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| Hitchcock Mfg. Co., aftermath of boiler explosion, May 30, 1887. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, May18, 1900.
CORTLAND IN 1887.
INTERESTING LOCAL EVENTS OF THAT YEAR.
Boiler Explosion at the Hitchcock Shops—Two Fires In One Day—Normal Student Killed by Cars—Election Notes—Many Events Briefly Told.
The most startling event which occurred during the year 1887 was the explosion of a boiler at the Hitchcock Manufacturing company's works in Elm-st. The explosion occurred Monday morning, May 30, a most opportune time, as comparatively few men were at work in the shops owing to the fact that it was Memorial day. Wm. Howard was the engineer in charge, and he had just left the boiler room, his assistant, Henry A. Webster, being present. At 9 o'clock people all over the village heard a low sullen roar, and it soon become known that one of the boilers at the Hitchcock shops had exploded. Mr. Howard stated that when he left there was plenty of water in the boiler, and the cause of the explosion was a mystery, not even cleared up by the coroner's investigation. Those killed were Frank Scott, a mason; Henry A. Webster, the assistant fireman; and Wm. P, Ballard. Clifford Fuller was badly scalded, and Richard Couch received serious injury. The force of the explosion was so great that brick and scraps of iron were hurled in all directions, every house in Venette-st. being struck and the debris was scattered along Elm-st. as far west as Church. Coroner Geo. D. Bradford with a jury composed of the following gentlemen made an investigation, but could not unravel the mystery: E A. Fish, J. L. Watrous, D. W. Bierce, J. D. Schermerhorn, S. E. Welch, C. P. Walrad, John Ireland, H. F. Benton, L. D. Boise, B. S. Conger, Faron Maxon and I. W. Brown. It was rumored about town that the boiler was bought second-hand and that it was unsafe when placed in the building, but this was disproved by a certificate from the boiler inspector of this district, who pronounced it perfect.
TWO FIRES IN ONE DAY.
On Sunday, February 25, two fires occurred in the village, one of which was quite serious in its results. About 7:30 o'clock the Hitchcock Manufacturing company's foundry and machine shop in Port Watson-st. was discovered on fire and the department was promptly summoned. The office of the Monitor, a newspaper run in the interest of the Prohibition party, was located on the second floor, and this was pretty thoroughly gutted. The entire loss to the building, stock in the foundry and the Monitor plant was placed at about $10,000.
At 1 o'clock the same day the residence of Col. Frank Place, on the corner of Port Watson and Pomeroy-sts., caught fire while the family were at Sunday school. The fire was discovered by Jay Peck, who at once summoned help and succeeded in saving some of the household goods. The building was nearly destroyed.
The furniture building of Thos. S. Mourin, located between Cortland and Homer, was burned on the morning of January 7.
On the 18th of January a small building owned by J. H. Wallace and occupied by C. F. Sager, located in Clinton-ave., was destroyed by fire.
A barn owned by Ransom Simpson, at Blodgett Mills, was struck by lightning one day in July and burned,
COUNTY, TOWN AND VILLAGE POLITICS.
At the annual town meeting in Cortlandville the two opposing candidates for supervisor were Deloss McGraw, Republican, and Wm. J. Greenman, Democrat, with Emmett A. Fish as the Prohibition candidate. Mr. Greenman was unable to overcome the heavy Republican majority, but he received a very flattering vote. The town went license by the narrow majority of four.
The Democrats elected supervisors in the towns of Cincinnatus, Harford, Lapeer, Preble, Taylor and Willet.
The issue at the village election in March was the question of leasing the hydrants from the Water Works company, who had made a proposition to the village. Harrison Wells was the candidate for president favoring the acceptance of the proposition, and Theo. Stevenson was placed in nomination in opposition. Mr. Wells was elected by just 100 majority. The remaining officers chosen were as follows: Trustees, Fayette Reynolds, H. L. Gleason and Harvey H. Greenman; assessor, I. W. Brown; collector, Geo. Latimer; treasurer, Fitz Boynton; school commissioners, David F. Wallace, Geo. L. Warren and Fred W. Kingsbury.
The Prohibition county ticket in 1887 was as follows: Member of assembly, Dr. Jerome Angel; county treasurer, A. J. Stillman; justice of sessions, J. H. Jacobs; coroner, Dr F. D. Reese.
