MORGAN McALLISTER ABOARD USS OREGON, AND CORTLAND RURAL CEMETERY DEDICATION RECALLED

 

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 15, 1899.

FROM MANILA.

Interesting Letters From Morgan McAllister, U. S. M. C.

   The following are extracts from letters written since the 3d of September by Morgan McAllister to his sister, Mrs. B. H. Lyon of South Cortland, which we hope will be of interest to readers of the DEMOCRAT:

   Iloilo, P. I., Sept. 3.—Dear Sister—Yesterday we were on shore for target practice, shooting with rifle and pistol. I did fairly well, considering the fact that I never shot that kind of a rifle at a target before, but expect to do some good work with it after a little practice, which I am sadly in need of, as I have had more practice with a six-pounder, and can do very good work with that gun.

   The natives where we landed were very peaceable and brought cocoanuts to sell to us, twelve for a Mexican dollar, equal to forty-eight cents of our money. We are paid in Mexican money out here.

   We have had mail once since we came here, but I did not get any letter this time. The Solas, a transport formerly used as a hospital ship, came in to-day, and I hope she brings mail, as I am looking for my newspaper which I subscribed for, and I also sent for an English-Spanish and a Spanish-English dictionary. A few Spanish people came on board to-day to visit the ship. They were very fine looking, especially the girls, who were positively handsome. A great many of the soldiers come to the ship every day. We do not have much rain here now.

   I wish you could see the native boats sailing about this harbor. The speed they make in a fair breeze is wonderful. They have what they call one, two, three, four and five-man breezes on their canoes. They are out-breakers or arms running out from the sides of the canoe, and when under way they run out on these arms to prevent the canoe from capsizing in a strong breeze. If the wind is blowing hard four or five men may be seen on these arms, if not a strong wind, only one or two are required to keep the boat right side up. Their boats sail past us while we lie here at anchor at the rate of ten or fifteen knots an hour. I hope we shall stay here for some time so that my sea service will be all in by the time I get to the states, as I will then be transferred to the barracks. I am tired of man-of-war life at sea, for we get more salt meat than I care to eat in this climate, where little else than fruit should be eaten.

   Iloilo is much nicer than Manila, for the air here is always cool and fresh, while it is either hot or rainy in Manila; at that place it even gets chilly enough at night during the rainy season that one needs a blanket to sleep under. It is not so here.

   How I wish you could once look upon these islands as we see them from the sea, and on shore also. Always fresh and green, fertile and picturesque in every part and place, with the old Spanish fortifications, which have stood since the sixteenth century unmoved by time or storm.

   We all have troubles of our own on board a man of war. For the last four or five days I have had the 4 to 6 and 6 to 8 watch, which prevents me from getting a chance to wash clothes. For this reason I am a trifle cranky when I have this watch, and to make it worse, I have a six-pounder (which I shoot) to polish the brass work on, and I cannot say that I fancy the job.

   I suppose you heard about the Morgan City. She was a transport bringing troops to Manila from the states, and was sunk off the coast of Japan. All the soldiers were saved. Four hundred bags of mail were on board, and only ninety were saved. Our little gunboat Origineta has been captured by the insurgents. All hands on board are prisoners in their hands. We had a typhoon last week lasting 48 hours, one steady blow.

   Oct. 2.—On September 24 the Monterey, Zafiro, Charleston and Concord bombarded Subig Bay and destroyed the six-inch Krupp gun which was mounted there and belonged to the insurgents. Eighteen marines under Capt. Myers of the U. S. S. Baltimore landed under a heavy fire of Mausers from the enemy's lines. They captured six bags of powder belonging to the large gun, and also a two-inch Busset loading brass field piece. They fired nuts, bolts and pieces of iron. All the ships opened fire on the entrenchments and forced the enemy to leave and run into the jungles and old Spanish warehouses. After they got them on the move Gunner Olson and a company of blue-jackets landed about 600 yards below where the six-inch gun was located. Then Gunner Olson advanced towards where it was, while the enemy's bullets flew all around him, and ran up to the gun with fifty pounds of dry gun cotton on his person, and fixed the first charge, which exploded, blowing away six feet of the muzzle. The next charge blew out the breech block, and the third blew the gun to atoms. By this time the Monterey got the range with her big guns and commenced to throw in some very large shells, and then the trees and houses did fly and no mistake. The gun they destroyed was a modern Krupp breech loading rifle cannon, 25 feet in length.

   I spoke before of our little Gunboat Origineta which was captured by the insurgents. She was commanded by Cadet Wood, an officer off this ship. The crew was composed of 14 men. She was one of the 13 small gunboats we bought from Spain after the war. It carried one six-pounder, two Norden Felts and some guns besides each man a rifle. She had left Manila and was going up the Pampanga River. After she passed the narrowest place in the river, the black devils filled an old canoe or some sort of a boat with sand and rock, floated it out into the narrowest place and sunk it in order to blockade the channel, thus making it impossible for them to pass out again. When the Origineta was found, the masts had been cut short to the deck, smoke stack cut off, short alley destroyed, shaft taken out, deck houses torn off and at last scuttled and sunk.

