Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, October 18, 1899.
CHANGES IN POSTOFFICE
Will be Much More Convenient for Doing Business.
The owners of the Standard building are making some very considerable changes in the internal arrangements of the postoffice which when completed will make it one of the most convenient and best arranged offices in the country for doing business promptly and easily for one of its size and class. The seven carrier cases are changed from the north to the south side of the office and are arranged in compact form next the large Tompkins-st. windows where the carriers can have an abundance of light throughout the day. They occupy the space, originally used for the money order and registered letter departments, and the carriers' delivery window is cut through the door which formerly led to these departments. A second delivery window has also been placed near the other one for use on Sunday mornings during the open hour or at any time of emergency when two carriers are on duty inside and prepared to answer calls.
The money order and registered letter departments are transferred to the north side of the office, where the carriers used to be, and the former carriers' door now opens into the vestibule used by patrons of these two departments.
The money order department in charge of Mr. James H. Turner has a desk extending north and south, and Mr. Turner's little office is completely shut off and closed by a gate from the remainder of the interior of the office, thus preventing carriers or others who may have business in the main office from coming into the money order office, where they have no business. Cupboards, shelves and pigeon holes for the filing of his records and papers which are not kept in the safe are arranged in the most convenient form.
The desk of the registered letter department, which is in charge of Deputy Postmaster George H. Kennedy, extends east and west at right angles to the money order desk so that patrons can do their business with the one in charge from the same vestibule as for the money order department.
The letter sorting case for Mailing Clerk E. J. Hopkins is along the west wall of the office directly opposite the general delivery window. Additions have been made to the mail sack frame so that it will accommodate sixty-eight sacks at one time. These are arranged on three sides of a central table upon which the contents of the mail bags are emptied and at which the mailing clerk stands. The pouches are suspended with open mouths in four rows directly in front of the mailing clerk and in two rows at his right and left, so that packages of letters, bundles and papers can be thrown into them all according to their destination without a change of location.
In the northwest corner of the postoffice is a washroom and toiletroom which is separated by partition from the main office. Closets for coats and hats are near this.
In the southwest corner of the main office and separated from it by a rail there is to be a private office which will contain the desks [of] the postmaster and deputy postmaster.
Throughout the whole office brass and wire screens are used where possible instead of solid partitions of wood, the idea being to interfere just as little as possible with the natural light from the large windows on the street and to permit it to go to every part of the office. A definite plan has been followed in the arrangement of desks and furniture so that the postmaster from his desk in his private office, the mailing clerk either at the distributing case or the mail pouch rack, the money order clerk and the registered letter clerk at their respective desks are all of them all of the time in direct range of the general delivery and stamp window, so that if Stamp Clerk Miller should be absent from the window for any reason the coming of an inquirer for mail or a purchaser of stamps could be noted at once from all parts of the office and some one could promptly attend to his wants.
A little idea of the amount of the business done at the Cortland office can be gained from the fact that the money order department annually sends out of town money orders amounting to about $60,000, and cashes at this office money orders amounting to about $80,000. The balance of trade it will be seen is, therefore, coming to the town rather than going out of it. The balance of about $20,000 in cash needed to pay these money orders is supplied by drafts on Washington through the local banks.
In the registered letter department about 2,000 registered letters go out of town each year and about 6,000 letters come into town. As the contents of these letters are of course unknown no financial estimate can be placed upon the transaction. The special delivery letters coming to this office which are also in charge of Deputy Postmaster Kennedy amount to about 1,400 annually.
Every one of the seven letter carriers is required to know at least two routes thoroughly so that in case of illness or absence on the part of any of the carriers the delivery may not be interfered with. DeWitt Howard, who has been for some years a substitute carrier, but is now on the regular force knows every one of the seven routes perfectly.
SUCCESS TO TILLINGHAST.
Abandons Carriage Building for Insuring Men's Lives.
Under the above heading The Hub, the tradepaper of the carriage builders, gives a bit of news in regard to R. C. Tillinghast of Binghamton, formerly of Cortland, that had not heretofore been heard in town. The Hub says:
R. C. Tillinghast, who for about three years has been manager of the Binghamton (N. Y.) Wagon Co., on Oct. 2 accepted a very flattering offer from the New York Life Insurance Co., and has severed his connection with the carriage industry, in which he has been very popular. Mr. Tillinghast's management of the Binghamton Wagon Co. proved a success in every way, and he regretted to discontinue the associations which have been so pleasant. These regrets are reciprocated by the company. His permanent headquarters have not yet been decided upon, but the position he occupies will undoubtedly oblige him to locate in some large city. Mr. Tillinghast has The Hub's best wishes, and the entire trade hopes for his success in a large way.
