FUNERAL OF HON. PERRIN H. MCGRAW, AND MAN BURIED ALIVE

 

Hon. Perrin H. McGraw.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, October 20, 1899.

FUNERAL OF HON. PERRIN H. MCGRAW.

   The large residence of A. P. McGraw was on Thursday afternoon crowded with loving friends who had assembled to pay their last sad respects to all that was mortal of Hon. Perrin H. McGraw. The services were conducted by Rev. J. J. Cowles, pastor of the Presbyterian church of which the deceased had been a member for more than fifty years, assisted by Rev. E. H. Dickinson of Buffalo, a former pastor.

   The handsome casket stood in the southeast parlor amid the many and beautiful floral tributes. Among them were handsome designs from Mr. and Mrs. D. S. Lamont, New York; Mr. and Mrs. I. D. Warner of Bridgeport, Conn.; F. A. and W. G. Purchas, Miss Maude Purchas, W. T. Dower, Bridgeport, Conn.; Mi. and Mrs. G. H. Smith of Cortland; Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Carr, Cortland; Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Palmer, Cortland; Mr. and Mrs. Ed Miller, Cortland; one from the employees of the A. P. McGraw Corset Co. and one from the office employees of the same firm.

   Following is an outline of the remarks of Rev. J. J. Cowles:

   Once again God is speaking to us. By the voice of this Providence he is saying, "Be ye also ready." Since the event of last Monday evening, when our brother passed away, I have heard many remarks dropped upon the streets, in our community, not intended for my ears, but which I could not but bear in mind. The other evening as I walked the streets in the darkness, I heard two of our citizens conversing. Said one to the other, "He had a kind word for everybody." No name was mentioned, but I knew who was the subject of that remark. And certainly it was one of the prominent characteristics of our departed friend that he had a kind word and a pleasant smile for everybody. Said another citizen, of him, "He has been a staunch man for many years in this community." And so he has. He has taken an active interest in everything that pertained to the improvement and betterment of the community. And again others have been heard to say "He will be missed." Yes, he will be missed throughout the community. He will be missed by the church of which he has been a member for the past fifty-three years, and upon whose services, so long as he was able, he was a most faithful attendant. He will be missed by his pastor, to whom he has spoken many encouraging and cheering words and assisted by his friendly counsel.

   But he will be missed nowhere so much as in the home to which he has contributed so much brightness and happiness. Here if anywhere was appreciated the fact that he had a kind word and bright smile for everybody. How he loved his children! But one thing that has impressed me in my observation of his home life has been that he was a most remarkable grandfather. The joys and the sorrows of his grandchildren were his joys and sorrows.

   It is a great satisfaction when our friends leave us to feel that they died happy. When our brother died on Monday evening it was but a consummation earnestly longed for. I have been beside many a dying bed, and heard the last words of the departing; and if ever I witnessed a peaceful happy death, it was that of our brother. He expressed himself at the very last as being "Happy! Happy!" He felt that dying was going home.

   Rev. E. H. Dickinson of Buffalo, N. Y., after briefly touching upon the prominence of the deceased in state and county affairs spoke in substance as follows:

   In ancient warfare when an heroic warrior fell in the battle it was customary for his companions in arms to bear him from the field homeward on their leveled spears; and so to-day with loving hands we bear our fellow Christian soldier who has fallen to that point on his homeward way, where open the gates to the heavenly home. I esteem it one of the highest privileges of my life to have shared the friendship of such a man.

   I am sure you will bear with me, before offering prayer, if I briefly mention three of the prominent tiers of masonry in the building of his character.

   First. I would mention his love for children. He avoided a certain querulousness which is apt to characterize old age by keeping in touch with childhood. And children were quick to detect his love for them and they loved him in return. And one of the surest indications of nobility of character is to be loved by the children. As has already been mentioned by our brother he was a most remarkable grandparent.

   Second. He was generous to a fault. The pastors of the church of his choice will all testify of his generous help in the days of his ability. His hand was ever open to the needy and to every good work.

   Third. But by far the strongest feature of his character was his love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ "Requiescat Pacem."

   The singing was unusually fine. "One Sweetly Solemn Thought" and "The Evergreen Shore" were sung by Messrs. F. D. Graves, Rollo Dibble, Mrs. J. R. Rowe and Mrs. W. J. Buchanan. While the casket was being conveyed from the house Messrs. Graves, Dibble and Wellman sang "Go to Thy Rest in Peace."