   HONG KONG, Oct. 31.—On the 19th I returned to the ship from liberty. Hong Kong is a most wonderful city. I was ashore six days and seven nights. The Chinese tried to sell me a girl, 18 years old. She was very handsome, but I did not care to buy at present. They only wanted $300 Mexican or $130 in our money. Another fellow tried to sell me a twelve year old girl, Mexican money, also others seven and eight years old for $30 with wardrobe. The size of their wardrobe makes a difference in the price. All the women here work the same as the men do in the States. It is the custom in both China and Japan. A woman is a slave to her master. She does not call him husband. Rich men have as many wives as they can keep. There is no law here to prevent a man from taking a dozen women for wives. Parents rent their girls for four, five, six or eight years, to make money to help support the rest of the family. Some of the Japanese girls are very attractive and smart, as a usual rule. Any one can buy girls in either China or Japan. So you see if any one cannot get a wife to suit him in the States, he can find one in Japan, and they make better wives than some girls in our own country, as they are willing to work and try to please their masters, so I shall never lose any sleep over any girl in America, for all I have to do is get a home and take my pick out here. Ha! Ha!

   Everything is very cheap here in Hong Kong, especially silks and cashmeres. The city is policed by Europeans, Chinese and Sikes (a very large class of men from India.) The place is well fortified, and a great many men-of-war always lie in this port.

   Your Loving Brother, MORGAN MCALLISTER, U. S. M. C., U. S. S. Oregon, Hong Kong, China.

  

CORTLAND POSTOFFICE.

A New Postmarker's Machine Introduced—Will Facilitate the Work of the Office.

   Postmaster A. S. Brown, who is continually striving to give the people of Cortland the best and most expeditious mail service, received on Wednesday an invention known as the Dormus Postmarker's machine for cancelling stamps. By this machine the hurry of making up the mails is much facilitated, the work of cancelling the stamps being done very rapidly and accurately.

   Under the new time-table on the Lackawanna road which goes into operation on Sunday, several changes are necessary in the time of closing the mails, due notice of which will be given the public.

 

RURAL CEMETERY.

Dedication of the Cortland Rural Cemetery, August 11, 1854.

   The beautiful burial spot known as the Cortland Rural Cemetery, the pride of the village, was dedicated on Friday, August 11, 1854, nearly a half century ago. It will certainly be interesting to all DEMOCRAT readers to be reminded of the order of exercises for the dedication and to read the beautiful ode prepared for the occasion. The program for the day was as follows:

   Reading of Scriptures—Rev. L. D. Davis.

   Anthem, "The Great Jehovah Fills the Place"—Choir.

   Dedicatory Prayer—Rev. H. R. Dunham.

   Hymn composed for the occasion, original music by J. R Blodgett—Choir.

   Introductory—Rev. Dr. Bowen.

   Dedicatory Address—Rev. D. W. Bristol.

   Reading of ode.

   Singing by full choir.

   Benediction—Rev. Henry Bowen.

   The ode composed for the occasion was written by Miss Elisabeth L. Hathaway and was as follows:

We call them to their homes—our cherished dead,

Away from the heart of the busy town;

Where the idle word, and the careless tread,

Pass not their rest, we lay them down.

We call them to these shades, with us to share,

All things they loved—the balmy Summer air,

The bending sky, the sunlight showers—

The shadowing clouds, the hazy autumn hours.

Not banish'd to some lone, uncultured spot,

By the living shunn'd, neglected or forgot,

But where the grand old woods—their shadows throw,

And, broad and green, the meadows sweep below;

Where birds may sing, blossoms their fragrance shed,

Here make we beautiful the mansions of our dead,

It is in vain to say they feel it not.

To us, their presence is around the spot,

All we know of the parted for the spirit shore,

Is linked with the earthly forms they wore.

And if we would, we may not cast away,

That which forever binds us to their clay.

We would not banish them, from home and heart,

Of half forgotten memories apart,

But so familiar keep with those we love,

That not as strangers shall we meet above,

But as those who at the gates may smiling stand,

To welcome us to the celestial land,

Not vague, cold, and far as yon firmament,

The spirit world, with this of ours is blent.

When dim'd by sin, to man, its glory set,

It pass'd not away, it is around us yet.

Beheld in its serene and holy light,

Earth's proud and vain distinctions fade from sight,

Its pageantries become an idle show,

Its noblest, best ambition, is but low,

And all we gain, within those mortal years,

Unworth the struggles of our hopes and fears.

But if we look, as angels look on men,

As those who'll slumber here, will look again.

