The Cortland Democrat, Friday, October 20, 1899.
AN EXPERT ACROBAT.
E. Jay Hopkins Puts the Royer Bros. in the Shade.
Until Tuesday morning it was not known that Cortland has an acrobatic performer that for daring and skill puts the Royer Bros., who gave a credible exhibition in the opera house Monday evening, back in the second class. It is the general impression that E Jay Hopkins was a secret witness of the entertainment Monday evening, and that he decided to give a public exhibition on the street that would convince the people that Hopkins' name is not Dennis. He selected Main-st. as the scene of his operations, and chose two animals of the canine class as his assistants. The dogs were on hand, and by previous arrangement they kept an eye out for the chief actor in the scene.
Soon Mr. Hopkins came down the smooth pavement on his wheel, his nerves all wrought up in high tension as he saw that spectators were numerous, and when in front of Beaudry's the dogs proceeded to take care of their end of the contract. They pretended not to see Mr. Hopkins and began an imaginary game of tag with the view of obstructing his passage and compelling him to give the exhibition in case he showed the "white feather" at the last moment.
The dogs lined up directly in front of the wheel, and a spasm of fear thrilled the rider. His courage faltered and he attempted to turn by the animals. The dogs checkmated the move and changed their positions. As the wheel struck the dogs Mr. Hopkins began the first act in the performance, making a treble somersault that but few monsieurs could excel. It was immense, superb, skillful and artistic. The spectators were struck with awe and wonder.
That the genial mailing clerk possessed such surprising agility was a revelation. Unfortunately the dogs lined up in such a way that the balance of power was not adjusted with that nicety which insures safety, and Mr. Hopkins sustained some bruises and several rents in his clothing, but the plaudits of the crowd who witnessed the scene fully compensated him for the unpleasant features of the initial entertainment.
TRANSVAAL WAR IS ON.
Boers Attack and Shell an Armored Train.
FIRST ACT OF HOSTILITIES.
Fifteen British soldiers Killed In the Encounter.
War has commenced in South Africa, the Boers making the first aggressive move, but as a strict censorship is kept up over all news from there it is impossible to get details of what has really taken place. The first act of hostilities was the wrecking of a British armored train south of Mafeking. The Boers opened fire on the derailed train at once and shelled it for over half an hour. Fifteen British soldiers in charge of the train were killed. The engine driver and one native escaped. A report comes from Pretoria that the Rustenburg and Marico commands have crossed the border and entered the Rooigrond territory between Lichtenburg and Mafeking, blowing up the bridge, over the Maloppo river, and destroying a train load of dynamite and the track. As Mafeking depends upon Rooigrond for its water supply the significance of this move is evident
The Boers have seized and hold nearly all the passes along the Natal border and with large armies are holding all the strategic points. It is also reported that they have seized the railway station north of Fourteen Streams, between Vryburg and Kimberly.
In consequence of reiterated reports that the Orange Free States burghers contemplate an attack upon Maseru, the British headquarters in Basutoland, the resident commissioner has taken ample steps for defense.
There has been no serious movement as yet on the part of the Basutos. One or two of the minor chiefs are inclined to side with the Orange Free State, but the attitude of the others has caused the Free State authorities to patrol the border extensively owing to fear of raids.
The capture of the armored train on the western border of the Transvaal is the beginning of a few anticipated reverses at the outset of the campaign. The Boer plan is now unfolding itself. It seems to be to strike simultaneously at different points, with a view of obtaining a strong, strategic position in Natal before the arrival of the British army corps. At all points the British are faced by Boer forces superior at least in number.
The most dangerous positions are Mafeking and Vryburg. Colonel Baden-Powell, who is in command at Mafeking, has only 2,000 men, many of them irregulars whose fighting capacity is not known, although it is believed to be good. The fact that he has moved out of Mafeking indicates some apprehension, and he may have to stand a fierce assault or a prolonged siege.
