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| Second Cortland County House. Insane annex erected in 1882. |
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| First Cortland County House and Farm purchased in March, 1836. |
The McGrawville Sentinel, Thursday, June 9, 1887.
CORTLAND NEWS.
Visit to the County House.
Your correspondent has made a few visits recently to the county house. One is very courteously received there by mine host Mr. L. W. Porter and finds the visit a very interesting one.
The location is as central as could well be. The drive there from Cortland is a very pleasant one, about three miles up the East River valley. As it stands in the center of the valley, surrounded by willows and elms, it is the principal feature of the landscape. The county house farm consists of one hundred and eighteen acres—some of it hill pasture, but a few fields of the rich valley land. Besides this they work nearly fifty acres nearby on shares. Most of this work is done by the inmates. The overseers say the insane work much better than the indigent. The out-door work appears to be good for the crazy ones, they are much quieter and better behaved after the spring's work begins. Mr. Woodward has charge of the farm work. Almost any fine day he can be seen returning from the fields about eleven o'clock with from eight to ten lunatics. One of them is a coal-black negro who, one fears, might be ugly, but there seems to be no trouble in controlling them.
The insane department now contains twenty-six inmates of which exactly one-half are women. None but the chronically insane are kept here—those considered incurable. If an acute case is admitted it can be kept only five days for examination and convenience. At the expiration of this time it must be returned home or sent to Utica as the case demands. Many of the cases have epilepsy and can talk fairly well on many subjects. One young fine-looking man has simply sunk into a state of apathy. He will neither move nor eat unless told to do so. Much of the time he spends poring over a newspaper and never looking up. One old man who could make a fair salary as a living skeleton is covered with sores where he will tear himself. He is rather sullen and proposes to do somewhat as he pleases.
Mary Kelly in the woman's ward is as diffusive and religious as when she used to be at liberty. One peculiar case is from the southern part of the county. The girl will neither eat, move, speak or do anything else, and no amount of force or persuasion will affect her. What little pride she has is to be more stubborn than her keepers. Most of the women are very glad to see you and their chatter differs from their sisters outside mostly in being more disconnected. Mr. James Edwards is the keeper and knows the peculiarities of each and how to manage them.
The rations served are good enough for anybody and enough to eat— good white light bread, meat once or twice a day, and withal clean. An account of the meal is kept for every day. The day before I was there the breakfast was wheat bread, potatoes, corn beef, milk gravy, tea and milk. Dinner was wheat bread and butter, potatoes, boiled ham, milk gravy, tea and milk. Supper was bread and butter, toast, blackberry sauce, warmed potatoes, tea and milk. This is better than we have at home. All may help themselves except one famine-breeder, who must sit at a separate table and have his rations served out to him. He is very thin but what there is of him seems to be mostly appetite.
There are about ninety people now in the county house and one fails to see why these stranded sailors are not well cared for. One would rather like to sit down and hear the life histories some of them could tell. An Italian has just died there who could not speak a word of English, and thousands of miles from wife and friends he encountered oblivion.
There is one well-spoken old man who seems to have charge of the men's ward and to have general responsibility. He reminds one forcibly of Little Dorrit's father in the balmy days of his life, before his fortune fell to him.
There is one thing that only one fellow in town can do. Gray can ride up Court street hill on a bicycle.
VERDICT OF THE CORONER'S JURY.
The coroner's jury, investigating the cause of death of H. A. Webster, gave a verdict Tuesday night. They took a mass of testimony, some of it tending to throw light on the subject, but the outcome was simply that deceased came to his death by the explosion of the boiler at the Hitchcock wagon company factory, the cause of the explosion being unknown. The maker from Elmira claims that the boiler was well constructed and of good material. There is a wide-spread opinion, however, that the material was not of the best.
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| William H. Clark, editor and publisher of the Cortland Standard. |
NEWS IN PARAGRAPHS.
Mahan's musical convention occurs on June 13 to 17. Reduced rates have been obtained on both railroad lines. A large attendance is anticipated.
