BALLOON, DAY FIREWORKS, AND INDIANS

 

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, August 18, 1899.

BALLOON, DAY FIRE-WORKS AND INDIANS.

Greatest Attractions At the County Fair Ever Seen—Program of Races.

   The Cortland county fair will be a hummer. The exhibits will be large, the races will be exciting, and the crowd will be immense. In addition to all the interesting features usual at such exhibitions, the managers yesterday announced the engagement of the greatest attractions ever seen in Cortland.

   First and foremost will be balloon ascensions by the famous Belmont sisters. The most sensational feature of the entertainment will be the descent of a St. Bernard dog in a parachute after the balloon attains a high elevation, making one of the most thrilling exhibitions ever seen. The Belmont sisters will also make daily descents from the balloon in parachutes, and a full-blooded Bantam fowl will also be liberated from the balloon.

   The exhibition of day fireworks will be a brilliant feature each day, being sent up from a huge mortar, showing figures in life size.

   The third attraction will be a band of Indians from the far West, who will daily give an exhibition of the celebrated green corn and other dances in front of the grand stand, with warwhoops and other Indian peculiarities.

   Secretary W. J. Greenman announces the following program of races at the fair:

   The cattle exhibit will be larger than that of the past ten years altogether, and will be in tents. The booths are also ahead of anything in the past, filling the exhibition hall so that fruit, etc., will be shown in a tent 40 x150 feet.

 

 

Fair at McGrawville.

   McGrawville Grange, No. 402, will hold its third annual fair in the village hall at that place, beginning September 14 and continuing until the night of the 16th. Thursday, the first day, will be children's day. Friday will be devoted especially to music, under the direction of J. H. Maricle, and on this day the McGraw special prize will be awarded. An amusing feature of the second day will be the giving of prizes for the handsomest and the homeliest man present. On Saturday a drama will be presented under the management of Mrs. A. F. Taughe. Another feature of the last day will be the awarding of prizes to the holders of the seventh and thirteenth season tickets drawn from a hat.

   The two previous fairs held by this organization have been very successful, and there is every prospect that this will be the best held by that grange.

 

GAVE UP HIS LIFE.

John F. Sheridan Loses His Life While Saving a Comrade—Drowned in Elysium Park Lake.

   A most painful accident occurred at the pond south of Elysium Park, Sunday afternoon, by which a brilliant and promising Cortland lad lost his life.

   John Francis Sheridan, nearly 18 years old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Sheridan who live at the water works, was at the park Sunday afternoon in company with several other lads, and during the afternoon the party went to the pond to enjoy the sport of bathing. The boys disrobed and entered the water, some of them finally taking possession of two boats which were on the pond. At one spot in the pond is a deep hole, and it was at this point that the accident occurred. Three of the boys were in one of the boats, which was capsized by another lad trying to climb over the side. James Dalton, one of the occupants of the boat, sank to the bottom. He came up and immediately sank a second time. Young Sheridan saw his peril, and hastened to Dalton's assistance. As he reached the Dalton boy Sheridan gave him a push towards the shore and immediately sank himself. The other lads called for help, but the Sheridan boy did not rise again, and his body was found an hour later in ten feet of water. Coroner Moore was summoned, but he decided an inquest unnecessary.

 

LIGHTNING'S WORK.

Farmer Killed Near Groton—Barn Burned in Solon—Houses Struck in Cortland.

   The very heavy storm which passed over Cortland Saturday afternoon did more damage in neighboring localities than in the village.

   Near Groton a barn belonging to Clayton Sherman was struck, and the disaster was the cause of much sorrow, owing to the death of Mr. Sherman. When the shower came up Mr. Sherman, in company with a neighbor, entered the barn and seated themselves to await the passage of the storm. Lightning struck the barn, the electric fluid passing down a post, striking Mr. Sherman and killing him instantly. Mr. Sherman leaves a wife and several children. The barn was set on fire, but it was not burned.

   East of Cortland, in the town of Solon, Charles Manchester had several loads of oats cut, and observing the storm coming he secured the assistance of considerable help and succeeded in getting the last load in the barn when it was struck by lightning, burning the building and all its contents, except the last load of oats which was hastily run out.

   In Cortland a house belonging to George Allport, located on Broadway, and another on Otter Creek occupied by Bert Adams were struck, but neither were burned.

 

STATE LEAGUE.

Only Three More Weeks—Cortland Sure of Third Place.

   There are but three more weeks of the state league season, and Cortland is sure of landing third, with a fighting chance for second.