At a Democratic county convention held September 27 the following delegates were chosen: to state convention, John Courtney, Jr., James Dougherty and Wm. N. Brockway; congressional convention, Perry Hazen, C. E. Rowley, W. S. Stephenson, H. D. Hunt and John O'Donnell; senatorial, F. M. Benjamin, M. Van Hoesen, R. W. Bourne, Samuel Sanders and B. F. Taylor; judicial, D. W. Van Hoesen.
The Democratic ticket, nominated October 18, was as follows: Member of assembly, Dr. Jerome Angel; county treasurer, C. S. Bull; school commissioners, Dr. H. D. Hunt and James Schermerhorn.
The Republicans nominated W. D. Tisdale for member of assembly, A. S. Brown for county treasurer, and A. W. Kingsbury for justice of sessions.
At the Democratic state convention our townsman, Hon. L. J. Fitzgerald, was renominated for state treasurer, and at the November election he was re-elected, together with the entire state ticket.
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| A. Sager. |
FIREMANIC NEWS.
Chas. K. Donelly was foreman of Emerald Hose company, and Wm. F. Maher first assistant.
The officers of the fire department were: Chief, John F Dowd; first assistant, O. D. Raymond; second assistant, John H. Phelps; secretary, A. M. Delevan; treasurer, A. Sager.
The foreman of Water Witch Engine company was Frank Harvey.
Every officer of the Protective police in 1887 is still a resident of Cortland except the president, the roll being as follows: President, Dr. J. H. Hoose; vice-president, A. Sager; secretary, Chas W. Collins; treasurer, C. P. Walrad; captain, Dr. S. J. Sornberger; lieutenant, Webster Young; sergeant, H. M. Kellogg; property clerk, I. W. Brown; assistant, John Miller.
The Emeralds held a fair which opened Tuesday, May 23, and continued until Saturday evening of the same week. J. E. Eggleston, at present county judge, was chairman at the opening evening, and Hon. Frank Hiscock of Syracuse delivered an address. A large number of prizes were given away, S. W. Sherwood securing a lawn mower, Thomas Ryan the top buggy, and W. F. Hoar the open buggy.
MARRIAGES.
The number of marriages of people now known in Cortland was unusually small, in fact, it was a poor year for marriages. The few recorded are as follows: January 19, by Rev. J. L. Robertson, D. Eugene Smith and Miss Fannie Taylor, both of Cortland. March 1, by Rev C. H. Crawford, Edward F. Knight and Miss Edith V. Reynolds of Chenango Forks. April 20, by Rev. E. B. Steele, Grove Maxon and Miss Etta Joslyn of Homer. May 18, by Rev. H. A. Cordo, Dr. F. P. Howland and Miss Pamelia Hubbard, both of Cortland. August 16, by Rev. C. C. Wilbur, Albert Dilthey and Miss Mary Rose.
KILLED BY CARS.
About the middle of August the body of a man was found near the track of the E., C. & N. railroad, not far from Railroad-st., his head being nearly severed from the body. It was identified as that of Addison Stewart, a hostler at the Arnold House.
On the morning of October 2 a young man named Eddie C. Hayes met a tragic death in Cortland. He resided at Marathon and attended the Normal school, coming up on the early train. When near Blodgett-st. he thought he could save time by jumping from the cars, and did so, but the train was moving faster than he realized and he fell under the wheels. One leg was severed and the other foot crushed, and he received other injuries which caused his death the next day.
MURDER AT DRYDEN.
A farmer named Paul Layton, living two and a half miles south of Dryden [on Lake Rd.], was found dead near his house one day in December, and the circumstances were such that it was plainly a case of murder. Layton was a bachelor and was known to have considerable money with him. The back of his head was crushed, and his body was found partially hidden in the snow and ice. A tramp named Thomas Sullivan was arrested in Binghamton on suspicion of murdering Mr. Layton, but he cleared himself and the matter was never unravelled.
NEWS ITEMS BRIEFLY TOLD.
Early in the year a movement was on foot among the business men to induce the E., C. & N. railroad company to lay a track to Homer, along the east bank of the Tioughnioga river, but the scheme failed to materialize.