General Sir George Stewart White, commanding at Natal, is estimated to have about 15,000 men, stretched in strongly entrenched positions from Ladysmith to Dundee. He has the assistance of General Sir William Penn-Symons, experienced in hill fighting in India, and General Sir Archibald Hunter, experienced in Soudan campaigns.
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| S. N. Holden. |
ODDS AND ENDS.
The Village Board Transacts Much Routine Business—Sewer Extension in Groton-ave.—Connections Ordered.
Although the work of paving is practically ended, the [Cortland] village board keeps up its weekly meetings and at every session considerable business is transacted. At the regular weekly séance Monday evening every member of the board was present and a consultation between them and Engineer Allen was held in regard to laying sewer and water pipes in Groton-ave. E. J. Warfield urged immediate action, as the water in Otter creek is so low that the pipes can be laid under the creek at much less expense than when the water is high. The sewer board was finally authorized to lay the sewer pipe under the bed of the creek at once.
The judgment or claim of E. D. Woodbury against the village amounting to $1,800 was ordered paid with interest for four months. Mr. Woodbury was injured by falling on a defective sidewalk in Pomeroy-st. several months ago. The case was taken to the supreme court and a settlement was effected last spring.
Eugene M. Eastman of 19 Elm-st. appeared before the board and asked for an exemption on his assessment of $500 by reason of being a fireman, and a reimbursement of $4 on his tax was ordered.
Mr. White moved that all property owners in Groton-ave be ordered to connect with the water and sewer pipes within six weeks. The motion was seconded by Mr. Thompson, who facetiously remarked that as the pipes do not extend entire length of the street, some of the parties would find the job of making connections a difficult one.
Several new sidewalks were ordered on Port Watson, North Main and Wheeler and Duane sts.
President Holden informed the board that Superintendent Titus had conferred with him in regard to the sluice way under the Lehigh Valley tracks. They were not sufficiently large to carry away the surplus water, and Mr. Titus suggested that if Engineer Allen would prepare plans and specifications for enlarging them, he would present them to the officials of the road for consideration.
Death of Mrs. Julia Bouton.
Mrs. Julia Bouton widow of the late [Nathaniel] Bouton of Marathon, died very suddenly yesterday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Julia E. Hyatt, in Cortland early yesterday morning. Mrs. Bouton was nearly 87 years of age, and her home has been for many years at Marathon, but in recent years she has spent the winters with Mrs. Hyatt, arriving here only last Saturday. Her health, has been very good for a lady of her years, though a heart difficulty has troubled her some.
Late Tuesday afternoon she arose from a chair in which she was sitting to go into another room, and mistaking the door she fell down the cellar stairs on the cement floor. She was not apparently seriously injured, though she was at once placed under the care of Doctor Dana. About one o'clock yesterday morning Mrs. Hyatt and her sister gave her the medicine prescribed by the physician, and she apparently fell asleep. At about four o'clock it was discovered that she was dead. Mrs. Bouton leaves six children as follows: Mrs. Julia B. Hyatt, Mrs. Robert Purvis, Mrs. George H. Smith and Mrs. Amanda Smith of Cortland; and Mrs. Donald McKellar and Chas. H. Bouton of Marathon.
The funeral will be held at Marathon and the burial will be at that place. The remains will be taken to that place tomorrow.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
Vote the ticket headed by the star.
Elect James A. Jayne county treasurer and have the office in Cortland where other county offices are.
Both Republican school commissioner nominees are ring politicians, not teachers. Make your cross under the star.
Homer is a nice town, but no place for the county treasurer's office. Vote for James A. Jayne, the Democratic nominee. He is responsible and would have the office in Cortland, where it belongs.
A politician is all right, in convention, but he makes a poor school commissioner. Both Republican nominees for school commissioner are politicians. Both Democratic nominees are school teachers.
People of this county, we have had enough ring politicians for school commissioners—elect teachers to that office in both districts by voting for the Democratic nominees, Mr. McEvoy and Miss Cobb.
England enters upon the war in the Transvaal with the sentiment of the entire civilized world against her. Upon her is the blame and no sympathy is due her for the inevitable disasters that are to come.
