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| Wickwire Works, Cortland, N. Y. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, March 30, 1900.
CORTLAND IN 1880.
INTERESTING LOCAL EVENTS OF THAT YEAR.
Three Fires Within a Month—Two Suicides—The Wickwire Shops Built—A Memorable Presidential Campaign—A Year of Extensive Building.
Three quite extensive fires between April 3 and May 7 furnished food for comment in Cortland, the first occurring in Silverman's photograph gallery in the Givens & Hubbard block, April 3, entailing a loss of about $5,000. On the 18th of April fire was discovered in the basement of a store occupied by Burdick & Co. in the Taylor hall block. The fire was confined principally to the underground room, but the upper rooms were damaged by water and smoke, the losses being placed as follows: Burdick & Co., $500; Delos Sanders, $300; J. C. Gray, $50; Geo. H. Arnold, $300; J. W. Suggett, law library, $75; the [law] libraries of B. T. Wright and Shankland & Shankland were also damaged to some extent. The loss on building was placed at $700.
About midnight of May 7 fire was discovered in the upper story of the building used by the Cortland Foundry & Machine company, destroying one hundred finished horse hoes, between 300 and 400 unfinished and a large amount of other wood work. The loss was estimated at from $10,000 to $12,000.
SUICIDE OF JULIA BENJAMIN.
On the 29th of February Miss Julia Benjamin, daughter of J. Wesley Benjamin, committed suicide. During the day she bought some strychnine at Geo. H. Arnold's drug store. After tea she called upon friends in the village, and was accompanied home by a young man who staid [sic] until 11 o'clock. At 12 o'clock her father heard a strange noise in her room, and upon forcing it open he found her in convulsions, with a tumbler containing the strychnine sediment by the side of the bed. She died at 1:40. Miss Benjamin was a young lady who was highly esteemed by everybody, and the only reason assigned for the deed was that she had formed an attachment for the young man who visited her, which was not reciprocated by him.
SUICIDE AFTER MARRIAGE.
Saturday evening, May 8, a young man named Wm. H. Frize was married. The next afternoon he took a dose of morphine with suicidal intent and died Monday morning. No reason was given for the rash act.
MARRIAGES.
Marriages of people now well known in Cortland were as follows: Dec. 31, 1879, by Rev. A. J. Hutton, Wm. H. Clark, editor of the Standard, and Miss Nellie Street, daughter of Rev. Thos. Street. February 4, by Rev. C. W. Bennett, Prof. S. J. Sornberger of Cortland, and Miss Kate M. Foster of Burnt Hills, Saratoga county. February 11, by Rev. P. D. Root, Otis D. Patrick and Miss Louisa F. Kenney, both of Truxton. November 12, 1879, by Rev. O. M. Martin, Thos. N. Leach of Willet and Sarah A. Dickenson of Virgil. March 30, by Rev. G. W. Izer, Horace H. Robbins and Miss Ada Upson, both of Cortland. April 24, by Rev. Riley Stone, Eugene E. Ellis of Etna and Miss Alice Blinn of McLean. August 11. Rev B. F. McLoghlin, Peter Nodecker and Miss Jennie McNally, both of Cortland. October 6, by Rev. S. N. Westcott, W. L. Bean and Miss Mary L. Russell, both of McGrawville. October 27, by Rev. J. W. Putnam, N. P. Meager and Miss Carrie A. Fertig, both of Cortland. December 7, by Rev. E. Horr, Dr. Geo. H. Smith and Miss Mary A. Bouton.
BUSINESS FIRMS.
To show the business changes during the twenty years intervening between 1880 and 1900, we give the firms who advertised at that time: L. D. Garrison, groceries, provisions, confectionery, fruits, etc.; R B. Fletcher, undertaking; J. M. Samson, dry goods; Sackett L. Wright, shoes; George T. Lester, toys and confectionery; Warren & Tanner, dry goods; Mrs. A. M. Palmer, millinery; C. F. Thompson, groceries Fish & Walrad, (E. A. Fish and C. P. Walrad), dry goods; S. E. Welch, dry goods; Smith Robinson, meat market; S. C. Brown, market; B. E. Miller, guns; Sherwood Bros., groceries; Tanner Bros., dry goods; Burdick & Co., clothing; Phil Sugarman, clothing; Smith & Kingsbury, stoves; Cobb & Perkins, wholesale confectionery; Ed. H. Bates, groceries.
