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| Judge A. P. Smith. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, March 16, 1900.
CORTLAND IN 1878.
INTERESTING LOCAL EVENTS OF THAT YEAR.
Impeachment Proceedings Begun Against Judge A. P. Smith—The Charges Dismissed by Gov. Robinson—Many Fires in Cortland—Democratic Member of Assembly Elected—Brief Mentions.
A source of much anxiety in Cortland during 1878 was the numerous fires occurring in the village, nearly all of which seemed to be of an incendiary origin. On the 5th of February the entire plant of the Cortland Jewett Milk Pan manufactory in Owego-st., near the tracks of the U., I. & E. railroad was destroyed, entailing a loss of $5,000 over the insurance. February 23 a barn belonging to Sackett L. Wright, located in Mill-st., (now Clinton-st.,) was burned. On the 13th of April H. F. Benton met with a very serious loss his planing mill located near the D., L. & W. depot being burned. His loss was estimated at $12,000. Mr. Benton, with his accustomed energy, began immediately to rebuild, and on May 20 he had steam up in a new plant and was ready for business. April 29 the Cortland foundry and machine shop caught fire, the loss being placed at $5,000. In May a building occupied by the Cortland Wagon company, east of the railroad tracks, was burned. July 5, Mrs. Severance's millinery store in Orchard-st. was consumed, together with the entire stock of millinery and household goods. The loss was estimated at $3,000.
IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.
Early in 1878 charges of malfeasance in office were preferred against Judge A. P. Smith and impeachment proceedings were begun. This furnished Cortland people with plenty of food for conversation during the summer and the newspapers warmed up to the subject in first-class style. The Homer Republican, at that time owned and edited by Wm. O. Bunn, championed the cause of Judge Smith, the two Cortland papers being in favor of impeachment. The committee to present the charges before Gov. Lucius Robinson was composed of Riley Champlin, B. T. Wright and I. H. Palmer. Twenty-eight charges against the judge were prepared, and included extortion, bribery, receiving illegal fees, and various offenses. Although Gov. Robinson was a Democrat and Judge Smith was a radical Republican, the charges were dismissed by the governor late in the fall, but not until the matter had been pretty thoroughly ventilated by the press and people.
SUDDEN DEATH OF DR. STREET.
Rev. Dr. Thomas Street, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Cortland, died very suddenly on the cars between Syracuse and Oswego on the 17th of October. Dr. Street had been to Onondaga Valley to perform the marriage ceremony between Edward H. Brewer and Miss Ainslie the day previous, and in company with Rev. O. H. Seymour took passage at Syracuse for Oswego. Both gentlemen occupied the same seat, and just after the train left Fulton Dr. 8treet died instantly. H. F. Benton was in Oswego on that day, and he took charge of the remains and brought them to Cortland. On the Sunday following, memorial services were held in every church in the village.
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| Attorney O. U. Kellogg. |
FIREMANIC NEWS.
The officers of the Cortland fire department for 1878 were as follows: Chief, I. H. Palmer; first assistant, C. Fred Thompson; second assistant, C. E. Ingalls; secretary, Howard J. Harrington; treasurer, Otis C. Smith.
Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co.: Foreman, H. L. Gleason; first assistant, W. P. Robinson; second assistant, John Phelps; secretary, Frank S. Bosworth; treasurer, John V. Loucks; property clerk, Irving B. Fairchilds.
Water Witch Engine Co.: Foreman, A. G. Newton; first assistant, John Finn; second assistant, Joseph Dalton; secretary, John Livingston; treasurer, George Lathe.
Water Witch Hose Co.: Foreman, F. E. Plumb; assistant, C. S. Strowbridge; secretary, C. F. Brown; treasurer, O. C. Smith; pipemen, Thomas Mulligan, R. D. Buckingham, J. H. Wallace, F. B. Sperry.
One evening in June, 1878, the members of Orris Hose company, which was named after Hon. O. U. Kellogg, in company with the board of engineers and the Odd Fellows band, went down to the home of Mr. Kellogg, the members of Orris company wearing their new uniforms, where a most delightful evening was spent. Refreshments were served, and during the evening Frank E. Plumb, in behalf of the company, presented Mr. Kellogg with a handsome gold badge with "Compliments of Orris Hose" engraved upon it.
POLITICAL MATTERS.
A working man and Greenback party club was organized in Cortland in February with the following officers: President, Fred P. McFeely; vice-president, Chas. W. Carter; recording secretary, James P. Hotchkiss; corresponding secretary, John Dolphin; treasurer, Edmund Atwell; executive committee, E. D. Mallery, H. T. Shirley, M. F. Cleary, J. M. Smith. J. S. Barber, Geo. Nottingham, F. B. Wharton, H. A. Randall, Wm. W. Winters.