Mr. Childs buys wool, etc., and has for several years. Miss Cobb teaches school and has for eight years, giving the best of satisfaction. They are opposing candidates for school commissioner in the north district. A cross under the star is a vote for Miss Cobb. 'Nuf ced.
The administration has announced a strict neutrality in the war in South Africa, and it would better live up to that announcement, as there is a powerful sentiment in this country, especially among those of Irish and German descent against the attitude of England in that war, and those who entertain that sentiment will quickly resent any departure from neutrality by this government.
The Standard informs the public that the Democratic county committee has "persuaded Editor Fay C. Parsons of the DEMOCRAT to permit the use of his name" as candidate for member of assembly. We would like to ask Brother Clark if any party has of late years shown any symptoms of caring for the use of his name in any way or has taken any stand that would show upon which side of the Republican fence he is going to jump.
The Republicans are concentrating their efforts upon the election of school commissioner in the first district and of course they expect to win. They are doing this, however, as a matter of party loyalty rather than through any dislike of Luke J. McEvoy, the Democratic nominee. Indeed there is no ground for dislike. He is a young man of sound character and clean reputation. He is fortunate by birth, being the son of Thomas McEvoy, who has been a respected resident of this county for more than fifty years. He belongs to a family of teachers, two of his brothers and three of his sisters having devoted themselves to this profession. The past record of Mr. McEvoy is an open book and every elector should investigate for himself before deciding for whom he will vote.
New Candidate for Member.
Fay C. Parsons is the Democratic candidate for member of assembly in the place of James H. Robinson, who had not been consulted when the nomination was made and who withdrew his candidacy. Whether the selection of "ye editor" is wise or otherwise is not for us to say—the county committee says it is wise and we will take their word for it, as nearly every town was represented at the meeting when the vacancy was filled. As to the campaign and what we would do if elected to represent Cortland county in the assembly, just a few words: We, with the other Democratic candidates and the county committee, intend to give the Republican nominees the best run they ever had for their money. The Democratic nominees should poll the entire party vote, and will. The manifesto of the Independent Republicans, passed some weeks ago, told their appreciation of honest and fair practices, or at least their dislike of g. o. p. method and the Democrats present the very reverse of the latter and clean nominees to back it up. Here comes a great strength, and the Republicans who wanted various places upon their party ticket and failed to get them are enough to swell the number of votes so that Democracy will carry the county, clean.
In Albany we would, first, last and always be opposed to the trusts and every measure to protect them at the expense of the common people or in any way. There is an itching in our fingers to get a crack at the perpetrators of the nine million canal steal and if that has been made impossible by Governor Roosevelt, then we would fight similar measures. The farmer is our friend and his interests would always be paramount. Of late years the Republican machine has ignored the great interests of the farmer in matters of legislation and many laws the reverse of acceptable to him have been enacted. We would be glad to embrace an opportunity to lighten his burden of interest, and his unjust taxation. Our present governor has done some splendid talking at county fairs this fall, but his acts at Albany belie his words to the people. He, by dodging his taxes, is independent of farmers for a living while "ye editor" must "saw wood" at No. 18 Railroad St., Cortland, for a living and depend largely upon the support of the farmer. Their interests would be safe in our hands. Cortland county is our birthplace and in it we take great pride. Whatever would be for its betterment would have the vote of Fay C. Parsons. If you don't believe it, make a cross under the star and we will convince you.
Vote for a Woman.
It has been justly contended by those who have the interests of our public schools at heart, that our school commissioners should be elected not from political preference but because of their familiarity with the duties of the office. Careful and conscientious attention to the duties of this office can not be expected from business men or members of professions since their own interests will not allow them to sacrifice a lucrative and permanent occupation to aid a presumably temporary position, but a teacher to fill the office must yield up the former position and hence having but a single interest will in all reason do thorough work. Moreover, a teacher, especially one who has had service in a large public school, having the interests of the profession at heart, will recognize the needs of our rural schools and seek to help them to a higher grade of work, as has been demonstrated in every case about the State where experienced teachers have held the office.
