LADYSMITH DOOMED, DEATH OF GEORGE H. BRIGGS, REV. W. H. POUND RESIGNS, AND AMOS WAGONER, VETERAN OF INDIAN WARS

 

Winston Churchill.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, February 12, 1900.

LADYSMITH DOOMED.

From the First Buller Regarded Its Relief a Forlorn Hope.

   LONDON, Feb. 12.—Winston Churchill sends from Frere camp to The Morning Post a long review of the situation. He says:

   "General Buller always thought it impossible to hold the triangle of Natal north of the Tugela; but the initial mistake was made owing to the miscalculation of the Boer strength and the fact that millions' worth of stores had been collected at Ladysmith. From the first he regarded the relief of Ladysmith as a forlorn hope. He did not feel justified in ordering a subordinate to perform such a doubtful task.

   "The absence of good maps has cost much blood. An attempt to thrust the enemy back from Brakfontein or Doorm kloof would have cost 3,000 men; and since at least two brigades must keep the door open behind us, too few would have remained to force the way to Ladysmith. Moreover, General Buller remembers that his army is the only army for the defense of the rest of Natal. Therefore, he decided to withdraw and to try elsewhere.

   "Another fierce attempt will be made to force the Tugela. Great Britain must recognize the ugly fact that the relief of Ladysmith would strain an army of 50,000 and that 100,000 men would not be too many. The country, therefore, must be prepared for a heavy loss and perhaps for disappointment.

   "Remembering that considerations of honor, more than policy, demand ceaseless efforts to relieve Ladysmith, the whole army, despite disappointments, regards General Buller with sympathy and trust, such as are seldom seen even in fortunate circumstances.

   "The security of Southern Natal is our important consideration. The necessity of obtaining control of Delagoa bay is very apparent. The ingress of foreigners and war material is ceaseless. Surely a settlement with Portugal would be only a question of money."

 

Roosevelt Objects to Canal Treaty.

   NEW YORK, Feb. 12.—Governor Roosevelt issued this statement last night: "I most earnestly hope that the pending treaty concerning the Isthmian canal will not be ratified, unless amended so as to provide that the canal when built shall be wholly under the control of the United States alike in peace and war. This seems to me vital, no less from the standpoint of our sea power than from the standpoint of the Monroe doctrine."

 

STATEMENT FROM ROOSEVELT.

Will Not be a Candidate for the Vice-Presidency.

   ALBANY, Feb. 12—Gov. Roosevelt to-day gave out following statement: "In view of continued statements in the press that I may be urged as a candidate for vice-president and in view of many letters that reach me advising me for and against such course it is proper for me to state definitely that under no circumstances could I or would I accept a nomination for the vice-presidency. It is needless to say how deeply I appreciate the honor conferred upon me by the mere desire to place me in so high and dignified a position, but it seems to me that at the present time my duty is here in the state whose people chose me to be governor. Great problems have been faced and are being partly solved in this state at this time and if the people so desire I hope that the work thus begun I may help carry on to a successful conclusion."

   The governor in giving out the statement said: "I am happy to state that Senator Platt cordially acquiesces in my views in the matter.

 

Big Flywheel Burst.

   OSWEGO, N. Y., Feb. 12.—The flywheel of the machinery furnishing power to the street railway at the plant of the People's Electric company here burst, destroying two large dynamos and wrecking a lighting machine. No one was injured. The street railway system was crippled and all cars stopped.

 

White Man Lynched In Texas.

   KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 12.—A Times special from Port Arthur, Tex., says: James Sweeney, white, was lynched at 1 o'clock yesterday. Sweeney was a cotton screw foreman and had killed Charles Crumbach, a fellow laborer, by jamming a bayonet through his neck.

 

Old Indian Chief Dead.

   PERRY, O. T., Feb. 12.—Bear Chief, the oldest chief of Pe-Ta-How-Eh-Rat band of Pawnee Indians, is dead. He was one of the most intellectual men of the tribe.

 

McGrawville, N. Y., M. E. Church.

   A large audience was present Sunday morning and listened to an address by Rev. John Ilahi Baksh, a native of India, who gave an account of the religions of India and of his own conversion from Mohammedanism to Christianity. In the afternoon Mr. Baksh spoke at Blodgett Mills to a large congregation.

   On Sunday evening the pastor preached in the Baptist church from the text Jno [sic] v:40—'''Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life."

   On Tuesday evening an interesting lecture will be delivered on Missions and life in India by Dr. Esthau Baksh. The lecture will be illustrated with plain and colored stereoptican views. She and others will appear in native India costumes. Songs of that land will also be sung.

   Prayer-meeting will be held on Thursday evening at 7:30 as usual.

   Electric lights are being placed in the church and will be used for the first time at the lecture on Tuesday evening it is expected.

 

Death of George H. Briggs.

