The Cortland Democrat, Friday, May 25, 1900.
CORTLAND IN 1888.
INTERESTING LOCAL EVENTS OF THAT YEAR.
Cortland Wagon Company's Shops Partially Burned—State Firemen's Convention Held in Cortland—Several Suicides in This Locality—Brief Mentions.
Late in the year 1888 a very costly fire occurred at the Cortland Wagon Co's works, the loss reaching $200,000 and over. About 1 o'clock on the morning of December 4 fire was discovered in the rear of the blacksmith shop, and before the firemen arrived the fire had spread almost beyond control. Unfortunately the automatic sprinkler arrangement failed to work properly, and within a short time five buildings were on fire though only two were totally destroyed. A large number of cutters and wagons, besides valuable material used for trimming was burned. The total insurance on building and stock was $208,150, and the loss exceeded the insurance. The company immediately began the work of rebuilding.
A fire at Truxton on the night of January 30 destroyed the Stearns hotel, a dwelling house and a two- story block.
On the night of May 4 three barns belonging to John J. Arnold at South Cortland were burned, the fire being set accidentally by two grandsons.
September 2 the Novelty works operated by Gillett & Briggs, in the rear of Benton's lumber yard, were destroyed by fire.
E. C. Kinney's barn, located two miles north-west of Cortland, was burned late in the fall, together with a large amount of hay, oats and buckwheat just harvested.
October 29 Mrs. H. W. Beal's house, corner
of North Main and Grant-sts., was badly damaged by fire.
STATE FIREMEN'S CONVENTION.
The event of the year was the holding of the state firemen's convention in Cortland, beginning August 21 and continuing three days. This was one of the largest conventions of the association ever held, yet Cortland entertained the immense crowd in royal style, the officers of the local fire department receiving congratulations on all sides for the success of the entire arrangements. The parade was nearly five miles long, and the route was very profusely decorated. C. Fred Thompson was chief of the Cortland department and Dorr C. Smith secretary, and the entire department gave them cordial support in their efforts to provide for the wants of the visitors. Gov. D. B. Hill was present to witness the parade. At a meeting to make arrangements for the convention, held as early as February 15, the following officers were elected: President, J. E. Eggleston; vice-presidents, Daniel E. Smith, Dr. H. T. Dana, F. W. Kingsbury and C. T. Peck; secretary, D. C. Smith; treasurer, C. P. Walrad; executive committee, Frank H. Cobb, W. D. Tisdale, B. B. Jones, A. Mahan and G. W. Bradford.
MILITARY.
It will doubtless be very interesting to DEMOCRAT readers to learn who possessed military spirit in 1888, when the 45th Separate Co. was organized and became a part of the state militia. The complete roster of the company was as follows: Burnett E. Miller, captain; David F. Dunsmoor, first lieutenant, Jos. R. Birdlebough, second lieutenant; T. T. Bates, F. H. Blair, J. E. Briggs, F. S. Buckley, F. L. Brown, F. B. Bean, M. E. Corwin, J. M. Dean, T. S. Darby, H. A. Dickinson, M. W. Dodge, G. W. Dodge, Wm. Elster, G. W. Genung, E. C. Grant, H. P. Gray, F. W. Groat, F. W. Higgins, F. C. Hodges, E. J. Hopkins, F. D. Hopkins, F. O. Howard, C. D. Hyde, F. R. Kenyon, I. B. Knickerbocker, D. F. LaBar, C. H. Lathrop, F. L. McDowell, A. A. Michelson, F. Miller, F. H. Monroe, G. F. Monroe, E. H. Mead, T. R. Page, N. J. Peck, T. M. Pudney, E. M. Santee, T. Schiele, E. B. Smith, E. G. Snow, G. H. Smith, G. L. Smith, W. O. Smith, G. F. Snyder, L. F. Stillman, J. E. Sherman, F. F. Thompson, G. A. Tisdale, J. G. Warwick, E. M. Williams, L. E. Witty, J. D. Witty.
POLITICAL EVENTS.
