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| Joe Bakewell. |
GOLDEN AGE OF STUPIDITY.
Joseph Bakewell invites you to read the WSJ article: You Are Living in the Golden Age of Stupidity. https://www.wsj.com/articles/idiocy-stupidity-afghanistan-covid-vaccine-maga-trump-civility-privacy-common-sense-11630271666?st=guff3o89wfk58fm&reflink=article_email_share
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| Francis Patterson. |
The McGrawville Sentinel, Thursday, June 23, 1887.
STORY OF BLIND MR. PATTERSON AND HIS PENSION.
WASHINGTON, June 20.—The subject of pensions has generally but little interest for anyone but individual pensioners and their families, but the payment of the longest back pension ever paid by the government to Francis Patterson, a blind beggar of Elmira, N. Y., is interesting enough to form the plot of a novel. When he was a soldier in the union army during the war, one day while on picket duty, Patterson became suddenly blind. He wandered around helplessly for some days, and being missed from camp, he was classed as a deserter. On his return to Elmira his wife and children abandoned him on account, probably, of his disposition to drunkenness. For eighteen years he has been begging about the town led by a trained shepherd dog, his only friend. Now the possession of $13,322, the amount of his back pension, and the security of $72 a month during his life time, has caused his family and former friends to rally around him to that degree that he is in danger of being reduced to returning to his former partnership with the dog, through their avarice and greed. He applied for a pension some years ago, but the difficulty of explaining away the charge of desertion caused the delay.
The American telephone company are unpleasantly conspicuous at present through the publicity given the former life of its vice-president, T. W. Tyrer. Mr. Tyrer has lived for several years in Washington, and has been largely interested in the North Washington improvement company. Some enemies of his and the company have published these statements in order to break down Tyrer and the company. The latter seem able to stand the assault, as an investigation by a committee of the stock holders develops no fraudulent transaction, but Tyrer will probably go to the wall, as the charges against him are true. Mr. Tyrer does not deny having served a term for forgery. Man's vengeance on men is relentless and once a discovered criminal, always a criminal, and though we are told of the joy in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, there is but very little belief on earth in his repentance, and he is told that God will forgive him, but man cannot. The chances for the prevention of crime are constantly retarded by its being almost an impossibility for a man who has once been convicted of a crime, to return to the association of honest people. So long as Christianity withholds its confidence from those who have erred, so long will our prisons be more than half filled by those who are serving their second and third terms.
The proposal, to utilize the revenue marine by appointing graduates of the United States academy to the vacancies in that service, is again under discussion. As it now stands the graduates of the academy are given $1,000 and relegated to private life, with the exception of a few who stand at the head of the class. They are appointed to such places as may be vacant in the navy at the time of their graduation. The idea is, that the revenue marine service offers a field of usefulness for the other graduates. It might be considered that a young man with a fine education and $1,000 in cash, was well equipped to begin the battle of life without the government which has already educated him, being obliged to find him a salaried position.
But it is not entirely a question of the young man's interest. In the case of the sudden need of a navy, trained and skilled officers would be wanted to command it, and it is exceedingly doubtful if many of these young men after having pursued for a number of years private business would be found efficient officers, and it is still more doubtful if any would be able or willing to sacrifice personal interests to the call of their country's government. The secretaries of the treasury and navy, to whose jurisdiction the matter belongs, are mute on the subject, but officers of experience and judgment like Commodore Schley and Commodore Walker, express themselves cordially in favor of the scheme.
The president held a reception in the east room on last Monday afternoon, the first since his return from the Adirondacks. There were not many persons present, but those who were, commented on Mr. Cleveland's improved appearance since his vacation, Mrs. Cleveland being still away. She has been paying a visit to a friend and schoolmate, Miss Kingsford of Oswego, N. Y. The president takes his customary afternoon drive to Oak View, and his dinner on his return to the White House at seven alone, with the memory of his bachelor days for company. How pleasant the present must appear in contrast to the past.