Editor Clark has purchased a pony Star bicycle. He has some one else ride it for him thus far, but intends to mount it when it is thoroughly broken.
New stone steps have been erected in front of the Catholic church. When the yard and walks are fitted up the church will be a great ornament to Main street.
The reunion of the 185th regiment was held at the Floral Trout Ponds last Friday. Music was furnished by Mechanics band. The day was very favorable and the few that are left of that regiment seemed to enjoy the occasion.
The insurance on the explosion at the Hitchcock shops has been adjusted and work will begin at once to clear away the debris and rebuild. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, have been to see the place. The boiler was insured for $7,000.
Mrs. L. A. Miner of the Cortland Hair Emporium, mindful of the needs of the ladies, gave special attention while in New York to the selection of ornaments for the hair; also to the latest styles in hair dressing, cutting of bangs, etc., etc. 49w4
A fine display of diamonds, mounted and unmounted, may be seen in the window of Myron DuBois, jeweler. The largest is listed at $350; it is rose-cut and weighs two carats. One set stone is a greenish yellow color, very rare. Altogether the display is one rarely seen outside the larger cities.
Mrs. L. A. Miner, home from New York, will welcome her old patrons, and all others wanting Hair Goods of a superior quality. Our manufacturing department is under the direct supervision of the most artistic workman this side of New York. We continue to lead all competitors as heretofore. 49w4
The regular meeting of the Therapeutic society of Cortland county met at the Dexter house on Tuesday. It being the semi-annual meeting the members gathered at noon and enjoyed the very good dinner which the house is able to furnish. Dr. Edson of Cortland read a paper on Infantile Diarrhoea. Cases of interest were reported by most of the members present. The president elected for the ensuing term was Dr. Hunt of Preble; vice-president, Dr. White of Cortland; secretary, Dr. Coats of Cortland.
The Congdon girl, who was found guilty of causing the death of her child at a late coroner's inquest, was caught Monday in Steuben county. She left with her father as soon as it was seen that an inquest would be held. They started before daylight Sunday morning, walking to Camillus on the Central railroad. They there obtained a little money in some way and took the train west. Congdon had some acquaintances in Steuben county, and there they were found in a very rough community. The man jumped through a window and escaped, but the girl was brought back and is now in jail. It is thought that the man will soon be found.
Last Friday evening John S. O'Neill, Dr. C. H. Webster and Patrick Dwyer started from Cortland to Truxton. They were driving a team of mustangs hitched to a light buggy, O'Neill handling the ribbons. They had broken the pole at the barn but had wound it. In turning suddenly out of the road the pole came apart and the end dropped to the ground. The wagon and its occupants were ditched and the team went up to East River where they were stopped and brought back. The boys were bruised up considerably but fortunately no bones were broken.
W. P. Robinson tells us that the "opening" of Floral Trout Pond Park will occur Friday, June 10, and there will be music, both band and orchestra, afternoon and evening. The park is supplied with croquet, lawn tennis, lawn pool, boating, swinging, hammocks, plenty of seats and tables for picnicking. The speckled trout from one-half inch to 20 inches long and a maze that will puzzle anyone to enter are worthy of note. The managers are making every effort to make the ground equal to any in the state and have already received the compliment that it is now nicer than any in central New York.
An attractive feature of the June races of the Cortland County Agricultural society, June 21-23, will be the race between Miss Myrtie Peek, the champion long-distance rider of the world, and Miss Alice Barry, who is attaining fame. They are to ride three miles and change horses every mile for a purse of $300. They will also give an exhibition of their stable of thorough bred horses and drive trotting teams on exhibition. Miss Vinie Lamont will perform the "slide for life" on a rope running from a high point with a gradual descent to the ground. Upon the rope a small pulley plays freely. The performer is suspended from this pulley by her teeth and sails to the ground. She has slid thus from a tower 300 feet high. There will be excursion rates on the railroads leading into Cortland.