Nor for the outward, walk the world alone,

But in all things, listen for the spirit tone,

Into infinity, boundless, vast, sublime,

We shall unknowing pass the verge of time;

The earthly drop so gently, day by day,

The spirit shall scarcely conscious glide away.

 

HERE AND THERE.

   The stores are well filled with holiday customers.

   There was something of a snow storm yesterday.

   Turkey dinners and suppers have been numerous in town this week.

   Tramps are becoming more numerous in Cortland lately than for several months.

   Rev. Dr. O. A. Houghton will preach in the Homer-ave. M. E. church next Sunday morning.

   Old age necessitated the removal of a magnificent tree in front of C. W. Stoker's residence this week.

   The Memorial Baptist church and society are holding a fair at No. 97 Main-st., opening Wednesday and closing this evening.

   C. F. Thompson has relieved his clerks of considerable back-aching labor by placing in his store a small motor for grinding coffee.

   We don't know whether you have noticed it or not, but the old year is getting close to the date of its passing into the Usedtobe.

   The Y. W. C. T. U. will meet with the president, Mrs. Eva Townsend. 20 1/2 Madison-st., Friday evening, Dec. 15. A full attendance is desired.

   The entertainment given Wednesday evening at Normal hall by the Ariel Ladies Sextet was very pleasing to the large audience, the readings by Miss Marguerite Smith being especially fine.

   People who have books and magazines which they are willing to donate to the soldiers and sailors at the Philippine Islands are kindly requested to leave them at the home of Mrs. Fred Caswell, 13 Venette-st., and they will be forwarded.

   Weather permitting, the public will have an opportunity to enjoy the sight of a lunar eclipse to-morrow evening. The moon will enter the shadow here in Cortland at about 5:47 P. M. and will leave it about [10:58]. The eclipse will be almost total.

   In a stroll about the village after the snow storm of last week, it was plainly apparent that shoveling snow has become one of the lost arts in Cortland, more than half the walks not having been touched. Perhaps the suggestion of a friend that Cortland is such a live town that its people cannot find time to shovel snow may be a good one.

   Manufacturers of toys are far behind their orders. The demand is unprecedented, the dealers say. Indications are that the Christmas trade will be the greatest ever known. Foreign toys are reported to be losing their market here. Domestic productions are much favored, a higher grade of goods than usual is wanted. Dolls are the only toys of foreign manufacture that retain their popularity. The small boy realizes the war with Spain is over and has returned to ways of peace. Hence the military toys are not so eagerly sought as they were a year ago.

   In some sections of the country the question is being discussed whether women should not remove their hats in churches as well as in theaters. The man who in order to see the minister at all is compelled to keep time with an aggregation of nodding plumes each Sunday in the seat directly in front of him will readily answer this question in the affirmative. Really there is no reason why women should wear their hats in public places and men be compelled to remove theirs. It is simply a custom of long standing which probably originated from the fact that a woman's head dress is not so easily taken off and put on as a man's. It is stated that in some places the women have voluntarily adopted the practice out of regard for the comfort and convenience of others.

 

Dr. Mary E. Walker.

Personal.

   Dr. Mary Walker of Oswego was in Cortland last Saturday.

   Miss Clara Van Marter of Summer Hill spent Saturday at H. E. Andrews.

   Attorney H. L. Bronson was in Ithaca Monday in attendance at supreme court.

   Mrs. W. T. Page and daughter of Athens, Pa., have been spending the week at T. P. Bristol's.

   S. J. Parmiter leaves to-day for Oswego, where he will visit his son J. Alfred Parmiter. He will return Monday.

   Dr. K. C. French of Lisle was in Cortland Wednesday. He expects to locate here soon to practice his profession.

 

W. C. T. U. Work in Cortland County.

   The proceedings of the annual convention of the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union, held in Binghamton, printed in book form including reports from the several special departments of that organization, have been received in Cortland, and from its pages one may learn the progress and work of the union, the results of which are especially gratifying to members in this county.

   The vice-president of the state organization is Miss Libbie Robertson of Cortland, and there are two life members, viz.: Mrs. Lydia M. Allen of Homer, and Mrs. N. A. Briggs of Preble. The delegate to the next national convention from the district composed of Cortland and Broome is Mrs. M. H. Yale of this village.

   The state W. C. T. U. was organized twenty-five years ago, and in 1898 had a paid up membership of 21,158. The Cortland county union was organized September, 1885, and the present number of paying members is 249, with 35 honorary members. The amount of money raised last year was $369.94, and over 3,500 pages of literature were circulated in this county alone.

   The department of systematic giving was reported by Mrs. Kate Greenman, who announced that 65 persons in the county practice tithing.

   For the department of fair work, Miss Libbie Robertson reported that no superintendent had been appointed, but that considerable effective work was done at the late county fair, as the union cleared $155.33 from the sale of refreshments, ice cream, etc.