On the 6th of January a Republican club was organized with the following officers: President, R. T. Peck; vice-presidents, A. A. Carley, Lewis Bouton, A. P. McGraw, J. D. F. Woolston; secretary, E. D. Blodgett: treasurer, Harrison Wells.
The candidates for supervisor in Cortlandville at the annual town meeting were: Democratic, George L. Warren; Republican, Delos McGraw; Prohibition, Emmett A. Fish. The supervisors elected in the county were as follows: Cincinnatus, W. W. Wood, D; Cortlandville, Delos McGraw, R; Cuyler, B. F. Lee, R; Freetown, M. A. Mynard, D; Harford, J. C. Edmonds, D; Homer, H. A. Bennett, R; Lapeer, Seymour Hults, R; Marathon, Lyman Adams, R; Preble, A. H. Van Hoesen, D; Scott, M. G. Frisbie, R; Solon, Henry Kelley, D; Taylor, A. K. Bennett, R; Truxton, F. P. Saunders, R; Willet, C. P. McVean, R; Virgil, W. A. Holton, D.
At the annual charter election in Cortland the successful candidates were: President, Frank H. Cobb; trustees, David C. Beers, H. C. Beebe and Henry Kennedy; assessor, I. W. Brown; school commissioners, C. P. Walrad, S. M. Ballard and W. H. Meyers.
At a Republican county convention held May 5, Clayton H. Buell served as chairman and the following delegates to the state convention were chosen R. H. Duell, A. P. Smith. W. H. Crane, C. C. Adams, A. S. Brown.
The Democratic county convention was held May 6, Hon. O. U. Kellogg, John Courtney, Jr., and Wilson Greene being elected delegates to the state convention. They were instructed to secure, if possible, the election of Hugh Duffey as a delegate to the national convention, and they were successful.
A Cleveland and Thurman club was organized in Cortland with the following officers: President, J. R. Schermerhorn; secretary, James Culp; treasurer, E. M. Hulbert. The club had a very large membership.
At a Republican nominating convention held August 17, the scramble for office was unusually large. The first ballot for a candidate for member of assembly showed preferences as follows: R. T. Peck 34, F. P. Saunders 19, James H. Tripp 17, C. P. McVean 8, C. A. Brooks 7, Enos E. Mellon 2. Mr. Tripp was nominated on the sixth ballot.
A hot strife took place over the nomination for sheriff, sixteen ballots being taken before a choice was made. The first ballot was as follows: J. O. Reid 19, John Miller 9, H. G. Borthwick 25, Adam Hilsinger 16, Wm. Shirley 6, F. M. Francis 7, Daniel Morris 6. On the last ballot Borthwick received 50 and Miller 40. The convention was obliged to adjourn until evening, when Herbert T. Bushnell was nominated for county clerk on the eighth ballot. Horace L Bronson for district attorney, and Dwight K. Cutler for superintendent of poor.
The Democratic county ticket was as follows: Member of assembly, Wilson Greene; sheriff, R. W. Bourne; county clerk, James H. Turner; district attorney, James Dougherty.
CHURCH NEWS.
The preliminary steps towards the erection of the present beautiful Presbyterian church were taken on the evening of April 9, 1888, when a meeting was held to consider the matter, and at which it was decided to build a new church. The following committee was chosen to examine plans, secure estimates and report at a future meeting T. H. Wickwire, H. F. Benton, Harrison Wells, M. H. McGraw, C. P. Walrad, W. S. Copeland.
The Episcopal church, known as Grace church on Court street, was consecrated April 12, the services being conducted by Bishop Huntington. The consecration sermon was preached by Rev. Geo. R. Van DeWater. D. D., of Harlem.
Rev. Edward Taylor became pastor of the Congregational church during the summer of 1888.
ELECTION BETS.
Following the presidential election in November, 1888, which resulted in the election of President Harrison, several amusing bets were paid. Ollie Ingraham, who pinned his faith in Grover Cleveland, wheeled H. T. Hollister in a hand cart from the Cortland House to the Messenger House, preceded by a band and followed by a long procession of boys with brooms. Hollister held a White Leghorn rooster in his hands, and Ingraham carried a banner with a portrait of Gov. Hill.