EDITOR'S EASY CHAIR.
—L. C. Ball and wife visited at E. G. Palmer's yesterday.
—A. B. Seymour returned to his labors in Illinois last week.
—Mrs. D. W. Payne has been visiting in Groton the past week.
—Peter Varlo has gone to Slaterville and opened a barber shop.
—Alexander Ogden of Elmira visited F. G. McElheny, Monday.
—Invitations are out for Sam Hammond's Fourth of July party.
—Miss Matie Moore and Mrs. E. H. Clark visited in Little York Saturday.
—Alonzo Brooks is taking a business and pleasure trip in Pennsylvania.
—Hiel Hollister of Vermont has been calling on relatives and friends in town the past week.
—Mrs. H. M. Kingman of Cincinnatus has been visiting friends in this place the past few days.
—C. A. Jones has been feeling quite indisposed for a few days past, being confined to his house.
—Dr. F. W. Putnam of Binghamton has been the guest of Dr. H. C. Hendrick, the past two days.
—Samuel H. White commences his labors as pastor of the Baptist church in this place Sunday, June 19.
—The boys' mission band of the Presbyterian church held a picnic in Mr. Barker's grove last Thursday.
—Misses Matie Albro, Dell Braman and Fannie Wittie started together Saturday to visit their respective homes.
—The county council of Patrons of Husbandry will hold its next meeting in Good Templars hall in Cortland June 21.
—A union meeting was held at the M. E. church Sunday evening, the children of the Band of Hope entertaining a large congregation.
—Miss Nancy Woodford has returned from a visit in Onondaga county and has resumed dress-making at the residence of F. E. Wright.
—Dr. W. S. Carruth will be at M. W. Huntington's to-day and to-morrow to do dental work. He will be here one week in every month hereafter.
—The village trustees have decided to enforce the by-law relating to playing ball in the streets. Minutes of last meeting will be printed next week.
—Dr. Hendrick was called yesterday to Willett, to perform a surgical operation. A man badly injured by a circular saw. He was accompanied by Dr. Putnam.
—-The Young People's Improvement society of the M. E. church will give a strawberry and ice cream festival with a literary entertainment tomorrow, Friday evening. You are all most cordially invited to attend.
—On Monday as C. D. Greenman and John McChesney were leading a cow south of the village, the cow got frightened at a lady on the street and started to run. The rope caught one of McChesney's fingers and injured it so he cannot work.
—We noticed a deputy-sheriff here this week serving papers on the debtors of Kinney & Seymour. It has now come to a time when these accounts must be settled to satisfy creditors and delinquents must be brought to a lawful settlement.
—Laundry work done in McGrawville. I will do all kinds of laundry work hereafter at reasonable prices and in a satisfactory manner. Shirts laundered for 10 cents each, collars and cuffs for 4 cents each. Give me a call. Mrs. W. B. Clark, Clinton street.
—E. C. Palmer and wife were appointed delegates by the M. E. Sunday school to the state Sunday school convention to be held at Syracuse, commencing to-day. Winifred Smith and Fannie Van Buskirk are the delegates from the Presbyterian church.
—Rev. B. E. Johnson occupied the pulpit at the Baptist church last Sunday, and delivered an excellent discourse. The theory of his sermon was that all that mortal man could claim the possession of was sin, and he advised all to sell all and take up the cross and follow Christ.
—We are promised an interesting game of ball this afternoon on the grounds in this place between the regular Cortlands and the Athletes. The home club have to pay the Cortlands $5 to secure a game and to defray this expense an admittance fee of 10 cents will be charged,
—Mrs. J. C. Stone of Cleveland, Ohio, lecturer for the Grand Lodge of Good Templars of New York, delivered one of the most interesting lectures McGrawville has been favored with for many a day at the Presbyterian church last Monday evening. The audience was much smaller than she deserved.
