JOHN LENNOX OF "DAVID HARUM" NOW LIVES IN BINGHAMTON

 

David Hannum.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, March 10, 1899.

ANOTHER CHARACTER IS REAL.

The John Lennox of "David Harum" Now Lives In Binghamton.

   Few books in recent years have received greater attention during the first few months after leaving the press or have been read with more pleasure than has "David Harum," written by the well-known Syracuse banker, the late Edward Noyes Westcott. Particularly is this true in central New York for the plot is supposed to have been laid in our sister village of Homer, and the principal character was fashioned in some respects after the likeness of a former resident of that place. The Binghamton Republican has discovered that the other leading character, John Lennox, is no other than a present resident of Binghamton. The Republican has interviewed the original of this character and what he says will interest all who have read the book. The Republican says:

   The book has been eagerly read by Binghamtonians, because many of them knew the original of "David Harum," the late David Hannum of Homer. Few people in this city are aware, however, that the character on whom the "second hero" of the book is founded is at the present time a resident of this city; and that several of the more interesting incidents related in the book actually occurred in Binghamton.

   Few of his acquaintances realize, as they daily see ex-Mayor John Rankin on the streets that he is the real John Lennox of the book, but such is the case; and it was from Mr. Rankin that Mr. Westcott learned of many of the most interesting stories related in the book.

   The time of the book is supposed to be the present, and John Lennox a young man of this generation; but the actual association of David Harum and John (Lennox) Rankin, dates back to the time when Mr. Rankin left this city, a young man. He was the only partner that David Hannum ever had, and was associated with the well-known Homer business man for eighteen years.

   An interesting statement of Mr. Rankin's is that almost every one of the anecdotes related in the book, aside from the romance of John Lennox actually occurred. "And," says Mr. Rankin, "there are enough other true stories in connection with Dave Hannum to make another book equally as interesting."

   The "hoss trade" with the deacon, which has caused so much amusement to the readers of "David Harum," happened just as related. And David Hannum was as much a lover of horses and of horse trading as David Harum is made to be. In fact there are several residents of this city who can testify to the astuteness of the Homer man, when it came to a horse trade.

   Until a year or two ago George H. Barlow owned a team of handsome black horses. When David Harum showed off the team to the former street commissioner, they were as well mated and as fine steppers as could be wished for. But after they reached the Binghamton stable, Mr. Barlow found it impossible to get the team to again drive so well as when Mr. Hannum held "the ribbons." One horse was always determined to lag behind his mate.

   Mr. Barlow wrote to the man of whom he had made the purchase, and received this laconic reply: "Before you take them out of the barn, give the nigh hoss a good dose of long oats."

   Mr. Barlow took the hint, and as long as the two horses were driven together, it was necessary to make a liberal application of horsewhip to the nigh horse before taking him out of the stable. After that no trouble was experienced with the equine.

   There are still believed to be several horses in this city that were sold to Binghamton men by David Hannum. Up to a year or two ago Frank B. Reynolds owned a team of nice blacks which be bought of this eccentric horse trader.

   The manner in which the "Widow Cullom" received payment for the dime given David Harum by her husband Willie P. Cullom happened just as related, and David Hannum is said to have paid back many other old debts of gratitude, besides satisfying the mortgage of the widow of the man who showed the first kindness to him that he had ever known.

   One of the most amusing stories related in the book, is the account of David Harum's visit to Newport, and of the difficulties that he had in making himself fit into "good society." It may be interesting to know that Mr. Hannum never visited Newport in his life; but he was a frequent visitor of Mr. Rankin, after the latter returned to this city; and all of the incidents related in the Newport story actually occurred, except instead of being in a Newport "cottage," the scene was the former residence of Mr. Rankin on Front-st., now occupied by George H. Barlow.

   One morning, when David Hannum was visiting him, Mr. Rankin arose rather late to find that his visitor had been up for several hours. He had been down to the stables and inspected all the horses; he had been across the street, and looked at Mr. Mills' flowers, and when his host found him wandering around the yard, his first inquiry was to ask when breakfast would be ready, coupled with the assertion that he was almost starved.

   Mr. Rankin had his servant serve an "early" breakfast for his guest, and it was then that the trouble with the boiled egg actually occurred.

   Mr. Westcott digresses slightly from facts, however, in relating the history of the rest of the day. It was not the egg that got over his clothes, but because he fell in one of the cisterns in the back yard of the Front-st. place that made it necessary for David Harum to be arrayed in the dress suit of his host.