MORE FIGHTING MEN, MEMORIAL CEREMONIES, AND CORTLAND COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

 

General Lord Methuen.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, December 15, 1899.

MORE FIGHTING MEN.

England Will Strongly Reinforce Her Armies.

NEED OF SPEEDY TRANSPORTS.

Lord Methuen's Check and General Gatacre's Repulse Casts a Deep Gloom Over All England—Lord Beresford Urges Preparations for Eventualities.

   LONDON, Dec. 15.—The war office is still without news from Ladysmith other than that already published. The general belief is that the large Boer forces Lord Methuen encountered at Magersfontein were partly drawn from  Natal and that General Buller will strike a blow, before these have time to return.

   The newspapers are calling upon the government to employ Cunarders as well as the White Star steamers as transports, seeing the urgent necessity for getting more men to the Cape as speedily as possible. Forty thousand men could be still sent from England without calling upon the militia for foreign service. The militia effective is 100,000 and from this body 20,000 carefully selected could be easily spared for South Africa, Moreover the colonies are again proffering assistance.

   The greatest need, therefore, is speedy transports. Sir Charles Warren, who arrived at Cape Town yesterday, will possibly join Lord Methuen and take command of the combined forces.

   "The Daily Chronicle' Modder river dispatch, which is at variance with all other reports, represents Lord Methuen's forces as retiring Tuesday on the camp at Modder river as the result of renewed artillery firing that day. The correspondent says: "Tuesday forenoon the Boers brought heavy guns into action. Methuen thereupon withdrew his force out of range and concentrated at Modder river."

   Orders have been issued at Woolwich to prepare another siege train to go out with the Seventh division.

 

Dutch Disaffection Rapidly Spreading.

   LONDON, Dec. 15.—"Lord Methuen's check following General Gatacre's repulse," says the Cape Town correspondent of The Daily News, "has had a most depressing effect upon the loyalist who are by no means a growing body. They are filled with dark forebodings. Dutch disaffection is rapidly growing. A large section is restless, and would need but little persuasion to join the Boers.

   There are disturbing reports from the eastern districts of Cape Colony, where many secret meetings have been held. The imperial authorities are among the loyal farmers in the Stutterheim and Bedford districts."

 

TREASURER ABSCONDS.

Tompkins County Reported to Be Out About $9,000.

   ITHACA, N. Y., Dec. 15.—The whereabouts of Charles Ingersoll, the treasurer of Tompkins county, who has been missing for the past two days, has not been learned as yet.

   The board of supervisors at its executive session passed a resolution requesting Governor Roosevelt to remove Mr. Ingersoll from office. Chairman Van Ostrand of the board, when seen, said that Ingersoll's accounts had been investigated with the result that shortage had been discovered, but he was unable to state exactly the amount. Estimates of some of the members of the board place it at $8,000 or $9,000.

 

SUPERVISORS FEAR SHORTAGE.

Treasurer Charles Ingersoll of Tompkins County Missing.

   Treasurer Charles Ingersoll of Tompkins county is absent from his home. The supervisors are now in session and want to see him and so far are not able to put themselves in communication with him. They claim to find reason to think there is a shortage in his accounts running from $6,000 to $14,000. Investigation shows that since the first of October real estate and chattel mortgages aggregating $20,596 have been put on file in the Tompkins county clerk's office to secure loans made to Treasurer Ingersoll. Mr. Ingersoll's bondsmen are anxiously looking for him.

 

DINED AT ROOD'S.

Convention Delegates and Others, Guests of the DeLaval Separator Co.

   A very pleasant gathering was held last evening at the close of the session of the State Dairymen's convention at the Candy Kitchen, 17 Grand Central block, [Cortland]. Messrs L. A. Sweixer, A. D. Charles, I. A. Kendall and Jas. Gibson, the genial representatives of the DeLaval Separator company of New York, were the hosts and about fifty delegates and visitors to the convention were their guests for the evening. An elaborate supper had been prepared and ample justice was done by the dairymen and others present to the substantial bill of fare and delicacies set before them.

   A number of the guests who had not attended the meeting at the Opera House assembled early and passed the time in visiting and relating experiences until time for supper. Others came in later until nearly fifty guests were assembled about the tables in the pleasant diningroom. The following was the menu:

 

 

   After cigars had been passed Mr. E. A. Callahan, circulation and advertising manager of the Country Gentlemen of Albany, who was one of the guests, and whose reputation as an entertainer was already known to at least a few who were present was called upon and he responded with anecdotes, selections and songs which elicited hearty applause. His story of Pat's election as alderman and his lullaby song were exceptionally well rendered and enjoyed.

   It was nearly 12 o'clock before the party broke up with a vote of thanks to the hosts for a most enjoyable time.