—John Clegg and his mother were driving on South Hill, near David Crane's, Sunday, and while going down a hill the horse would not hold back. The velocity of the wagon in going over "thank-you-ma'ams" was so great that the occupants were thrown out. John struck across a hind wheel, bruising him some, and Mrs. Clegg fell in such a way as to disconnect a shoulder joint. She was taken into Mr. Tripp's house and cared for.
—We had the same kind remembrance in behalf of our honored soldier's dead this year as in years previous by Col. and Mrs. D. S. Lamont in the furnishing of flowers for Decoration day from the conservatories of the executive mansion at Washington. Thus fittingly the nation from its capital to its border pays tribute to its heroes. By some delay of the express carriage the contribution was delayed on the route and the arrival was not until Decoration services were over, but the flowers reached their destination the same day, have decked the soldiers monument, and add continued fragrance and offering to the memory of the lives and sacrifices of the noble defenders of our country in its hour of peril.
—A game of ball was played here Saturday last and we can describe it no better than a correspondent from the home of the defeated team does. He says: "Last Saturday afternoon a picked nine from Wickwire Brothers' wire mill, Cortland, captained by Herb Wood, went to McGrawville to play the McGrawville nine. Bets were freely made by Captain Wood that his nine would be the victors. The game was called at 3:45 and would have undoubtedly continued until now had everything been favorable, but the McGrawville nine demolished the Cortland team. When Captain Wood of the Wickwires learned that the score stood 36 to 9 in favor of the McGrawvilles during the sixth inning, he endeavored to have the umpire call the game. The umpire refused to do so. The home team continued their slugging until they had brought in 17 scores during that inning, when the ball was said to have been lost. It was intimated that if the Wickwires had taken along more batteries the game would have been theirs. They had their own umpire, who was a brother to one of the pitchers. They had six batteries, one for each inning played. Captain Wood says that he knew nothing of the ball that was lost. He paid his bets promptly, but is fully convinced that he has a clique in his nine.
ARMY LIFE IN THE WEST.
HOW UNCLE SAM'S BOYS LIVE ON THE FRONTIER.
Incidents of Garrison Life—Peculiarities of Frontier Forts—Other Particulars.
FORT KEOGH, Mont., June 1.—In these piping times of peace the soldier's life is indeed a happy one. When the recruit enters the service it takes at least three months to get him into proper shape, all of which is supposed to be accomplished at some of the recruiting depots, so by the time he joins his regiment he should be in perfect trim and absolute training ready to take up his musket and go to work.
It is surprising to note what material creeps into the rank and file of the army. While a majority are bright, intelligent men, yet there are others who are as verdant as cucumbers, all of which is soon knocked out of them before many weeks of service on the frontier. Not long since it is said a German count (Wolfrang something or other) enlisted in one of the infantry companies, and how many other noblemen in disguise we may have wearing the sergeant's or corporal's stripes it is hard to say. As remarked, some of the new recruits when enlisted are of a decidedly verdant hue and the boys, as a rule, have lots of fun out of the "greeny" before he cuts his wisdom teeth. It is said to be a fact that once some mischievous fellows sent a bright comrade out one dark night with a lantern to see what time it was by a sun dial. It is the height of their delight to get a raw one on the back of a wild bronco or a bucking cayuse, with neither saddle or blanket, and then scare the senses out of the poor brute with a series of yells sufficient to waken the dead. The rider is seldom thrown or hurt, but like Mezeppa of old gets a free ride and plenty of fun all for nothing.
