LEWIS SWIFT—FINDER OF COMETS, PEACE NEGOTIATIONS, SEN. PETTIGREW'S FRIENDS, AND MORE LOCAL NEWS

 

Viewing Swift-Tuttle Comet, evening of August 30, 1862. Howard Bresnia painting.

Lewis Swift.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, August 29, 1900.

FINDER OF COMETS.

FORMER RESIDENT OF CORTLAND COUNTY NOW FAMOUS.

Prof. Lewis Swift of California, Who Began His Astronomical Work at Hunt's Corners and Continued It at Marathon and Rochester and in California.

   Prof. Lewis Swift of the Lowe observatory of California, who has just finished a short visit among relatives and friends in this city, and is now in Richford with other relatives, is one of the famous men whom this county has contributed to the life of the world. He early became interested in astronomy, and while living at Hunt's Corners he erected his first observatory, consisting of a large a telescope as he could command the means to buy, mounted on a big boulder, and covered with a little hut. From there he went to Marathon where, for eleven years, he made rapid progress in astronomical knowledge and gained a reputation which was the means of his being called to Rochester to take charge of the Warner observatory—where he remained 22 years—and from there to California, which is now his home, at the Lowe observatory. To the equipment of this observatory he has loaned the telescope given him by the citizens of Rochester, the fifth in size in the United States, and other astronomical apparatus, all together being worth nearly $20,000.

   Prof. Swift is a remarkable man in many ways. Although now 80 years of age he is active and vigorous, and as keenly interested in science as in his early manhood. He laughingly asserts that he is still a boy as he has had only nineteen birthdays, having been born on the 29th of February. After visiting his numerous relatives in this state, he expects to go to New England and the Southern states to spend a couple of months before returning to California.

   Besides being made a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical society of England, Professor Swift has been awarded nine medals for valuable astronomical discoveries, in which he takes a just pride. Aside from the testimony which these medals bear to his services to science, they are very interesting in and of themselves, some of them being real works of art.

   While on his way from California to Cortland, Prof. Swift stopped at Rochester, and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle published an article on him and his work which will be read with pleasure by his many Cortland county friends. The article is as follows:

   Among the men who have achieved fame in the world, and whom Rochester claims as one of her favored sons, is Professor Lewis Swift, a man who has received more medals for his discoveries in astronomy than any other scientist in the world. Professor Swift, formerly of Rochester, now of California, is in the city visiting with his sister, Mrs. Gordinier, and his niece, Mrs. A. F. Mott, of No. 343 State-st. He was seen last night and consented to tell something of what he has been doing since he left Rochester in 1894.

   Professor Swift is known by all of the older residents of Rochester, he having discovered many nebulae and some comets while in this city. He tells with a great deal of pride that his first discoveries were made with a small telescope on the top of "Duffy's cider mill," on White-st. Indeed, he has received medals for those first discoveries, and he prizes these mementoes more than those received later in life. "It was a spiritual place," he said, with a laugh. "One ought to discover comets there."

   Professor Swift was afterwards located in the Warner observatory on East-ave., where he continued his work to the profit of the whole astronomical world. In April, 1894, he left Rochester and took his telescope, which is now the fifth largest in the United States, to the Lowe observatory on Mt. Echo, in the San Gabriel mountains near Pasadena, Cal. He values his telescope, without the mountings, at $11,000, the object glass alone being worth $6,000 and the spectroscope, $1,000.

   The Lowe observatory is 3,700 feet above the level of the sea, and is regarded by Professor Swift as an excellent place for astronomical observations. While on Mt. Echo he has discovered six comets, of which due recognition has been made, and two others which he did not announce. These latter two were discovered in the day time, close together and very near the sun.

   "I saw one with the naked eye," said the professor, "and the other with a small telescope. I might have received medals for these, but did not apply for them. The rule is that the newly discovered comet must be seen by one other person, and it is a good rule too.