Five men appointed under civil service rules have declined the positions offered them. Their reason is the smallness of the salary, $1,000 a year. It being inadequate to the requirements of the examination, stenography, expert penmanship and, the higher branches of mathematics were some of the requirements. Those who pass do not have a very high reward for their efforts, while those who fail have the comfort of knowing that they are still eligible for the presidency.
Statistics of Cornell's Senior Class.
ITHACA, June 22.—Statistics of the senior class of Cornell university show some very interesting facts. The oldest member of the class is thirty-seven, the youngest nineteen. The tallest man is 6 feet 6 inches, while the shortest is 5 feet 2 inches. The lightest man weighs 104 pounds and wears a No. 4 1/2 shoe, and the heaviest tips the scale at 198 pounds. The swiftest half-mile runner trips along with No. 11 1/2 shoes. The religious statistics are: Presbyterian, 13; Methodist, 9; Congregational and Episcopalian, 8; Baptist, 3; Hebrew, 2; Catholic, Mormon, Unitarian, Lutheran and Reformed, 1 each, while 15 express no preference. There are 40 republicans, 13 democrats, 2 prohibitionists, 2 mugwumps, 3 independents, 1 anarchist and 1 liberal. The average yearly expenses $520—lowest, $200; highest, $1,350. Average age, 24.
CORTLAND NEWS.
SUPREME COURT CASES.
The two most interesting cases during the first week of this session of the supreme court were a slander case and a case for damages. The first was that of L. S. Hayes, the political editor of the Monitor, against S. H. Strowbridge, who at the time the suit was brought was editor of the now defunct Cortland News, for slander in an article published during last fall when Caleb Hitchcock was running for the assembly. Mr. Hayes attacked the proposed village charter very sharply, and in reply the News attacked Mr. Hayes, without apparently investigating the facts sufficiently. At any rate the jury brought in a verdict for plaintiff of $900.
The second case is that of a Mrs. Rice, a resident here, against the village fathers for damages sustained from a faulty sidewalk. A verdict was brought in for her of $1,950. Drs. Nash and Bradford were the physicians who examined the case and testified as to the injuries she had sustained by striking her head in falling. The case was nearly settled at one time, it is said, for the sum of $200.
MAHAN'S MUSICAL CONVENTION.
Mahan's musical convention for this year must be called a brilliant success. The chorus tickets were raised a little in price. In numbers it was perhaps a little less than same a year ago, but the quality of the work done has never been equaled. In distinctness, enunciation, in time and in character of the music, it and its leader have been highly complimented. The leader Carl Zerrahn of Boston is German in speech, manner and music. The Lotus Glee club gave the most universal satisfaction. The club is composed of four student-like young men from Boston, who have sang together until their voices blend like an instrument. They have no accompaniment, but there is never a hint of a false note or a shade off in time. One very neat rendering was a negro solo sung with the other three voices imitating a banjo. The first tenor was a falsetto, a voice just like a girl and seeming just as easy in the highest notes that soprano is ever called upon to give. On both concert nights the houses have been good and the financial part must be satisfactory.
Grace Episcopal Church in year 1900.
On Saturday afternoon at 3 P. M. were held the ceremonies of laying the corner stone for the new Grace church. A crowd gathered about the foundations of the building as the hour arrived. Printed slips had been prepared giving responsive readings, singing, and order of the exercises. Bishop Huntington of Syracuse conducted the ceremonies. There were also present the pastor, Mr. Arthur, the former pastor, Mr. Robinson, and the pastor of Christ's church in Binghamton, Mr. Quinelle. The address given by the bishop was particularly appropriate to the occasion, liberal, earnest and hopeful for the future. The edifice will now be rapidly pushed to completion.
THE CORTLANDS DEFEATED.