   The exhibit of the DeLaval Separator company at the exhibition hall is one which has attracted much attention and has been the subject of favorable comment throughout the convention. Ten of their machines, from the smallest hand-size to the largest Twentieth Century factory separator have been on exhibition and these machines, as is well-known, are recognized as standard by dairymen in all sections of the country.

 

MEMORIAL CEREMONIES.

Red Men Commemorate Anniversary of Death of Washington.

   Pecos tribe, Cortland, and Adirondack tribe, Homer, held interesting and impressive ceremonies commemorating the one-hundredth anniversary of the death of George Washington last night in Taylor hall. The program as carried out by the sachems and sannaps was well prepared. They set forth the development of the order from a few of the Sons of Liberty, of which Washington was a distinguished member, to the present Improved Order with a membership of 225,000. During the services a large picture of Washington was uncovered and received an ovation. National songs were sung and appropriate poems given.

   At the close of the official program, Dr. J. M. Milne was introduced as the speaker of the evening. Washington was his subject and he portrayed him as a citizen of the world and followed his career from childhood pointing out the things in his life that gave fibre, refinement and polish. He characterized him, too, as a man great in that he filled his position and met his opportunity.

   Dr. Milne's fine address from start to close was listened to with greatest interest. After the address a musical program was given and heartily enjoyed by the audience.

 

"Hearts of Oak."

   "Hearts of Oak," one of James A. Herne's most successful plays, is to be the attraction at the Opera House next Tuesday evening. As in most of Mr. Herne's plays the scenes are laid upon the New England coast, and the people represented are fishermen, sailors, and handy villagers, types of characters which are always well drawn, by their author.

   "Hearts of Oak" tells a simple story of love and self-sacrifice in which two young people, in order not to wound their friend and benefactor, ruin their own happiness, and in the end, his too. Pathos and comedy are about equally mixed in the play, and a fine scenic production is promised with every attention given to detail. In the company are E. P. Sullivan, James Horne, Nat Jones, Thos. M. Hunter, Ida Hamilton, Eliote Euneking and Marie Adair.

 

Cortland Hospital, North Main Street.

COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

Semi-Annual Meeting Held at Cortland Hospital Thursday Afternoon.

   The semi-annual meeting of the Cortland County Medical society was held at the Cortland hospital yesterday afternoon. The meeting was called to order by the vice-president, the president, Dr. F. H. Forshee, being unable to be present. Those members present during the meeting were: Drs. Carpenter, Higgins, Reese, Sornberger and Ver Nooy of Cortland, Braman and Green of Homer, Smith of McGraw, Emory of Virgil and Halbert of Cincinnatus. Dr. T. H. Halstead of Syracuse and Pr. A. M. Loope of Homer were also present and, on motion, were invited to take part in the discussions.

   Dr. Braman, the vice-president, gave a semi-annual address, it being a review of medical practice as taught one hundred years ago. Several quaint extracts were read from the medical works of the day and the paper was listened to with much interest by all.

   Dr. Sornberger followed with a paper on, ''Uses of the Normal Saline Solution," showing the various occasions indicated for its use and methods of introducing it into the system. An interesting discussion followed.

   Dr. Thomas H. Halstead of Syracuse gave the last paper on the program, his subject being "Earache, Its Causes and Treatment." The paper was an instructive one throughout and was listened to with the greatest interest by all present. Following a brief discussion of the paper a vote of thanks was tendered to Dr. Halstead for his able and instructive address.

   Dr. Higgins then presented a case of mastoid abscess recently operated upon by him, the patient being a man 60 years of age who had been a sufferer from long and protracted head aches for many years. The man now appears to be on a fair way to entire recovery.

   Under miscellaneous business the name of Dr. A. M. Loope of Homer was proposed for membership in the society. The matter was referred to the board of censors who retired and shortly afterward gave n favorable report on the candidate. It was then moved and carried that Dr. Loope be declared a member of the society on complying with the usual requirements.

   The secretary was requested to send a certificate of membership and a copy of the society manual to all members who have not received them.

   On motion, the meeting then adjourned.

   F. H. GREEN, Secretary.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Ashley Williams has been appointed as the new postmaster at Killawog.

   —The choir of Grace church is requested to meet to-night for practice with Mr. G. O. Bowen.

   —Rev. Dr. Tate, superintendent of the Poughkeepsie district of the Anti-saloon league, will address a temperance massmeeting at the First M. E. church, Monday evening, Dec. 18, at 8 o'clock.

   —On Sunday evening, Dec. 24, in the First Baptist church there will be given the celebrated Meese Solennelle by Gounod, rendered by a chorus, soloists, orchestra and piano in all about thirty people.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—F. D. Smith, New Year's Resolutions, page 8; Burgess, Clothing, page 8; Palmer & Go.. Christmas gifts, page 7; Horton & Truman, New Repair shop, page 5.