A. G. Newton paid a wager by walking from the Messenger House to the Cortland House dressed in a Mother Hubbard gown, preceded by a drum corps.
Miss Lena Fitzgerald gave a game supper to a party of friends at her residence in Tompkins-st., as the result of a bet with A. R. Peck that Cleveland would be elected.
SUICIDES.
April 16, Mrs. Mary E. LeBar of Cuyler committed suicide by drowning.
Horace Henion, a prosperous farmer of Virgil, committed suicide July 30 by hanging.
Another suicide occurred at Preble July 29, when an adopted daughter of Lafayette Knowlton killed herself by taking poison.
The fourth case of suicide took place in Cortland September 3, when Mrs. Henry D. Rose, who resided in North Main-st., hung herself.
MINOR MENTIONS.
B. F. Taylor sold the lease, stock and furniture in his hotel and restaurant in Court-st. to Joseph H. Arnold in January.
J. L. Watrous opened his new livery in Clinton-ave. during the month of January.
In the latter part of January a blizzard of no small calibre passed over Central New York, trains on all roads being blocked.
Dr. Jerome Angel took up his residence in Cortland during the month of February.
Early in the year, E. A., E. J. and G. M. Hopkins opened s grocery and meat market in the new Grand Central block, under the firm name of Hopkins Bros.
The Patriarchs Militant of Canton Cortland held a very successful fair in February, and among many prizes was a glass pipe awarded to A. B. Filsinger, who was pronounced the homeliest man; a glass statue of justice to the most popular lady was given to Mrs. W. P. Robinson.
J. E. Jepson opened a grocery store in Greenbush-st. during the month of February.
A bold robbery took place at McLean late in February. Platt Knickerbocker, owner of the flour and feed mills, being robbed or $150. He was sitting in his parlor reading between 11 and 12 o'clock at night, when two men entered, bound and gagged him, poured morphine down his throat, and ransacked the house.
Early in the year 1888 George Allport sold his interest in the trout ponds to W. P. Robinson, who assumed sole management.
John S. Barber, a prominent citizen of Cortland, died March 2.
Speaking of charters, we are reminded that a meeting was held on the evening of March 9, 1888, to prepare a new charter for the then village of Cortland, the following committee being chosen to prepare such document: Lewis V. Smith, I. H. Palmer, Lewis Bouton, N. J. Parsons, L. S. Hayes, F. O. Hyatt and R. Bruce Smith.
The house of Augustus Bell in the town of Virgil was broken into on the night of March 20, and $975 taken from a chest belonging to Henry Yeaw.
O.K. George, who is now the capable manager of the Western Union Telegraph company's business in Cortland, resigned the position of chief train dispatcher on the E. C. & N. railroad in April.
On April 21 three lads rode from Homer to Preble on a coal train, intending to jump off and ride back on another train. In jumping Willie Cook fell and was caught under the cars and instantly killed.
Dr. James M. Milne was elected principal of the Oneonta Normal school in April.
The Y. M. C. A. was organized on the evening of April 30 at a meeting held in the grand jury room, the following officers being chosen: President, B. L. Webb; vice-president, Dr. F. W. Higgins; secretary, W. D. Tuttle; treasurer, J. W. Keese.
Some time in May a men came to Cortland, representing himself as agent for the Jewett White Lead Co, of New York. While here he called on Ollie Ingraham at his drug store and succeeded in taking a large order. He then said he must make a draft upon the firm and asked Mr. Ingraham if he would step to the bank and identify him. Mr. Ingraham did so, and endorsed the draft, which proved to be a swindle, the fellow having no connection with the firm upon which the draft was drawn.
The first milk train ever run over the D., L. & W. railroad was on May 9, 1888.
B. F. Taylor's block on the west side of Main-st. was erected during the summer.
Hitchcock Hose company was organized May 20.
The Memorial day oration in Cortland was delivered by Rev. J. P. Foster of Geneva.
Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Garrison were given a genuine surprise party on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of their marriage, May 26, when about forty of their friends called upon them.
On the 30th of May a shooting affray occurred at Harford Mills, when Al. Taylor shot Melville Frieze of Richford. The latter finally recovered.
