scenes of his early life. For nearly forty years he was clerk of his church, for thirty years Sunday-school superintendent, and for thirty-three years a deacon, besides occupying many positions of trust in business life. The closing paragraphs of the notice of his death in the Auburn Advertiser state admirably some of his leading characteristics:

   In his early life, along with his habit of saving, he practiced systematic giving. As he prospered in business he became a large giver, and his benefactions were widespread. This spirit of beneficence was accompanied by an intelligent and broad-minded interest in all forms of Christian work outside of his own church and even of his denomination. He was unusually gifted in public utterance, and his presence was always a spiritual power in the meetings of the church.

   A man of marked simplicity and of tender sympathies, sensitive to the feelings and sufferings of others; keeping in touch with young and old alike; a man of sturdy faith and robust Christian manhood; he was beloved in the church and held the esteem and confidence of the entire community.

   The death of such a man is a loss to any church or community. It is a source of personal grief to every individual who knew him, and calls for the sincerest sympathy with all who were nearest and dearest to him.

 

HOMER.

Gleanings of News From Our Twin Village.

   HOMER, N. Y., Oct. 28.—Mrs. Sarah Ripley and niece, Bessie Fuller, left yesterday for Truxton to visit relatives for a few days.

   Mr. William Gilkerson left this morning for Canastota where he has accepted a position in a bakery.

   A very sad death occurred in our village at about 2:45 A. M. to-day—Mrs. Story, wife of Mr. Thomas Story, who resides on North Main-st. Mrs. Story has always been a resident of this town and was loved and esteemed by the whole community. She was a most earnest Christian and was an active member of the Baptist church which organization will greatly miss her, as she was always willing to do for the welfare of the church all in her power. For several years past she has been in poor health. She is survived by a husband and one son Willard, and two sisters, Mrs. E. A. Williams and Mrs. Chas. DeBarr, both of this place. She was 50 years of age. The funeral is to be held Sunday.

   Mr. Frank Wickwire has accepted a position in the blacksmith shop of Scheck & Luce and yesterday moved his family here from Scott. Mr. William Crandall left this morning for Elmira to attend the funeral of Rev. Orvill Allen, whose death occurred at Syracuse.

   Mrs. Chas. Crique and children and sister, Miss Jennie Palmer, have returned from a week’s visit with relatives at Delphi.

   The creamery is having an annex added to its icehouse.

   William Hamilton is home from Towanda, Pa., called hereby the serious illness of his grandmother, Mrs. O. Goodchild.

   Mr. and Mrs. William Bell and daughter Pearl left for a three weeks' vacation visiting friends and relatives in the Catskills.

   A new system of fire alarm should be introduced here. At about 2:30 A. M. to-day a very still alarm of fire was rung. The bell not being sounded enough, the firemen were somewhat slow in putting in an appearance, but when they did arrive they commenced their regular activity. No blaze was seen, but it was told the fire w as at the Windsor hotel, occupied by and owned by Mr. J. C. Hullar. The fire was discovered just breaking out of the roof and when the department arrived and entered the building the whole attic seemed afire. Hose was attached to the hydrant on the corner of Clinton and Main-sts. opposite the hotel and soon two streams of water were playing on the fire. The Hook & Ladder company raised a ladder on the west side which admitted the pipemen to get access at the roof. Soon the fire was subdued and an examination showed that the fire had started almost directly over the kitchen from a stovepipe and had been smouldering and gradually worked its way up and outside. The damage to the roof on the east side was the most done, it being burnt through in several places. The water soaked the furniture and furnishings in several of the rooms. The firemen were handicapped at the start at not having any officer in charge. The chief, assistant chief and only one foreman being present, no one could be relied upon to take charge until the president of the village came, and then the work was better accomplished.

   The firemen could do the work, but they wanted an officer in charge. If there had been a strong wind blowing no doubt at this time the Windsor hotel would have been a thing of the past as the fire was in such a bad place to fight it, and only a few people upon the scene of action. The matter has been discussed of putting in a water motor to ring the bell, so its sound could be heard anywhere in the corporation, but as yet no action has been taken. After a man has run to the enginehouse and rang the bell a few times, he is nearly exhausted and this is one of the reasons why the bell is not made to ring louder and longer.