GENERAL PILAR KILLED ON FIRING LINE, STATE DAIRYMEN CONVENTION, AND WHOLESALE SENTENCING OF LIQUOR EXCISE VIOLATORS

 

General Gregorio del Pilar.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, December 14, 1899.

KILLED ON FIRING LINE.

General Pilar Dies at the Head of His Troops.

COVERING AGUINALDO'S FLIGHT.

Major March's Battalion Fight the Insurgents In a Mountain Pass 3,000 Feet Above the Sea and Rout Them—Hot on Aguinaldo's Trail.

   MANILA, Dec. 14.—The following dispatch, dated Cervantes, Dec. 5, has just been received from a correspondent of the press with Major March's battalion:

   "Major March, with Captains Jenkinson and Cunningham, Lieutenants Tompkins, Rucker, McClelland and Power and 125 men, is about starting for Bontoc, the principal town in the province of that name in the northeast, through an absolutely desolate country and over a mountain 10,000 feet high. He is pursuing Aguinaldo, whose escort, now reduced to 50 men, is known to be there.

   "According to the natives, Aguinaldo intends to disguise himself and to take a circuitous trail toward Bayombong, province of Nueva Vizcaya.

   "Major March, with 300 men, arrived at Cervantes in the heart of the Tilad mountains on the evening of Dec. 3, about 24 hours behind Aguinaldo, who had believed he had found an inaccessible refuge. On Dec. 2 the American commander had a wonderful fight in a cloud-enveloped mountain pass 3,000 feet above the sea, completely routing General Gregorio del Pilar's force of 200 picked men in a position almost strong enough to rival Thermopylae.

   "General Pilar died at the front of his men, urging them to make a stand, until the ball of a sharpshooter pierced his head. His followers tried to carry away the body, but were compelled to lay it down.

   "Two of the Americans were killed and were buried by their comrades where they fell. The others, carrying nine wounded, camped for the night on top of the mountain, an eminence of 4,000 feet, suffering greatly from the cold blasts. In the morning, they moved down the trail to Dagqui, where they learned that Aguinaldo with a few men and three women, all carried on litters borne by Igorrotes, had passed along the same trail to Cervantes, where he was during the fight. A runner had brought him the news of the death of his chief of staff. He was greatly affected and prepared instantly for flight.

   "General Concepcion with six officers who had deserted Aguinaldo, surrendered when Major March reached Cagayan, province of Lepanto.

   "On arriving at Cervantes, Major March's battalion was without food except rice, and had only a small supply of ammunition. Major March secured five days' rations, made arrangements for his sick and wounded and, having chosen 25 mounted and 100 dismounted men, resumed the chase at daybreak today."

   Mabini, former secretary of state in the so-called Filipino government, and Aguinaldo's ablest adviser, although of late withdrawn from official connection from the insurrection, has been captured by General MacArthur near Rosales. He will be brought to Manila. Mabini has been the leader of the extreme anti-American faction.

   General Tirona, commanding the Filipinos in the province of Cagayan, surrendered the entire province at Aparri on Dec. 11 to Captain McCalla of the United States cruiser Newark. Captain McCalla appointed him civil governor of the province, subject to the approval of General Otis.

   The surrender was with the honors of war. Captain McCalla reviewed the insurgents and General Tirona reviewed the naval forces. The Americans presented arms while the insurgents were stacking theirs.

   Captain McCalla has communicated with Major Batchelder's battalion of the Twenty-fourth infantry, which is now 90 miles south of Aparri and has been enjoying a pleasant march.

   The gunboats Princeton and Helena have entered the Aparri river. The latter will take supplies for Major Batchelder and the former will bring 300 surrendered rifles to Manila.

 

Paul Kruger.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Oom Paul's Prophecy Recalled.

   ''One more such victory," remarked Pyrrhus when congratulated on his defeat of the Romans near the river Siris, "and Pyrrhus is undone." The same idea is conveyed by General Methuen when he reports that the battle at Modder river was one of the bloodiest in the annals of the British army. If it was a victory at all, the victory, like that of Pyrrhus, was too costly to make it a cause for congratulation. According to such accounts as the British press censor has permitted to be sent out, it was, in the language of the prize ring, a draw. The loss was unquestionably heavy on both sides, the probability being that the Boers suffered more seriously than the British, though they evidently retired in good order and in position to renew their assaults.

   In view of the facts, so far as they are known, one cannot help recalling the statement made by President Kruger at the beginning of the hostilities. "We will be defeated," he said in substance. "We probably will be defeated, but at a cost that will appall the civilized world."

   That this was no idle threat is being amply demonstrated. The sturdy Afrikander yeomen will no doubt fight to the last ditch, and whatever Great Britain wins in South Africa will be at tremendous cost. Thus far British victories, particularly the so-called victory at Modder river, have every appearance of being of the Pyrrhaic order, and if actual gains have been made they have been far from commensurate with the cost.