At the annual February town meetings the Republicans elected eight supervisors, the Democrats six, and the Greenback party one. The Republicans chosen were as follows: Cortland, Delos McGraw; Cuyler, H. D. Waters; Freetown, Jacob Seeber; Harford, S. H. Steele; Homer, S. McBarber; Marathon, Patrick Mallery; Scott, E. D. Crosley; Solon, I. J. Walker. The towns which elected Democratic supervisors were as follows: Cincinnatus, H. M. Kingman; Preble, Albert E. Carr; Taylor, J. L. Cotton; Truxton, Dr. J. C. Nelson; Virgil, R. M. Price; Willet, Willson Greene. Lapeer elected Jerome Squires, who had united his fortunes with the Greenback Labor party
At the annual charter election in March Cortland village elected John S. Barber president, L. J. Fitzgerald and A. Mahan trustees.
The Republican county ticket in 1878 was as follows: Member of assembly, Wm. A. Bentley; county treasurer, Rob't Bushby; justice of sessions, Theron N. Hollister; coroner, H. Hendrick.
Greenback Labor ticket: Member of assembly, Geo. H. Arnold; county treasurer, E. D. Harris; justice of sessions, Wm. E. Hunt; coroner, A. D. Reed.
Democratic county ticket: Member of assembly, Geo. H. Arnold; county treasurer, George Murray; justice of sessions, Joel Call; coroner, A. D. Reed.
At the annual election in November Geo. H. Arnold was chosen member of assembly by the narrow margin of 13 majority. The remainder of the Republican ticket was elected.
MARRIAGES.
In May, Chas. H. Danes and Miss May Brown, both of Homer. July 25, Wm. J. Perkins and Miss May E. Howe. October 2, Eli J. Colegrove and Miss Anna J. Rorapaugh. October 16, Edward H. Brewer and Miss Edna A. Ainslie. October 3, Chas. H. Price and Miss Gertie L. Beard. December 31, R. Fred Brooks and Miss Frank L. Harter. October 30, Judson L. Marritt and Miss Elia M. Gridley.
BRIEF MENTIONS.
Early in January B. T. Wright and John W. Suggett formed a law partnership.
A very successful evening school was conducted in Cortland, and among the teachers were Mrs. Frank Place, C. P. Walrad, Miss S. E. Collins, Miss Mary Knapp and Frank Pierce.
During the fore part of the year Wesley Hooker, who had previously sold out his newspaper interests in Cortland, conducted the Dispatch at Erie. Pa.
A distressing accident occurred in Connecticut in January, by which a Groton house was thrown into mourning. Two sisters named Mary E. and Hattie A. McCarger, living in Groton, were engaged in teaching at Hartford, and while on a train near that place a bridge collapsed. Both were instantly killed.
A farmers' club was organized February 14 in Cortland, with the following officers: President, A. D. Blodgett; vice-president, D. H. Hitchcock; secretary, T. Mason Loring; treasurer, A. P. Rowley.
John D. Benton, who had only a few years previous been sheriff of Cortland county, and whose home was in this village, left February 22 for Dakota, where he has since resided.
On March 13 the Cortland County Poultry and Pet Stock association was organized with the following officers, nearly all of whom are still living in the village: President, A. Sager; first vice-president, L. D. C. Hopkins; second vice-president, W. E. Powers; third vice-president, Myron Wooster; secretary, J. H. Hull; treasurer, Ed. Keator.
The Cortland DEMOCRAT of an April issue is quoted from as follows: "We are informed that Caleb Hitchcock of Cincinnatus has purchased the old Methodist church edifice on Elm-st., also the cobble stone building situated nearly opposite, and intends to convert the same into a large carriage manufactory." That was the foundation of the Hitchcock [carriage] shops which have since became famous.
On Sunday, April 1, over one hundred converts were baptized in the Presbyterian church.
I. H. Palmer and Howard Huntington formed a law partnership.
H. T. Bushnell, the present clerk of Cortland county, moved from Harford to Towanda in September, 1878.
Andrew Rood, who resided on North Main-st., committed suicide July 3. He went to the barn after arising in the morning and shot himself with a pistol.
A sad accident occurred July 20, by which George Roome lost his life. As the express wagon started from the D., L. & W. depot young Roome, who was 20 years old, boarded the wagon for a ride. As the driver turned into H. F. Benton's driveway at the lumber yard, Roome fell off the wagon. He was about town afterwards, but died the next day, the spinal cord being injured and he also suffered with concussion of the brain.