Miss Katharine E. Cobb of Homer, the candidate this fall, is a graduate of the Homer academy and later of the Cortland Normal school. From school, she stepped into the intermediate grades of the Homer academy where she has taught continuously for ten years. Her great value to the school is demonstrated by the fact that she was promoted three years ago to the preparatory academic grade at a considerably increased salary, which has twice since then been raised to secure her services over rival offers. These facts speak most forcibly for the esteem in which she is held and the work and experience that Miss Cobb would bring to the duties of the office.
Women have filled this office most acceptably in other districts and while Cortland county has never called a woman, all signs go to show that it would be a most acceptable change.
Some murmurer has been heard to say that a woman would be unable to do the traveling necessary in order to faithfully visit the schools, but to this we say, is it better to leave it undone by reason of neglect or by reason of physical inability? However, we have no misgivings that Miss Cobb would in any way neglect her work, if past faithfulness and efficiency are any criterion. It is indeed a weak argument to say that it would be better for the candidate to retain her present position, since the salary of the office is considerably larger than that of her present position and offers inducement even to farmers and business men; while the voter who under the guise of friendship desires to narrow the scope of her effort shows how lightly he values the cause of education, and how flimsy an excuse he offers for obeying the dictates of the party machine.
EVERY MAN SHOULD VOTE FOR A TRAINED EDUCATOR AS AGAINST A MACHINE POLITICIAN IN EACH DISTRICT. THE LESS POLITICS IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS THE BETTER THE SYSTEM.
HERE AND THERE.
There are 50 mail boxes in the village of Cortland.
Port Watson-st. was opened to public travel last Friday.
A new millinery parlor has been opened at No. 48 Railroad-st.
It will be a long time before fall rains will reach the deep springs.
A cake walk will be given in C. A. A. hall on the evening of November 23.
A new laundry building is to be built as an addition to the Cortland hospital.
Ira Truman of Cortland has bought the stage route from South Otselic to Georgetown.
The Normal [School] football team will play the Cascadillas in this village to-morrow afternoon.
Mrs. Wm. Stacy has bought the Frank Place property, corner of Port Watson and Pomeroy-sts.
The annual meeting of the stockholders of the H. M. Whitney Wagon company will be held Nov. 1.
The Wickwire shops are now running night and day. Three cheers for the progressive proprietors!
At a meeting of the board of education Monday evening coal bills were audited amounting to $1,090.
For a downright good chicken pie supper commend us to the ladies of the Memorial Baptist church.
The DEMOCRAT stakes its reputation upon the prediction that snow or rain will fall along in the month of December.
The house and lot No. 10 Woodruff-st., owned by James Meager of Syracuse, has been bought by Mrs. J. C. Haworth.
A buzz saw and Ed. N. Sherwood's right hand came in contact Saturday afternoon, the hand getting the worst of the encounter.
The residents of Port Watson-st. may be pardoned for exhibiting a jubilant spirit over the handsome appearance of that [recently paved] street.
Extra freight trains of immense length are occasionally run over the D. L. & W. railroad, made necessary by the heavy traffic on the road.
The W. C. T. U. held a very interesting meeting Tuesday afternoon, delegates to the recent state convention at Binghamton making their reports.
A deer hanging in front of Thompson's market is attracting much attention. It weighs about 200 pounds and was shot by Ed. Harrington in the North Woods.
The Cortland city band is right up to date in its musical selections, and it gives the people of the village a treat occasionally in the way of an open air concert.
Thank heaven! Cortland county is not left out of the Dewey family tree, Mrs. A. H. Jordan of Taylor being a second cousin of the illustrious naval hero.
Great numbers of Cortland wheelmen and wheelwomen (if that be a proper term) meander about the streets evenings without the regulation lamp. Of course they are all homeward bound!
If you intend to buy a diamond ring for a Christmas present, make the selection now. The South African war has raised the price fifty per cent already, and diamonds will go still higher.
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