 

THE STATE DAIRYMEN.

CONVENTION FORMALLY OPENED AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

Fine Address of Welcome by Judge Eggleston—Response by George G. Royce of Gouverneur—The President's Address—The Display at the Exhibition Hall.

   The twenty-third annual convention of the New York State Dairymen's association was formally called to order this morning at 10:30 o'clock by Vice-President George A. Smith of Geneva. At this time the floor of the Opera House was about two-thirds full, but others kept coming in till there was not a seat to be had on the floor. The overflow then betook itself to the balcony, and there is reason to believe that at the remaining sessions the place will be crowded.

   Mr. Smith introduced County Judge Joseph E. Eggleston who delivered the address of welcome. The judge was in his happiest mood, and the address was one of his best efforts. He was cordial in the warmth of his welcome; he had many serious things to say in reference to the work of the dairymen and their homes and he punctuated these with good stories and apt illustrations. He said he was there to press the button and his audience was to do the rest, and it was a very pleasing duty. Some one had said that the three sweetest words in the English language are "mother, home and heaven." He would add a fourth, "welcome." The gates of this town swing in, and not out. He remembered a sign that used to hang in a store where he was a clerk in his younger days, "If you don't see what you want, ask for it." With the full knowledge that the president of Cortland village and the four trustees were present and behind him he would recommend a better sign to them, "If you see what you want, take it."

   The judge said that the people of Cortland felt proud of their homes, their churches, their schools, their manufactories, but most of all of the outlying farms. The speaker now thinks that the happiest days of his life were those of his boyhood spent on a farm. But he didn't like picking stone and turning grindstone and he drifted away from it. But he feels that the schooling of a boy on a farm is the best training to lay the foundations for his future success. He thought he might be on delicate ground as a lawyer talking about farming. Gov. Hill once ventured on the ice in the same way when speaking at an agricultural fair when he said he was brought up between two rows of corn and a boy in the audience called out "Then he's a pumpkin."

   Reference was made to the farmers of this country, to the great wheat fields of the northwest and the assertion was made that we can feed the world. Great Britain could eat up in two months all the wheat she could raise in her possessions. If her ports were blockaded she would starve in four months if she could get no food from outsiders. Not so with our great nation. Great Britain is behind the times in her methods of farming. The judge told of seeing farmers mowing with a scythe and using hand rakes while in England last summer. A farmer who doesn't keep up with the times can't get a living.

   A warm tribute was paid to the farmer's wife, who doesn't get all the credit she is entitled to. She should have an [equal voice in the] management and in the finances of the farm.

   In conclusion Judge Eggleston welcomed all to Cortland, in the name of the village and of all the residents.

RESPONSE TO ADDRESS OF WELCOME.

   The response to Judge Eggleston's address of welcome was given by Mr. George G. Royce of Gouveneur. Mr. Royce is an earnest and forcible speaker and his remarks were well received. He spoke in part as follows:

   In responding to the very generous and cordial words of welcome by Cortland's distinguished citizen and in expressing appreciation for the hearty welcome and cordial greeting extended to the State Dairymen's convention by the citizens of Cortland that next to having the convention at Gouverneur again this year is having it at Cortland and I am sure that we shall all return to our homes at the close of the convention better men and women and better citizens than we were before we came here. We are pleased with Cortland and her citizens and with the welcome which has been extended to us. We are glad to note her evident prosperity and the beauty of her surroundings. You have in your midst a Normal school, second to none in the state, the influence from which is far-reaching and which each year is sending out a body of educated young men and women.

   On every hand we see signs of advancement. Agriculture is awaking from its Rip Van Winkle sleep and is taking on new life. Farmers are reading more good literature and are studying more than ever before. They are beginning to rely more on scientific truth than upon the phases of the moon. Farmers are beginning to realize the changed conditions and to take advantage of them. The speaker then referred to advancement along various lines and spoke at some length of the improvement in the dairy cow. He noted important inferences between the primitive cow and the modern dairy animal. The modern dairy cow is an artificial creation kept simply for profit to her owner.

   It is a mistake to assume that prosperity depends upon the manufacturer, the merchant or the mine owner. The farmer is the greatest manufacturer and the agriculturist represents the backbone of prosperity of any country.

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

   The president's address was delivered by S. Brown Richardson of Lowville, who spoke upon "Dairy Reform." His remarks were practical and timely. He called attention to the fact that during the last few years observing farmers have come to know that better milk, better butter, better cheese must be furnished to the consumers at less money, or the wheels of progress would run down. Dairymen who kept books found on the first day of January that the cow that had given milk only six months out of twelve and had given an aggregate of only 2,500 to 3,000 pounds at that had not paid her board. Man, the greatest product of nature, set out to determine how he could better things.

