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| Soldiers' Monument and Park, Cortland, N. Y. circa 1899. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, May 31, 1899.
THE SOLDIER DEAD.
THEIR GRAVES WERE APPROPRIATELY DECORATED.
Memorial Day Properly and Fittingly Observed by the Grand Army of the Republic—Fine Address by Rev. J. Barton French.
Under the auspices of Grover post, No. 98, G. A. R., Memorial day exercises of a high character were held in Cortland yesterday afternoon.
Headed by the Cortland City band, the members of the post and of the W. R. C. marched to the Opera House, where exercises were held at 2 o'clock. After a selection by the band, prayer was offered by Rev. John T. Stone, pastor of the Presbyterian church. Chaplain H. M. Kellogg read the address of Lincoln at Gettysburg, and a male quartet consisting of George Oscar Bowen, John Byrnes, L. L. Wellman and Rollo Dibble sang an appropriate selection, and Commander George W. Wolcott introduced as the speaker of the afternoon. Rev. J. Barton French, pastor of the Memorial Baptist church. He spoke in part as follows:
This is a magnificent audience, and it does honor to Cortland to-day. As I heard the comrade read the address of Lincoln, it seemed to me to be all a dream, those incidents of long years ago. My mind goes back twenty years when I heard that same address read at the same spot where Lincoln delivered it. Then I look back twenty years more to a time when we were making history, shaping the destinies of our nation. You were then beardless boys, and it seems to-day as if I was looking into youthful faces. We are engaged to-day in no idle service. It is educational to the young, and by the listening to the recital of incidents of the war the growing generation will become more loyal. In the sixties, questions of right and wrong were settled, and settled forever. Those who tried to put this Union asunder reckoned without their host. While God is God and man is man, this Union shall be a nation, not a confederacy.
Had not this question been settled as it was, the late question with Spain would never have been settled or in process of settlement. For the United States would never have risen up in behalf of liberty. As a result of our war we are growing in every avenue, and we are now grown men. We have taken a position of influence if not one of supreme power among the nations of the world. But our union is destined to abide. It will never cease with the demise of a crowded head.
We come to-day not only to look back upon the achievements of the past, but to contemplate the present and look into the future. It is God who rules and waves the scepter, and as I believe in God I believe in the Union, its prosperity and its onward progress to purity.
Mr. French spoke of the home leavings when the recruits enlisted for the war and the experiences and feelings of the private soldier in battle. The Spanish war was referred to and the question of the acquisition of territory, the speaker holding that the policy of Jefferson in acquiring new territory should be continued, and that the policy of our nation has not been violated by our statesmen of to-day.
After another selection from the quartet Rev. J. C. B. Moyer, pastor of the Homer-ave. M. E. church, pronounced the benediction. Seated with the speakers upon the platform were Rev. Amos Watkins, Village President S. N. Holden and Village Trustees E. D. Wood, A. A. Sprague and C. F. Thompson.
At the close of the exercises the line was formed at the Opera House with J. F. Wheeler as marshal and J. R. Birdlebough and E. D. King aides, and proceeded to the soldiers' monument on Church-st., where prayer was offered by Rev. U. S. Milburn, pastor of the Universalist church, the quartet sang and Adjutant Oscar P. Miner made a brief address, speaking in part as follows:
On the twelfth day of April, 1861, a little over thirty-eight years ago, there was enacted a scene in Charleston harbor that was received with amazement, followed with indignation on the part of the government and the loyal people of the North. The Stars and Stripes floating over Fort Sumter and the little garrison of seventy United States soldiers within, were ruthlessly fired upon by some of the misguided sons of the South. On the twentieth day of December preceding this event, the people of South Carolina in convention assembled had passed an ordinance of secession, declaring as a reason for withdrawing from the Union, "The refusal of fifteen of the states for years past to fulfill their constitutional obligations, and the election of a man to the high office of president of the United States whose opinions and purposes are hostile to slavery."
