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| Dewitt Clinton. |
The McGrawville Sentinel, Thursday, January 21, 1886.
NAMING OF TOWNS.
NEW YORK STATE TOWNS NAMED IN 1824.
DeWitt Clinton, the Surveyor General, Hunting Bibles, Histories, and Geographys for Names.
The Sun recently published, but did not answer the question, "How came so many towns in central New York to have such strange, classical and European names?" The query ought to have had some sort of an answer, writes W. A. Croffut to the Indianapolis Sentinel. Thurlow Weed told me years ago how it happened, but I doubt if the explanation has ever been publicly made in full. DeWitt Clinton, I think he said, was surveyor general of the state in 1824. The legislature arranged for a division of the vast area of unoccupied lands into townships of about equal size, and a week before adjournment it called on DeWitt to supply names for them.
"How many are there?" asked the officer.
"About two hundred and fifty," said the clerk.
"Two hundred and fifty towns to name!" exclaimed the astonished man. "I don't believe that is included in the duties of my office! However, we can begin with our heroes. Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Warren, Putnam, Greene, Gates, Knox, Stark, Decatur, Steuben—"
"Very good," said the clerk encouragingly, "but they have been appropriated in this state, except Decatur—even Adams and Jefferson, who died this year." [?]
"What can I do then?" inquired the anxious officer. "I can name one after myself, and three after my wife and sisters. And then? Well, I'll see."
He went home that night and thought it over. He began with the names of his family. Then he took the Bible and found Hebron, Canaan, Gilboa, Jerusalem, and Sharon, wrote these down on vacant towns on the great map spread out before him, and then stopped there, because "these Bible names are such jaw breakers." Then he named three other towns after states—Florida, Alabama, and Maryland, and three after large cities—Boston, Richmond, and Charleston, and went to bed tired. In the morning he saw he had named sixteen towns, and these he reported to the legislature as "samples." They did not show great originality, but they were accepted, and the command sent back to "go ahead."
"I can't think of any more," said poor DeWitt. Every town and locality had an Indian name, and many of these were significant, euphonious and musical; but the Christener, like most foolish Americans, discarded these and sought for "something like something."
He got an atlas, and applied to his plat of vacant towns the names of most of the countries he saw—Scotland, Russia, Norway, Mexico, Chili, Sweden, Hanover, Wales, Holland, Portland, Italy; and these were all solemnly adopted as the names of towns in New York. Then he adopted the names of cities, rivers and islands—Paris, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Malta, Galway, Bath, Edingburg, Perth, Danube, Carlisle, Parlermo, Parma, Rigi, Elba, Bergen, Hamburg, Sardinia, Warsaw, Castile, Avon, Lima, Geneva, Naples, Venice, Genoa, Waterloo, Rome. And these were accepted by the legislature, and make elements of our local geography.
Still there was a vast multitude of nameless towns, and DeWitt distributed among them the names of all the distinguished writers, orators and discovers he could think of: Franklin, Fulton, Volney, Galen, Clay, Cicero, Milton, Byron, Sheridan, Dryden, Homer, Solon, Tully, Virgil—and then he rested and wondered what next. Half in despair he hunted in the garret and found an ancient history, and that proved to him a mine of wealth. Here are the solid nuggets which he dug out and distributed among the forlorn townships: Rome, Greece, Utica, Troy, Corinth, Syracuse, Babylon, Palmyra, Macedon, Attica, Sparta, Ithaca, Pharsalia, Marathon, Smyrna, Delhi, Brustus, Scipio, Moreau, Camillus, Lysander, Hannibal, Cato, Alexander, Aurelius, Nero, Fabius, Sempronius, Pompey, Marcellus! These, too, the legislature adopted. But a month later the town to which "Nero" had been attached sent up a very angry protest against the name, on the ground that Nero was an execrable tyrant, who murdered both his wife and his mother. A committee of the assembly investigated and found that Nero was really a hard case, and reported to DeWitt. "That town puts on a good many airs," said the disgusted officer who presided at the over-worked baptismal font; "Let it be called Eden." And Eden it is to this day.
When the legislature adjourned, it was found that one town on the border of Pennsylvania had been overlooked. "Name your own town!" said the fatigued DeWitt. They did so. About half of the settlers were Pennsylvanians, and the other half Yankees, and from the first syllable of both those words they procured that name of Chinese look and sound— "Pen Yan." And lo! New York state was finished.
Cortland County Farmers' Club.
President Blodgett announcing the subject for discussion, "Horses," called attention to the many important points that might well be considered. Some claim the planks under the horse should run lengthwise of the stall; others think he should never stand on plank at all. Doubtless it is better for the feet if they have a ground floor. There is some foundation for the method of Robert Bonner and other well-known horsemen of feeding them from the ground and not from a high manger or rack. It is noticeable that horses which drink from a high trough often cough slightly just afterwards.