The ball game on Saturday afternoon between the Athletics of Syracuse and the Cortland club ended with our boys on score behind. The Athletics had a number of professionals but the home club lost the game only by a slip in the last inning. A man on third base led off while the ball was in the baseman's hands. He was put out and lost the one needful score to tie the game. It was a good game, considering the rough grounds. Score, 13 to 12.
NEWS IN PARAGRAPHS.
The [Normal] class which graduates next Tuesday—commencement day— numbers 46 students.
Miss Carrie Halbert entertained a company of students and class-mates at her home in North Main street on Monday evening.
The Cortland boys seem to have gained possession of the idea that the McGrawville club is afraid to play the third game of ball.
On Saturday afternoon last the banks in Cortland for the first time observed the Saturday half-holiday in accordance with the new state law.
A new electric light in front of the Catholic church made its appearance on Saturday evening.
The Masons of Homer have arranged an excursion to Cazenovia Lake on Friday next, June 24. One dollar covers the expense from Cortland.
K. C. Arnold, who has been for several years one of the proprietors of the Arnold house, died quite suddenly at his home in Truxton on Tuesday morning.
All along Clinton avenue and the new Railroad street are scattered with iron pipes used for the water mains. So these streets are soon to be supplied with city water.
The Randall yard is beginning to look its best now. There are many very interesting trees and exotics to be seen. The oldest century plant is now probably nearly one hundred years old and may blossom any summer.
Cards have been received announcing the marriage of Mrs. Catherine R. Doud to Count S. Freufanelli Cibo in Foligno, Umbria, Italy. Mrs. Doud was Miss Reynolds of Cortland, widow of Reuben Doud of Racine, Wisconsin.
An excursion to Oneida Lake under the supervision of Vesta lodge, I. O. of O. F. is one of the features of the glorious Fourth. The fare for round trip by way of E. C. & N. railroad has been placed at $1.25. Tickets may be obtained of C. E. Bickford of telephone exchange.
The Cortland Wagon company proposes to erect another new building this summer similar in size and appearance to their others. It will be used this fall to finish cutters, and during part of the year when they manufacture buggies they will store them there in order to carry a larger stock than they have ever done and fill orders immediately.
EDITOR'S EASY CHAIR.
—Colonel D. S. Lamont arrived in town last evening.
—Minnie Mudge visited friends in town this week.
—Morgan Gilbertson is at present working in Nichols' hotel, Homer.
—Second hand lumber wagon for sale. Enquire of Warren & Carr.
—Thomas Ransom of Valparaiso, Ind., formerly of this place, is visiting relatives in town.
—A miscount made our edition of papers short about 25 last week and Cincinnatus being the last place for which we made up the mail we were obliged to send half-sheets to some of our subscribers there. We shall endeavor to not let this occur again.
—The Athletes play ball with the Otselic ball club at DeRuyter the Fourth of July for a purse of $20; A. B. Gardner has a horse in the running race and Clate Gardner is to run in the foot race. Bring home all the glory, boys; a whole reed is better than a broken one.
—The editor sampled some of S. N. Mudge's ice cream recently and is willing to say that it was the best he has eaten this season. (O, he has had some before.) Mr. Mudge keeps cream for sale by the dish, quart or gallon every day at his residence, corner of Clinton and Center streets.
—The Athletes played ball at Truxton last Saturday with the club of that place, and had a complete walkaway. Gross made two two-baggers, and Parker and McElheny a three-bagger each. Palmer made another of his brilliant plays in left field. The score stood as follows:
Dr. Van Hoesen scored the game with all his accustomed vigor. The Truxton club plays a return game here Saturday.
—Joseph Gardner had been working in Henry Hammond's barn recently until Tuesday of this week when he sustained an accident that will lay him up for a few days. He was on the first floor receiving boards from above that Mr. Ackerman was handing down. While in stooping position a board came down from above and on partially raising the end of it hit him just above the right temple. He was knocked insensible and in falling struck so that the other side of his head also received a bad bruise. He was immediately taken home and did not regain consciousness till 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
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| Cortland native Lawrence Fitzgerald, proprietor of Cortland Wagon Company, and New York State Treasurer. |
The McGrawville Sentinel, Thursday, June 16, 1887.