   Among the guests at the dinner party that was held that night, the Hon. and Mrs. S. Stewart Wells can be mentioned as being among those who most enjoyed the stories and the homely actions of David Harum.

   These are but a few of the incidents and anecdotes to be found in the book and out of it, associated with the life of David Harum that have an interesting local coloring.

 

Henry T. Dana, M. D.

MEDICAL SOCIETY.

County Physicians Held a Quarterly Meeting In Cortland Thursday.

   The quarterly meeting of the Cortland County Medical society was held in the supervisors' rooms in Cortland yesterday afternoon. The meeting was called to order at 2 o'clock by the president, Dr. M. L. Halbert, these members being present: Drs. Beach, Dana, Higgins, Neary and Reese of Cortland, Hendrick and Smith of McGraw, Halbert of Cincinnatus, Leonard of Harford Mills and Green of Homer. Owing to the unavoidable absence of Drs. Forshee of McGraw and Andrews of Pitcher who were to have given papers, the program was necessarily a short one.

   After the reading of the minutes of the last meeting Dr. P. M. Neary read an interesting paper on "Purpura," giving the history of a case. Cause was supposed to be some kind of a toxine. In the discussion following Dr. Dana reported a case of similar nature where marked benefit had followed the use of aromatic sulphuric acid. Dr. Higgins thought that supra-renal extract could be employed advantageously in some of these cases. Would use transfusion without hesitation if he thought that the case was in danger of terminating fatally.

   Dr. Hendrick gave an interesting account of an operation that he had witnessed in Philadelphia the past week for the straightening of flexed fingers and incidentally spoke of measures used in resuscitating patients from the narcosis of ether and chloroform; oxygen, faradization and hypodermics of strychnia and atropia being among the remedies used.

   Dr. Reese spoke on position in the examination of the liver, citing cases where a position somewhat similar to that of the Sims position had enabled him to diagnose certain conditions not otherwise possible.

   Dr. Dana presented a sketch of the life of the late Dr. Barnes, the society's oldest member, he having been a member for fifty-nine years, and also presented a resolution expressive of the society's regret at his death.

   It was moved by Dr. Higgins that a copy of the resolutions be presented to the family and entered on the society's minutes; carried.

   On motion of Dr. Dana it was voted to hold the next meeting, which will be the annual one, in June at the Cortland hospital in accordance with an invitation from the Hospital association to hold a meeting there.

   On motion the meeting then adjourned.

   Following are the resolutions:

   Resolved, That in the death of Dr. Eleazer H. Barnes this society is called to mourn the loss of its oldest member. His personality was genial and kind and his presence always brought cheer. He was mindful of others and he gave freely of his time and talent to those who sought his counsel and service.

   Resolved, That a copy of this memorial be inscribed in the minutes of this society.

   F. H. GREEN, Secretary.

 

THREE SCHOOLBOYS MISSING.

May Have Skipped on a Freight Train—Police Notified.

   Truant Officer J. R. Birdlebough was this morning notified of the absence from school and disappearance of three boys, John Garrity, 15 years old, son of Michael Garrity; Harry Ray, 13 years old, son of M. H. Ray and William Smith, aged 14 years, son of William Smith. The Garrity boy is enrolled at the Central school, and the other boys at the Owego-st. school. The officer found that none of the boys were at their homes last night, and there is a suspicion that they have left town on a freight train, and the police in neighboring cities have been notified to apprehend them if located. The local police have also been notified. The Garrity boy is now out on parole from the Rochester Industrial school. It is said that a band of boys of which these are said to be members, have a small shanty near the waterworks where they have been accustomed to congregate and smoke, etc.

 

WHITNEY POINT REJOICES.

Firemen's Hall and Opera House Completed—To be Opened With a Fair March 15, 16 and 17.

   Since the burning up of Whitney Point nearly two years ago, many fine new brick blocks have arisen on the ashes. Among these is a handsome three-story town hall, with rooms for the firemen and apparatus, and a commodious opera house.

   The firemen and citizens of the place plan to open the new building next week, with a grand fair and festival to be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings, and invite the firemen and people of the surrounding villages to turn in and help make it a great success. The proceeds will be used to provide suitable furnishings for the opera house, such as chairs, scenery, electric lights, etc.

   There will be excellent entertainments each evening, besides music by the Carey-Jenks orchestra. The admission fee will be a nominal sum.