POLITICAL MATTERS.
The two candidates for president in 1880 were James A Garfield, Republican, and Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, Democrat. Gen. Hancock was one of the most popular candidates ever put in nomination by the Democracy, and up to within two weeks of the election it was generally conceded that he would win. The tariff was one of the issues of the campaign, and in an interview as to his view upon the question Gen. Hancock remarked that the tariff was a local issue. In the sense in which he intended his views were correct, but the New York Sun, which had been one of his strongest supporters, ridiculed the statement and practically contributed to his defeat.
At the village election in March, L. J. Fitzgerald was elected president, and D. E. Smith and A. Mahan trustees.
At the Democratic county convention held in April, two contesting delegations appeared from the town of Cortlandville. S. S. Knox was elected chairman, and James Dougherty secretary. The committee on contested seats was composed of E. B. Husted, I. H. Palmer, W. B. Mynard, Seth Hobart and Seneca P. Smith, who reported in favor of seating the following: L. J. Fitzgerald, B. B. Jones, Dr. H. T. Dana, E. M. Hulbert, S. S. Knox and Daniel Van Hoesen. The convention then elected Dr. J. C. Nelson, L. J. Fitzgerald and E. B. Husted as delegates to the state convention
A Hancock and English club was organized in June with the following officers: President, Wm. H. Shankland; vice-presidents Dr. H. T. Dana, H. J. Messenger, L. J. Fitzgerald, O. U. Kellogg, E. M. Hulbert, B. B. Morehouse, J. R. Schermerhorn, Lewis S. Hayes, Chas. B. Warren and B. F. Taylor; treasurer, C. Smith; executive committee, S. S. Knox, I. H. Palmer, Delos Bauder, Hugh Duffey, S. N. Gooding, Frank E. Plumb.
The Republican county convention, held September 30, was a very stormy affair, a fight arising over the control of the county committee. For the nomination of member of assembly several ballots were taken before a choice was made, A. A. Carley and Jos. E. Eggleston being the leading candidates, Mr. Carley winning on the seventh ballot. Oscar Miner was nominated for justice of sessions.
A young men's Hancock and English club was organized late in the campaign, with Chas. F. Brown president; among the vice-presidents were F. E. Plumb, W. J. Greenman and Silas W. Sherwood.
The Democrats nominated Platt Peck of Solon for member of assembly.
During the campaign, Gen. Daniel E. Sickles and Gov. Blair spoke at a Democratic meeting held in Taylor hall.
NEW BUILDINGS.
Probably more buildings were erected in Cortland for residences and business purposes in 1880 than in any one year since its incorporation as a village. Wickwire Bros. purchased from W. R. Randall three acres of land near what is now known as the Lehigh railroad tracks, and on the first day of March ground was broken for the immense plant which has since been the pride of Cortland. The buildings were completed the latter part of May. In speaking of the plant the DEMOCRAT at that time said: "This new enterprise will necessitate the employment of a large number of men and be a great acquisition to the village in more respects than one."
The Keator block, corner of Main and Port Watson-sts., was rebuilt and remodeled early in the summer.
Other buildings were erected as follows: George L. Warren, his fine residence corner of Railroad and Greenbush-sts.; Rev. Geo. H. Brigham, the house on Prospect-st., sold by him last fall; S. J. Sornberger bought a lot on Greenbush-st. with the intention of building a house; Theodore Stevenson's fine house on Church-st was built in 1880; F. J. Doubleday caused the erection of a house in North Main-st.; George C. Hubbard erected a residence on Port Watson-st.; Adolph Frost's house on Tompkins-st. was built in that year.