   He discovered at the Lowe observatory also three hundred forty-two nebulae. He has not watched the heavens very much during the last year and a half, as he says that his eye sight has been failing. "That is not to be wondered at," was his philosophic comment, "in a man of my youth, for in all my life I have had but nineteen birthdays." He did not explain this seemingly remarkable statement, but the explanation is contained in any creditable biography, which gives the birthday of Professor Swift as February 29.

   Mt. Echo is a favorite mountain resort in California. Near the observatory is a large hotel, whose guests were entertained every night by Professor Swift, who took great delight in answering their questions and giving them peeps at other worlds. A short time ago there was a fire in this hotel, and Professor Swift barely escaped the flames, carrying his valued medals in his flight. He has discovered in all fifteen comets and thirteen hundred nebulae, standing next to Sir John Herschel in number of these discoveries.

   For his discoveries he now possesses nine medals, a larger number than any other astronomer in the world. He has these medals with him, and takes no little pride in showing them to his friends. Three of them are from the Imperial Academy of Science of Austria. These are large medals of solid gold, each bearing the name of the Imperial Academy and that of "Herr Lewis Swift," to whom they are awarded for the discovery of the second comet in 1877, the first in 1878 and the second of 1879. He has also four medals from the Astronomical society of the Pacific, a medal founded by Joseph A. Donohoe in 1890. This medal is given to every discoverer of a comet and for each comet discovered. The four awarded to Professor Swift were for the discovery of comets on March 6, 1892; Aug. 20, 1895; April 18, 1896, and March 3, 1899.

   One of his unique medals is that founded by Mrs. Gwilt, who left money for medals to be given to astronomers making important discoveries. On one side is the figure of a woman standing on the earth and holding another planet in her hands. The crescent moon is seen, the rings of Saturn and several stars, while the woman holds the chain that binds all the worlds together. On the opposite side is a profile picture of Sir William Herschel. Around the edge is engraved, "Lewis Swift, 1897." The professor values this highly because he was the first astronomer to whom this medal was awarded.

   The medal that he prizes most highly is called the La Lande prize, given by the Institute of France, together with a cash prize of 500 francs in 1881. Professor Swift was the third in the United States to receive the prize, the others being Alvin Clark, the famous manufacturer of telescopes, and Professor Hall, who discovered two moons of Mars. This medal is awarded for valuable services to the cause of astronomical science.

   "I want to tell you what I regard as a miracle," said Professor Swift. "While I was here in the Warner observatory, I discovered a couple of nebulae, I wasn't quite sure of the place, but out in California I set the telescope where I thought they were, and there I had a comet in the field. That wouldn't happen in a thousand years. That comet had been lost for 125 years. It comes around every six and a half years.

   "Another time, my son was using the big telescope in the northwest, and I was using the comet seeker in the southwest. Suddenly he called to me that he had a nebula. I took the chair and looked, and sure enough there was a comet that had been lost for fifty years. It is now due again."

   Professor Swift takes delight also in describing the beautiful vegetation and the trees in California. He says that he saw a century plant in bloom. The plant was described as at least 40 feet high. He says the blossom could be seen for two miles.

 

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

Said That They Have Already Been Opened.

DEFEAT OF ALLIES DISCREDITED.

Pekin Correspondent Says There Are Thousands of Instances Showing That Boxer Outrages Were Approved by Imperial Officials.

   LONDON, Aug. 29.—A Reuter dispatch, dated Pekin, Aug. 15, and sent by post to Shanghai, describes scenes of appalling desolation and wanton destruction in Legation street. All the houses of foreigners were riddled with shells, burned or blown up.

   An attempt was made to mine the American legation. A shaft was sunk from the top of the wall 15 feet deep and was then continued as a tunnel with a sharp slope in the direction of the legation. Apparently the Chinese did not have time to finish it.

   The Siecle's report of a defeat suffered by the allies at Pekin is everywhere discredited.

