CORTLAND IN 1883, TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR FRAUD, AND OTHER LOCAL NEWS

 

S. S. Knox.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, April 20, 1900.

CORTLAND IN 1883.

INTERESTING LOCAL EVENTS OF THAT YEAR.

Heavy Loss by Fire—Cortland House and Barber Block Destroyed—The Democrats Elect S. S. Knox County Judge—Marriages—Newsy Items Briefly Told.

   Many present residents of this city well remember the burning of the Cortland House on the night of November 27, a catastrophe which entailed greater loss upon Delos Bauder than it did upon the village, for the reason that Mr. Bauder, with his energy and perseverance, immediately began the erection of the present hotel, which is a far more commodious and imposing structure than the one burned. In the spring of 1883, some six months before the fire, Mr. Bauder rebuilt the Cortland House, and the newspapers of that time contained lengthy descriptions of the improvements made. At this time he purchased a new fire and burglar proof safe for the office.

   Immediately west of the hotel on Groton-ave, on the site of the present Opera house, was located what was known as the Barber Block, the first floor occupied by business firms, while Mr. Barber and family lived up stairs [sic]. The fire originated in the store of Hanyor & Bristol, grocers, and the entire fire department was called out. In addition to this the engine owned by the Cortland Wagon company, and the Homer fire department were called, as the Cortland firemen soon discovered that they had a heavy job on their hands. In spite of all this assistance, the Barber block and the Cortland House were both destroyed. Mr. Bauder's loss was estimated at $20,000 over the insurance, and other losses were placed as follows: J. S. Barber $11,000, Haynor & Bristol $400; R. Beard & Son, whose furniture store was located in the Barber block, $8,000; R. B. Fletcher, undertaker, $1,100; Mrs. F. Kinney, millinery, $600; D. E. Kinney, $600. On the 4th of December another fire occurred on State-st., when a dwelling-house occupied by Wm. D. Lord was badly damaged. Mr. Lord and family lost nearly all their furniture and clothing, and the citizens of the place raised a sum of money to relieve their necessities.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

   What was then the new Congregational church, the building of which was chronicled in the history of 1882, was dedicated on the 8th of May. Rev. Dr. Taylor of New York city preached the dedicatory sermon, and an address was also delivered by Rev. Dr. Edward Taylor of Binghamton. During the day contributions were received amounting to $6,613, leaving an indebtedness of $5,000. Among the donations were $300 from the Congregational church at Homer, $350 from the Home Missionary society of the Cortland church, $350 from the Sunday school of the church, $250 from the Congregational church at Syracuse, and $100 from the church at Lysander.

MARRIAGES.

   The following marriages of interest to present readers of the DEMOCRAT were recorded in 1883: January 24, R. B. Linderman and Miss Emma Bixby, both of Cortland; May 31, at Norwich, John O'Donnell of Truxton and Miss Mina L. Morrisey; August 22, by Rev. A. L. Benton, Silas W. Sherwood and Miss Jeannette C. Benton, both of Cortland; September 1, by Rev. W. W. Davenport, Rev. O. D. Moore and Miss Mary E. Brooks; October 24, by Rev. J. L. Robertson, Ferdinand Daehler and Miss Kate L. Duell; October 24, by Rev. J. G. Blue, W. S. Buchanan and Miss Marcia E. Hollister, both of McGrawville; November 22, by Rev. J. L. Robertson, assisted by Rev. J. W. Putnam, Chas. F. Brown and Miss Sarah Keator; December 22, by Rev. J. A. Robinson, Ellis M. Santee and Miss Beulah Barber.

M. F. Cleary.

OF INTEREST TO FIREMEN.

   On the evening of January 3 a meeting of the firemen was held to elect officers of the fire department, Dr. C. E. Ingalls and M. F. Cleary being candidates for the position of chief. Mr. Ingalls received a majority of votes, but Mr. Cleary's friends claimed the ballot was not fairly taken, and both gentlemen declined to take the position. Others were elected, but each refused to serve under the circumstances and the choice of officers was left to the board of trustees, who subsequently elected the following: Chief, C. E. Ingalls; first assistant, C. S. Strowbridge.

   F. W. Kingsbury was foreman of Excelsior Hook & Ladder company.

   The president of Emerald Hose company was M. F Cleary, and John F. Dowd served as foreman.

   Chas. F. Brown was president of Orris Hose company, and the foreman was B. E. Miller.