Thus was inaugurated one of the most unjust and unholy wars in human history. We had no army worthy the name. President Lincoln under these conditions called for volunteers, and in response to his several calls over 2,600,000 of the loyal men of the North willingly offered their services to the government. Wives gave up their husbands, parents their boys and sweethearts their lovers, with prayers and tears and many misgivings. Who of this vast number would safely return to family and friends and who would be sacrificed on the altar of country, no one could tell. Of this number 1,490,000 were brought into actual service, and upwards of 300,000 lost their lives in battle from wounds received therein or from disease.
Those of you who were not in the army, can have but a faint conception of the privations, the hardships and sufferings these men endured in defense of the Union. Their long and weary marches, by day and by night, with the ground for a bed, a stone for a pillow, when any rest or sleep could be had; their engagement of a brave and determined enemy in battle for hours and sometimes days at a time, with the missiles of death, of shot and shell ploughing through their ranks, comrades falling on every side, the groans of the wounded and dying piercing their ears; lying on the field of carnage for hours in a hot and sultry southern sun, bleeding, helpless and dying, or lingering in hospital, wasting from disease, or in prison with life slowly but surely ebbing away from starvation, with no kindred friends to bind up their wounds, or soothe their fevered brows, are experiences that none will crave, and to pass through which requires the courage and fortitude possessed only by heroes.
Such was the experience of thousands of our comrades who finally yielded up their lives for the Union, who now lie buried in unknown graves on the many battlefields of the South. Peace be to their ashes. Nothing that we can say or do here can add to their renown. The valor of their deeds will ever be remembered and their memory ever cherished by a grateful people. No loving hands are there on this Memorial day to strew flowers over their graves. And we who survive can only in accordance with the time honored custom of Grover post of the G. A. R. bedeck this monument with flags and the choicest flowers of spring in memory of those of our absent dead.
While we do this let us not forget those who have fallen in our recent war with Spain and in the Philippine Islands, but with equal tenderness and care place these tokens of our love and affection on their last resting place, remembering that they sacrificed their lives for the cause of humanity and to lift the yoke of oppression from a struggling people.
I believe that patriotism is now so firmly grounded in the hearts of all our people, both North and South, that they will not countenance any attempt to again disrupt the Union or will peaceably submit to its humiliation by any foreign power.
The heritage left us as a people through the sufferings and death of our comrades has been great. With their blood the states were more firmly cemented together. By their death the nation was purged from the curse and stain of slavery which had always been a source of contention and a barrier to human progress and she at once entered upon a career of growth and prosperity unequaled in the annals of history and to-day stands the first in wealth and power among the nations of the world.
Those who now largely and in a few years those who will wholly shape its policy and control its destiny know nothing of the civil war and the issues there involved except as they learn it from history. Then let us imbue their minds with a spirit of patriotism, teaching it in our homes, in our schools and colleges and next to the gospel preach it from our pulpits and ere the close of another century this republic will have become the mistress of the world with a courage, it is hoped, to demand and a power to enforce it, that oppression of the weak shall forever cease and justice and peace shall reign supreme, and sending the light of civilization and Christianity to the remotest corners of the globe to bless every benighted son and daughter of the human race.
Sunday-School Class Entertained.
Miss Nellie Loope very delightfully entertained her class of girls in the Congregational Sunday-school at her home on Groton-ave., Monday afternoon. She was assisted by her sister Miss Kittie Loope. The little people thoroughly enjoyed themselves in playing various games on the lawn, and before departing were served with dainty refreshments. The guests were the Misses Eya Kingsley, Eva McCoy, Helen Titchenor, Mabel Reeves, Lottie Carl, Elsie Sprague, Ina Brong and Hazel Brong.
VILLAGE TRUSTEES.
Regular Meeting Was Held Monday Evening.
The board of village trustees held a regular meeting Monday evening and ratified the employment of Engineer Henry C. Allen of Syracuse as engineer on the new Tompkins-st. and Lincoln-ave. paving jobs as announced in The STANDARD of Thursday.