   Last week Thursday we lost at Binghamton 2 to 3, Friday, here, we lost to Oswego 4 to 3; Saturday it rained in Cortland; Monday and Tuesday we won at Troy, 14 to 13 in twelve innings, and 15 to 4; Wednesday we met our seventh defeat on the Binghamton grounds, 5 to 7. Yesterday Binghamton was playing here. There are games here the last four days of next week, with Utica, Rome, Albany and Schenectady respectively

   The standing of the clubs Wednesday night was:

 

NECK BROKEN.

George W. Elster of Virgil Falls From a Load of Grain—Fatally Injured.

   A very sad and peculiar accident occurred in Virgil Wednesday afternoon whereby George W. Elster lost his life. It appears that Mr. Elster was at the home of his son, D. B. Elster, who lives about one and one-half miles from Virgil Corners.

   The father and son were drawing oats from a field nearby when suddenly Mr. Elster lost his balance and fell backward from the load, striking upon his head and breaking his neck near the shoulder. When picked up life was nearly extinct. He was a highly respected member of the Baptist church and had occupied the responsible position of deacon for many years. The funeral will be held Saturday at 1:30 P. M. at the church. Burial will be made at Virgil.

 

The Potato Bug's Enemy.

   A press dispatch from Albany Slays: A new bug has been discovered1 here which may have an important bearing upon the future of potatoes. There is a lively looking brown insect which has a murderous sting which it inserts in the back of the potato bug, killing it. Large numbers of these insects are feeding on the potato bugs in all stages of growth and it is to be hoped that this little insect may save the farmer much good time and money which he would otherwise be obliged to spend in sprinkling potatoes with paris green.

 

Mrs. Charles D. Burt.

   WILLET, August 10.—Our community was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Mrs. Belle Burt, wife of Chas. D. Burt, who passed away Saturday, July 29, at 11 o'clock A. M. after an illness of about two months. She leaves to mourn her loss a husband, who with his family moved here from Lincklaen seven years ago, seven children, the youngest of whom is an infant, and a father, mother, two brothers and one sister.

   Her mother, Mrs. T. Z. Gunsallus of Ehrenfield, Pa., who arrived too late to attend the funeral, has the sympathy of all. She left her home with the expectation of visiting and taking her daughter home with her for a time, when on her journey she received the dispatch announcing Mrs. Burt's death, but did not learn of the burial until she reached Solon.

   Mrs. Burt was a faithful wife and mother, a kind and loving friend and neighbor, and a patient sufferer during her long and serious illness. Her funeral was held at the M. E. church in Willet, July 31, the parlor, Rev. J. B. Wilson, officiating. A large number were in attendance, the music was of the finest selections and the flowers numerous and beautiful.

   Mrs. T. Z Gunsallus was here and visited her daughter last October.

 

HERE AND THERE.

   The next legal holiday will be Labor day, Sept. 4.

   One of the evidences of change in railroading in Ithaca is the ruins of the old trestle that stood along the quarter of a mile slip. Not a stick or timber is now standing. Boating coal from the coal trestles is about ended. It was once an important industry in Ithaca.

   The Dryden Herald last week announced new proprietorship, J. Giles Ford, who has controlled the paper for many years, having sold the entire plant to Messrs. Stilwell & Ross. Mr. Stilwell is a printer and Mr. Ross is a lawyer and what these two professionals cannot concoct isn't worth printing. We anticipate continued prosperity for the Herald under the new management.

   The next term of county court begins September 25.

   The Cortland county fair is less than two weeks away.

   The absence of bicycle lanterns continues to enrich the village treasury.

   Tramps and victims of anti-license have been numerous in police court the past week.

   The Cortland Union Bee Keepers' annual picnic will be held at Cortland park next Thursday.

   The work of laying the last coat of asphalt in Lincoln-ave. is progressing rapidly.

   The village assessors have completed their work, and the assessment roll is ready for inspection.

   With customary enterprise the DEMOCRAT will issue a daily edition during the Cortland county fair. You will want one for it will have all the news.

   The D., L. & W. employees all received their pay in checks Wednesday, the first time in the history of the road that payments have been made in this way.

   The residents of Harrington-ave have applied for the construction of sewer connections, their petition being endorsed by the board of health.

   There is much rejoicing among the small boys, the middle-aged, the old men, young girls and misses over the announcement that Cortland is to have another circus.

   The Wallace Bros. have recently put up three new bill-boards, one on the corner of Pendleton and Railroad-st., another near the Lehigh Valley depot, and the third near the entrance to the fair grounds.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

   Richard Croker has returned from England and publicly declares for Bryan. This effectually puts a stopper on the Augustus Van Wyck boom.