   Water Witch Engine company gave a dance and supper on the evening of February 16, clearing $75.

   An event of the year was the holding of a carnival and fair in Taylor hall by the Orris Hose company, beginning April 11 and lasting several days. The total receipts were $1,300.

   Emerald Hose company gave a celebration on the fair grounds July 4, over 1,400 people purchasing tickets. The company cleared $600.

COUNTY AND TOWN POLITICS.

   It was in 1883 that Stratton S. Knox was elected county judge, defeating Jos. E. Eggleston by a majority of 340.

   The Democratic county convention was held October 17, and was presided over by F. M. Benjamin of Cincinnatus, with L. D. Finn of Taylor as one of the secretaries. The ticket entire was as follows: County judge and surrogate, S. S. Knox; member of assembly, James Dougherty; justice of sessions, John D. Fish; coroner, Dr. H. D. Hunt.

   At the Republican county convention held October 22, the following ticket was nominated: County judge and surrogate, J. E. Eggleston; member of assembly, A. J. Kneeland; justice of sessions, Daniel T. Bowdish; coroner, Dr. H. P. Johnson.

   The temperance people met a few days later, A. R. Seymour of McGrawville serving as secretary, and endorsed S. S. Knox for county judge and Dr. Johnson for coroner. They also named J. H. Tripp for member of assembly and Mr. J. Pratt for justice of sessions. The temperance organization named as county committee from Cortlandville, C. P. Walrad, Chas. W. Collins, Miner Maricle and A. E. Seymour.

   At the November election the entire Republican ticket was elected with the exception of Mr. Eggleston for county judge. James Dougherty, the Democratic candidate for member of assembly, made a phenomenal run in his own town of Solon, receiving 157 votes to 28 for his Republican competitor.

   At the annual town meeting in February, R. Bruce Smith was elected supervisor, receiving 762 votes to 596 for C. Fred Thompson, the Democratic candidate. Henry A. Dickinson, Republican, was elected town clerk over F. A. Bickford by the vote of 783 to 583.

   In the entire county the Republicans elected only six supervisors, as follows: Homer, W H. Crane, Marathon. E. C. Carley; Scott, Wm. H. Morgan; Taylor, Albert Clark; Virgil, W. L. Chaplin. The Democratic supervisors were: Freetown, Chauncey Smith; Harford, Henry C. Gray; Cincinnatus, W. W. Wood; Lapeer, Leroy Smith; Preble. W. W. Wright; Solon, James Dougherty; Truxton, J. C. Nelson; Willet, Wilson Greene; Cuyler elected Wm. Baldwin, an Independent Republican. At the annual meeting of the board in November, Wilson Green was elected chairman, and H. D. Waters clerk.

   At the annual charter election held on March 20, Alex. Mahan was elected president of Cortland village, receiving 716 votes, only one vote, blank, being cast against him. G. W. Bradford and Theo. Stevenson were elected trustees.

   At the Democratic county convention held September 19 a spirited contest arose over the election of delegates to the state convention, two tickets being before the convention. F. M. Benjamin, F. G. Atwood and Luther R. Holmes each received 48 votes, and J. C. Nelson, Hugh Duffey and L. S. Hayes each received 41.

WALKED OUT OF JAIL.

   On the 8th of October Sheriff H. G. Borthwick had occasion to be absent from town, and left the key of the jail with Ed. Robinson, a prisoner who was serving a term for intoxication. When he came back he found that James Riley, charged with stealing a suit of clothes, and Ransom Pike, arrested on the charge of abduction, had escaped. Riley was captured a short distance east of McGrawville, but Pike left for parts unknown.

SHORT PARAGRAPHS.

   On New Year's day the employees at Wickwire Bros.' works presented C. F. Wickwire a handsome silver water pitcher and service.

   Blodgett's trout ponds were used as a skating rink.

   The large brick building known as the Squires block, corner of Main and Tompkins-sts., was erected in 1883.

   H. F. Benton, who had served as superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday school for twelve years, resigned January 1, and was presented with a handsome gold-beaded ebony cane.

   John C. Seager bought of Rodolph Price in January, the horse Tom Wonder, paying $225 for the animal.

   Judge Wm. H. Shankland, a prominent attorney of Cortland, died January 3. Mr. Shankland had been a judge of the supreme court of appeals.

   A county newspaper printed early in January made the startling announcement that a Cortland girl found a sewing machine in her stocking as a Christmas present.