   The Chinese legation in St. Petersburg has received news that peace negotiations have already begun.

   The Pekin correspondent of The Daily News, in a dispatch dated Aug. 17, asserts that there are thousands of instances going to show that the Boxers were approved by the imperial officials in their indescribable ferocity.

   The Hong Kong correspondent of The Times wiring yesterday says: "There are reports of continued aggression by 'black flags' on North river and of the deliberate destruction of mission property."

 

Li Hung Chang.

BATTLE OF DIPLOMACY.

Powers Considering Propriety of Treating With Li Hung Chang.

   WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.—Several communications came to Washington from the United States officials in China yesterday but being dateless in most cases the government was by no means satisfied with the state of communications and the cabinet meeting gave the larger part of its attention to the problem of rectifying this state of affairs. Evidences of interference with the messages have accumulated to a point where the government has decided to take steps to establish channels of its own, even if it is necessary to employ the rather expensive device of a man-of-war plying between Shanghai and Che Foo for this purpose.

   Three messages from General Chaffee were received and while they cast no direct light on the military situation they were inferentially important. The general's statement that he needs no siege battery, taken in connection with the diversion of the first cavalry which was bound for Taku to Manila, seems to make clear that there is no intention to enter into a prolonged campaign in China such as would involve the use of heavy artillery or of reinforcements in the shape of men and horses.

   At the same time it can not be said that the government has shown any sign of a purpose to abandon any just claim it may have secured upon China through the operations of the little American force in the Flowery Kingdom. But it begins to appear that the battle is one of diplomacy rather than one of arms, and notwithstanding the various rumors that have filtered out from Chinese sources of heavy engagements between the international forces and the Boxers, the officials here are satisfied that no formidable organized resistance will be offered by the Chinese.

   Therefore, more interest attaches to a series of diplomatic calls upon Acting Secretary Adee yesterday than any report of purely military operations in China. First came the Japanese minister, Mr. Takahira, next the Russian charge, Mr. Wollant and finally Mr. Thiebaut, the French charge. These trained diplomats naturally are averse to letting the public know the developments of incomplete negotiations. Nevertheless, it was gathered that one of the principal topics of discussion was the propriety of accepting Li Hung Chang as a proper person with whom the powers might negotiate for a settlement in China. It is quite evident from the conferences held yesterday that the statement made early in the day to the effect that this matter is still an open issue was correct.

   The statement is made that the Russian government for one is willing to deal with Li, of course, upon properly framed conditions and this appears to be borne out by the earnestness with which Mr. Wollant the Russian charge, is seeking to impress upon the state department that Russia wishes to prevent the dismemberment of China and also that her animating purpose now is the restoration of order and the safeguarding of the future. Under these limitations it is urged here that Russia's objects can be achieved as well as those of the United States by dealing with Li Hung Chang.

 

USS Alabama (BB-8).

NAVY'S NEW QUEEN.

Battleship Alabama Shows Wonderful Speed on Her Trial Trip.

   BOSTON, Aug. 29.—There is a new Queen of the American navy, the United States battleship Alabama, which yesterday won the title in one of the most magnificent speed trials yet held in the history of our navy.

   Her average speed for four hours continuous steaming was 17 knots, a figure not quite as high as that made by another great battleship produced from the same builder's yard three years ago—the Iowa—but notable from the fact that it gave an idea of the yet undeveloped power in this latest and greatest product of American shipbuilders. The Alabama was built by the Cramps at Philadelphia.

 

Senator Richard Pettigrew.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Senator Pettigrew's "Friends."