WHAT DEMOCRATS ARE FIGURING ON.
ALBANY, June 15.—Now that the legislature has cleared out, the politicians are beginning to figure upon the state ticket to be elected this fall. Ambitious gentlemen with a weakness for representing constituents in the legislature are also laying their pipes. Five state officers go out of office this fall: Comptroller, secretary of state, attorney-general, state treasurer and state surveyor. Comptroller Chapin, Attorney-General O'Brien and Surveyor Sweet have each served two terms. Neither desires or expects another nomination. Mr. Cook has had all he wants of the secretary of state's office and would only too willingly retire to private life, but he has made so excellent and conscientious a record that the exigencies of the campaign, united with the desire to please the German voters, may force him to stand for re-election. He can have the re-nomination without asking for it.
State Treasurer Fitzgerald is on his first term. As the policy of the democrat party has been to indorse a faithful and capable administration by a re-nomination, Mr. Fitzgerald's friends are keeping him in the field against all comers. The offices to be filled, therefore, by new men are those of comptroller, attorney-general and state engineer. There are several aspirants for the first. Senator Edward Wemple, who defeated Judge Yates in the eighteenth district, and who realizes the hopelessness of a second victory in the same district under the present apportionment, is the most prominently named for comptroller. Senator Daly of New York has also been mentioned.
With Mr. Cook to bring out the German vote, which last republican legislature lost no opportunity to insult and ignore, and with Mr. Daly to develop the Irish vote, the democrats would present a ticket hard to beat. Geographical considerations, as well as those of nationality, seem to dictate that the next comptroller ought to be selected from the south-eastern portion of the state.
Buffalo, from present appearances, will be accorded the nomination for attorney-general in the person of Mr. Charles F. Tabor, the present first deputy. The secretary of state will come from Rochester, the treasurer from the Syracuse district. Senator Wemple, candidate for comptroller, stands well with the labor element, and his friends believe he will be a valuable addition to the ticket. Half a dozen willing candidates are waiting for time or their friends to place them in a position where their claims upon the party will be recognized.
For attorney-general thus far but one name has been mentioned, that of Mr. Tabor.
◘ Few people are aware of the extent of a peculiar kind of dissipation known as ginger drinking. The article used is the essence of ginger, such as is put up in the several proprietary preparations known to the trade, or the alcoholic extracts ordinarily sold over the druggist's counter. Having once acquired a liking for it, the victim becomes as much a slave to his appetite as the opium eater or the votary of cocaine. In the course of time it destroys the coating of the stomach and dooms its victim to a slow and agonizing death. The druggist who told me about the thing says that as ginger essence contains nearly 100 per cent of alcohol, and whiskey less than 50 per cent, the former is therefore twice as intoxicating.—Brooklyn Citizen.
W. C. T. U. Convention.
The ninth quarterly convention of the Cortland county W. C. T. U. met with the Solon union in the Baptist church of that place June 8. Mrs. Maria Bingham conducted the devotional exercises, reading of the wanderings of the Israelites, comparing them to the temperance host who may, if they will but look up, see the pillar of fire and cloud, and by it be led to Canaan.
The committee on credentials was appointed from the Y. W. C. T. U.'s of Cortland. The address of welcome was given by Mrs. G. B. Burgess, and the response by Miss Eva Spencer. The noontide hour of prayer was observed, Mrs. M. E. Ranney taking charge. The devotional exercises in the afternoon were conducted by Mrs. Mary J. Wilcox, vice-president state W. C. T. U., who gave a Bible reading from Roman XII, 1.
The reports of department work were read and accepted. Mrs. Collins suggested that the temperance people hold a picnic at Trout Pond July 4, and show that they can enjoy themselves without indulging in that which would degrade them.