At the present time the life of the soldier is soft and easy. There is little to do on the frontier now except garrison duty, and with no large town or cities wherein to waste money, the accumulation of five years can be saved pretty easily, that is if "Barkis is willing," and the penniless mortal who entered the service without a cent can generally go back to civilization with plenty of shekels in his pockets, abundance of experience in his head and also a rich rosy health to his credit. In the regular army to-day there are: 1 lieutenant-general, 3 major-generals, 16 brigadiers, 68 colonels, 89 lieutenant-colonels, 233 majors, 660 captains, 645 first lieutenants, and 444 second lieutenants. The above are the commissioned branch. Now 40 sergeant-majors (the highest rank next to a commissioned officer), 40 quartermaster-sergeants, 40 chief musicians, 60 principal musicians, about 445 saddler, ordinance and commissary sergeants, chief trumpeters, hospital stewards, etc., 2,360 line sergeants, 1,893 corporals and very nearly 18,000 privates. The grand total is something like 28,168 all told. Outside of the staff departments the above are contained (especially the enlisted branch) in 25 regiments of the infantry, 10 regiments of cavalry, 5 regiments of artillery and a battalion of engineers.
Of course this little might of an army is scattered over an immense amount of territory, and even if gathered together in one bunch would scarce make a respectable show alongside of the monstrous standing armies in Europe, but this little handful is a nucleus for tremendous expansion, and the skeleton companies could be increased almost instantaneously fourfold or more without in the least bit disarranging the excellent organization which is now its boast and its pride. More than half the regular army is west of the Mississippi river. Forts and military posts are situated in nearly all of the territories, and these are garrisoned by troops who have little else to do now but regular garrison duty. A recruit from date of enlistment draws $13 per month the first year, $12 the second, $14 the third, $15 the fourth and $16 the fifth year. Some of this is retained, which is all paid over to him by the paymaster on the day of his discharge. In addition to his pay he gets board, lodging and a certain allowance of clothing, which is settled semi-annually on the muster rolls. His average pay per month, second enlistment, is $18. For this he does guard duty, attends roll-calls, is detailed on fatigue at odd times,, shoots his rifle and plays base-ball. The ordinary routine for a day is as follows:
Sunrise, reveille, roll-call. A cavalryman stables immediately afterwards, when each man grooms, feeds, waters his horse then breakfast for himself.
Fatigue at 7:30, when those not on other duty are detailed to do any extra work about the garrison, such as policing the post, clearing away old rubbish, watering trees, loading and unloading stores and supplies and, in fact, attending to any other chores that need attention.
At 8:45 the buglers sound the first call for guard-mounting. This is a most beautiful ceremony, of daily occurrence, and is for the purpose of relieving the old guard by a new detail, changing the officer of the day, etc., being really the beginning of the official day at all the forts. The post-flag is run up at sunrise and lowered at sunset. After guard-mounting drills are in order. If in mid-summer, when the weather is very hot, some other more suitable hour is selected for this exercise. There is little to do between 9 o'clock and noon, the main duty being performed by the various fatigue parties and, perhaps, a garrison or general court may be in session. All the afternoon is idle time, with the exception of stables again, the soldier being taught to give his horse the best of attention and care. Fatigue call goes again at 1, from that hour till 4 the working parties continuing their labors, and at sunset retreat roll-call is sounded. If the weather is fine at retreat a full-dress parade is held, which is also one of the most interesting ceremonies on the military calendar.
Saturdays and Sundays are days of rest. The first of the two is generally utilized in cleaning up the arms, accoutrements, bunks, barracks, etc., for the usual Sunday morning inspection. Inspection is the only duty on Sunday, excepting guard-mounting, which is held 365 days during the year.
Target practice is most industriously observed during the favorable weather months. The old style paper targets, 6x6, stationary and immovable, are now generally superseded by silhouette figures of men in the standing, kneeling and lying positions. At these the soldiers fire, advancing, retreating, at a halt, on a run, etc., the exercise coming nearer actual warfare and hostile conditions in time of peace as it is possible to get. The figures are exact reproductions of an enemy in size and position, just as if drawn up in line of battle or lying as skirmishers in the act of firing.