   The Cortland postoffice was moved early in the year to its present location in the Standard building.

   The firm of Nelson & Call was organized in February.

   Geo. J. Mager, the present honored president of the Second National bank, first came to Cortland from Lowville, buying the stock of dry goods of Fish & Walrad, Mr. Walrad becoming a partner under the firm name of Mager & Walrad.

   A. R. & Jay Peck opened a shoe store in the Squires building April 15.

   The first officers of the Cortland & Homer Horse Railroad company were: President, C. H. Garrison; vice-president, J. C. Carmichael; secretary, J. M. Milne; treasurer, S. E. Welch; executive committee, C. H. Garrison, J. M. Milne, L. J. Fitzgerald, E. A. Fish and J. D. Schermerhorn.

   In March B. F. Taylor sold a half interest in his restaurant and billiard room to O. Ingraham, and withdrew from active business.

   L. D. Garrison and Webster Young conducted a grocery store in the Garrison block in 1883.

   H. F. Benton's present handsome residence in Railroad-st. was built in that year.

   Contracts for building the Owego and Schermerhorn-st. school buildings were let to Thomas Ellsworth for $4,500.

   An amusing episode occurred at Harford Mills one day in May, in which P. E. N. Decker, a well-known horseman, got the worst of it. Peter was a very loud talker, and on the day named he was at the Mills blowing about his fast horse, claiming it could trot in 2:35. W. W. Parker, who is also well known throughout the country, listened to Mr. Decker, and finally thought he would take some of the latter's conceit out of him. He brought out a horse named Tom Wonder and beat Decker's horse very handsomely and easily. Mr. Parker's horse afterwards died suddenly, supposed to have been poisoned.

   Hon. Frank Hiscock of Syracuse delivered the Memorial day address in Cortland

   A singular accident occurred near the D., L. & W depot on the 29th day of May. A car load of stock belonging to Messrs Pierce & Winchell was overturned during an effort to place it on a switch, the calves in the upper deck escaping, but of those on the lower deck, 33 calves and two hogs, were killed. The railroad company paid $500 for the damages.

   In July D. F. Wallace bought the premises from the Court-st. corner to the Taylor hall block, upon which to erect the present Wallace block.

   It was in 1883 that George L. Waters. an attorney of Cortland, disappeared.

   Mary Sweet of Scott, a girl 9 years old, was drowned in Hays' mill pond in that town, August 24.

   Seymour M. Ballard bought Col. J. C. Carmichael's interest in the furniture business in September, and became associated with A. W. Edgcomb.

   On the night of October 13 the house of Dr. Jay Ball, Tompkins-st., was entered by burglars and some clothing and jewelry taken.

   A vulcanizer in the dental office of H. G. & C. E. Ingalls exploded one day in October, Mason B. Ingalls being slightly injured.

   Early in November the U. I. & E. railroad company decided to locate its shops in Cortland.

 

CORTLAND POSTOFFICE.

Nearly $110,000 Money Order Business Transacted the Past Year—House to House Registration.

  We imagine that but few people in Cortland realize that the receipts of the postoffice for a year aggregate the sum of $23,161.15, and that the money order business exceeds $108,000.00, but such is the fact. Through the courtesy of Postmaster A. S. Brown we are enabled to give the following record of business conducted at the office during the year ending March 31, which we are sure will surprise our readers:

 

   The expenses of the office, including salaries, rent of building etc., were $13,399.77, leaving a net revenue for the postoffice department of $9,761.38.

   Postmaster A. S. Brown has received official notification from Edwin C. Madden, Third Assistant Postmaster General, that the new system of registration of letters by carriers would go into effect in this place last Monday. For the time being the system will be confined to the purely residential parts of the village, excluding the business houses and patrons in the commercial section who as a rule will have many letters for registration at a time.

   Postmaster Brown says the carriers will receive explicit instructions as to how they shall act, and that it is important for the person desirous of having the carrier take the registered letters to have the exact amount of money ready or the required stamps affixed to each letter in order that there may be no delay to the carrier. If the carrier on receiving a letter finds that the requisite number of stamps are not attached, or the person has not the exact change for the cost of them, he has simply to hand the letter back with a card issued by the government containing full directions as to the registration of letters by carriers. Under no circumstances is a carrier allowed to delay unnecessarily the collection of registered mail.