The exercises of the Solon Band of Hope were very pleasing. Miss Stacey and Mrs. Twiss sang a duet. A paper on the "Alpha Y. of Cortland" was read by Miss Kitties Johnson. The "Willard Y." was represented by Miss Belle Waters, who read an original article on Miss Frances Willard. Miss Emma Nason made a statement in regard to the freight rates to the south and west on packages sent to some of those states. On a suggestion of Mrs. Weaver the convention raised $25, and made their president, Mrs. Viele, a life member of the W. C. T. U.
In the evening Mrs. Rev. W. Carter conducted the devotional exercises. The Freetown Band of Hope sang some marching songs and gave excellent recitations. Mrs. Mary J. Weaver gave an address from "The Lord gave the Word." It was an earnest appeal to the W. C. T. U. workers to remember the source of their strength, urging a closer union of religion and temperance work. The speaker dwelt at length upon the White Rose movement, showing the influence of purity of life upon not only the individual, but upon their children. It was marked by deep religious feeling and effect upon the audience was magnetic. Convention then adjourned.
HATTIE STACEY, Rec. Secretary.
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| A. P. Smith. |
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| Aaron Sager. |
185th Regiment Reunion.
One hundred twenty-five persons assembled on the grounds of Trout Pond park, Cortland, at the 22d annual reunion of the 185th regiment Friday, June 3.
J. E. Eggleston delivered the opening address. Speeches were also made by A. P. Smith, A. Sager and Rev. Mr. Robinson outside of the regiment, and by Quartermaster William Gilbert of Syracuse, Major R. P. Bush of Horseheads, Sergeant Gross of Oswego, J. R. Birdlebough, Captain J. W. Strowbridge and Colonel Gustavus Sniper. Mr. Gross spoke of the loss to the regiment the 29th of March, 1865, at Quaker Roads—186 killed and wounded inside of 20 minutes.
Those who participated pronounce the reunion one of the most interesting that has ever been held by this regiment. The reunion next year will be held in Syracuse.
Athletes Down the Cortlands.
The [McGrawville] Athletes have excellent success in the diamond this season. Last Thursday a game of ball that they will ''crow over'' for some time was played here, and the score was one that our boys may well feel proud of. The contending nine was Cortland's stock nine managed by Ed Robbins, general newspaper reporter, assisted by Ed Gould of the Cortland Standard. The club was accompanied here by many of Cortland's sports, but we can say one thing in their praise, none of them got high. Betting was all one-sided—five to three in favor of the Cortland club—and a considerable money went up in this ratio.
Cortland went to the bat first and ending with four scores to its credit, the ''five'' men felt elated. Gardner pitched for the Athletes during the entire game. Dexter went into the box for the Cortlands and pitched five innings. McGrawville scored eight runs the first inning and run as many of more than the Cortlands did every inning. Bradt pitched an inning and a half and Corcoran two and a half for Cortland but they couldn't change the result. The following is the score by innings:
Umpire, P. W. Chaffee.
This is a game apiece and Cortland challenges our boys to play another which, we understand, the Athletes will accept providing they can play the game in Marathon or on some other neutral ground. Saturday of this week the Athletes play at Truxton with the home club.
EDITOR'S EASY CHAIR.
—Mrs. E. S. Totman, we learn, is on the sick list.
—Miss Ella Galpin has been visiting friends in Fabius.
—Mr. Charles Baker spent Sunday with friends in Cortland.
—Mrs. F. G. McElheny is in attendance at Mahan's Musical convention.
—Rev. A. C. Smith will deliver an address specially to young men Sunday morning.
—Mrs. James Rowe recently visited among her people in Lafayette, Onondaga county.
—Mr. and Mrs. P. B. Holland returned from their western trip Monday of this week.
—Wilbur Beckwith started this week for Albion, where he will spend a short time with his uncle.
—Mrs. W. B. Clark launders collars and cuffs at 2 cents instead of 4 cents apiece as stated last week.