C. F. Wickwire bought the lot on Tompkins-st. upon which his present residence stands.
June 22, Rev. B. F. McLoghlin and Hon. L. J. Fitzgerald purchased the Cuthbert Fisher farm on the west road to Homer, part of which was taken for the Catholic cemetery and the balance added to Mr. Fitzgerald's farm.
Miles G. Darby, well known in this section, was killed at Homer June 16 by being struck by a train.
The electric fire alarm system was put into operation in the summer of 1888.
The First National bank took possession of its new block in June.
In July the name of Adams-st. was changed to Homer-ave.
Peck Bros. sold their grocery business to A. S. Brown, who took possession August 1.
Early in August a great sensation was created at Dryden, when a man named Ben Dutton attempted to kill John D. Lamont, Miss Ida Rote and her brother. Each of the three were struck by bullets from his revolver, but neither of them was fatally injured. Dutton then went to a piece of woods and killed himself.
About September 1, 1888, the present firm of Beard & Peck was formed, N. J. Peck buying the interest of Randolph Beard in the furniture business.
H. E. Andrews and Walter Angell purchased the meat market now conducted by Frank Schellinger.
On the 21st of November Rev. B. F. McLoghlin, pastor of St. Mary's church, died and the funeral was one of the largest ever held in Cortland. The bearers were L. J. Fitzgerald, Hugh Duffey, M. F. Cleary, Dr. McNamara, Patrick Dempsey and Bernard Dowd. Relief bearers: John Dowd, Michael Healey, Edward Finn, A. J. McSweeney, Daniel Dolan and Wm. Martin.
The firm of Jayne & Glann, shoe dealers, dissolved in October.
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| E. J. Pennington. |
PENNINGTON ARRESTED.
A Former Cortland Man Must Answer to the Charge of Defrauding Business Men.
At one time Edward J. Pennington cut quite a swell in Cortland, coming here in 1894 and remaining nearly a year, and claiming to be president of the Motor Cycle Co. of Cleveland, Ohio. He entered into an arrangement with the Hitchcock Manufacturing Co. to manufacture motor cycles which, however, did not prove a success.
When he left during 1895 he was owing a large board bill to Delos Bauder, and several other unsettled accounts.
Since that time be has been in Europe, and in the United States his headquarters have been in New York. Attorney Franklin Pierce, in behalf of the Cortland creditors, has been watching for Pennington, and when it was learned that he had returned from Europe, Sheriff Brainard went to New York and arrested him. He was arraigned in the Tombs police court Monday, the magistrate holding him in the sum of $1,000 bail for his examination in Cortland next Friday.
QUERY COLUMN.
Some Pertinent Questions Answered to the Best of Our Ability.
It is not the purpose of the DEMOCRAT to inaugurate a free-for-all "Query Box," as the time consumed in making the extensive researches necessary in such a department is too great to warrant the creation of a column devoted to that purpose. During the past few weeks, however, several questions have been sent to this office, we assume in good faith, and we propose to group them under one head and answer them individually and collectively at this time. The first question, taken at random, reads as follows:
Why do so many lawyers of Cortland remain in a state of single blessedness, when there are so many marriageable young ladies in the city?
We surmise that the author of this question is some one of the many handsome type writers in the city, as the writing is in a feminine hand. The most reasonable answer is, that the lawyers don't know a good thing when they see it. By reference to the list of attorneys we find that ten members of the legal profession in Cortland are unmarried. They are all accumulating wealth rapidly, are prepossessing in appearance, proficient in courting, fascinating in conversation, and yet with all these accomplishments they seem perfectly indifferent to the charms of the fair sex. We regret that we cannot give our questioner a more definite answer, and as a balm for her disappointment we remind her of the familiar saying that "while there is life there is hope," adding by way of consolation that if rumors are true one of the tardy attorneys will soon do his duty by taking a fair partner for life.
Please tell me if the eclipse of the sun May 28 will be visible in Cortland, and if visible whether total or not?
The eclipse will be total only in a path fifty miles wide extending from New Orleans northeasterly through Alabama and Virginia. But as a partial eclipse the phenomenon will be visible from beginning to end all over the United States. For instance, it will be dark in Cortland, but not as dark as in the path of the total eclipse.