State Prison Commissioner W. J. Mantanye, who lives on Arthur-ave., appeared before the board with a petition asking for the widening of the east end of that street. J. M. Samson is the owner of a strip of land ten feet wide and 227 feet long, extending west from Main-st., along the north side of Arthur-ave. and it is this strip of land that the petitioners desire included in the street.
Mr. Mantanye stated the Mr. Samson would not dispose of it unless he was obliged to. He at first thought that the village could force the sale of this land for the purpose mentioned, but afterward discovered that the law was against him on that point. The law provides that land cannot be added to a street in that manner without the consent of the owners of a majority of the land to be taken, as well as that of the owners of property whose lands abut on the street in question. The Arthur-ave. residents' petition was placed on file, and some steps will be taken to at least improve the condition of the sidewalks.
The property-owners on Tompkins-st. and Lincoln-ave. were ordered to make sewer, gas and water connections to the curb at least, at once, so that the ground may become settled before the pavement is put down. A number of new sidewalks were ordered laid, and President Holden was authorized to employ a man to lay crosswalks that have been ordered laid. Plans of Engineer Allen for the proper drainage of Clinton-ave., were approved, and the commissioner of streets was directed to carry them out.
Pleaded Guilty and Paid the Fine.
William Clarke of Brookfield, who a few weeks ago assaulted Carroll P. Miner of Cortland, now principal of the Brookfield High school, in the highway, and then skipped out before a warrant could be issued for his arrest, returned one day last week and voluntarily going before the justice who issued the warrant, pleaded guilty to the charge. He was sentenced to pay a fine of $35 or spend thirty-five days in the Madison county jail. He paid the fine.
Lehigh Valley Shops.
The Lehigh Valley railroad shops at Hazleton, Perth Amboy, Delano and Ithaca are to be closed. Engine repairs not amounting to over $500 in the coal branches will be done at Weatherly, Pa. Packerton will get the minor freight and coal car repairs. Sayre gets all the passenger department repairs, and the general shops will remain at Easton. It is thought this will save the company $50,000 per year.
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| Cornell boat crew at practice on Cayuga Lake. Notice train on east shore. |
BOAT RACES AT ITHACA.
CORNELL WON FROM PENNSYLVANIA BY HALF A BOAT LENGTH.
And Cornwall from Cascadilla by the Same—Two Close Races—An Immense Crowd in Attendance—Cortland Well Represented—An Ideal Day.
Cortland was well represented at the regatta at Ithaca yesterday. Agent Phillips sold 403 round-trip excursion tickets at the Lehigh Valley station. The majority of the people went over on the 9:35 train in the morning, and the others on the special train that left here at 1 o'clock. Some returned on the regular train at 6:15 o'clock, but the most of the people and all who saw the races came home on the special that reached Cortland at about 11:15 P. M.
The crowd in Ithaca was something immense. Special trains ran into the city on all roads, the Lehigh Valley specials coming from as far as Buffalo, and all regular trains were full. It was estimated that from eight to ten thousand strangers were in the city.
The attraction of course was the regatta, and the best place to see it, in fact, the only place to see the whole of it, was the observation train. This consisted of forty-one cars—twenty cars on each side of the press car which was purposely placed exactly in the center of the train.
This train was a credit to the Lehigh Valley R. R. It was built as substantially as though it were to take a trip across the continent. It consisted of ordinary flat cars with five rows of seats running the whole length of each car and rising in a bank one above the other. A strong railing surrounded each car; there was an aisle in the center, and an excellent staircase leading up to the aisle which was taken down when the train was ready to move and slipped in grooves under the car, and the opening in the railing was closed up. Every precaution was taken against accidents. Each car was fitted with passenger bumpers, safety chains and air brakes. There was a special conductor for each car, an extra official for every ten cars, one train conductor and nine assistants to direct the movement of the train. Superintendent Titus of the Auburn division was also present and personally attended to it that every arrangement was executed in the best possible manner. District Passenger Agent P. S. Millspaugh and his assistant, Mr. W. A. Ross, were omnipresent looking after the comfort and convenience of all their passengers, whom they seemed to regard as special guests. Two engines burning hard coal, one at each end, propelled the train.