   A large number of articles have been given for the fair by the people of Whitney Point and their friends, among the most valuable of which are the following: A $225 pneumatic tire carriage, a steel plow, washing machine, clock, opera glasses, etc.

   The event will wind up with a ball on Friday night, the Midland Mandolin club of Marathon having been engaged for that occasion.

   Choice refreshments will be served each evening, and arrangements are being perfected for all trains to stop the last two nights for the convenience of visitors. The present indications are that there will be a n immense attendance.

 

TORE UP A SWITCH.

Considerable Litigation May Result from the Matter.

   The act of the Syracuse, Binghamton & New York Railroad company on Feb. 24 and Feb. 28 in removing a switch entering what is known as Ireland's lumber yard may lead to quite extensive litigation. A few days before that A. A. Sprague had built coalsheds in the yard and was preparing to put in facilities for the retailing of red ash coal from a company that owns mines located south of Scranton. Two carloads of coal arrived Feb. 23, and they were left standing on a side track south of Clinton-ave., Cortland.

   Already nine carloads have arrived, and seven of them are in the yard next to Benton's lumber yard, while the other two are on a side track. Mr. Sprague has tendered to the company the freight charges on the cars consigned to Cortland only, and this has been refused. He has not tendered payment for those cars consigned to "Ireland's switch" because he claims that the care have not been delivered by the company.

   J. & T. E. Courtney have been retained, and it is probable that three actions will be brought against the company, one by John Ireland for damages on account of depreciation in value which his land is claimed to have suffered by the removal of the switch. In the other two cases Mr. Sprague will probably be the plaintiff, the first one to be an action for conversion and the second a case for damages.

   It is said that similar cases have occurred in other places, and that in each case the company has put back the switch.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Y. W. C. T. U. will meet at 4 o'clock to-morrow afternoon.

   —There will be a special meeting of the A. O. H. Sunday, March 12, at 3:30 P. M. All members are especially requested to be present.

   —There will be a special meeting of the Young Men's Christian association at the rooms this evening at 7 o'clock for the purpose of electing a new board of directors.

   —Mrs. A. G. Bosworth of 37 Madison-st. and Mrs. E. G. Perry gave a whist party Wednesday evening at the home of the former. There were five tables of players and all had a very delightful time.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Smith & Beaudry, Spring Announcement, page 8; Model Clothing Co., Spring Clothing, page 6; C. F. Thompson, Pickups, page 6; C. P. Brown, Sunlight at Night, page 7; Glann & Clark, Shoe Bargains, page 7; Keating Wheel Co., Bicycles, page 7.

 

On a Peace Warrant.

   Constable J. E. Edwards arrested Charles Healey of McGraw on a peace warrant sworn out by his wife, Lana A. Healey, before Justice of the Peace Howard J. Harrington. He was arraigned yesterday afternoon and gave bail in the sum of $200 for appearance next Monday morning at 10 o'clock to which time the proceedings were adjourned.

 

SHELDON SUICIDES.

SUDDEN ENDING OF THE MURDER TRIAL AT AUBURN.

Defendant Hangs Himself With a Towel  in His Cell in Jail—Strangled to Death With His Feet on the Floor.

   AUBURN, March 10, (Special.)—A sudden and tragic ending of the Sheldon murder trial occurred this morning by the suicide of the defendant, Frank N. Sheldon. When the jailer left him with his breakfast at 8 o'clock, Sheldon hung himself in the doorway of his cell. A common towel was torn in halves. One-half was loosely knotted about his neck and the other piece was fastened from this loop to the cell door. Sheldon then settled forward in the noose and with his feet on the floor deliberately strangled to death. The body was discovered by Sheriff Wood who had accompanied the prisoner's son Guy, and his sister, Mrs. Austin, to the cell. Life was then extinct.

   This murder and its trial have excited more attention than anything in this section of the state for a longtime. The prisoner was a farmer of Weedsport, Cayuga county, and was charged with shooting his wife, Eva Remington Sheldon, in the pantry of their home on April 30, 1896. It was apparently designed that the death should be considered suicide. Sheldon was, however, arrested, tried and convicted. The trial was long drawn out. The jury did not at first agree and were out some three days. The verdict was set aside, and a new trial ordered on the ground that the presiding judge had exercised undue urgency in trying to have the jury agree. The prisoner had been sentenced to death and was for over a year confined in the doomed cell in Auburn prison. The second trial began on Monday, Feb. 27. The evidence for the prosecution was still being given when the suicide occurred.