   Senator Pettigrew, the Populist senator for South Dakota, is working for re-election to the senate next winter, and straining every nerve to secure a legislature friendly to his aspirations. He recently addressed a letter to one G. E. Bartlett, asking his political assistance. He got a reply of a different sort from what he bargained for. In the answer occurred the following:

   "You ask for the active assistance of your 'friends' to overcome the efforts of the Republicans to defeat you. Your friends are mostly in the island of Luzon, and one of my sons is now suffering from the tortures of a Mauser bullet sent into his chest by one of them. Your boasted friends are the enemies of our country and are thriving on the encouragement and support derived from you as senator from South Dakota. I had two sons in the Philippine rebellion, and your political consort, Judge Moore, prayed that the God of battles would strengthen the arm of their opponents that they might drive these sons and their comrades into the sea. This sentiment you have countenanced and encouraged by your every public act, and it is because of your having thus countenanced and encouraged such treason that the rebellion in the Philippines still hangs on. Your party rewards men like Judge Moore forgiving utterance to such thoughts by nominating them for congress."

   It would be interesting to know just how Pettigrew felt when he had read that. But he has passed so far beyond political decency that it may not have touched him.

   Pettigrew and Bryan are [as alike as two peas in a pod] and their "friends" reside in the same locality.

   ◘ The young czar of Russia is said to be a devoted father and a very good man in other respects, but he does want a big slice of China just the same and, what is more to the point, he means to have it.

 

TRIAL OF BRESCI

Will Open To-day at Milan—Interest in Case.

   NEW YORK, Aug. 29.—The trial of Bresci will open to-day at Milan, according to a cablegram from Rome. Much interest has been aroused by the nomination for the defense of the famous anarchist lawyer Merlino. It is expected that Bresci will deliver a statement which he has been preparing. In an interview Merlino said: "The defense will consist of a simple but dramatic description of Italy's social, economical and political condition, which rendered the assassination of King Humbert possible." Bresci maintains his attitude of cynical indifference.

 

TENTH ANNIVERSARY.

Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Jewett Celebrate Their Tin Wedding.

   Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Jewett celebrated the tenth anniversary of their wedding at their home in Monroe Heights, Cortland, last evening. About twenty guests were present and an evening of unusual pleasure was spent.

   When Mrs. Jewett, who had been down town, returned to the house about 8 o'clock, she found her porch literally loaded with all sorts of parcels, purporting to come from dignitaries of both continents in honor of the occasion. These articles were all pertinent to the occasion and consisted of all tin things imaginable from a tin rattle to a monstrous tin dipper many of which were encased in cases more elegant than the articles which they held. The guests, whose invitations had been upon bits of tin, arrived soon after and were all anxious to inspect the presents, which had been removed to the library.

   After a good laugh over the presents, progressive whist was the order of the evening, and light refreshments were served. The gentlemen's prize, a cigar holder, was won by Mr. Edward Stilson and Mrs. E. A. Didama captured the lady's prize, a bon bon dish.

 

ENTERTAINED BY MRS. TWISS.

   Mrs. Julia F. Twiss entertained the following ladies yesterday to meet Mrs. G. A. Sears of Syracuse: Miss Force, Mrs. Apgar, Mrs. Walter Webb of Philadelphia, Mrs. J. Hubbard of St. Johnsville, Miss Mary Hubbard, Mrs. W. H. Newton, Mrs. Chester Wickwire, Miss Hooker, Mrs. D. E. Call, Mrs. Norris, Mrs. Virginia Jones, Mrs. David Eugene Smith of Brockport, Mrs. Jewett, Mrs. Vose, Mrs. Butler, Mrs. George H. Smith. Mrs. A. S. Burgess, Miss Sarah Hubbard, Miss Hartwell of Boston, Mrs. N. H. Gillette, Mrs. Winters of Binghamton and Mrs. Frank C. Starr of Newark, N. J.

 

W. C. T. U.

Election of Officers and Reports of Superintendents.

   The regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. was held Tuesday afternoon and opened with devotional exercises led by the president. Arrangements were completed for the annual county convention to be held in the Universalist church, Wednesday, Sept. 5, and tbe following delegates were appointed: Mrs. Strowbridge, Miss Mary Walker, Miss Mary Dowd, Mrs. Cady, Mrs. Philo Mead.