FIREMANIC NEWS.
The officers of Excelsior Hook and Ladder company were as follows: Foreman, E. A. McMillan; first assistant, E. F. Jennings; second assistant, S. L. Palmer; Secretary, F. L. Bosworth; treasurer, C. J. May; trustees, H. J. Harrington, W. P. Robinson, Frank H. Cobb.
A. D. Wallace was foreman of Orris Hose company, and that veteran fireman, M. F. Cleary, was foreman of Emerald Hose company.
Water Witch Engine company went over to Greene in the fall of 1880 to attend a tournament, and succeeded in capturing a silver trumpet as a prize for throwing water the greatest distance.
At a contest for a gold headed cane given by the Emerald Hose company in April, Hugh Duffey was the successful winner by the vote of 1477 to 820 for A. M. Schermerhorn.
On the 26th of April a special election was held to decide whether the village should buy a chemical engine, and the project was defeated, the vote being 221 against and 71 for the purchase.
NORMAL SCHOOL WAR.
No event in Cortland has ever created more excitement and more ill feeling than an effort, which terminated successfully, to remove Dr. J. H. Hoose from the principalship of the Normal school. Dr. Hoose had been in charge of the school since March 3, 1869, a period of eleven years. Neil Gilmour was superintendent of public instruction in 1880, and had been since 1874. In the canvass for superintendent at the session of the legislature in 1880, Dr. Hoose gave his support to another candidate. Mr. Gilmour visited the Cortland Normal school May 24 and 25 and reported the school as enjoying prosperity, and on the 28th of June he wrote to Dr. Hoose asking for his peremptory resignation as principal of the school. Dr. Hoose declined to send his resignation, and the result was the matter was taken to the courts, and Dr. Hoose [was] finally removed.
BRIEF MENTIONS.
On the 19th of January, 1880, Edgar D. Phillips was appointed agent at the Cortland station of the U. I. & E. railroad, a position which he has held continuously ever since, besides serving as agent for the several express companies which have done business in Cortland since that date. This is pretty good evidence that Mr. Phillips is a careful business man and that he is popular with the public.
From the market reports given in the DEMOCRAT during January we find oats quoted at 45 cents a bushel, corn at 60 cents, wheat $1.40 and butter 30 cents a pound.
Early in January of that year Wm. Newkirk, Ernest M. Hulbert and R. C. Tillinghast bought what was then known as the "Brick Hardware Store" in Port Watson-st.
The following item appeared in a January issue of the DEMOCRAT: ''There is considerable talk about a horse railroad between this village and Homer. It is thought that it would pay." In view of the present system of communication between the two places, we are led to exclaim, "The world do move."
Early in the year of 1880 the Baptist church extended a call to the Rev. J. W. Putnam of Watertown to become pastor of the church, and the call was subsequently accepted.
In February Sackett L. Wright bought the block corner of Main and Court-sts, for $9,000.
Attorney B. T. Wright was lodge deputy of the Good Templar organization,
Horace L Root of Dryden, an ex-sheriff of Tompkins county and a gentleman well known in this section, committed suicide March 6 by hanging himself.
E. D. Mallery opened a gas and steam fitting shop in the Eagle block.
Chas. T. Peck, who now lives on Greenbush-st., Cortland, was postmaster at Solon, resigning the office in April.
At an international exhibition held in Australia during 1880 the Cortland Wagon company secured first premium on two express wagons and also first premium on two light platform spring wagons, there being fifty competitors. And they do just as fine work now as they did in 1880.
Cortland boasted of a telephone line in 1880, a crude affair having been established between the Dexter House and a grocery store. It was said to have been a convenient arrangement.
One day in June a sham battle in Cortland was witnessed by 8,000 people, the Excelsior Hook & Ladder company realizing a profit of $1,200.
Chas. E. Bennett, for some years past a successful practitioner in this place, graduated from the Syracuse Medical university in June.