FROM THE HUB.
Several Nearby Carriage Concerns Receive Complimentary Mentions.
The Hub, the trade paper of The Carriage Builders' association, contains in the reading columns of its October number references to several Cortland carriage concerns, and others in the vicinity. It says:
THE WHITNEY FINE CARRIAGES.
The large plant of The H. M. Whitney Wagon Co., wholesale builders, Cortland, N. Y., has been kept busy during the past season on account of the great demand for their products, and they are making preparations to promptly take care of the fall and winter trade. The styles shown in their new catalogue are right up to date and will prove ready sellers. Their specialty is a fine class of work, and yet prices are moderate. Runabout No. 51 and Pneumatic No. 52 seems to have hit the trade about right, and they are certain to continue in popularity.
PROMPT SHIPMENTS OF CARRIAGE GOODS.
Just at this time, when carriage builders are finding it difficult to procure materials fast enough to meet their requirements, it is opportune for us to inform the trade that the extensive manufacturing facilities of the Cortland, (N. Y.,) Carriage Goods Co., enable them to fill orders with practically no delay. This concern was established in 1884 and incorporated in 1897. They manufacture carriage top trimmings, steel and leather covered bow sockets, forged shifting rails, weldless top joints, etc., and their illustrated catalogue No. 5 H should be in the office of every Hub reader. The three points of superiority which they claim and which are of great importance are: Finish, pattern and prompt shipment.
BUGGY PROP SPRINGS AND LEVERS.
Of the additions to a vehicle which have been brought to our attention, we consider Cately's buggy prop springs and levers one of the best, and we are pleased to learn that a large number of leading dealers are demanding that manufacturers apply them to all their buggy tops.
HOMER BOBS.
The time for sleighs is approaching and yet how many there are who do not make purchases on account of the expense and the short time for their use. The Homer (N. Y.) Wagon Co. can accommodate such with their bobs, which can be attached to carriage bodies at a slight expense. Dealers, don't miss a sleigh sale if you can help it, but surely never let your customer "go on wheels" in the snow. Get prices on the Homer bobs and help him out.
THE GROTON CARRIAGE CO.
The indications for fall and winter business among dealers are that there will not only be a larger demand than usual for carriages and sleighs, but also a call for a more extensive line of styles. This latter point will compel many dealers to open accounts with builders from whom they have not heretofore purchased. When considering this question, and before deciding upon fall and winter stock, dealers should send for catalogues of the Groton (N. Y.) Carriage Co. They publish one showing a full line of their carriages and wagons, and another covering their cutters and sleighs.
 |
| Elizabeth Brewster House, Homer, N. Y. |
HOMER.
Gleanings of News from Our Twin Village.
The following are the reports submitted and officers elected at the annual meeting of the Cortland County Home for Aged Women:
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
To the Board of Managers of the Home Association:
The secretary is pleased to report another successful year for the Home. One year ago we reported all bills paid and a balance in the treasury, and to-day we come with the same report. There has been no extra effort made during the year to raise money, but the amount received for board, together with annual memberships, rents and gifts, has made it possible for us to meet all obligations.
We have held twelve monthly meetings with an average of eight members present; at these meetings standing committees report, and the needs of the Home are discussed.
Our books show seventy annual members. While this number is not as large as we had hoped that it would be, yet the ready response our collectors have received has been very gratifying to the managers. Our permanent fund has been increased $292.96, this being interest and gifts. We would like to impress upon the friends of the Home who are charitably inclined, the importance of this fund. It has been our aim to do away with board bills and this cannot be done until our interest is nearly equal to the running expenses of the house. All gifts of over twenty dollars, life and honorary memberships, and smaller amounts if so designated are placed in this fund.
The religious services held once in two weeks and during the summer once a month have been looked forward to with pleasure, as they give those shut in an opportunity to enjoy what they otherwise would be deprived of, and we wish to thank all that in any way have assisted in these services.
We have received into the Home family Miss Amelia Smith of Cortland, Aug. 18, 1899, and at different times during the year we have had transients. At present we have eight boarders. While we think this is a fair sized family, yet there are a few rooms we would be glad to have filled. The committee on admission is always pleased to answer questions and any one who has a friend looking for a home would do well to consult this committee. Visitors are always welcome and cordially received, and if there is any one in our community who has never called at the Home, we would urge that person to do so.
On Jan. 31 occurred the death of Miss Abigail Carpenter. She was 86 years old and had lived at the Home nearly six years.