By 2:30 o'clock passengers began to go on board the train and there was a constant stream of people down the passage way in front of it till 3:30 o'clock when the men began to take down the accommodation ladders and close up the openings. By this time the train was thoroughly loaded. Each car was arranged for eighty-five people, but so great was the demand for tickets that most of the seats were "stretched" somewhat and it was thought that there were at least 3,600 people on the train. It is a noteworthy compliment to the watchfulness and painstaking care of the management that, not only this great crowd was transported in safety on an extemporized passenger train with the number of stops and starts that were made, but that the host of people that were present in the city yesterday on special trains were moved without an accident of any kind.
It was 3:45 o'clock when the train started for the lake. It was a beautiful sight and one long to be remembered, this great number of gaily decorated cars with its hosts of passengers, the ladies nearly all wearing bright tints and displaying the colors of the favored crew, with its flaunting flags and banners, its hundreds of crimson and white umbrellas—the colors of Cornell. It was in the main a Cornell crowd. Rounding the curves one could look from one end to the other of the train and see the pretty effect, and the enthusiasm became intense. As the train passed through Renwick the park [later named Stewart Park--CC ed.] seemed absolutely packed with people and the crowd on the ground cheered the train to the echo, and the train answered with a return cheer. On the way out toward the lake the track passed within an eighth of a mile of the Cornell boathouse, and the crew could be seen standing in a group in a large double door in its rear watching the great trainload going out to see them win. As those on board caught sight of them a simultaneous cheer of encouragement burst out from the whole length of the train. Flags, banners, handkerchiefs, hats were frantically waved, but the boys stood in silence doubtless gritting their teeth harder together in the determination that that great crowd that had faith in them should not be disappointed in the result—and they were not.
Then the track came out on the lake shore and for two miles further the train sped on and stopped with the press car just opposite the two boats that marked the starting points of the varsity race. It was then just 4 o'clock and until 6:10 not a move was made. There was a fresh breeze and the water was too rough for rowing. The wait did not prove tedious, however, for there was too much going on. Half the train got out upon the ground and sat about the rocks on the shore. Steam launches and row boats came along and there was a constant snapping of cameras. The crowd was a jolly one and amused itself well. As the afternoon wore along the wind gradually went down.
At 6:10 a man with a megaphone on a launch announced that the Cascadilla-Cornwall race would first be rowed, and the start was to be nearly a mile back toward Ithaca. There was a scrambling to get on board the cars, and then back the train went to the starting point. This race was to be one and five-sixteenths miles long and the finish of the two races was at the same place. The two crews were slow in getting into their shells and it was 7 o'clock before the race was started. Cascadilla had the inside course. It was a hard struggle from first to last, with very little difference between the prows of the two shells. At one time Cascadilla led, but when the final spurt came the Ithaca crew showed that it was then doing all it could and the Military academy boys from Cornwall pushed their boat forward a good half length and crossed the line in that way. The official time was 7 min., 34 sec. for Cornwall and 7 min., 38 sec. for Cascadilla. The stroke and No. 3 man of the latter crew were pretty badly blown and seemed hardly able to row off to the landing, though Cornwall pulled a good strong stroke through the whole crew as they rowed away.
Then the train went back to the place where the long wait had been made and now Cornell and Pennsylvania preparing ready for their race. The crews came up together in a launch from the boathouse and got into their shells a mile away, and rowed up to the starting point to get limbered up. Cornell was first in position and had drawn the outside course. For ten minutes the crew sat there in the shell asking questions from the train about the race that had just been rowed and which they had not seen, and receiving on the other hand encouraging and stimulating words from their friends on board. Pennsylvania then got along and rowed into position. The start was right opposite the press car and Pennsylvania's shell was not fifty feet from the shore, Cornell being a hundred feet further away.