As the grange is distinctively an agricultural organization, how can the local editor of the DEMOCRAT be a member of that order?
This question is a personal one, but the explanation is simple. Before joining the old reliable Riverside grange at Lisle the person referred to took a rigid agricultural civil service examination, the rules requiring him to distinguish with reasonable accuracy the difference between cabbage and parsnips, corn and potatoes, tomatoes and turnips. Having given fairly satisfactory answers to all such questions, failing only on beets, he was introduced to the goat, which he mounted to the satisfaction of the grange. Anybody may become a granger who possesses a fair degree of nerve and a knowledge of cabbage heads and dead beats.
Will you please inform me the length of term of the state commission of prisons, and the compensation paid its members?
The members of the commission are appointed by the governor for a term of eight years, and each of the commissioners receives $10 per day officially employed, and all necessary expenses.
What important county officers are to be elected at the election next November?
Nearly all of them—district attorney, sheriff, county clerk and superintendent of the poor. In addition to these a president and vice president are to be elected, all the state officers and the city officers. Unless the voter has a level head he will hardly dare vote other than a straight ticket with such an array of candidates on the ballot.
Can you tell me how the present prices of every day commodities compare with those of fifty years ago?
This questioner propounds a hard one, as we have no reference book that gives the information desired. The nearest approach to an answer is taken from an old circular or dodger printed in 1845, quoting a very few prices as follows: Superfine flour 2 1/2 cts. per pound; buckwheat 1 1/2 cts.; best codfish 3 cts.; coffee 7 cts.; No. 1 soap 7 cts.; molasses 35 cts. a gallon.
Negro Asphalt Layers.
The following bit of news from the New York Mail and Express will interest Cortland people, who have observed the work of the negro asphalt layers in the streets of this city:
"The fact that asphalt paving companies employ many negroes has been puzzling inquisitive citizens for some time," said the superintendent of an asphalt company this morning to a Mail and Express reporter. "You're about the thousandth person who has asked me about it, and I'm glad you want to know, for if the reason gets into the papers it will save me trouble from 'rubbernecks' who don't have anything to do but stand around on the street and get in the way. Why, I've seen men walk right over the hot asphalt and leave tracks a foot long because they wanted to ask the foreman of the gang why he and the rest of the workmen were black instead of white.
"Asphalt paving began in Washington, I think, about twenty-five years ago. Labor down there is colored, and the workmen come across the Potomac in droves. Naturally they are employed in paving the street, and being quick to learn they soon get the hang of the matter. Besides, they can stand the heat better, and that's no joke when you realize that the asphalt is put on at a temperature of from 320 to 350 degrees, and the sun is beating down on the street at a temperature of 100 degrees or so. No white man could stand it.
"Then, too, the negroes are a clannish lot, and they keep the work among their own people. In our company 75 per cent of the workmen are black. This proportion is true of most of the other companies. One of them employs a good many Italians, but you'll notice that the experts who are known as rakers are colored men. The rakers spread the asphalt out and after them come the tampers and smoothers. The negro seems to have a better eye for laying the stuff evenly, and besides he takes more pride in his work. He draws good pay and I know many of my men who have bank accounts. They are just as likely to strike as white laborers, but they do the work better."—New York Mail and Express.
HERE AND THERE.
Assessors will get $3 a day this year, according to the new law. There is a tendency to increase the salaries of all public officials, while the tax payers are struggling along on reduced incomes.
It is stated that a new coin three-cent piece has been authorized by act of congress to take the place of the old coin, which was so much like a dime that its coinage was stopped. The new three-cent piece is ordered to be made of nickel, the size of the old bronze cent, only thicker. In the center is a hole one-fourth of an inch in diameter. This will make the coin easily distinguishable by sight or touch.
The census enumerators will begin their duties next Friday.
The people of Clinton-ave. are getting a touch of the paving fever.
Cortland park is beginning to receive the usual summer attention.
The annual field day of the local Y. M. C. A. has been postponed from May 30 to July 4.
That picture of Sheriff Art. Brainard in the New York World of Monday was a stunner.