  Mr. George H. Briggs, formerly of Cortland, died at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon at his home in Dryden after an illness of about two months from acute uraemia. His age was 39 years and 8 months. He is survived by a wife and six children, as well as by his mother Mrs. N. M. Barnes of Charles-st., and by one brother Mr. James E. Briggs of Syracuse. Mr. Briggs was until about six years ago a resident of Cortland. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, but the hour is not yet fixed.

   Mr. James E. Briggs was down yesterday from Syracuse with Dr. Hersey G. Locke, a specialist of that city, and drove over to Dryden in the morning, but nothing that medical skill could do would avail.

 

Death of Miss Lobdell.

   Miss Ella Lobdell, formerly an assistant of Miss Emily C. Ormsby in her private school in Cortland, and later a graduate of the Cortland Normal school, and still later a teacher in the public schools of Greater New York, died at her home in Ozone Park, Long Island, Saturday morning at 5 o'clock after a ten days' illness from pneumonia. Her age was 44 years. Miss Ormsby was with her at the time of her death. The news will bring sadness to many who knew her so well in Cortland. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon and burial occurred at Albany Rural cemetery, Albany, N, Y., to-day.

 

Ten-cent Tea on East Side.

   The Ladies' Aid society of the East Side Congregational chapel will give a 10 cent tea to-morrow evening at 5:30, after which there will be the following program:

   Prayer.

   Song.

   Questions and Answers on Japan.

   Violin Solo, Harold Pound.

   Reading, Old Japan.

   Recitation, Charles Hillock.

   Solo, Miss Clara Bosworth.

   Selection, A City Without Soap.

   Instrumental Music, Harmonica and Organ, Mrs. Edna Latimer.

   Reading, New Japan.

   Recitation, Miss Anna Hull.

 

From Grip's Historical Souvenir of Cortland.

REV. W. H. POUND RESIGNS.

Will Accept Superintendency of Cleveland City Missions.

   A very large congregation assembled at the Congregational church yesterday morning, It having been imagined that the pastor might have something special to say to his people at this time in connection with the two calls which had come to him during the past week as already noted in these columns. Near the close of the service Mr. Pound read the following letter of resignation:

   To the Members of the First Congregational Church of Cortland, N. Y.:

   MY DEAR FRIENDS—For more than seven years it has been my privilege to serve you in the sacred relation of pastor and teacher. During that time doors to other fields of labor have been opened to me, but it has not seemed best to me hitherto to enter any of them.

   It is not my purpose to recount here the achievements of the pastorate nor to dwell upon the joy with which we have worked together during these years. After the most careful deliberation I believe that the time has come for me to enter upon another field of labor. I do not come to such a conclusion hastily nor without a feeling of deep personal regret at the thought of severing our relations. In the future of this church I have the largest hope and confidence. The work clearly before it is a great one, but there are strong hearts and willing hands which, under the blessing of God, will achieve success.

   In the providence of God, as I believe, I have been invited to take up a work the nature of which must appeal strongly to every Christian worker. I do not expect to leave you for a field of quiet ease and pastoral dignity, but for one full of perplexing questions and hard work, yet also glorious in its possibilities for the extension of the kingdom of God.

   The position to which I have been invited is that of superintendent of the Congregational City Missionary society of Cleveland, O.

   The object of this society is to promote the coming of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ through the establishing and support of mission stations, chapels, Sabbath schools and Congregational churches in Cleveland and vicinity. The opportunity for Christian service there is very large and I believe that I am divinely led to enter it.

   I do, therefore, formally tender you my resignation as your pastor and teacher. I would suggest that the resignation take effect March 4, 1900; that the church take action upon the resignation next Thursday evening (February 15,) and that a council to examine the proceedings and, if expedient, to approve our action, be invited to assemble Wednesday, Feb. 28.

   I earnestly pray and believe that the blessing of God will rest upon you in the carrying on of the church work and in the maintenance of that exceedingly important branch of our work at the East Side.

   I do not leave you without sorrow at the thought of parting, but I also go with gladness to the-work which beckons me.

   Yours in Christian service and love,

   WILLIAM HATHAWAY POUND, Cortland, N. Y., Feb. 11, 1900.

   Mr. Pound came to Cortland in the fall of 1892 and early won the respect and regard of all of his church. There has been a wonderful spirit of unanimity throughout the church and society during his pastorate; and the church has been very prosperous. He has also been highly esteemed by the whole community and by all with whom he has come in contact. He is a corporate member of the American board of commissioners for foreign missions and a trustee of the New York State Home society.

   The resignation, though not unexpected because of the former notice of his calls, was received with deep sadness and thorough regret on the part of all. Some idea has previously been given in these columns of the position to which he goes and the best wishes of all will accompany him to his new field of labor.

 

Ministerial Association.

   The Ministerial association of Cortland, Homer and vicinity held a regular monthly meeting in the Y. M. C. A. parlors to-day. This morning Dr. B. W. Hamilton of Homer talked before the association on the office and work of the Holy Spirit. This was followed by a lively discussion by all the members.