—A. H. Mudge, railroad station agent of Killawog, visited his father S. N. Mudge in this place Sunday.
—Mrs. Augusta M. Graves was in Cortland from Saturday till Tuesday visiting her mother who is very sick.
—Alexander Ogden of Elmira visited Henry Phelps a couple of days the time of the 185th reunion at Cortland.
—Mrs. Dell Bingham and Mr. John Kenfield were in attendance at the Sunday school convention in Syracuse as delegates from the Baptist school here.
—At the Good Templars lodge meeting Tuesday evening of last week, F. G. McElheny was appointed delegate to the Grand Lodge in Rochester next August.
—Thomas Rodgers started Tuesday on a visit among relatives in Pennsylvania. He has left the tax book in C. A. Jones hands where taxes may be paid by our citizens while he is away.
—E. C. Palmer of the corner store started Tuesday on a fishing trip down among the mountains of Pennsylvania. Some of his old friends from Syracuse and other places accompanied him.
—Samuel White commences his labors in the Baptist church here Sunday. The society is making an endeavor to raise money to build a parsonage on the ground west of the church building.
—George Case has bought the barn owned by the R. H. Graves' estate and now occupied by L. Parsons as a livery stable. As soon as Mr. Parsons' lease expires Mr. Case will occupy the barn as his express stable.
The road between Benjamin Welch's and Cortland Hill has been receiving much needed work this week. The commissioners have hired shovelers and the teamsters of this place have turned out and helped to place the road in as good condition as possible. It has always been a bad piece of road and we hope this work may greatly improve it.
—James Anderson had been working for a little while in the Hitchcock wagon works, Cortland, and one day last week while running a slitting machine a knot flew from the board and struck him in the left eye, injuring it so badly that it is thought he will lose the entire use of it. He has been at home since the accident and is compelled to wear a conspicuous bandage.
—Orville D. Allen of Cortland has been thoroughly giving McGrawville fire precautions in the way of insurance the past week. Mr. Allen is the man who withstood a thunderbolt in Freetown a few weeks ago, but he still retains his vitality as a ''chiner,'' and is a man with whom it is a pleasure to meet for he'll knock the blues clear off to Ursa and if you're pleasant he'll make you more so.
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| The Floral Trout Ponds were located at upper right side of map between East Ave, and Owen Ave. Two small arched bridges separated the ponds and a pavilion was erected at site. |
CORTLAND NEWS.
Mahan's musical convention opened with the fullest attendance known for the first day. The conductor, Mr. Carl Zerrhan, is a full-blooded beer-drinker but perfect in music. A chorus of 400 voices was given Tuesday.
Work on the foundation of the new Episcopal church is nearly completed. The corner stone will be laid with appropriate ceremonies Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Bishop Huntington of Syracuse will be present and deliver the address.
The Floral Trout Ponds were formally opened to the public last Friday evening. W. P. Robinson found it to agree well with his health to be out of doors and is doing everything to make the park a success this summer. Mechanics band furnished music; Chinese lanterns all over the grounds, boating, dancing and flirting made a very pleasant scene. It is a good place to drop in of a hot afternoon. The admission is uniformly 10 cents.
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| Marcus. M. "Brick" Pomeroy. |
◘ "Brick" Pomeroy has made a success of his Atlantic-Pacific railway tunnel in Colorado, as anyone can learn by writing to him at 234 Broadway, New York city, asking for the large illustrated pamphlet describing it. Meanwhile, he is bringing out a large illustrated monthly publication under the suggestive name of ''Pomeroy's Advance Thought.'' A non-political magazine, that will each number be filled with choice descriptive articles, answers to correspondents, and a world of desirable matter for family reading. It will be sent one year for one dollar, or three copies one year for two dollars. Agents wanted in every part of the United States. Brick is to publish his autobiography of a wonderful busy and eventful life, from birth to fifty years of age in this magazine. Send for it and apply for agency. Address M. M. Pomeroy, 234 Broadway, New York city.