Frank I. Brooks of Cortland met a sudden death in June, 1880. He went to Blodgett Mills, and upon returning attempted to board a coal train. He missed his fooling and fell, the train crushing his right leg. He died from his injuries the same night.
Prof. J. M. Milne graduated from the Rochester university in July with the A. B. [artium baccalaureus] degree.
The population of Cortland, as given by the United States census taken in 1880, was 7,079.
During the month of July J. S. Bull leased the Homer and Cortland gas works and reduced the price to $3 per 1,000 feet The company is now furnishing $1 gas.
On the 23d day of July, Edward Barnes of Harford was killed in a runaway.
On the 7th day of August, Lewis S. Hayes closed a contract for 3,000 chairs for one concern.
Attorney W. C. Crombie came to Cortland in August, 1880, and formed a law partnership with W. J. Mantanye. He remained but a few weeks at that time, having accepted a satisfactory position with Gage Tarbel at Marathon. Three or years later he returned to Cortland and became associated with Jos. E. Eggleston, now county judge.
During 1880 Wm. N. Brockway erected the large wagon shops at Homer near the railroad depot.
Dr. Frank W. Higgins opened an office at Speedsville in August of that year.
On the 20th of October Gen. McClellan passed through Cortland over the D. L. & W. road and was met at the depot by an immense crowd. He made a brief speech.
A singular event occurred on the D. L. & W. railroad in November, when several rods of the track near Tallman swamp, Preble, sank several feet, carrying down a few flat cars. The job of filling the hole was an expensive one.
BIG LAND CONTRACTS.
TULLY AND PREBLE FARMS IN GREAT DEMAND.
Options Secured on Many Farms at From $100 to $300 Per Acre—A Mystery Which Is Creating Considerable Excitement in Those Towns—Is it Salt or Oil?
For some months rumors of an extensive sale of farm land in the region of Preble and Tully have been current and to ascertain the facts in the case, representatives of the DEMOCRAT on Monday visited those places and learned the following facts: Some time last fall, gentlemen who were strangers to Preble and Tully people came to those towns and at once began negotiations for the purchase of all the land abutting upon the lakes in that locality. They represented to the farmers that a company was soon to be formed at Pittsburg, Pa., to be known as the Tully Land company and that their offices would be established in the village of Tully. Various prices were offered for the farms, varying from $100 to $200 per acre. These contracts or options as they may be termed were in writing and subject to acceptance or refusal, by February 1, 1900, at the option of the Pittsburg parties.
These gentlemen also purchased in the same manner the vacant corner in Tully village opposite the Slayton house, the scene of the recent fire. Steps were also taken towards the erection of a large brick block upon this lot, which would be used for a bank and the general offices of the company.
The Pittsburg gentlemen did not remain in town many days, but before their departure they engaged Mr. Charles Cummings. a well-known farmer of Tully, to represent them and he has since taken options on all land bordering the lakes, which had not previously been purchased by the direct representatives of the company. The following farmers have thus far signed options for the sale of their farms: Adelbert Knapp. Frank Daley, Millard Nye, Orlando Cummings, Parmenus Nichols, John I. Hollenbeck, Platt Van Hoesen, Vernon Manchester, Lorenzo Van Patten, Andrew Van Patten, Barnet Cummings, Charles Cummings, Abram Van Bergen, Franklin Cummings, Benedict Weingartner, William Brown, Smith S. Weight, Clark Van Hoesen, Albert King and Mason Carr.