   The Philadelphia Times is authority for the statement that General Alger is enjoying himself in the country, and has already got so he can look a cow in the face without getting red.

   William C. Whitney is quoted as saying "There is not a better man in the country to advise the president than Elihu Root." Almost any good man can give good advice but the trouble is few men follow the advice given. So far as the president is concerned he is more likely to lend his ear to Uncle Mark Hanna than to Secretary Root or any one else.—Syracuse Telegram.

   Gen. Otis's censored dispatches do not conceal the illustrative fact that the latest fighting, in which our loss was three killed and thirteen wounded, took place within ten miles of Manila. It is disclosed also that "the insurgents have taken the aggressive" on the railroad near Calumpit, and likewise four miles west of Malolos—both the scenes of some of our inconclusive victories several months since.

 

Elihu Root.

Washington Letter.

(From Our Regular Correspondent.)

   WASHINGTON. D. C, August 14, 1899.—The reports of the daily press throughout the country as to the epidemic of yellow fever at the National Soldier's Home at Hampton, Va., have proven to be grossly exaggerated. Owing to the prompt and energetic measures taken by the authorities the disease appears to be fully under control, and an epidemic character really at no time prevailed. Official report to Surgeon General Wyman reports no new cases and if the favorable temperature prevails, the now pending cases are expected to run a satisfactory course. So far there have been 42 cases, eleven of them resulting in death. The situation at the Home and immediate vicinity is considered satisfactory. The exaggerated reports cast so recklessly abroad are much to be regretted.

   It appears probable from developments during the past few days in the war department that Secretary Root has in contemplation an army of quite 40,000 men for the Philippines. While Mr. Root has been at the head of the department only a brief time, the trend of his efforts has been, it is alleged, wholly in the direction of an increase in the available forces in the East. The belief is growing in army circles that Secretary Root has in mind a plan practically matured to make Geo. Otis' available force at least 40,000 men.

   The number of enlistments in the new volunteer army have now reached a total of 9,068. Secretary Root has made a favorable impression in official circles here. What especially impressed the officers who welcomed their new chief was the business-like manner in which he went about things. It was noticed, however, that the new secretary has no present intention of "downing Corbin" as some persons have urged him to do. At the same time it appears that Gen. Miles is to receive every consideration. There can be, however, no change in the department personnel. The heads of the bureaus cannot be disturbed by any secretary unless by assent of the President and congress. The incompetent must continue to block progress until old age removes them to the retired list. It is the system that needs revising and Secretary Root understands the situation.

   "There is only one Alger" was displayed on two immense banners at the reception given to Ex-Secretary Alger upon his return to Detroit. This inscription stated the situation in a nutshell. If there had been more in the past eighteen months, it is painful to imagine what would have become of the country. One Alger demoralized the army. Several of them would have shaken the foundations of the government and reduced the country to a state of chaos. The people outside of Detroit regard the existence of only "one Alger" as a merciful dispensation of Providence. This Republic has to carry many burdens, heavily weighted as it is, it has still managed to keep above water. With the tribe of official Algers increased, however, its burden would become greater than it could sustain. There is national rejoicing over the fact, that there is "only one Alger." Now that he has retired to private life, let us hope his species will become extinct as a factor of American government.

   The reception accorded to Gen. Alger in Detroit was also remarkable for the utterances of Gov. Pingree. The governor has been acting as mouth piece of Gen. Alger and saying what the latter thinks but refrains from uttering. Through Pingree's receptive and agile mouth he can anathematize Mr. McKinley and hold him up in contempt. Gen. Alger will find Gov. Pingree a valuable medium for expressing his views of those who have relegated him to the dullness of a provincial existence at Detroit, after allowing him to taste the joys of official power at Washington. Mr. Alger will have an excellent opportunity to get "even" with the administration who made a scapegoat of him. He has not had his money's worth if he was, as it is asserted, a heavy contributor to the purchase of the Republican election of 1896.

   As for the Philippines, there is no doubt that an entirely new deal in the matter of leadership and policy must take place soon. General Otis clearly does not grasp the situation, or doesn't know how to deal with it. He has not men enough under his command, and he is responsible for that condition of affairs, for the president has accepted his advice and judgment in the premises. Unfortunately he seems to continue to do so. Gen. Otis should be set aside at once. Mr. McKinley will have to be forced to the step by public pressure. There is plenty of better material in our army to take the place of the implacable Otis.