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| Cortland County fairgrounds and racetrack, 1894 map segment. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, September 1, 1899.
The Big Fair.
Yesterday was a red letter day in the history of the Cortland county agricultural society. At a very early hour the crowd began to pour in, and at 12 o'clock a very conservative estimate of the attendance, placed the number at 18,000. The races were exciting and an unusual interest was shown by all present.
The named race, purse $50, was won by Katona, owned by Wickwire Bros. of Cortland; Water Wave, owned by Phil McGregor, second; Benedictine, owned by M. Murphy of Homer, third. Best time 2:30.
In the 2:30 class trotting and pacing five horses started and finished as follows: Ollie L. owned by O. J. Peckham of Auburn, 1st; Susie I., owned by C. B. Goodrich of Lyons, 2nd; and Bretone, owned by O. U. Kellogg of Cortland, 3d.
The last race for the day was the 2:25 class, trotting and pacing. Three heats were run off but on account of darkness the race was postponed until 1 P. M. this afternoon. Vinto owned by A. E. Cornell took the first two and Marion Wilkes, owned by L. S. Wills of Auburn, the third heat.
The Balloon.
During yesterday afternoon at the fair grounds, the balloon made several ascensions, over seventy people availing themselves of the opportunity of making aerial voyage. At 5 P. M. Madame Carlottta, the wife of Prof. Myers, and his assistant, were cut loose and gradually they arose until they appeared as a small ball high in the air. The course of the balloon at first was towards the north, but at a high elevation a counter current of air was reached which carried the aerial travelers directly eastward. The course of the balloon was closely watched by the people upon the grounds, and many places suggested by the crowd where they would probably land. Opinions differed widely upon distance which they would probably travel. Some said they would land near Norwich. Others placed the location at Truxton, Cincinnatus or Taylor.
Word was received here last evening that the pair landed on the farm of Eugene Graham, two miles north of Cortland and they returned by special conveyance. All who took a trip in the balloon were loud in their praises of the pleasures of the trip. Prof. Myers and his company left this morning for Syracuse.
Interview with Carlotta.
To fully ascertain all the interesting facts connected with the balloon ascension yesterday, a representative of the DAILY DEMOCRAT called upon "Carlotta," the wife of Prof. Myers, the famous aeronaut, and learned from her the following facts concerning the trip: "The balloon was cut loose at 5 P. M. and slowly ascended, gradually moving northward until directly over the Little York lakes. The air was very calm and we could proceed but slowly. I tried to find a more rapid current of air, but in this I was unsuccessful. The people upon the earth appeared as mere specks, and farm houses looked like chicken coops. After reaching an elevation of one mile the current of air was tending eastward. I crossed a range or hills in the vicinity of Homer, and by consulting my map and compass knew that it was impossible for me to reach Syracuse, so concluded not to remain in the air long and at once began to look around for a suitable place to land. The fertile valley traversed by the Lehigh railroad caught my eye and I decided to land upon a meadow which I afterwards learned was owned by Eugene Graham. In this I was successful. I gradually relieved the balloon of gas and the descent was steady. When I landed I was met by Mr. Graham who at once invited us to his house and treated us to a glass of new cider. He then ordered his team and carried us to the Cortland House in his surrey.
My trip yesterday was a very pleasant one, but with it were connected none of those thrilling experiences of tree brushing and cyclone gales which I frequently have to encounter. There was no apparent change in the temperature at the elevation of one and one-quarter miles, which I reached yesterday. My barometer indicated rain and I am sure this will come to-day. I have made over 300 ascensions and have frequently been accompanied by representatives of various papers. My last ascension previous to yesterday was made at Afton, N. Y., when I traveled a distance of 83 miles, landing near Cooperstown.
Mrs. Myers says that the sensation is always pleasant as long as the balloon remains within sight of the earth, but when she rises above the clouds and all view of mother earth becomes lost, then a feeling of lonesomeness sometimes creeps over. This feeling of course has been largely overcome by Mrs. Myers, but it is always apparent in the faces of those who accompany her on these aerial voyages. The lady is very positive that she could remain in the air for at least a week with the balloon used yesterday. She was accompanied upon her trip yesterday by Robert Hopkins, who for some time has been a trusted assistant of the professor.
Otisco Lake Damages.
The court of claims, now in session at Syracuse, has several cases to settle which materially affect people owning property in the vicinity of Otisco lake, a prominent resort frequently visited by Cortland people. The cases are what are known as Nine Mile creek claims, and are for the loss of the water when the flow was stopped at various periods in 1895, '96 and '97, by the closing of the gates of the dam for storage purposes. The claimants are Allen V. Smith, $3,205.05; I. N. Sherman, $1,068; Susan B. Rathbun, $2,086.26; Crown Mills, $7,118.15, and Michael J. Lawless and John Tierney, $865.50. John W. Hogan appeared as counsel with Oberlandor & Delancy and Robert Wickert for the plaintiff, and Deputy Attorney General George H. Stephens and M. H. Quirk for the State.
It was stipulated to try the question of liability in all the cases together, and the questions of damages.
Mr. Hogan made the statement of matters agreed upon. It was that Otisco lake was originally a body of water five miles long and averaging one-half mile wide. Subsequent to the building of the State dam the lake has been eight miles long and three quarters of a mile wide. The distance along Nine Mile creek, which is the outlet to the canal, is about twelve miles, and the fall two hundred odd feet. There are six gates in the dam.