Mr. Kingsbury: I had a horse with the epizootic and noticed that it discharged more freely and did better fed in a bucket on the ground than another one in the same stable did fed from a high manger. I am not as positive as I have been that a ground floor is better than plank for horses.
Mr. Wellington: In preparing some horses for market I found that colts eating from the ground did better than those eating from high mangers. I have noticed that one of my horses coughs after drinking from a high trough. I think I have injured my horses more by letting them stand on plank floor than in any other way.
Mr. Rowley: A horse like a person is much better for having sufficient exercise.
President Blodgett: The question has been raised of not shoeing horses. I have one that has had no shoes in front for a year. His feet had become badly contracted but now he drives nicely.
Mr. Rowley: I took off the shoes from one of my horses for a year and a half, as his feet were in bad condition and now he has entirely recovered.
President Blodgett: This horse of mine had no difficulty in drawing loads of hay into the barn and he does not slip on ice as much as I expected. In Illinois I observed that horses which had never been shod would travel on the road all day with no apparent inconvenience. It is true the roads were far more free from stone than with us.
Mr. Beach: A work recently published by J. G. Wood claims that horses should never be shod. Let the hoofs be pared when too long.
Mr. Shearer: I have noticed that the hoofs of unshod horses would get too long and my method is to set the foot on a plank and cut off at the toe using a chisel and cutting from the top side. It is better than paring.
Mr. Beach: This author claims it is better for horses to bear some weight on the frog.
President Blodgett: The frog is just the part the blacksmith first cuts out.
Mr. Beach: Then why do we have horses shod?
Mr. Wellington: I have often regretted that my team had ever had a shoe on.
Mr. Beach: Will the hind feet stand better than the fore when unshod?
President Blodgett: The horse of mine referred to has shoes behind and not in front.
Mr. Shearer: I keep my horses with sharp toe caulks both summer and winter. A team will then handle a mowing machine much easier. More horses are strained by slipping than in any other way.
President Blodgett: I think we should give more attention to our horses; they command a good price all the time.
Mr. Beach: Is it better to hitch a horse in a stable or place it in a box-stall unfastened?
Mr. Rowley: I had a horse thirty years old that had always done well until last summer when he failed rapidly, and had to be killed.
President Blodgett: A horse is a good servant and will last a long time if it has good care. The trouble is they are so often abused. A horse should not be watered immediately after eating its grain. Everything considered is there a better feed for horses than oats?
Mr. Rowley: For old horses I should prefer ground feed. I feed my horses corn in the ear once a day and have fed it altogether. I have noticed that horses taken off from such feed and put on oats would grow poor.
President Blodgett: If I fed hay I should want the best timothy.
Mr. Rowley: I know of a man who feeds his horses clover and they do well. He claims it is usually allowed to cure too much.
Mr. Beach: What is the objection to feeding clover hay?
President Blodgett: It is liable to be dusty.
Upon motion it was resolved to continue this subject at the next meeting. At that time the breaking of colts will be especially considered.
Club adjourned to meet again Saturday, January 30, at 2 P. M., in Union hall. C. M. BEAN, Sec'y., Saturday, Jan. 16.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
THE ingredients of bogus butter, given by Dairy Commissioner Brown in a recent report, are enough to turn the stomach of a digger Indian.
THOUGH petroleum is found in many parts of the world none has been discovered so valuable for illuminating purposes as the Pennsylvania product. One curious proof of this fact is the demand for empty oil packages in the European markets. The Austrian and Russian dealers buy them and refill them, carefully preserving the American brand. They are resold as containing refined oil from the United States, and the quality of American oil is thus brought into undeserved disrepute.
DURING the past year 5,763 bodies were received at the New York morgue. These came from the police stations, hospitals and other institutions. A large number were also sent from the homes of poor residents who were unable to pay for the burial. A notable fact is that there were 500 more dead children received than adults. Of the 5,763 bodies received, 1,766 were subsequently claimed and buried by friends. The remaining 3,997 were either buried in Potter's field or sent to the various medical colleges for dissection. One hundred and forty-eight of the bodies received were unknown. During 1884, the number of bodies receive were 5,690.
THE late snow-fall and intensely cold weather has transformed the scenery of Niagara Falls into a vision of wondrous beauty. Frozen spray has given a silver coating to every object in the neighborhood of the falls, and this is capped with pure white snow. In the immediate vicinity of the falls and along the banks the icy stalactites and stalagmites have assumed enormous lengths, and the ice cones at the foot of both falls now reach nearly half way up to the top of the falls. The ice mountain is daily growing in magnitude, and the pen utterly fails to describe the wondrous beauty of the scene during these sunny days and moonlight nights.