   Reports of superintendents of departments not given at the annual meeting were then presented.

   Mrs. Levi S. Johnson, superintendent of temperance literature, reported the total amount expended in the Cortland union during the past year to be $62.15, this includes subscriptions to the leading temperance papers, leaflets, state minutes, etc. The number of leaflets given out has been 14,893, besides a large number of papers, magazines and pamphlets.

   Mrs. Dunn reported three parlor meetings held during the year.

   Mrs. Maritt, superintendent mothers' meetings, central, reported seven meetings held with an average attendance of eight.

   Mrs. Hills, superintendent systematic giving, reported $17.50 received in free will offerings.

   Mrs. Bentley, superintendent Sabbath observance, gave her report for that department.

   Only partial reports of the receipts from the fair could be given as many bills have not yet been sent in. A full report will be given at the next meeting, Sept. 11, a vote of thanks was extended to the Baptist and Congregational churches for the use of their tables, also to the Vesta lodge and John L. Lewis lodge for the use of tables and chairs, and to all who by their contributions of money and provisions, as well as by their cordial sympathy, assisted so largely in making our work at the fair successful.

   The annual election of officers was the next in order and the following were declared elected for the coming year:

   President—Mrs. Kate Greenman.

   Vice-President—Mrs. M. B. Hills.

   Corresponding Secretary—Mrs. Edith Cotton.

   Recording Secretary —Mrs. Waterbury.

   The election of treasurer was deferred till the next meeting.

   The following vice-presidents were chosen for the various churches:

   First Methodist—Mrs. Maritt.

   Presbyterian—Mrs. C. W. Collins.

   First Baptist—Mrs. E. P. Jepson.

   Universalist—Mrs. Strowbridge.

   Congregational—Mrs. Watson.

   Catholic—Miss Mary Dowd.

   Episcopal—Mrs. Dunn.

   Memorial Baptist—Miss Emma Briggs.

   Homer-ave. Methodist—Mrs. Stearns.

   Free Methodist—Mrs. Ross.

   A meeting of the executive board will be held Sept. 10 for the purpose of appointing committees.

   A. B. COLLINS, Supt. Press Work.

 

RUSHING THE WORK.

Many Men and Teams at Work on Groton-ave. Excavations.

   The excavating on Groton-ave., Cortland, preparatory to paving the street with asphalt, is progressing rapidly. Twenty-one teams are at work and one hundred six local laborers are busy with picks and shovels. The curb stones are also being drawn and placed along the street. These are Medina sand stone of the very best quality.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Rev. John Timothy Stone of Baltimore will conduct the prayer-meeting at the Presbyterian church Thursday evening.

   —Mrs. A. M. Jewett entertained a number of ladies at progressive whist Monday evening. Prizes were awarded to Miss Mary Hubbard and Miss Hooker. Light refreshments were served.

   —Mrs. M. Callahan, 60 years old, of Syracuse, walked from a second story window Saturday night, thinking it was a door. She fell 14 feet, receiving internal injuries.

   —The Chenango Agricultural society has adopted the same rules regarding exhibits that governed that department last year, and there will be no premiums awarded on exhibits outside the county.

   —An 18-inch cannon, the largest modern high pressure gun ever made, was successfully tested at Bethlehem, Pa., last Friday. The projectiles fired were of steel and weighed 2,000 pounds. The gun is also designed to throw torpedoes containing 680 pounds of wet gun cotton.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—A. S. Burgess, Reopening of school, page 7; Warren, Tanner & Co., Infants and children's waists, page 6; Bosworth & Stillman, Shoes, page 7; W. J. Perkins, Asphalt roof and iron paint, page 6; Opera House, "A Romance of Santa Barbara," page 5; Cudworth, Optical talks, page 7.