   The instructions issued by Assistant Postmaster General Madden, although easily followed, are imperative. Only letters can be registered, and they must be ready in every respect when the carrier calls, for he is forbidden on pain of dismissal to wait even a fraction of a minute longer than is absolutely necessary to write the receipt. Every letter must be enclosed in an envelope strong enough to carry the contents. It must bear the name and address of the sender, name of the addressee and his postoffice address, and have the ordinary postage and registry fee prepaid either in stamps affixed or in money, the exact amount of which must be paid to the carrier. The registry fee for letters, foreign and domestic, is 8 cents in addition to the full amount of postage. If it is found that a letter is unmailable when it reaches the postoffice the sender will be notified directly.

 

Courtney vs. Flint.

   Last fall Justice Harrington of Cortland awarded F. C. Parsons, publisher of the DEMOCRAT, a judgment against Albert Courtney of the town of Cincinnatus for a subscription account. On an execution, Constable M. C. Flint sold a quantity of lumber supposed to belong to Courtney and satisfied the judgment.

   Almeda Courtney, wife of the above defendant, later brought an action against Constable Flint before Justice Miller in Marathon, to recover the value of the lumber which she alleges in her complaint belonged to her. This action is set down for trial next Monday before Justice Miller and a jury at the town hall in Marathon. A long list of witnesses have been subpoenaed for the defense and we understand the same is true of the plaintiff. Mr. Flint will be represented by Attorney James Dougherty.

 

COMMON COUNCIL

New Captain of the Night Police Force—Name of Street Changed.

   The regular meeting of the common council was held Tuesday evening, and but little business was transacted. Upon petition the name of Railroad-ave. was changed to North Greenbush-st. and it is probable that the name of Railway-ave. will also be changed, to avoid confusion with Railroad-st.

   Policeman James Smith was appointed captain of the night force in place of S. N. Gooding.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

$200,000 Fraud.

   The people of this state have seen $9,000,000 spent by the Republican machine of this state and are convinced, Roosevelt to the contrary notwithstanding, that half and more of this immense sum was spent to further Republican interests. In almost its last hour the last Platt legislature appropriated $200,000 for a "preliminary survey" for a $62,000,000 canal. Now that the bill has been signed by Would-Be-Next-Governor Roosevelt it is announced that "preparation for doing the work of survey will be at once forwarded by State Engineer Bond and will be completed this year." You bet it will be completed this year. It will be done before the votes are counted on November 6, and all the money will be spent.

   Talk about fraud and swindle. Was there ever a larger one? But the passing of the canal survey bill revealed one thing for which we should be thankful; it shows the hand of the Boss in that he proposes to saddle a $62,000,000 canal on us if he continues in power.

   Let the taxpayers think on this proposition and see if they want the late nine million steal repeated seven times over. That is what it means if the Republicans are returned to power in this state at the coming elections.

 

[Short Commentary.]

   Did you notice those Louisiana elections Tuesday? It was a great big Democratic victory, the whites alone voting.

   You have seen the Punch and Judy puppets? Well, you ought to have seen the "Puppets up-to-date" as exhibited by T. C. Platt at the Republican state convention.

   The Democratic state committee meets at the Hoffman house today to call the state convention which will be held either in New York, Syracuse or Albany late in May or early in June.

   Roosevelt does not fancy being a tail to the McKinley kite, but he would not mind, and in fact wants to be, the whole kite in this state. A nice record he has made, to stand on for a re-election.

   This tax rate cry set up by the Republicans is the best bluff they have tried to swing in many moons—but it won't work. The taxpayers can see as far through the hole in a millstone as can the politicians.

   A Western couple were recently married by telegraph. They might now try living by telephone—it would be so handy for him, when one of those early morning lectures was due, to hang up the transmitter and go to sleep while she would have all the fun of talking.

   The Republican convention, of the Boss, by the Boss and for the Boss, passed off Tuesday according to the advance programs sent out. It was about the tamest thing that ever happened and shows to what a science bossism has been reduced by His Boss-ship, Thomas C. Platt.

   Hon. B. P. Lee of Cuyler, who represented Cortland county in the assembly in 1894, was the author of several resolutions presented before the Republican county convention last Thursday, but that body pretty effectually sidetracked the entire lot by consigning them to the table, to be resurrected perhaps several years hence. It is stated that Mr. Lee intended his resolutions as a boom for his legislative aspirations, and perhaps this is the reason they were consigned to oblivion, though the party might go farther and fare much worse.