   Among those from out of town were Col. D. S. Lamont of New York, H. F. Greenman, Bridgeport, Conn.; Mrs. C. A. Peake, Yonkers, N. Y.; Mrs. C. D. Perkins, Rutland, Vt.; Mr. and Mrs. James Sanderson, Seneca Falls, N.Y.; Rev. E. H. Dickinson, Buffalo; Rev. H. R. Fancher, Batavia, N. Y.; Mr. and Mrs. James R. Fancher, New York; Mr. and Mrs. Howell Webster, Apulia; Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Jones of Canastota, N. Y.; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Greenman, Mrs. Harvey Greenman, Mrs. Almira Wickwire, Dorr C. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Clark, Ferd Daehler, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Greenman, Mr. and Mrs. Marcus H. McGraw, Judge J. E. Eggleston, Col. A. Greene, Dr. and Mrs. F. W. Higgins, E. C. Kinney, O. A. Kinney, Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel H. McGraw, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. McGraw, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Palmer, Mrs. Louis Higgins, Fred Conable, Emmett Fish, Mrs. Elizabeth Greenman, Ivan McGraw, George McGraw of Cortland.

   The Thos. P. Taylor and Central Paper Box Co. factories and all the business places were closed during the funeral.

 

Died This Morning.

   Mrs. Eliza Lorett Perkins, the only daughter of Mr. Samuel E. Welch, died this morning at his home on Groton-ave. where she had lived for a number of years. Sire was 54 years of age. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon from the house and burial will be made in Cortland Rural cemetery. She had been ill most of the time for the last two years and leaves no children, her only child having died at 9 years of age. Her birth place was at Upper Lisle.

 

MAN BURIED ALIVE

At the Conclusion of Dr. Ceborne's First Exhibition.

   Dr. Ceborne, the hypnotist, opened a week's engagement at the hall of the Cortland Athletic association last evening before a crowd which created standing room only.

   The doctor preceded his exhibition with a little talk on the science of hypnotism. He then called for volunteers. He secured five, four of whom were well known by many in the audience. He soon had all under his complete control, and had them doing things and imagining that they were in conditions that would surprise them in their natural or ordinary state. Some were afflicted with all manner of aches and pains, and others wore riding chairs supposing them to be bucking bronchos. The exhibition was a fine one from a scientific point of view, and any who attend the exhibitions will be pleased and interested.

   The most remarkable feat of the evening was the hypnotising of a young man named Miller who travels with Dr. Ceborne, and his subsequent burial 6 feet beneath the sod. The young man was placed in a wooden burial case and buried in a grave which had been dug in the vacant lot south of Warren, Tanner & Co.'s store. The grave was 6 feet deep, and was completely filled. Two air shafts lead from the grave to the surface above to give the subject plenty of fresh air. One enters the coffin at the foot and another at the head. The one at the head is perpendicular, and observers can plainly see the face of the subject by looking down this shaft. The grave has been visited by hundreds of people to-day. The young man will be taken from the grave this evening and Dr. Ceborne will bring him from his sleep at 8:15 sharp, on the stage, the hour at which to-night's entertainment will begin.

 

HOMER.

Gleanings of News from Our Twin Village.

   HOMER, Oct.20.—Mr. George Schermerhorn is in Syracuse to-day.

   Mrs. Geo. Lent, Mrs. B. F. Topping and Mrs. James Clark are in McGraw to-day the guests of Mrs. F. A. Webster.

   Remember the lecture at the Congregational church this evening.

   Next Tuesday evening, there will be a profitable and interesting entertainment at the M. E. church here. It is given the name Dime Entertainment, because that very popular price is named for admission. At that date will appear for the first time a combination called the "Infant Quartet." Owing to the heavy nature of the company, and the great responsibility assumed in procuring this enormous aggregation of talent, these singers will come to the front but once. Miss Edith Finch will contribute a fine recitation, and the ladies' quartet, composed of Mrs. Asa Davis, Mrs. B. R. Wakefield, Miss Myrta Haskins and Miss Bertha Wilbur will render a fine selection. In addition, the pastor, Rev. B.W. Hamilton, D. D., will give his monologue entitled "Half an Hour With Epitaphs." The science (?) of epitaph writing has in recent years been developed to a remarkable degree, and one of the rarest collections of this peculiar kind of literature will be brought to the notice of the public on this occasion. The entertainment will begin at 8 o'clock.

   Wednesday evening Henry Harrington returned from the North Woods and brought with him a large deer weighing nearly 200 pounds. It is a fine specimen and, as it hangs in Moore & Merrick's market, it attracts considerable attention.

 

VIRGIL, N. Y.

   VIRGIL, Oct, 18.—Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Kenyon of Cortland visited their niece, Mrs. Geo. Hicks, last Saturday.

   Mr. and Mrs. N. A. Gardiner visited at Tom Leech's in Cortland last Sunday.

   Misses [Kale] Lang and Laura Mott of Cortland were in town last Sunday.

   Mrs. Leander Hutchings and Mrs. McGregor of Dryden visited Mrs. Eliza Williams last Wednesday.

   Mrs. Howard Short and daughter of McGraw visited her father Mr. Daniel Barry last week.

   Otis Pierce of Blodgett Mills spent part of last week at Nate Wood's.

   Hector Stevens has moved in Mrs. Reuben Butt's house at Frank's Corners.