These options were to expire on February 1, 1900. Just previous to that date each gentleman holding a contract received a letter from the Pittsburg company stating that they would take the property according to contract and would be on hand April 1st to pay for the same. Since February 1, 1900, Mason Carr has sold his farm of seventy acres to the Solvay Process company of Syracuse for $7,000 and has received his money, so that now the mystery deepens and no one seems to fully know the identity of the so-called Pittsburg company; many now believe that this extensive tract of valuable farming land is on April 1 to pass into the hands of the Solvay company, which now owns a considerable portion of the valley leading from Tully to Cardiff, and has hundreds of valuable salt wells in active operation. The salt water from these wells is forced by means of hydraulic pressure through a pipe line to the city of Syracuse, some eighteen miles away, where the water is condensed and the different varieties of salt produced. To force the productions of these wells through this eighteen miles of pipe a large amount of water is necessary, and this supply is obtained from the lakes abutting the farms now under contract by the Pittsburg company. To strengthen this opinion it is known that during the last few years several tests have been made upon various farms in this tract, and that strong evidences of salt have been found. This knowledge, coupled with the fact that more water was needed by the Solvay company from these lakes last year than for any previous year, strengthens the opinion that the Solvay company is back of the Pittsburg company.
Another opinion which has many facts upon which it may be founded is that the Pittsburg company is backed by the Standard Oil company, and that it is soon to open up numerous oil wells in the locality, or that it intends competing with the Solvay company and is thus buying a larger source of supply than they now have.
Reputable citizens of Preble informed the DEMOCRAT representative that in several places along the line of these lakes evidences of crude oil are clearly visible and that tests which have been made clearly demonstrate the fact that oil exists in paying quantities. Geologists have explored the regions about Preble and have found evidences of copper and lead in the hills overlooking the lakes.
Years ago the Indians procured the lead for their arrowheads and later for their bullets from Mt. Toppin.
The people are anxiously awaiting the coming of April 1, when it is hoped the identity of the purchasers of this valuable territory will be made known. Should the options all be taken up an immense amount of ready money will be in circulation among the twenty farmers most directly interested. The option of Mr. Barnet Cummings is on five hundred acres at $200 per acre, so his check alone will be for $100,000. The DEMOCRAT cannot but hope that this seeming fairy tale will prove a reality next Monday, and that the sale of their lands at these very advantageous prices may be consummated.
Surely the future of Preble and Tully looks very bright, and land in that locality has materially advanced in prices since these negotiations have been pending.
VALUABLE DISCOVERY.
On Beaver Creek, but a short distance from the village of Brookfield, Madison county, a rich bed of marl has been discovered which promises to add much to the business interests of that village. As marl is the material from which Portland cement is made and there is an unlimited demand for the product, the discovery is no doubt a valuable one. The existence of marl in large quantities in the lowlands on the Beaver Creek was discovered last fall, and tests made by experts have revealed the fact that it is over 90 per cent pure. The deposit extends over an area of from 60 to 75 acres to a depth of 20 feet, and upon removing the top soil, which is from one to two feet in depth, a pole may be easily thrust down through the soft material to a great depth.
Prominent citizens of the place are active in pushing the matter and a syndicate of Michigan capitalists has agreed to put in a plant costing from $300,000 to $400,000 to manufacture the marl into cement. The syndicate asks that it be given an option on 75 acres of the land containing the marl deposit. As railroad connections would be necessary in case a business of such magnitude should be established the D. L. & W. railroad have signified their willingness to construct a branch to the marl bed, as there is already a good road bed, graded from North Brookfield to Brookfield. There is also found to exist near the same land fine blue clay, and it is thought that should the proposed plans go through the manufacture of brick would also be entered into.
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| James Kennedy McGuire. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
McGuire Truths.
Syracuse is normally Republican by about 3,000. But in the last three city campaigns it has been triumphantly carried by the Democratic party under the brilliant leadership of Mayor James K. McGuire. Now a committee of five from the assembly, of which number four are hide bound Platt Republicans, is "investigating" Syracuse The purpose is by hook or crook, fair means or foul, to discredit the man who has three times whipped the Republican machine of this city in a stand up fight at the polls.
The nominal purpose of the committee is to investigate a ''deficiency" or rather an overdraft of money expended by the city government last year in excess of the city budget. This budget was made up by a Republican common council and confirmed by a Republican legislature without permitting Mayor McGuire to have even a hearing. It was inadequate to the honest needs of Syracuse. It was framed to embarrass and injure the administration of Mayor McGuire.