Cortland came near losing Prof. (now Dr.) S. J. Sornberger during the summer of 1878. He accepted a position as principal of the High school at Port Jervis, and just before time for him to enter upon his duties he received a flattering offer to become a teacher in the Cortland Normal. He went to Port Jervis, accompanied by a companion whom he knew to be well qualified to take charge of the school at that place, was released and his friend engaged in his stead, and Prof. Sornberger returned to Cortland to begin several years' service in the Normal.
T. H. Wickwire erected a fine dwelling house in Church st. in the summer of 1878.
Jas. A. Nixon was appointed post-master at Cortland in July, and took possession of the office August 1.
Early in July John Ryan of Virgil was arrested on the charge of criminal assault upon his adopted daughter. On the 13th he committed suicide in the jail, having cut his throat from ear to ear.
A little son of Albert Steadman at Homer fell into a cistern and was drowned.
Eudorus C. Kinney of Truxton, a very competent teacher at the present time, was the successful candidate in a competitive examination for a free scholarship at Cornell university, held August 24.
Wm. Riley opened a grocery store in Cortland in August.
The First National bank of Homer was organized in the fall of 1S78, the officers chosen being as follows: President, Geo. N. Copeland; vice-president George Murray; cashier, Wm. H. Crane.
M. E. conference appointments made in September were as follows: Cortland, G. W. Izer; Homer, Silas Ball; Cincinnatus, A. C. Smith; McGrawville, P. H. Wiles; Preble, M. Z. Haskins; Virgil, James Gutsell; Scott, A. D. Smith.
During the fall of 1878 Cortland contributed over $700 for the yellow fever sufferers in the South,$126 being raised Rev. B. F. McLoghlin at a collection taken at St Mary's church.
Wm. D. Tuttle was the Republican candidate for school commissioner in the First District.
On the 24th of September a serious [horse carriage] runaway occurred in Port Watson-st., in which Miss Sarah Kinney and Miss Jennie Thompson were seriously injured.
George Hoffman, who lived near Tully, died September 30, and the circumstances of his death were so suspicious that an investigation followed, disclosing the fact that his tea had been poisoned. His wife and son were arrested soon afterwards, the son stating that he put arsenic in his tea at the request of his mother. The wife was discharged and the son was held for the action of the grand jury.
On October 3 a woman was run over by the noon train on the Syracuse & Binghamton road between Cortland and Homer and instantly killed.
A large and nearly new barn belonging to N. R. Brown, at Solon, was burned, together with ninety tons of hay.
Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Cleary celebrated the 25th anniversary of their marriage October 18.
The Cortland Wagon company erected one of the large buildings now used as its manufactory, 208 feet long and 42 feet wide.
A. D. Wallace returned December 16 from Brazil, and was met at the depot by Orris Hose company, escorted to the Cortland House and entertained at supper.
Base Ball in Cortland.
That the Cortland Base Ball Association will give our people an opportunity to witness exciting games the coming season is very evident, the selection of officers of the organization and the choice of players being a guarantee of a successful season. The board of directors have chosen the following officers:
President—Daniel J. Reilly.
Vice president—Joseph M. Smith.
Secretary—W. A. Wallace.
Treasurer—T. J. Murray.
Executive Committee—M. T. Roche, Bert Bosworth, Edward Ringer, Wm. F. Maher and Thomas Kane.
Cortland at present has several men signed for the season, while others are expected to return contracts in a few days. The players signed are Mullin and Gannon, who played with the team last year; Townsend, Quinn, McCormick, Veil and Sullivan. The first three players are quite well known. Quinn, who is signed as catcher, comes to the team with an enviable record. Two years ago he played in the Western league, and last year he was the star catcher of the New England league, leading the catchers of the league in fielding, and batting an average of 346. McCormick, who played in the Atlantic league last year till it dissolved, has been secured to hold third base. He played in the Western league two years ago and is considered a fast ball player. Veil has been signed to pitch, and it is believed that he will continue the good work he did in several independent clubs of the southern tier last year. Connie Mack of Milwaukee, who recommended Conray to Cortland last year, this year sends Sullivan to fill the position of short-stop. Peter O'Brien of last year's Binghamton team will cover second base [for] Cortland, and he will be a valuable addition.
Ingersoll Out on $10,000 Bail.
ITHACA, March 11.—Late this afternoon Charles Ingersoll, ex-County Treasurer, was released from custody on $10,000 bail, which was the amount fixed by County Judge Almy. The bond was signed by Clarence Wyckoff, president of the Cornell Heights Land Company, and by Mrs. Edith L. Morgan and was approved by Judge Almy.
