The Cortland Democrat, Friday, April 28, 1899.
LIGHTS ONCE MORE.
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY ACCEPTS THE TERMS.
A Protracted Conference— Peace and Harmony Prevails Between the Village and Traction Company—Certain Tracks to be Abandoned.
After a session lasting four hours the board of village trustees and the directors representing the Traction and Electric companies came to an amicable understanding by which the village takes light and the companies pay their indebtedness for paving. For some reason the trustees made a new departure in their method of procedure, holding what has heretofore been styled an executive session, the conference being held in the law office of Bouton & Champlin, while the usual place of meeting was given up to reporters and representatives of rival lighting companies. The board retired at 8 o'clock, and it was exactly 11:45 when Clerk Hatch sauntered in and informed the reporters that the Electric company had accepted a proposition from the trustees, He was closely followed by the president and trustees, who went through the formality of adjourning.
The Electric and Traction companies were represented by C. D. Simpson and P. S. Page of Scranton, Herman Bergholtz of Ithaca, and General Manager H. B. Westcott of Cortland. The members of the board were all present, with O. U. Kellogg as counsel. The board renewed the proposition of the week previous, which after much discussion was accepted. This provides for a contract between the two parties by which the company is to furnish eighty lights instead of sixty nine as now, to run until one o'clock, for which it is to receive $6,000 a year, the village to retain $8,000 yearly until the entire paving assessment against the Traction company is paid. It is further understood that at the next annual election the trustees shall submit a proposition to the voters asking an appropriation of $7,600 for an all-night light service, and if carried the village is still to retain $8,000 yearly.
The contract was drawn Wednesday and while no vote was taken Tuesday evening, there was a sort of tacit understanding that every member of the board will vote to ratify the contract at the next regular meeting Monday evening.
During the conference it was learned that the Traction company proposes to abandon that portion of its road running through Groton and Homer-aves. to the junction at Copeland's corner, the statement being made that the branch does not pay. It was also intimated that the park service will be abandoned, and that the Homer line might be extended to Little York.
Traction Company Sold.
WILKES-BARRE, Pa., April 27.—The Wilkes-Barre and Wyoming Valley Traction company has been sold to New York capitalists. The entire capital stock of the company is $5,000,000. The new syndicate purchased a controlling interest at $41 per share.
VERY NEAR DEATH.
Two Virgil Citizens in a Wreck—Their Team Struck by a Locomotive—Both Horses Killed.
Two citizens of Virgil, Wilson Congdon and his brother Andrew, had a very narrow escape from instant death last Saturday night. They were returning home from Cortland with a team and heavy farm wagon, and as they reached what is known as Reese's crossing about a mile north of Blodgett's Mills, the south bound passenger train on the Delaware, Lackawana & Western railroad struck the horses and the forward end of the wagon, throwing the occupants some distance.
The force of the collision completely wrecked the wagon and one horse was killed outright, the other being so seriously injured that it was necessary to kill it. Wilson Congdon is 21 years old, and his injuries consist of three broken ribs and serious bruises upon his right leg. Andrew is 17 years of age and has been working at the forging shop in this village. He is quite deaf, and was therefore unable to hear the train. He was injured internally. They were both taken to the home of their father, Maurice B. Congdon.
WOMAN BURNED.
Mrs. James Witty Narrowly Escapes Death—Clothing Burned From Her Body.
A most distressing accident occurred to Mrs. James Witty last Saturday, the consequence of which are very serious, but it is hoped not fatal. Mrs. Witty, with her husband and three children, lived in one of L. J. Fitzgerald's houses in West-st., better known as the "back road to Homer," having only recently moved there.
While engaged in getting dinner Saturday noon she used her apron for a holder, and in attempting to lift a kettle the apron caught fire from the stove. She was unable to tear the burning garment away, and the flames spread to her other clothing, burning nearly all of it from her person. She was badly injured by the flames and on Wednesday her condition was extremely critical. Yesterday, however, she was reported as more comfortable.
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| Telegraph key and sounding kit. |
SOLD FOR TAXES.