Mrs. Elizabeth Brewster, the founder of our Home and also a member of our board, died in San Diego, Cal., Dec. 3, at the advanced age of 94. She was a woman of noble character, and her thoughtfulness in providing a home in our town, where the aged and infirm all on one equality can rest quietly the few years they have to stay, was certainly praiseworthy. Many paths have been cleared, many burdens lightened by this good woman, and who can say where her influence ends?
Respectfully, FLORENCE B. MAXSON, Sec’y.
BURIED ALIVE.
Subject to be Put Underground in Hypnotic State.
Dr. Ceborne, the hypnotist who is to appear at C. A. A. hall the last three nights of this week, is planning to bury a man alive, but in a hypnotic state in the vacant lot next the store of Warren, Tanner & Co. to-morrow afternoon, leave him twenty-four hours and dig him up and restore him to consciousness. It is understood that local physicians are to be present to examine the patient before he is placed in the hypnotic sleep. The Clyde Times has the following:
Hundreds were turned away last night from the tent of the hypnotic marvel Dr. Ceborne, unable to gain admission. The advertised resurrection of the young man who had been placed in a hypnotic state in a grave deep below the surface of the earth whetted public curiosity to such a degree that when the advertised time for the resurrection came, it seemed as if the tent would burst, so large was the crowd. After the doctor had resuscitated the sleeping subject many questions were asked by the wondering crowd of the young man who had been placed under Dr. Ceborne's mystic hypnotic spell. He stated he felt no ill effects from his long sleep in the earth, but on the contrary, he had been cured of a bad cold which he had previous to the hypnotic sleep. He felt he was benefited by the illustration of Dr. Ceborne's hypnotic power.
W. C. T. U. MEETING.
Reports of State Convention Held at Binghamton.
The regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. was held on Tuesday afternoon and opened with devotional exercises led by Mrs. Greenman.
After the usual routine business an invitation was extended to all members of the union and their friends, both ladies and gentlemen, to be present at a parlor meeting to be held at the home of Mrs. T. K. Dye, 24 Union-st., on Wednesday evening, Oct. 18. The selections given at the matrons' medal contest will be repeated as a part of the evening's program.
The name of Mrs. E. H. Wright of 10 Groton-ave. was presented for membership.
Mrs. Ferguson of Syracuse then spoke briefly in regard to a little book, consisting of responsive readings, illustrations, hymns, etc., which she had compiled at the request of the Onondaga County union for use in their meetings, and which she very kindly offered to present to the Cortland union in sufficient numbers for practical use, provided a few advertisements could be secured to defray the expense of publication.
The principal feature of the afternoon was the giving of reports of the state convention held last week in Binghamton. Our delegates Mrs. Watson, Mrs. Cotton and Mrs. Weller, gave enthusiastic and deeply interesting accounts of the proceedings of that important gathering, the largest of the kind, but one, that has ever been held in the state.
The report of Tuesday, the first day, was given by Mrs. Cotton who spoke particularly of the crusade reminiscences given by quite a large number of women who had taken an active part in that early open conflict with the saloon and who laid the foundations of the W. C. T. U. as it is to-day.
Mrs. Weller gave the report for Wednesday. Among many items of interest the increase in receipts from the state paper under the able management of Mrs. Frances W. Graham is most gratifying. The net receipts for the past year have been $2,088.49, of which $500 has been turned over to the state treasury. The balance in our state treasury is now larger than ever before, being $2,233.49. To the Cortland Local union belongs the honor of being the second in size in the state, having 154 members. The largest is that of Albany with 168 members.
The Bible reading given by Mrs. Jennie Fowler Willing and based upon the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians was spoken of as most beautiful and helpful.
The banner offered to the county making the largest increase in numbers during the year was awarded to Onondaga county, that having made a gain of 30 6-10 per cent. A feature of special interest on Wednesday was the lecture by Miss Belle Kearney, national lecturer. This was spoken of as an address of unusual power.
The proceedings of Thursday were reported by Mrs. Watson, chairman of the Cortland delegation. The election of officers on that day resulted in the re-election of all then in office and formed an impressive part of the exercises, each officer making a few appropriate remarks after her re-election, a few verses of some suitable hymn being sung at frequent intervals. The welcome given to the convention by the mayor and the various pastors of the city was hearty and full of encouragement. Mrs. Conklin, national superintendent of mothers' meetings, gave a most excellent address on the subject, "A Model Mothers' Meeting," suggesting that such gatherings be held not in the homes of White Ribbon women, but rather in those where teaching upon the subject of a mother's duty and influence is especially needed.