   Mrs. Lela Puderbaugh of Homer has been visiting at Henry Curtis' and Harry Fisher's.

   Mrs. Charlotte Sweet spent last week with her brother in Groton.

   Arbie Baum, Lyman Bouton, Pearl Rounds and Fannie Baum visited at Ed Smith's in Freetown last Sunday.

   Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Yager visited at Wilbur Crain's in McLean last Saturday.

   Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Dann spent last week in Scott with relatives.

   Mr. Orson A. House was in town last week in the interest of the Homer Republican.

   James Wilson of Syracuse was in this place last week for the purpose of purchasing a place for his future home.

   Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Johnson are visiting friends in Oneida, Etna and Cortland.

   Miss Maud Reas walked from Cortland last Sunday to visit her mother Mrs. Helen Reas.

   Dr. Sornberger of Cortland was called here last week in the case of Mrs. Price Rounds, who is seriously ill with lung trouble.

   A very serious if not fatal accident occurred Monday when the little two- year-old child of Mr. and Mrs. John Mott fell into a kettle of lye. Dr. Emery was immediately summoned and did all that was possible to relieve its sufferings, just how the accident occurred is not known as the little one was playing alone out of doors. There were two pails of lye in the kettle which was raised on stones preparatory to lighting a fire under it, which very fortunately had not been done.

   There will be a lecture in the M. E. church Sunday evening, Oct. 22, by Mrs. Mary E. Ferguson of Syracuse, under the auspices of the W. C. T. U. Mrs. Ferguson is the superintendent of soldiers' and sailors' work.

   Mrs. Celinda Tyler Seamans died at her home in this village last Friday night at the age of 70 years, 1 month and 10 days, from a paralytic stroke. She only lived thirty-six hours after stricken. She leaves a husband and two sons, John and Earl, both of which live in Marathon, besides one brother, William Tyler, of this place and one sister, Mrs. Celestia Adams of Minnesota. The funeral was held at her late home Sunday afternoon. Burial was made in the Virgil cemetery. The remains were in charge of Undertaker M. B. Williams, Rev. F. Fletcher officiating. The floral offerings were many and beautiful. One has been taken from this community who will be greatly missed and by none more than her own family, in whom all her hopes were centered. Although their loss is her gain, it seems hard some times to say it is all for the best.

 

NORMAL NOTES.

Banquet of Sixth Latin Class at Truxton.

   The members of the Sixth Latin class went to Truxton last evening on a straw ride, where a banquet was held in honor of Queen Dido. The following were the participants: The Misses Alexander, Allen, Anderson, Corwin, Dorrity, Burns, Elliott, Chaffee, Hamlin, Graham, Greene, Gale, McLellan, Milliard, Miller, Scott, Tripp, Williams, Vickery and Rowland; the Messrs. Brownell, Place, McEvoy, Preston, Champlin, Morse and Armitage; Prof. Banta and Miss Minnie A. Alger acted in the capacity of chaperones.

   The banquet was held at the Truxton House where an elaborate supper was served, at the conclusion of which the following toasts were responded to in an animated and mirth producing manner:

   Toastmaster, Prof. Banta.

   The Sixth Latin Girls, Mr. A. W. Armitage.

   Cupid, Miss Floy E. Elliott.

   Aeneas, Miss Jennie Corwin.

   Lofty Sentiments of the Aeneid--''Pulorum mori sucourrit in armis," Mr. Frank Place.

   Dido, Mr. Chas. McEvoy.

   The Sixth Latin Boys, Miss Florence Chaffee.

   An Original Poem, Miss Grace Anderson.

   The remaining portion of the evening was devoted in listening to music, both vocal and instrumental and in amusements of an enlivening nature. At an early hour this morning the young people returned to this place announcing their arrival by the customary tooting of horns and the giving of the class and Normal yells. The evening is one which will ever remain in the memories of those participating for more reasons than one.

 

Old Corduroy Road Found.

   The Cortland Water Works Co. has begun the extension of its water main in Groton-ave. west to the Otter creek bridge in anticipation of the paving to be done in the spring. About 5 feet below the surface just east of the creek was found the logs of a corduroy road built probably over 100 years ago. The logs are in an excellent state of preservation and have to be chopped out. When the road was built through that section, the land was wet and swampy and the laying of the logs was the best way to construct the roadway.

 

BREVITIES.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Baker & Angell, Dolls' day, page 8; F. D. Smith, Red Cross stoves, page 6.

   —One prisoner was in police court this morning on the charge of public intoxication, and in his case sentence was suspended.

   —Bruce Falling of the City Steam laundry was last night elected captain of the Y. M. C A. football team. He was last year captain of the strong Baldwinsville team and is a fast player.

   —Prayer will be offered at the home of Mrs. Julia E. Hyatt at 8:30 o'clock to-morrow morning before the remains of her mother, Mrs. Bouton, are taken to Marathon, where the funeral will occur at 1 o'clock and the burial follow.