Western Union Telegraph Company's Instruments Sold to Pay Taxes—Excessive Assessments Alleged In Defense.
A novel sight was witnessed in Herkimer Saturday afternoon when the instruments of the Western Union Telegraph company were detached from their places in the office and sold on the street corner to the lowest bidder. This was the result of a quarrel that has been going on between the company and the city authorities over the payment of taxes, the company refusing to pay the tax assessed to them. The managers of the Western Union claim they have been unjustly assessed, and have protested through their agent there time after time, but that no attention has been paid to these protests. On the other hand the city authorities deny that the Western Union property is assessed more than it should be, and say that the company has not made any proper protest against their assessment; that the assessment once made and confirmed can not be altered, and that if the company is injured it has the same opportunity as private individuals to come before the board and ask for a return of the excessive amount of taxation, and if such request is not granted to seek redress through the courts. It is also hinted that the Western Union is a noted tax dodger, and that it is not so much the injustice done that rankles in the bosom of the managers, as a desire to avoid paying their just proportion of taxes. However that may be, it does seem that the proper way for the company to obtain justice would be through the courts, and not refuse to pay altogether.
The company's linemen came down Saturday evening and put in another set of instruments, and the sending of messages which was temporarily delayed was soon resumed. The sum realized from the sale was not half enough to satisfy the tax collector, and it is quite probable that Constable Holmes, who made the last seizure, will soon have another sale of telegraphic instruments to attend to, although Manager Shanley claims the new set is his individual property. The towns of Herkimer and Manheim have started similar proceedings to enforce the payment of taxes and fun may be looked for all along the line.
The company's side of the story is that they have regularly protested on grievance day through their agent, Mr. Shanley, and have shown the assessment to be more than the cost of the property assessed. Last year, they say, the assessors promised to lower the assessment, but failed to do so, hence their refusal to pay.
We understand that those who purchased the instruments at the sale have sold them back to Manager Shanley at the prices paid, after the latter had shown them a letter from the company's attorney advising "innocent purchasers" to get in out of the wet. City Attorney Newberry says another levy will be made in a day or two, and that the claim that Manager Shanley owns the instruments now used will not hold good, as the law allows a levy to be made on any property found on the premises. The Herkimer collector has pursued the same course, and will hold a sale on the 19th inst.
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| A. J. Barber. |
HERE AND THERE.
Next Friday will be Arbor day.
The snow shovel has made way for the lawn mower.
H. E. J. Potter of Scott has been reappointed loan commissioner for Cortland county.
All the school buildings in Cortland have been connected with the telephone exchange.
George Lowell, proprietor of the East Homer hotel, will give a social party this evening with music by Daniels' orchestra.
The Normal [School] ball team defeated the Syracuse Law School team in this village Saturday afternoon by the score of 22 to 10.
Only four deaths occurred in Cortland village during the month of March, and the births during the same period were nine.
The railroad to Cincinnatus was opened one year ago to-day. To commemorate the event Manager Bundy has given a half fare rate all along the line.
School teachers, as well as the small boy, will be interested in learning that the bill introduced in the legislature to forbid corporal punishment in schools was defeated last week.
A. J. Barber, chief of the fire department, has bought a team for the use of the village. The horses were bought of Robert Murray of Syracuse, the purchase price being $272. Stables will be fitted up for the team in the engine house.
The growing demand for well equipped teachers in English is recognized by Syracuse University. The department of English alone offers twenty courses. Especial emphasis is laid upon the work and adequate facilities [and] give the student unsurpassed opportunity for thorough preparation.
Eleven white horses were seen in Railroad-st. at one time last Friday morning, a circumstance that is seldom seen. Careful inquiry has been made of prophets, seers, sign believers and all others who might possibly throw light upon the subject, and the almost unanimous belief is that the occurrence presages a successful season for the Cortland base ball team. Had the number been thirteen the prospect would be dark.
S. N. Holden & Co. have moved their uptown office to Mead's jewelry store.
The sidepath badges have arrived and may be obtained at Kennedy's bicycle store.
Albert Hammond, an employee of the Beef company, cut one of his hands quite seriously Tuesday.