Mayor McGuire is the first executive in the history of the city to give Syracuse clean streets. He has laid more miles of pavement than all his predecessors, built more needed school buildings, given the city more parks and many municipal innovations of a progressive character, including public utilities, a municipal lodging house, etc. When he first took office he broke up the paving ring and has uniformly secured value received in the letting of public contracts. During the past year he vetoed over $250,000 in appropriations voted by the Republican common council. Every item which makes up the so-called deficiency of 1899 was approved by a vote of the council, which was Republican by three majority. The existence of the "deficiency'' was well known at the last election, and though assailed by the greatest amount of calumny ever injected into a municipal campaign, Mayor McGuire was elected for the third time by the overwhelming majority of 2,083. The investigating committee proposes to damn him politically if possible. It threatens indictment of some of his subordinates. Two years ago a Republican machine district attorney secured indictment against five Democratic aldermen, all of whom were respectable citizens for attempting to prevent the usurpation of the president of the council by a Republican candidate named by a majority of the council. Men of all parties were affronted by the act and the Syracuse Post, then an independent Republican paper, denounced the outrage and charged a packed grand jury. In a civil suit the Democratic position was upheld by the supreme court. The indictment still slumbers despite repeated efforts to force the district attorney into court. This is a sample of Republican tactics in Syracuse.
At the present time evidence has been secured against a Republican attorney who is aiding the investigating committee which will be presented to the grand jury. Direct evidence has been secured that he has offered bribes to witnesses for false testimony to be given against the city administration. These are the facts. Meantime unawed by threats and despicable attacks, the Democracy of Onondaga will maintain its successful fight against Plattism in Central New York. Vindication will come next November.
HERE AND THERE.
Robins have really invaded our new city, and they will probably soon be numerous, as it is said they much prefer cities to villages.
Why is this thus? A representative of the DEMOCRAT visited Binghamton last Saturday, leaving snowbanks several feet deep in the streets of Cortland. In what is so frequently called the Parlor city not a vestige of snow was to be seen except upon the surrounding hills, and the streets were as dusty as during fair time. What are we a city for, if we cannot adopt city ways?
Crows have been quite numerous in Cortland for the past three weeks, and our exchanges give the same report from other localities. The reason assigned is that the severe weather has made it hard for them to find sufficient food in the woods, and they have been compelled to seek sustenance in the villages.
Devoe, the New Jersey weather prophet, predicts that March will end with a howling blizzard. Keep you eye out for to-morrow.
The railroaders from the lower end claim that the Lehigh Valley pay car will be abolished. The checks for each division will be sent to the main office of that division and then distributed by the clerical force to the various employees. This is the custom among other big roads, but has never reached the Valley.—Breeze.
Hon. W. Slocum Green, M. C., of Fall River, Mass., W. E. Bennett of Boston, Mass., L. W. Frederick of Baltimore, General Manager of the E. & C. N. Y. R. R. and Irving H. Palmer of Cortland, attorney for the road, were in town Tuesday. The gentlemen were very reticent in regard to the business here. It is rumored that Mr. Bennett is negotiating for the purchase of the E. & C. N. Y. R. R., and they were looking up the resources of South Otselic and vicinity with a view of extending the road to this hustling little city. Further developments will be awaited with interest by substantial business men and progressive citizens.—Otselic Gazette.
The Lackawanna train which reaches Binghamton at two P. M. had a narrow escape from being wrecked yesterday near Bath. The train was running at a high rate of speed on a long stretch of straight track, when the passengers were startled and shaken up by a sudden application of the air brakes, which brought the train to a jolting stop A farmer had been hauling logs on a sled, despite the poor sleighing. He started to cross the railroad track but his big load became stalled, and no amount of frantic whipping could make the horses pull the load forward. Seeing the passenger train approaching he pulled the king bolt, letting the horses go, and jumped himself. When the train struck the load its speed was much slackened, but the pilot of the engine was battered by the collision. Wonder was expressed that the train was not thrown from the track by some of the logs.
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