   This afternoon, Rev. U. S. Milburn led a discussion on the relation of ministers to sociology, in which much interest was manifested.

   Those present at the meeting are: Dr. Hamilton, Homer; J. E. Fish, Marathon; J. H. Zartman, Groton; W. Kettle, Homer; O. M. Owen, Cortland; J. H. Behrens, E. H. Baldwin, Tully; C. W. Negus, Homer; W. H. Pound, Cortland; J. C. B. Moyer, Cortland; W. Wardell, Scott; Edson Rogers, Cincinnatus; B. Franklin, Locke; Mr. Decker, Fabius; Evangelist Ensign, New York; Mr. Bock, India; W. S. Warren, Blodgett Mills; O. Mather, Dryden; G. H. Brigham, Cortland; Dr. O. A. Houghton, U. S. Milburn and W. J. Howell, Cortland.

 

McMahan—Gerrard.

   Mr. Eugene Edward McMahon and Miss Margaret Gerrard were married at 8:30 o'clock this morning in St. Mary's Catholic church by Rev. J. J. McLoghlin. A very large number of relatives and friends were present. The bride looked very pretty indeed in a becoming traveling suit of light green broadcloth. She was attended by her sister Miss Lizzie Gerrard, the maid of honor, and the best man was Mr. William F. McMahon, brother of the groom. A very elaborate wedding breakfast was served at the home of the bride after the ceremony, and while there the guests took the opportunity to look over the presents which were very numerous and beautiful. Mr. and Mrs. McMahon left to-day for a short wedding trip which will include Binghamton and some other places.

 

Veteran of Indian Wars.

   Mr. Amos B. Wagoner, an octogenarian residing at East Scott, N. Y., is probably the oldest resident in the northern part of the county. Mr. Wagoner informed a STANDARD man last week that if his life was spared until March 10, 1900, he would celebrate his 83rd birthday. He was born in the town of Lidden Green, Mass., March 10, 1817. When a young man he enlisted in the Indian war, Aug. 14, 1838, with Captain Brown under Lieutenant Hunt, company F, Third artillery, at Fort Macon, North Carolina, and continued in the service for five years fighting the Seminoles, a savage tribe of Indians who were led by the noted Chief Couchier, better known as the Wild Cat.

   After the close of the war Mr. Wagoner who has been a lifelong Republican removed to East Scott, up Cold Brook, with his trusty rifle by his side. He cleared the farm upon which he now resides from a dense forest in which wild game abounded plentifully. Mr. Wagoner is a wonderfully well preserved man possessed of a very retentive memory which enables him to give dates and relate his interesting war experiences which occurred more than a half century ago.

 

Sousa on Wednesday.

   Like Alexander, the peerless Sousa is looking for new worlds to conquer. Having taken the American continent into complete subjection long ago and held it a willing captive, he is now looking toward the old world, whither he goes with his entire organization of sixty players on April 1, for a protracted concert tour, as well as a remarkably auspicious engagement at the Paris Exposition, by special appointment as the official American band. The tour of the old world continent includes many of the capitals and places of note. For a long time strenuous efforts have been made to get Sousa and his band in Europe, and the plan was nearly carried through for the summer of 1898, but the sudden breaking out of the Spanish-American war made it advisable to cancel the contracts.

   By the selection by the American commissioners of the Paris Exposition of Sousa to open the great world's exhibition on April 14, the subsequent term of engagement, which includes a number of great fete days, the propitious hour for a European tour came.

   Meantime Sousa will tour the East and middle-West here before sailing for Paris, April 1. Of the cities included, less than ninety in all, our own is one, and the only Sousa concert here this season will occur on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 14 at 2 o'clock at Cortland Opera House.

   The special soloists are Miss Blanche Duffield, soprano, and Miss Bertha Bucklin, violinist. Certain of the band soloists may also be heard.

 

BREVITIES.

   —To-day is Lincoln's birthday and a legal holiday.

   —The Gus Sun Rising Minstrels left for Geneva this morning over the Lehigh Valley railroad.

   —Revival services at the Free Methodist church every evening this week except Saturday evening.

   — The total deficiency of the defaulting treasurer of Tompkins county has finally been figured up at $19,269.88.

   —A regular meeting of the Royal Arcanum will be held to-morrow evening, Feb. 13, at 7:30 o'clock at G. A. R. hall.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Bingham & Miller, Correct styles in hats, page 8; F. D. Smith, Red Cross ranges, page 6 .

   —A regular meeting of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A. of Cortland will be held in the association rooms to-night at 8 o'clock.

   —The STANDARD is under obligations to Mr. J. E. Fish of Marathon for a copy of the proceeding of the thirty-eighth anniversary and reunion of the Tenth New York Cavalry held in Cortland August 29, 30 and 31.