MONTANA is knocking on the back door of the union and asking to be admitted along with Dakota. A statesman hailing from out that way thinks that Montana, being a democratic territory by a small majority, will be admitted as an offset to Dakota.
AFTER DIME NOVEL CUSTOM.
A Quarrel Between Two Boys Results in a Stabbing Affray.
On Monday evening as Louis Chaffee, Will Beckwith and some other boys were playing in the street, Chaffee and Beckwith had some words at which Beckwith drew a knife or some other instrument from his pocket and stabbed Chaffee in the left cheek about an inch and a half from his eye, inflicting a ragged wound about an inch in length and extending to the bone. Dr. D. H. Stone dressed the wound and it is doing well at present.
As Justice of the Peace Parker was away from home at the time no warrant could be obtained for the boy's arrest and this gave Mr. Beckwith an opportunity to do all he could to justly settle the matter. We understand he succeeded in releasing Will from present liability by paying the doctor's bill and giving Louie Chaffee five dollars, his boy to be let go pending his good conduct.
Will Beckwith has at times been the butt of ridicule among the boys and his hasty action in this instance should be a lesson all around. Undoubtedly he repented the act as soon as he did it for he was so scared that he ran for home like a good fellow. Mr. Beckwith's immediate attention is commendary and his son can always thank him for saving him a great deal of trouble.
HAS THE SENTINEL LIBELED?
Another Subject for Indignant Criticism by our Citizens.
For some time, seemingly as if prompted by an evil spirit, Frank Haughton has made his headquarters in this place, dividing his time between riding around, poker playing in one of the saloons and spreeing a little. No one unless it be one or two who seem to take considerable interest in him knows his object in staying here. His wife is ill at ease for fear that he will carry out an intention spoken of in one of the letters we published a short time ago—that of taking one of his girls away from her.
The kettle was set to boiling one day last week when it was reported that Haughton had attempted to kidnap his oldest daughter. He drove over to the schoolhouse where the girl was and accosted Fred Graves and offered to give him a ride some time if he would go in and tell the girl to come out as he wanted to see her. Fred wouldn't go and so another scholar went in and told what was wanted. The girl did not go out, however, and Haughton drove away. Another team soon came along and was hailed and the girl sent home. So many rumors are afloat that hardly one of them can be believed. He may have only wanted to see the girl but it is surmised by many that he either wanted to kidnap the girl or greatly frighten her mother, and consequently our villagers feel highly indignant over the affair. Another object that he might have had is to get a clue on the SENTINEL and sue its publishers for libel. It is alleged that he has expressed a desire to cause our arrest and also that if we said anything about this episode he would "put us through." If Mr. Haughton has any threats to make it would save us much time in looking them up if he would call at our office and tell them, that we may have them straight. Nevertheless, we predict he'll catch a weasel asleep ere he traps us.
TANNERY FIRE ANNIVERSARY.
The Outgrowth of a Year's Labor on the Part of H. D. Corey.
The 18th inst. was the anniversary of the fire of the old tannery. Not before aware of that fact we happened, however, on that day to make a call at Mr. Corey's new establishment to "take in" the changed condition of things and see what is being done. The new building is 34 x 112 feet, and, including a spacious basement under part of the building, that is readily utilized in the business, with a large attic above, it is four stories high.
The first floor from the street is divided into two rooms and a hallway in front, Mr. Corey's office with the tanning work further back and the machinery and boiler in the rear. The second floor is occupied in front 20 x 34 feet as a finishing and sales room for the new patent buggy works of Bean & Anderson. They also occupy still more room adjacent thereto for manufacturing. There are also commodious drying rooms here, and next follows large storage for bark that is delivered direct from the sleighs and wagons—eighty cords being easily housed at a time. In this room stands the mill that is also directly over the large leaches below—the ground bark falling from the one to the other. Nearly all this part is covered with flat roof to avoid danger of fire from the smoke stack. The attic is 34 x 72, good height at the walls and 8 x 18 x 72 in the clear; it is light and airy and amply sufficient for a splendid drying room for which it is now used. The works have been going sufficiently long to get through heavy packs of leather. The present capacity is fully three times greater than the old yard, considering the fact that there need now be no delays in waiting for water. From a hundred to a hundred and fifty hides can now be tanned per week. The contrast between the new and the old, in the advantages of steam for heating the building and furnishing the force that drives the mill at a rapid rate is so marked that it is felt more easily than expressed. The engine power is from twelve to fourteen horse. The boiler is of steel and twenty-five horse power and performs admirably.
All parts of the building seem finely adapted to the purposes for which they were designed, and are occupied by men apparently doing successful business. To be more fully assured of that fact the public are at liberty to call and see.
CORTLAND ITEMS.
L. C. Miller, former manager of Wright & Fisher, Syracuse, stock exchange here had some difficulty with the firm and Tuesday morning John Wilcox succeeded him as manager.