Don't miss the items from our new correspondent in Lapeer. The letter is newsy and interesting.
The remains of Mrs. Michael Coligan, who died in Genoa Sunday, were brought to Cortland for interment.
Joseph Bunney has been appointed district deputy grand master workmen of the A. O. U. W. for Cortland county.
Owing to press of work in this office, we this week omit any historical sketch, but will continue the series next week.
The Loyal Circle of King's Daughters will meet with Mrs. C. F. Thompson, 28 Clay ton-ave., this afternoon at 3 o'clock.
Manager Wallace hopes to complete arrangements for a production of the comic opera, "The Highwayman," at the opera house.
The regular meeting of the hospital board for the month of May will be held at the hospital next Monday, May 1, at 8 o'clock P. M.
A portion of the brick pavement at the junction of Railroad and Church-sts. took a flying leap last Saturday, scattering the brick in all directions.
Wm. Kennedy has decided to open an insurance office for himself, his new quarters being in the Empire hall block, over Jewett's Jewelry store.
Miss Alice Beach of Cortland has successfully passed the civil service examination for woman assistant to the state entomologist, her percentage being 95.28.
Mrs. Charles A. Lounsberry has received a check for $3,000, the amount of the insurance policy carried by her late husband in Cortland council, Royal Arcanum.
"The Merry Milkmaids" was one of the most pleasing entertainments over given by Cortland talent, and the attendance insured a satisfactory financial result.
Old Resident Dying.
Franklin M. Buell, the oldest living native of Truxton, is lying dangerously ill with kidney and bowel disease at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ida Tarbell at Peruville, near Groton. Mr. Buell is in his 88th year, and has in his younger days been prominent in the affairs of Cortland county. The latest advices received from him give no hope from the physician that Mr. Buell will recover. He is the father of Howard F. Buell of Truxton, and Clayton H. Buell, the Cortland correspondent for the Elmira Telegram.
John W. Card.
John W. Card, a veteran of the Civil war, died at his home on East River at 1 o'clock yesterday morning. Mr. Card was one of the most respected residents of the county and was very well and favorably known in this village. The cause of death was a chronic trouble contracted in the army and from which he has been more or less a sufferer over since the war, although his last illness was of only short duration. His age was about 67 years. The funeral will be held from his late home at 3 o'clock to-morrow.
Secret Society Notes.
Initiation will shortly take place in the O. U. A. M.
A lodge of the A. O. U. W. will be instituted at Cincinnatus Monday evening, and about seventy-five members of Cortland lodge, No. 851, will go over, returning on a special train.
Eighty years ago Wednesday, April 26, Odd Fellowship was first instituted in this country, a lodge being formed at Baltimore, and the organization has steadily grown until now it is one the strongest orders in existence. Hardly a town of any size in the United States but has a lodge of I. O. O. F., and the emblem—three links—is more frequently seen than any other.
The Odd Fellows of the village to the number of nearly two hundred attended divine service at the Homer-ave. M. E. church Sunday evening. The Odd Fellows' quartet, composed of Geo. W. Long, F. H. Maricle, A. W. McNett and Ed. N. Sherwood, took the place of the church choir and gave some especially fine music. The sermon by Rev. J. C. B. Moyer was one of great interest to the members of the order and many flattering comments upon it have been made by those who were present.
A New Organization.
Delegates from each of the six young people's societies of Cortland met in the Y. M. C. A. parlors Monday evening for the purpose of considering the feasibility of forming a union of the several organizations. C. F. Weiler was chosen chairman of the conference and W. Kelley secretary.
After a full and free discussion it was decided to effect an organization to be known as "The Young People's Christian Union of Cortland." On motion of F. A. Phelps a committee of six was appointed to arrange for a social to be held in the future, at which time a permanent organization shall be perfected, the following composing the committee: First Baptist, Miles J. Peck; Homer ave. M. E., A. D. Randall; First M. E., S. A. Summers, Congregational, Miss Lena E. Dalton; Presbyterian, Miss Jennie F. Robinson; Memorial Baptist, Miss Minnie Lester.
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