The Springfield regulation rifle is capable of remarkable accuracy and execution if properly handled, and in the hands of well-drilled troops is equal, if not superior, to the best magazine guns in the world. Under the present system of army training observed by our regulars the greatest execution is going to be done at long range. From the ancient Roman and Greek days when battles were decided by hand-to-hand conflicts, the tendency of warfare has, with the invention and improvements of firearms, been slowly but surely drifting to distance, until to-day I believe all great contests will be settled at ranges beyond 300 yards. Accuracy and long-range guns are doing the business and, while fortunately armed with the latter, our soldiers are being faithfully taught the former. No man in the ranks now-a-days pulls off his piece without first sighting it at somebody or something. There were a great many explosions during the [civil] war, but how many muskets were properly aimed and what percentage of hits was made in comparison to the charges wasted? The regular army to-day is 500 per cent ahead of the boys of '61, who were drafted and rushed pellmell into the field without a particle of preparation or training.
I think there are something like forty-nine forts and six arsenals in the United States. Fort Keogh is one of the largest, and a short description of it will serve as a fair sample of about what all the others are. In the first place, a fort would seem to signify a strongly fortified place, with breast works, parapets, bastions, sally ports and lots of bristling cannon looking down over the walls in a threatening manner. Some eastern forts are constructed according to the above description, but they are old and out of date, having been succeeded by totally different, peaceable concerns, although the latter bear the same warlike names and titles of their venerable ancestors. A western fort is neither more nor less than a small town or village set down on the open prairie. It is built in a form of a diamond, two sides of which are composed of officers quarters, and the other two sides of barracks for the enlisted men; in the center is a beautiful level green lawn, which is the garrison parade ground, upon which are performed the military evolutions and ceremonies spoken of.
The parade ground at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., is one of the handsomest spots in the whole United States. It is covered with tall, beautiful shade trees laid out in artistic rows, and altogether is a most lovely park or promenade in summer time. The commanding officer usually occupies the finest set of quarters, which are located at the angle formed by the junction of the two rows of officers' quarters. In another angle is the post hospital presided over by a competent surgeon and assistants, and the guard-house is somewhere else along the line of the men's barracks. Outside and in rear of the quarters and barracks are the stables, commissary and quartermasters departments, ordinance depot, saddlers' and tinners' shops, laundresses' quarters, and perhaps a little further back the Indian scouts may be camped in their typical lodges and tepees. If one of the soldiers [happens] to be married, [he] may have a house or shack to live in, located somewhere near the post or among the laundresses.
At a post where the regimental headquarters are, the regimental band is stationed, and as these paid musicians have little else to do but practice, the result is a most excellent repertoire and always finely executed. Parade ground concerts are the thing in summer and indoor concerts during the opposite season. There is a fine hop-room at nearly every post, fitted up by subscriptions from the officers, and here the weekly hops are held, which are most delightful in every respect and always largely attended.
It is a peculiarity of army hops that no lady, however ugly, whatever her age, be she old and toothless or young and charming, ever remains a wall-flower throughout the evening. She shares alike with the belles of the evening, every gentleman in the room showing her the same attention and courtesy as bestowed upon the fairer and more youthful damsels.
Every year annual rifle competitions are held at department headquarters, which gives the best shot in each company a chance to win some of the fine medals offered as a reward for skill as well as a pleasant detail and tour of duty away from his regular station. All this is very well, and is something in return for the long years of isolation on the wild and unsettled frontier; but should it happen that the Indians in your neighborhood become suddenly belligerent, break out into open rebellion, commence killing settlers and running off stock and raising Old Nick generally, whether it be three feet of snow in winter or 120 in the shade in summer, off you go in the saddle after the depredating reds, and possibly get a few perforations without recognition from congress, as Indian warfare is not considered in the line of brevets. Poor Seward Mott who was butchered down in Arizona the other day, is a sample of what is in store for some of us; but happily such cases are exceptions, not the rule.
Take it altogether army life on the frontier is pleasant and delightful. For the officer a change of station is bound to come sooner or later, and for the soldier a five year term of enlistment is interesting and full of incident, and if he be careful and saving he can go out of the service with a snug little sum to his credit, enough to set him up in business back in the states, and perhaps marry his best girl in the bargain.
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