   As we hinted last week, Dewey is angry with McKinley. That accounts for the presidential boomlet of the former. Not satisfied with the munificent salary of an admiral and a house and lot thrown in, it now develops that Dewey wanted $10,000 for serving on the Philippine commission. The President could not give it because of an inconvenient law. So Dewey starts in to down McKinley. An excuse beneath even a regular political healer, to say nothing of a man whom the Americans have lauded as they have Admiral George Dewey.

 

HERE AND THERE.

   These are fine skies we are having, but somebody has evidently left his refrigerator door open.

   New York physicians are experimenting to find out if disease can be successfully treated by music. Its effects have been found especially beneficial in insanity. This theory knocks another pet prejudice in the head. In quite a number of cases insanity has been attributed to music. (?)

   The word negro does not stand for a nation, and is not capitalized any more than the word white. It stands for a section of the human family and is a descriptive word.  "Negro" means black, and was originally an adjective. Adjectives are not usually capitalized. We speak of "the negroes" and "the whites," meaning those who are negro or black and those who are white. Capitals are not used in either case.

   No one could find fault with the delightful weather given us for Easter.

   Rev. W. F. Kettle of Homer will preach in the Congregational church on Sunday.

   Church and society suppers have been exceedingly numerous in the city this week.

   The grounds of the Athletic association are being put in the best possible shape for ball playing.

   The firm of R E. Reilly & Co. has been dissolved, Daniel Reilly retiring.

   The era of the caterpillar and the bug as well as the campaign orator and other nuisances is fast approaching.

   The members of Cortlandville grange meet with Mr. and Mrs. Manley Kinney this evening by special invitation.

   Easter was a great day for travel, the Sunday trains on both roads passing through Cortland being well patronized.

   On Thursday last 106 persons registered at the Cortland House. This is pretty good evidence of the popularity of that hostelry.

   Railroad men seem to understand that the D., L. & W. company will place a switch engine permanently at Cortland in the very near future.

   Cortland has a City grocery, a City cycle store, a City barber shop, a City drug store, and other city styles will be adopted as soon as possible.

   An oil stove in the Churchill block was the cause of a small blaze Sunday afternoon. The fire department was called out, but its services were not needed.

   The Quaker doctors, who are now located at the Cortland House, will be in Marathon from the 15th of May to the 19th, with headquarters at the Marathon House.

   Geo, Ellerson of Marathon has bought of E. J. Bowdish the livery barn opposite Brown's hotel at that place, and has opened a first-class livery with new harness.

   Last Sunday morning Rev. G. E. T. Stevenson, pastor of the Memorial Baptist church, succeeded in raising $100 to pay off an indebtedness due one of the banks.

   N. B. Andrews of Syracuse has leased the room formerly occupied by C. S Strowbridge over M. A. Case's store, and will receive stock quotations daily over the wires.

   Depot agents and operators on the line of the D., L. & W. railroad must hereafter wear a uniform cap while on duty. Keep an eye out for Agent Gourley's new head gear.

   The D., L. & W. railroad company began running a pay-car again this month, although paying in checks. The car and locomotive stopped in Cortland Wednesday night.

   A bicycle left standing by the curb on the corner of Main and Railroad-sts. last Saturday blew over in front of a passing team, both wheels of the wagon going over it. No great damage was done.

   A commission in lunacy was taking evidence yesterday in the case of Wm. Bays, who shot at Lewis Chrisman in Virgil on the 30th of March. Another commission will investigate the case of Miss Bays to-day.

   Don't fail to see Williams and Wagner walk for a purse of $100 at the Cortland Opera House next Monday evening. After the concert and cake walk a colored full dress ball will be given at C. A. A. hall. Admission to Opera House, 25, 35 and 50 cts. Music by Cortland City band and Daniels' orchestra. Tickets for sale at McKinney & Doubleday's book store, Jas. Kelley's cigar store, Laurel Restaurant, 14 R. R. St., G. F. Beaudry's bicycle store, Sager & Jennings drug store, A. D. Wallace and A. J. Geddard's cafes and Sanders' Cigar store.

   An exchange tells of a man who claimed he was too poor to take his home paper, but all the same he read a notice in a down east paper, telling how to prevent a horse from slobbering, and sent $1.50 for the recipe. When the $1.50 worth of information came it said; "Teach your horse to spit."