An exciting 100 yards foot race occurred Monday night between Fred Hilligus and Will Riley, best two in three, Hilligus won first heat in eleven seconds. Second was decided a dead heat in 11 3/4 seconds. Third was won by Riley in 11 seconds, and the fourth by Hilligus in 11 seconds. A small wager, we understand, was not given the winner by the stake-holder.
The annual meeting of the Cortland county agricultural society will be held at the Cortland house January 27, at 2 P. M., when officers for the ensuing year will be elected.
Officer Miller arrested Martin Collins Saturday for public intoxication.
Sheriff Van Hoesen was in Buffalo last week subpoenaing witnesses in the Hugh O'Neil arson case, that is to be tried at the circuit court next month.
EDITORS' EASY CHAIR.
—Lorenzo Parsons was in Marathon Tuesday.
—Remember Rev. C. W. D. Fox's donation to-night.
—Dr. Howland of Marathon was in town last Thursday.
—Miss Emma Turner is confined at home by sickness this week.
—George Baldwin of Preble visited this week at Rev. W. D. Fox's.
—Frank Wheelock visited his home at Summit Station last week.
—Devillo Harvey of Cincinnatus made our office boys a pleasant call Wednesday.
—Dr. Frank Hoag called on his brothers here, while on his way to Cortland Tuesday.
—D. S. Wood and wife and Emma Letz of Homer visited at Ed Harvey's Saturday.
—We are told that our village president enjoys these moony mornings so much that he depends on the clock to tell when it is daylight,
—Mrs. Ettie Reed has been called home to Cortland on account of the severe illness of her father.
—The social visit at H. B. Greenman's last Thursday was a great success, the house being filled.
—Mrs. Romanta Woodford of Cortland was a guest of Mrs. F. E. Wright yesterday afternoon.
—Tanner Brothers have a change in their advertisement this week. Read what they have to say.
—Lewis A. Clark of Homer was in town the fore part of the week visiting his brother E. H. Clark.
—Mrs. Joseph Salisbury and daughter Jennie of Chittenango have been visiting their relatives in this place.
—Miss Matie Albro of Marathon is at present stopping with her friend Mrs. Fred Morey on East Main street.
—Tanner Brothers of Standard block, Cortland, have a few Seal Plush Sacques, Brocaded and Cloth Newmarkets which they will sell cheap.
—Messrs. R. J. & W. J. Watson, Homer's prominent marble men, made us a short call on Saturday last. They were in town finishing up a job of tomb stone setting in our cemetery.
—Henry Huntley is preparing to start a cooper shop on his premises on Academy street. We have no doubt he will succeed as such an undertaking, it seems to us, should be made successful.
—The New York Weekly World, the best paper for news in the United States, and the SENTINEL, one of the best county newspapers, will be sent to anyone one year for $1.70 in advance,
—O. C. Wurst received a telegraph Monday stating that a relative of his in New York had died and Tuesday morning he started for New York where he will stay two weeks. His photograph gallery will be closed during his absence.
—Lyman Rogers, a resident of this place twenty years ago, now of Norwich, called around among his old friends here yesterday. His smiling countenance and the hearty hand shakings denoted pleasant recollections of this his former home.
—Ex-Sheriff Harlow Borthwick was in town one day last week. We understand he and Bert Conger, formerly of this place, now of Marathon, have purchased and take possession of the restaurant and pool parlors formerly conducted by J. Metzgar in Homer.
—One of the finest pieces of work in the line of lithography that we have seen in many a day is that of a calendar sent us by W. H. Butler, agent, lithographer, printer and publisher of Philadelphia, Pa. It is 11x14 inches and is a fine piece of work, the colors natural and blending in harmony.
—A. Benjamin will sell at auction on his farm two miles south-east of McGrawville, Saturday, January 30, at 10 A. M., 25 choice young cows, one Model Buckeye mower, a wheel rake, lumber wagon, road scraper, butter worker, grind stone, a lot of milk pans, two churns and numerous other things.
—The circuit court and court of oyer and terminer will convene at the court house in Cortland February 1 at 10 A, M. The grand jury from this town are Allen Russel, James H. Short, James K. Greenwood, T. Mason Loring and Jay Peck. The trial jurors are William Carr, Orlando Hicks, Butler M. Branch, Riley Niles, Millard A. Niles and W. W. Buchanan. A full list of jurors will appear next week.
—On the first column of this page will be found this week our rates for advertising in the SENTINEL. They are fully explained in short space so that any one who thinks of advertising can figure just what it will cost. We, at present, claim the largest paying circulation in this county of any paper and therefore consider that we offer the most value for the least money to Cortland county advertisers than any other paper. Our patrons of the past speak in excellent terms of the returns their advertisements in the SENTINEL have brought them, and we know that it has never paid better profit than it will from now on as our list is very rapidly increasing.
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