A tribe of the Order of Red Men was instituted in January, with the following officers: Sachem, Geo. L. Warren; senior sagamore, H. C. Beebe; chief of records, Webster Young; keeper of wampum, W. P. Robinson.
Fred Forbes of Cincinnatus, who was partially insane and was being cared for at Capt. J. W. Strowbridge's, committed suicide on the 10th of January by hanging himself, the deed being committed near the brick school-house.
An exciting walking match was held in Cortland, beginning at 11:20 o'clock on the night of January 20 and lasting until Saturday evening, between W. A. Hoagland of Auburn, who has served as umpire of the state [baseball] league in recent years, and Frank Hart, colored of Boston. Hoagland won the race, making 163 miles to Hart's 153.
Rev. H. T. Sell, the first pastor of the Congregational church, delivered his farewell January 30, his successor being Rev. A. T. Swing.
Geo. W. Smith, a veteran who is doing a successful business in the grocery line at Marathon, moved to that place from Messengerville in February, 1887.
On the 11th of February Deputy Sheriff James Edwards discovered that the lock at the jail had been tampered with, and upon investigation it was found that two prisoners had planned to escape.
In the DEMOCRAT of February 25 we find the following: "We understand that the house and lot on South Main-st. formerly owned by the Josiah Billings estate has been sold to Hector Cowan. Consideration $4,000. It is to be occupied by Thos H. Howard."
Wm J. Greenman, who was previous to February deputy postmaster, resigned the office during that month to engage in the manufacture of screen doors and windows. A stock company was organized for that purpose, the following gentlemen subscribing to $25,000 worth of stock: H. H. Greenman, W. J. Greenman, T. H. Wickwire, E. M. Hulbert, J. F. Maybury, E. Keator, W. Hollenbeck and Fitz Boynton.
Jay Hopkins, for some time clerk with Garrison & Young, accepted s similar position with C. Fred Thompson in February.
Duane E. Call first came to Cortland in March, 1887, opening a meat market in the Squires building.
A. E. Ingersoll, the present supervisor from Willet, met with a serious accident February 22 while at work in a saw-mill, one leg being broken above the ankle and the other at the ankle joint.
Dr. F. W. Higgins first came to Cortland in April, 1887.
The Grand Central block, the pride of Railroad-st., was erected in 1887, the centre being owned by the Wickwire Bros., the east section by Messrs. Edgcomb & Ballard and the west portion of the block by Messrs. Taylor & Townley.
Erving Stevens purchased a half interest in Rob't Bushby's lot on Orchard-st., upon which he later erected a building.
The Cortland Omnibus & Cab company erected its present plant, corner of Railroad and Pendleton-sts., during the summer.
Rickard-st. was opened in 1887.
The firm of Mager & Walrad was dissolved, Mr. Walrad retiring and C. W. Stoker taking his place.
The Cortland Beef company purchased the building east of the D., L. & W. tracks in June, and the present large business done by the company is the outgrowth of that transaction.
Albert Allen, at present the genial proprietor of the Kremlin [hotel], was appointed general superintendent of the E., C. & N railroad in June.
The cornerstone of the Episcopal church in Court-st. was laid June 18, Bishop Huntington and other clergymen being present.
The delivery of mail by carriers in Cortland was begun July 2 of that year.
On the 4th of July the Odd Fellows ran an excursion to Sylvan Beach, about 800 people making the trip.
Burglars operated quite extensively in Cortland during the summer.
The Howe Ventilating Stove company was formed in July with a capital stock of $180,000, the following officers being chosen; President. C. B. Hitchcock; secretary and treasurer, F. W. Collins; trustees, C. B. Hitchcock, F. W. Collins, E. Rickard, Theo. Stevenson, Wm. Howe, Wm. H. Clark and Hezekiah Howe.
On the 18th of July President and Mrs. Cleveland passed through Cortland over the E., C. & N. road, stopping for a few moments at the depot. A large number of people assembled to greet them.
A cyclone passing over Homer July 19 demolished the new oil-cloth factory and unroofed several barns.
E. D. Blodgett became local editor of the Cortland Standard about August 1.
C. S. Strowbridge perfected a loom for weaving wire and formed a stock company for the manufacture of wire goods at Hamilton.
Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Wickwire gave a magnificent party on the evening of September 8, two orchestras furnishing the music. Guests were present from New York, Washington and other places.
The first paving ever done in Cortland was in 1887, when the trustees let the contract for paving a portion of South Main-st. to John C. Townsend of Breesport. A strip was laid from the Messenger House to a point near Argyle place, the material being of fire brick, and the cost was about $1,500.
Joseph E. Eggleston, the present county judge of Cortland county, was the Republican state committee-man from this congressional district.
The Cortland Corset company, which erected a plant near the fair grounds, was organized in 1887 with the following officers: President, Webster Young; vice-president, S. E. Welch; secretary, E. G. Gould; treasurer, J. B. Kellogg.
On the 15th of October Dr. Frederick Hyde died at his home in Tompkins-st. He had lived in Cortland for a period of 54 years, and was president of the local board of the Normal school for several years.
St. Mary's branch C. M. B. A. was instituted September 30, with John F. Dowd president, Henry Corcoran assistant secretary and John T. Davern treasurer.
Cortland had something of a military fever in 1887, a separate company of the state militia being organized with the following officers: Captain, B. E. Miller; 1st lieutenant, D. F. Dunsmoor; 2nd lieutenant, J. R. Birdlebough; president, John Courtney, Jr.; secretary, [Dr.] E. M. Santee.
Col. Fred D. Grant, the Republican candidate for secretary of state, spoke in Taylor hall November 1.
Rev. H. E. Gilchrist was ordained as pastor of the Universalist church November 17 and 18.
The M. E. church at Blodgett Mills was dedicated November 10. There was an indebtedness of $950, and of this sum $732 was pledged at the dedicatory services.
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| Schermerhorn block, Cortland, N. Y. |
BAPTIZED IN BEER.
Cortland Policemen Object to External Applications.
The members of the Cortland police force may or may not be strict temperance men, but it is certain that they decidedly object to beer applied externally. Monday evening Officers Parker and Corcoran were standing in front of the Schermerhorn block devising ways and means for capturing evil doers, when suddenly a shower of beer came down apparently from the heavens. The event fairly paralyzed the "cops," and they began to wonder if raining beer was one of the privileges granted young cities. Upon investigation they discovered a woman smiling at them from a window in the third story, which gave them an intimation that the beer was not intended as a treat but as an insult. They ascended the stairs leading to the room in which the window is located and found the door securely fastened. They pounded upon the door with their "billies" and demanded admittance but no answer came from within. Leaving Mr. Parker as a guard to prevent an escape, Mr. Corcoran went to the home of City Judge Davis and secured a warrant for the arrest of some unknown woman.
During his absence, at the connivance of some inside party and by the aid of another stairway which was not guarded by the officer, the woman made good her escape.
Political Notes.
Gov. Roosevelt dined at the White House last Friday. He will resume his breakfasting with Mr. Platt later on.—Binghamton Leader.
It is generally suspected that one Marcus A. Hanna is the true owner of the Maverick Populist convention in session at Cincinnati.—Elmira Gazette.
Although "the war is over," there has been a fearful slaughter of Filipinos reported within the last two or three weeks, with incidentally some American losses during the wholesale killing of "bandits."—Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Both the Democrats and the Republicans of Indiana seem to be happy over the result of the recent elections. It is well that everybody should get all the happiness possible out of Indiana politics before November. After that about half the population of the State will be despairing of the Republic some more.—Louisville Courier-Journal.
Will Governor Roosevelt tell us as frankly by whose advice he signed the vicious measures putting State hospital patronage in the hands of spoilsmen; taking civil service boards away from local control, and creating a lot of new appraisers for the collateral inheritance tax? Does the Governor glory in being nothing but a rubber stamp?—Utica Observer.
The prospects of an overwhelming Democratic victory at the coming national election are rapidly approaching a certainty. Never was a party worse handicapped by issues made by its leaders than the Republican at the present time. Money and territorial greed have led the administration into creating and supporting the wildest and most un-American ideas, plunging the nation under most oppressive taxation and assisting the money power to rob the people at every turn. The people have reached the conviction that turn about is only fair play, and they are doing it to a degree never so manifest in the early stages of a political campaign. And the Democratic leaders are getting together; this fact is clearly apparent, and when the Kansas City Convention shall have completed its work, the party will be in as vigorous fighting condition and as unitedly determined to win a decisive victory as aggressive, harmonious action can make it. The G. O. P. organs are ominously dumb concerning McKinley and prosperity, and appear to be waiting their doom with a marvelous degree of resignation.—Ontario Repository Messenger.