Sheriff Seamon, who brought Ingersoll back from Kansas, related the following facts of his discovery and capture: When Ingersoll first left Ithaca he went to Pennsylvania and from their directly west and at no time was in New York or Buffalo, as was reported. Upon his arrival in Iowa he engaged board and lodging at a boarding house, where his fellow boarders noticed his strange and troubled condition. On frequent occasions he was discovered weeping. This aroused their suspicions, which might not have led to his arrest had he not carelessly left a letter in his room from his son, and one from one of his sisters in this city, which his companions took the liberty to read. In the one from his son it was mentioned that a reward had been offered by the supervisors of this county. The one from his sister expressed a hope that he would soon be a free man. This confirmed his companions' suspicions, and they made their discoveries known to the sheriff, who proceeded to the boarding house, made the arrest and notified the authorities in this county.
Damage Suit.
C. Lee Saltsman of Virgil has commenced an action in supreme court through his attorney, Lester Mallory of Dryden, against Thomas R. Space for damages for gaining the affections of his wife. Trial to be held in Cortland county. Geo. E. Monroe of Dryden is attorney for Mr. Space. Mr. Saltsman seems very downhearted at the loss of his wife.
HERE AND THERE.
Coal dealers have looked happy since winter came on.
Farmers' Institutes are numerous in Central New York.
And here it goes; there are to be appointed eleven additional game protectors—protects pockets of the party heelers potentially.
A correspondent of the New York Farmer claims more hens are kept in the town of Groton than in any other in the state. In a radius of one mile more than 4,000 hens are kept for egg production, which average a dollar a year each, clean profit.
Talking about profit in poultry, an exchange tells of a farmer who gave his daughter two chickens and promised to feed the increase for four years provided she took care of them. She has $64 in the bank, 200 chickens that he is buying feed for, and it looks as if she would own the farm at the end of four years.
J. O. Reid, landlord of the Moravia House, formerly of Cortland, lost a valuable horse Sunday, Mr. Reid had been out exercising the animal and when he returned to the barn he noticed the horse did not appear well. Dr. Doyle was summoned and pronounced the trouble to be muco interitis and apoplexy of the large bowels, the most serious disease among horses. The animal lived but a few minutes. The horse was a half brother of Patchen.
Baseball players and managers are talking of introducing a system of signals to be used in the future by the baseball umpire for the purpose of conveying his decisions to the spectators at games who occupy seats out of hearing of his voice. All fans at one time or another have suffered some inconvenience because they could not make out the nature of decisions at a distance from the home plate, and the manner in which many of them are taking up the discussion shows that they want a more satisfactory arrangement. It has been proposed to make a complete code of signals to be used by all league umpires. If the plan is put into practice the code will be printed upon the backs of all league score cards and the umpires will be compelled to use it. It has been suggested that the extending of the umpire's right arm above his head shall indicate that he has called a strike and that the rising of his left arm means that a ball has been called.
Rev. Robert Yost of St. Louis, Mo., will preach in the Congregational church on Sunday, morning and evening.
We are under obligations to the Theta Phi fraternity of the Homer academy for an invitation to their second annual banquet which will be at the Sautelle house this evening.
We have had, so far, more sleighing in March than in all the rest of the winter months together.
If this heavy body of snow goes off with a rush it will require Noah and his boat to save some of us.
A teachers' institute has been appointed for both commissioner districts of Cortland county, to be held April 9 to 14 at the Normal school, Cortland, Prof. Irving B. Smith, A. M., conductor.
The regular monthly meeting of the Political Equality club of Cortland will be held at the home of Dr. Lydia Strowbridge, Monday, March 19, at 2:30 P. M. All members and friends are urged to be present, as business of importance is to be transacted.
Thos. N. Leach of the Lackawanna depot restaurant has always possessed a faculty of making his hens lay, breaking his neighbors records nearly every year. During the month of February his 22 hens supplied him with 346 eggs without coaxing, and he thinks that with careful nursing he could have run the total up to 500. His hens are of the Second ward Democratic variety.
With this issue the DEMOCRAT begins its thirty-seventh volume, and all will admit that it still continues to be the brightest and best newspaper published in Cortland.
The chances favor big floods the coming spring. If mild weather should set in and the snow and ice go off in a hurry, much damage will be done in many places from high water. The icy covering of the ground will prevent the earth from absorbing as much water as usual, and it will therefore have to run off rapidly into the creeks and rivers, and unless occasional frosts set in to check the flow, will certainly cause trouble.
Village politics nowadays are rather tame compared with the good old days ten or twelve years ago when no nominations were required and the election of "woodchuck" tickets were as a rule, rather than the exception. Caucuses and conventions were generally held but a few days before a corporation election, and each party provided its own tickets, which were very simple affairs compared with the elaborate official ballots now used. Sometimes there would be a dozen split tickets in the field, and many of them were often made the night before election. The blanket ballot discourages the splitting of tickets, because most voters are afraid that if they begin splitting, they will spoil their ballot and it will be thrown out.
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