Coach Courtney got into one of the anchored rowboats and held the stern of Cornell's shell, while Coach Ward performed the same service for Pennsylvania. Sweaters were pulled off, revealing the brown backs and muscular arms of the two crews. The sun was just going down, the whole surface of the water was a golden yellow tint. The starter announced through the megaphone that he should get them off with these words "Are you ready? Row." When the critical moment came Pennsylvania dipped the oars and started as the question was asked and before the final word was pronounced, and got called back for another start. The second start was a good one and both boats leaped forward under the strong strokes of the young athletes. It was just 7:38 o'clock.
Pennsylvania had a slight advantage in catching the water first, and gained nearly a third of a length after a dozen sharp strokes. Cornell did not attempt to spurt, but rowed 32 strokes. Pennsylvania had started with thirty-four, and from time to time increased it to thirty-six.
Cornell began to gain at the quarter mile, and at the mile had more than made up the loss at the beginning. Pennsylvania had lost about half a length at the mile and quarter, and the crew began to put effort into their work. Cornell's rowing did not vary, and although Pennsylvania pushed the nose of her shell nearly even with the Ithacan at the mile and a half, Cornell did not let out until about 300 yards away from the finish. The men in the Cornell boat then rowed a thirty-three stroke, while Pennsylvania's went up to 36. The Ithacans gained slightly and at the end won by fully half a length in 11 minutes 26 1/2 seconds. Pennsylvania's time was 11:28.
As the race continued on toward the finish the excitement was intense. There was so little difference between the boats that no one could tell what the end might bring forth. The water had the merest ripple upon it, the wind having all gone down. The place is an ideal one for a race, as the whole length of it can be seen from the train and at no place is the track more than a few hundred feet from the race. During the last half mile the shore was lined with spectators. The finish was within a couple hundred feet of the Renwick pier, and this and the park at the head of the lake was crowded with people. Steamers, launches, and hundreds of rowboats were gathered about the end of the course, and as the crews came down the course there was one continuous blowing of whistles and horns, ringing of bicycle bells on wheels on shore and roar of cheers from train and shore and everywhere. Only four boats were in motion, all the others being anchored—the two shells, the referee's boat which was the Kellogg launch and which was following the crews 100 feet in the rear, and the Cornell launch which was off to the right of the referee's boat and a little behind the crews.
As the shell passed the stake boat the crews stopped rowing and in a moment or two rowed off, each with a full strong stroke for the Cornell boathouse. The Pennsylvania crew and shell left on the 11 o'clock train for Philadelphia. Both Coach Courtney and Coach Ward expressed their satisfaction at the showing made by their respective crews. Coach Ward said that the best crew had won, but he thought his men rowed a magnificent race.
The observation train continued to the place from which it had started in the afternoon and arrived at just 8 o'clock. Then the hustle for cars began. All the crowd wanted to get on at once, but it was after 10 o'clock before all the Cortland party and those for points north and south of Freeville got up the hill.
Meanwhile the Cornell men were painting the town red. Firecrackers, cannon, fireworks were in evidence and the celebration was doubtless carried on all night.
BREVITIES.
—Rev. Father Burns, assistant pastor of St. Lucy's church, Syracuse, will deliver the sermon at St. Mary's church to-night.
—New display advertisements to-day are—F. Daehler, A record breaker, page 7; M. A. Case, Special June sale of muslin underwear, page 6; McGraw & Osgood, Special sale of fine shoes, page 5; Dey Bros. & Co., A Great Carpet Opportunity, page 8; G. F . Beaudry, Bicycles, page 4; Opera House, "Dear Hearts of Ireland," page 6; Pearson Bros.. Specials, page 4; Palmer & Co., Wheel facts, page 4.
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