Washington Letter.
(From Our Regular Correspondent.)
WASHINGTON, D. C. May 14.—The administration program of hushing up the scandal connected with the embezzlement of a large sum of money from the Cuban Postal receipts by C. F. W. Neeley, who has been chief financial agent of the Cuban Postal system, and others, will be combated by the Democrats in Congress, who regard the present as an excellent time for a thorough investigation of all Cuban receipts and expenditures. Senator Bacon says he waited nearly a week to give the Republicans an opportunity to propose an investigation before offering his resolution instructing the senate committee on relations with Cuba to investigate receipts from all sources since the occupation of Cuba by our troops, and expenditures for all purposes during that period, and report to the senate at the earliest possible date. Of his resolution, Senator Bacon said: "My purpose is to have a thorough investigation of the moneys which have been received and disbursed in Cuba. We know that there has been some improper disbursements. In view of that fact, it is our duty to thoroughly sift the whole matter. Our only excuse for being in Cuba is our desire to govern the island for the benefit of the Cubans, and we ought to see whether we are doing our duty towards those people." That a number of Cuban officials, including the director of Posts and the auditor of postal accounts have been suspended, is proof that the public is being deceived by official statements saying that Neeley is the only Cuban official who has been implicated in the stealing. If a proper investigation is made, it will probably be ascertained that there has been a ring of thieves working on the Cuban revenues, but that is just what the administration doesn't wish to be ascertained.
Senator Teller arraigned the officers of the ordinance bureau of the navy department for incompetency and ignorance, during the discussion of the armor of the naval appropriation bill, and the arraignment was endorsed by Senator Allison. Mr. Teller said the ignorance displayed by officers of that board, when they appeared before congressional committees for the purpose of giving information had been sometimes absolutely pitiful, and that he could get more information out of a private citizen in ten minutes that he had ever been able to get out of one of these officers in a hour; also that there were engineers in civil life who could make infinitely better guns than any officer on the ordinance board, but that the board would not listen to them.
Adjutant General Hart of Delaware who is in Washington on business said of the political outlook in his state: "We will elect every state officer from governor down, and a legislature that will choose two Democratic United States senators. The Republicans are in a hopeless state of disorganization, and are beaten from the start. If the rest of the country will do as well as Delaware in November, there won't be much left of the G. O. P."
Although the administration succeeded in preventing any preliminary report being made by the Isthmian commission, the members of that commission have given their personal opinion of the investigation to the senate Interoceanic Canal committee, and those opinions are all one way—in favor of the Nicaragua route. This makes it evident that the position taken by Boss Hanna that the senate should not act upon the Nicaragua Canal bill until the report of the canal commission is made, is merely for delay. Another proof was given by Hanna insisting that the committee should grant hearings to the officers and directors of the new Panama Canal company. Why should these men be heard when this government has sent at great expense, an official commission of expert engineers to investigate, and that commission has given its views to the committee? There is political dynamite enough in this question to blow the McKinley administration and the Republican majority in the house out of existence, and if Boss Hanna succeeds in preventing the passage by the senate, at this session, of the Nicaragua Canal bill, the explosion will certainly take place next November.
It is now pretty well known why Gov. Teddy Roosevelt paid that extended visit to Washington. He had doubts of the sincerity of the Platt machine, and he wished to have the administration make it plain to Platt that he must be renominated for governor of New York, and incidentally, by paying him special attention, to help him convince some of the New Yorkers, whose confidence and esteem he had lost, that he was a high muck-a-muck in the councils of the administration. As far as Platt was concerned his visit was a success, and Mr. McKinley has Platt's promise, that Teddy shall be renominated; but it will not be seen until the votes are counted whether the visit rehabilitated Teddy in the esteem of the kicking New Yorkers.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
Mark Hanna is evidently better. He says the Republican party is in excellent shape.