   Improvement has come along several lines. The first is economy of production. The product of the dairy must be put on the market at less cost to the producer. Invention came in here to help the dairyman. Next comes the beneficent lesson that "cleanliness is next to Godliness." There must be no carelessness in farm management. A greater variety of products had its place in helping out the farmer. New markets have been found. It is the duty of the State Dairymen's association to walk in the front rank and to occupy the advance line of dairy progress. It is unalterably opposed to all kinds of vicious substitutes and fraudulent imitations of honest dairy products. We should invite and encourage the co-operation of other states in cutting this plague spot from the body of our dairy industry.

EX-PRESIDENT J. S. SHATTUCK.

   At the close of Mr. Royce's address Ex- President J. S. Shattuck was introduced and addressed the convention upon "Dairymen's Mistakes." Some of the most common mistakes of dairymen are the fact that they do not always make the best of what they have under the circumstances. Another is that farmers often try to keep too many cows. Better keep fewer cows and keep them well than try to keep more.

   Farmers should raise more of their own cows and not depend upon buying them. A good dairy cow can be raised cheaper than one can be bought at present prices. He referred to the change brought about in dairy affairs by shipping milk instead of making up the product at home as in early days. Mr. Shattuck's remarks were enthusiastically applauded.

   The convention adjourned till 1:30 P.M.

   The convention this afternoon is proceeding according to the program yesterday published in The STANDARD. It continues to-night and to-morrow.

EXHIBITS AT THE SHOW ROOMS.

   Everything is now well underway at the Dairymen's convention exhibit room, and large crowds are taking advantage of this opportunity for viewing one of the finest displays of dairy products and dairy machinery and utensils ever seen in this section of the state. The hall is tastefully decorated with colored crape paper, flags, bunting, artistic posters for advertising purposes, and a large display of medals.

   The Champion Milk Cooler Co., of Cortland with the Thatcher Manufacturing Co. occupies a central position directly in front of the main entrance. They have a full line of their coolers, cheese factory, creamery and milk dealer's supplies. A Champion milk wagon is also among their exhibits. The DeLaval cream separators and Facile milk testers, for which the Cortland company is agent, are displayed on the left.

   Other exhibits include the Mosely-Stoddard Mfg. Co., with separators, vats, churns, etc.; the Wells, Richardson & Co., Butter colors; the Creamery Package Co.'s machines; Hansen's butter colors; Taber Pump Co.'s pumps; St. Albans Tread Power Co.'s tread powers; Blizzard stalk cutter; empire state and union milk cans; diamond crystal salt; Worcester salt; Genesee salt; Sharple's cream separators; Alderney butter colors; farmers favorite feed cutters; perfection milk coolers and aerators; Reed improved dairy appliances; Vermont Farm Machine Co.'s machines and the improved United States cream separators.

 

WHOLESALE SENTENCING.

Violators or the Excise Law Get Fines or Imprisonment.

   At county court this afternoon all of the defendants in the excise cases which were on the calendar of this term of county court who had not already been convicted pleaded guilty to the indictments with the exception of Ollie Ingraham and William Hess, whose case is still held open, and of George I. Crane whose case has not yet been disposed of in any way.

   Judge Eggleston then imposed sentences. The defendants were divided into four classes and were brought before him in that way. The sentences of the first class were as follows: John Murphy and Clayton Jacobs each $300 fine or sixty days in the county jail. Fred Donahue $200 fine or sixty days in the county jail.

   Stanley Raymond, Daniel Kernan and George L., each $250 fine or four months in Onondaga penitentiary.

   Charles Rowe, Michael Ray, John Andrews, Patrick Dowd, James Riley, Sr., George McKean, A. J. Goddard, J. Huller—each $350 fine or six months in Onondaga penitentiary.

   R. Burns Linderman and Frank R. Robertson—each $500 fine or one year in Onondaga penitentiary.

   Of the fines imposed under this law one-third goes to the state and two-thirds to the particular town of the county where the offense was committed.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Lyman C. Howe of Fredonia will deliver a lecture on "Spiritualism" in Good Templars' hall this evening at 8 o'clock.

   —The snow comes down as though there might be a Christmas run of sleighing. It would be a cause of rejoicing to merchants if that could be the case.

   —Many of the visitors to the Dairyman's convention have availed themselves of the fine opportunity which the Tioughnioga club has given them to visit the rooms.

   —Through the slip of a pen yesterday which was not noticed till after the paper had gone to press Judge Knox was referred to as the "administrator" of the will of the late Mrs. Bolles. Of course he is the "executor" of the will and not the "administrator," as the use of the term used was entirely incorrect.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Warren, Tanner & Co., Christmas almost here, page G; B. M. Welles, The Blizzard, page 5; Smith & Beaudry, Christmas presents, page 8; McKinney & Doubleday, Books, stationery, etc., page 6.