The announcement that Governor Roosevelt would address the convention on Thursday afternoon naturally excited a great deal of interest and all were in a state of eager expectation for some time before his arrival. When he did arrive a large audience was on hand to receive him. The state president, Mrs. Boole, welcomed him in behalf of the Convention in beautiful and well chosen words, to which the governor responded in a most excellent address. He related many of his experiences during the late war and also while at the head of police department in New York. He mentioned some of the characteristics necessary for a soldier either in battle or in reform work and spoke of the W. C. T. U. as a fine regiment.
Later in the day Mrs. Mary J. Howell, state lecturer, gave on address on the subject of "Woman's Suffrage." She referred to the figure of Justice being in the form of a woman, though woman is far from receiving a full measure of justice, also to the statue of Liberty being in the form of a woman, though to woman the full enjoyment of liberty is not granted.
For lack of time the remainder of this report was left over for the next meeting, at which time the president's address will also be read. It is hoped there will be a large attendance, as much of the spirit of the convention has been brought back by our delegates and new inspiration can be gained by hearing what they have to tell us.
PRESS REPORTER.
MR. HOBART NOT DEAD.
Order for Flowers for His Funeral Countermanded.
The STANDARD yesterday announced the death of Mr. Seth Hobart of Preble at 2:30 o'clock that afternoon. The information came from a party of Cortland Odd Fellows who said they had just received a telephone message from Preble announcing the fact of the death of both Mr. Sereno Outt and Mr. Hobart and appointing the time for the funerals of both. The STANDARD, in consequence, made the announcement, while the Odd Fellows proceeded to place an order for floral emblems for the funeral.
Last night it was learned that the death of Mr. Hobart was a mistake, though it was true that Mr. Outt was dead. The Odd Fellows hastened to countermand the order for flowers for the Hobart funeral, as it could not be learned that he was even ill. The Cortland Odd Fellow who did the telephoning says that the line was working so badly at the time that it was with difficulty at first that he made out the message but he was confident before he was through that he had got it all straight. The funeral of Mr. Outt proves to be at 2:30 P. M., the hour that was thought to be set for Mr. Hobart's funeral.
FELL DOWN STAIRS.
Mrs. Julia Bouton Nearly 87 Years of Age, Injured Last Night.
Mrs. Julia Bouton, who is nearly 87 years of age, and who is living with her daughter, Mrs. Julia E. Hyatt, fell down a flight of stairs last night and received quite serious injuries though not as serious as would be expected from such a fall.
She sat in her easy chair conversing with the others in the room and got up with the intention of going into another room, but by mistake went to the cellar door and before she realized her mistake and before any one could get to her she plunged headlong down the stairs and struck on the cement floor. She was carried upstairs, and Dr. Dana hastily summoned. Very fortunately, no bones were broken, but Mrs. Bouton's face was badly bruised, and she received several cuts upon the head, and one elbow was bruised. Although the shock to her entire system was a severe one she rallied from it and to-day no further serious results are anticipated.
A CANDIDATE FOUND.
Editor Parsons Named by the Democrats for the Assembly.
Since the resignation of James R. Robinson as a candidate for member of assembly on the Democratic ticket, the Democratic county committee has been fishing around for another candidate who is willing to stand the storm. The committee held a meeting a 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon at the office of James Dougherty and persuaded Editor Fay C. Parsons of the Democrat to permit the use of his name.
Hugh Duffey, who was some time ago chosen chairman of the committee, resigned and Dr. James M. Milne of Cortland was chosen in his stead.
Cortland County Scenery.
Dr. E. M. Santee has on exhibition in the window of Brown's drug store eight views of Cortland county scenery which certainly compares very favorably with any scenery in America, The other day he was up in Atkinson's gulf near East River and made eight exposures, getting some very fine pictures.
BREVITIES.
—Two tramps found lodging at the police station last night.
—County correspondence will be found on the second and third pages of to-day's issue.
—George Goodsell has sold the Georgetown-South Otselic stage route to Ira Truman of Cortland.—Chenango Telegraph, Norwich.
—Rev. George E. T. Stevenson of the Memorial Baptist church of Cortland will preach at the Elm Stump church Sunday, Oct. 22, at 2:30 P. M.
—New display advertisements to-day are—F. D. Smith, Red Cross stoves, page 6; C. F. Brown, House for sale, page 6; W. J. Perkins, Toilet soap, page 7,
—Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Blodgett last night entertained at their home, 8 Argyle Place, the former's class of sixty-three young ladies in the Presbyterian Sunday-school.