The feeders for the Jordan level of the canal are Skaneateles lake, Otisco lake and Carpenters' brook. When the city began to take Skaneateles lake water the State increased its supply by raising the water in the Otisco reservoir. But no claim is made against the city for these alleged damages.
These claiming mill owners had water rights before the State built the dam, and there was an index of the State's defense to the claims in the questions asked as to whether the water in the lake at any time became as low as it was before the State raised it. The mill owners said that they had uninterrupted flows to the mill ponds before the dam was built. It was also suggested by the defense that the mill owners had increased their water powers since the old days. The creek runs through Marcellus, Camillus and Geddes.
A Big Bluff.
That there was much gambling at the county fair Tuesday and Wednesday is too well known by several visitors on the grounds, who were fleeced out of various amounts, but the gamblers' career was cut short yesterday afternoon when it became known to the managers that the many devices supposed to be little catch-penny concerns were in reality reaping riches for their owners at the expense of the unwary. The losers are not entitled to much sympathy, however, for they entered into the schemes virtually intending to "break the bank," knowing that either they or the gamblers would be fleeced, and it invariably occurs that the "boss of the ranch" never gets left.
When Officer Gooding and his associates on the police force learned the nature of the swindles they immediately informed Secretary W. J. Greenman, who heartily seconded the suggestion that the entire gang be bounced from the grounds, which act was promptly done by the police. As the swindlers had already made big day wages they made no protest, but hastened for the first trains. So anxious were they to get out of town that they kept in hiding until the time of the departure of the train and then hastily jumped on without having their grips checked.
One man, however, put up a big bluff and it worked successfully. He was a heavily built man, and he arrived at the D., L. & W. depot somewhat too early for the 6:13 train. He kept shady in the baggage room, hoping to get away before any of his victims appeared. It happened that a man who had lost $85 by this same sharper proposed to get his money back, so he secured the company of Constable Goldsmith and hastened to the depot, where after diligent search he found the gambler. He demanded the return of his money. Here is where the gambler showed his nerve and his ability to bluff. Putting on a stern look he pointed his index finger at his victim and said: "I give you $10; if you refuse and prevent my leaving on this train I will have you prosecuted for gambling." The victim wilted and accepted the cash, letting the gambler depart with $25 of his cold cash. It was a nervy bluff and it worked to a charm.
It is said that one of our prominent business men lost over a hundred dollars in the effort to break the bank.
HERE AND THERE.
The family without a reunion is not "in it" now-a-days.
Special trains will run from Cortland to the state fair next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
T. L. Corwin has exchanged his farm in Cortlandville for four houses and lots in Binghamton.
With the advent of September the oyster reassumes his place on the menu, and the dust is brushed from the school books again.
The Cortland fair closes tonight and the DAILY DEMOCRAT bids the visitors to the grounds "Au revoir," and advises all to come again next year.
No one can question the statement that W. J. Greenman is a hustler when he gets right down to business, as he is very apt to do when anything is to be done.
A horse driven by Fred Andrews ran away near the balloon, but was caught just as it was about to leave the main enclosure inside the track. No serious damage was done.
Nodecker & Totten won first prize on fowls and chicks for best display of Barred Plymouth Rocks. They also won the special prize of $4 worth of groceries given by C. Fred Thompson.
The Central New York conference will hold its annual session at Elmira, Sept. 27, continuing a week or more. It is hoped Revs. O. A. Houghton and J. C. B. Moyer will be returned to their Cortland charges.
This being the last issue of the DAILY DEMOCRAT for the present, at least, the editor takes this opportunity to say that he highly appreciates the many kind and flattering words spoken of it, and to add that the same energy is displayed in making the Weekly DEMOCRAT the leading paper for reliable news as was expended on the DAILY DEMOCRAT.
During the balloon ascension yesterday several horses became frightened and created considerable excitement upon the grounds near by. A team owned by Garrett Smith ran away and collided with the wagon of Geo. Clark. One wheel of Mr. Clark's wagon was broken. Mrs. Smith and little child were thrown out but not seriously injured. The pole of Mr. Smith's wagon was badly broken.
On or about Oct. 1 the CORTLAND DEMOCRAT will begin the publication of a series of yearly events occurring in Cortland village and county, beginning as far back as 1865, one year's events appearing in each issue. These articles will be carefully compiled, and the papers containing them will form a valuable historical collection. If you do not care to subscribe for a year, try a four mouths' trial trip for 50 cents.
About 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, while Mrs. Geo. W. King was making a tour of the poultry tent or main building, she was robbed of her purse containing $105 in money and a promissory note for $405. The purse was a purple one, circular in form, with a double clasp. It was pinned to her dress pocket with a safety pin. The loss falls heavily upon Mrs. King, as she is a lady of moderate means and of advance age.
Much interest was awakened among the crowd at the fair ground yesterday by the tests which were given by the Monarch Fire Appliance company of New York. A large plane box was saturated with kerosene and covered with tar end then ignited. When the fire was at its height a small quantity of the powdered compound known as Kilfyre was thrown upon the flames. In an incredible short time they were subdued, and before any serious damage was done the piano box.
Gas Company Changes Hands.
The ownership of the Cortland and Homer Gas Light company passed into new bands this morning, Messrs. Wm. T. Morris of Penn Yan and W. W. Miller of Wellsborough, Pa., becoming sole proprietors of the plant. For the present, at least, W. S. Barker will continue to serve as superintendent, which position he has successfully filled for some years.
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