The Washington correspondents complain that "Roosevelt is silent." Most of his sensible speeches are made when he says nothing.
Not since 1864 has New York state cast its electoral vote twice for the same political party. This may be significant as to the result this year.
One hundred needle knitters struck for higher wages at Little Falls, N. Y. but the manufacturers only said "nit." At last accounts the knitters weren't knitting.
Various wise estimates of the result of the coming presidential election, already made, would do away with the necessity of holding it if the estimates were of a less varied nature.
If such great and wide spread frauds have been committed in Cuba, a country at peace and at our very doors, how [many] great ones have been committed in the Philippines, a country at war and a half a world away?
From conversation with visitors to this office from the several towns, it is safe to predict that Cortland county will make a much better showing for the Democratic national ticket next November than it did in 1996.
It is estimated that fully 150,000 men have been engaged in strikes during the past week. If the Democratic party was in power it would be charged by the Republicans with being responsible for the unrest among workmen. Why won't the rule work both ways?
Secretary Gage is astonished to find that there is $400,000,000 less gold in the country than he has been estimating. This may explain the Democratic complaint that money is scarce. As to where the money has gone there need be no question. Some Neeley gentleman has got it.
Gen. Otis ended the war just once more before he left the peaceful Philippines. His latest dispatch said: "Leading Filipinos express confidence in the early pacification of the islands. They say the war has terminated. Leading insurgents are surrendering." And yet Aguinaldo is raising another army and American commanders are calling for reinforcements.
The warfare of peace goes merrily on in the Philippines. Thousands of peaceful Filipinos are out with guns in both the islands of Pavay and Luzon looking for our troops and occasionally our boys kill off a few hundred just to keep their hand in. The blessings of peace in the Philippines are indeed manifold and great. Three Americans were killed in a fight in Pavay last week, but the enemy's loss was "heavy," so it's alright.
The Democratic county convention will be held in this city on Tuesday, May 29, to choose delegates to the state, congressional and senatorial conventions, and we urge all Democrats who can to attend the caucuses and elect representative men to serve as delegates to the county convention. Let the enemy know that the Democracy is united in Cortland county and that the standard bearer of the party in this presidential year, whether he be William J. Bryan or some other able gentleman, will receive the hearty support of the Democratic party.
In response to the call for the county convention we have this to urge: that delegates in every case be chosen who are the best, the very best representative Democrats, from your district. Let us go before the people with men who are above small intrigues, men who will honestly carry out the wish of those who elect them and men against whom no word of any kind can be said. In fact, let all attend the caucuses and then the voice and choice of the convention will be that of the Cortland county Democrats. This is an important election and should be started right from the first and smallest primary.
HERE AND THERE.
Well, what about the Fourth of July celebration?
A May party will be held at the Summit House at Summer Hill, on the evening of May 20.
It annoys a man to be asked what he thinks about certain subjects before he has time to think how he thinks you think he ought to think.
Take your own census before the census taker comes around. Do it this spring. Set down the number of acres in each crop, quantity grown and its value. Put down also the number of live stock, value of products from dairy, poultry, etc. Let it be black and white when the census agents appear, and then you won't have to guess, and the 1900 census won't be guess work.
The tree caterpillars are hatching out fast. They lose no time but at once set to work devouring the buds. Little has been done in this city towards suppressing this great nuisance, and a full crop of worms will be the result. In many places vigorous efforts have been made to destroy the eggs, and it will be interesting to compare those places with others where nothing has been done.
The senseless fashion indulged in by some letter writers of writing on the first page of their letter sheet, then the third and after that the second has received a set back, at least so far as legal documents are concerned. A New Yorker drew up his will in that manner, which made his signature appear on the second page. The court refused to probate the will on the ground that the document was not signed at the end, and the court of appeals has sustained the decision.
It is stated that men are going the rounds representing to be census takers. They make inquires as to the antecedents of families and secure the signatures of the victims on paper, which subsequently turns out to be a contract for a lot of worthless books. These are sent as the result of a contract on which the sharpers demand payment. People who take the papers, or any paper, should be aware that the work of enumeration has not yet commenced, and give such persons the go by. When the enumerators begin their work, they will wear German silver badges upon which is inscribed "United States Census, 1900."
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