The Cornell University surveying crew are surveying Fall creek, a few miles west of this city.
Dr. J. C. Stevens, veterinary surgeon, has removed his office from Orchard-st. to the Cortland House stable.
The probate of the will of the late Mrs. Violla A. Bolles has again been postponed until June 12, at 10 o'clock.
Wickwire Bros. are building an addition to their plants, which will accommodate more wire drawers.
The Democratic campaign in Cortland was opened on Athletic field last Saturday. The platform was 16 to 1 [gold to silver ratio].
A benevolent member of the First M. E. church has donated $1,000 towards the building of a new parsonage for the society.
Capt. Geo. E. Ashby will serve as caterer at Cortland park this season, and patrons of that resort may be assured of courteous treatment.
The City of Cortland now has ten public bootblack stands, the redoubtable Frank O. Halley being the oldest in length of service.
Rev. W. P. Garrett, pastor of the McGrawville M. E. church, will preach in the Homer-ave. M. E. church next Sunday morning.
A Cortland humorist remarks that all the hens in the United States have become Methodists since the conference decided in favor of lay delegates.
Mrs. Sarah Hill of Cortland was last week unanimously elected chaplain of the state department of the Woman's Relief Corps at the Utica encampment.
Ladies can attend the ball game this afternoon free, the only charge to them being ten cents to the grandstand. Hereafter one day in each week will be known as ladies' day.
Levi Grummons of Marathon has a little less thumb and more experience since his hand came in contact with a machine at the Cortland Specialty works Monday afternoon.
The police are determined to break up the habit of boys gathering about the church doors Sunday evenings at the close of the services. A very good move on the part of the police, too.
The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad company has secured the contract to haul the coal used by the Solvay Process company of Syracuse, amounting to about one thousand tons a day.
Of all the many tine streets in Cortland, none are more prettier than Church-st. at this time of year. Its broad lawns, wide sidewalks and magnificent elms form a view that is beautiful in the extreme.
Louie P. Hine, a former well-known newspaper man in Cortland, is very low with consumption at the Florence, Syracuse. He has been unable to sit up since March, and can apparently live but a short time.
Wm. Martin has again become associated with Duane E. Call in the sale of coal and wood, the firm name being Martin & Call as of old. The DEMOCRAT is pleased to see this strong team pulling together again.
Ella Wood, sometimes known as Ella Wood Townley, loses her residence in Cortland for the term of six months as the result of disorderly conduct on her part. Judge Davis of the city court gave her a suspended sentence provided she would stay away from Cortland for six months.
Judge Davis of the city court dispensed justice with a rush Monday morning. Giles Rood was up on the charge of public intoxication and fast driving and was given a suspended sentence. Wm. Galvin was fined $5 for public intoxication, and Wm. Cookingham, who was charged with public intoxication, was also given a suspended sentence.
F. P. Barney of the Laurel restaurant and dining-room, Democrat building, has decided to try the virtue of this paper in the advertising line, his announcement appearing in another column. Mr. Barney has a good thing for the public, furnishing a most excellent table at a very reasonable price, and then his assistants are so prompt, good-natured and agreeable that to dine at the Laurel is to enjoy a feast.
"The one shall be taken and the other left." One gets a thousand dollars as a balm for his wounded heart and the other gets nothing. C. Lee Saltsman charged Thomas R. Space with alienating his wife's affections, the case is tried in supreme court and the plaintiff gets nothing. Benton J. Livingston charged John H. Brown with alienating his wife's affections, the case is tried in the same term of supreme court, and the plaintiff gets $1,000. Probably the evidence in one case was more convincing than in the other.
What's the matter with Cortland being lively next week, with an important event occurring every day? Monday the eclipse will be the interesting feature; Tuesday the united and unterrified Democracy will meet in Taylor hall and start the political machinery in motion for the election of Wm. J. Bryan next November; Memorial day exercises will occur on Wednesday; the DEMOCRAT with its columns filled with interesting reading matter will be printed Thursday; on Friday the census enumerators will begin asking a string of questions that may possibly arouse some indignation; Saturday Cortland will be filled, with people on trading intent.
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