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| David Hannum. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, November 26, 1900.
DAVID HARUM'S HAYFIELDS.
THE EXPERIENCE OF ONE OF HIS FORMER EMPLOYEES.
Rev. A. L. DeMond, a Normal School Graduate in '89, Now Pastor of a Church in New Orleans, Recalls Some of the Eccentricities of Homer's Famous Citizen.
To the Editor of The Standard:
SIR—The ordinary person seldom has an opportunity of coming into touch with a famous personage. Little did I think when a few years ago I was employed as a farm hand in the hayfields owned by David Hannum of Homer, N. Y., that I was daily looking into the face and listening to the voice of one whom the pen of the novelist would make famous. Since there is now no doubt that the character David Harum, portrayed by Edward Noyes Wescott, was in the flesh David Hannum, a word as to my meeting with that quaint and kindly man may be of interest. Looking over an old account book of mine the other day, I came across this statement:
HOMER, N. Y., July 27, 1887.
Commenced work for Mr. David Hannum for one dollar and twenty-five cents per day.
I was then a student in the State Normal school at Cortland about 3 miles from Homer, but spent my vacation doing such work as 1 could find that would enable me to continue my studies during the school term. Being informed that Mr. Hannum needed more help to gather in his large hay crop, I called at his home late one afternoon and was told that I would find him out in the barn or about the stables. I was soon in the presence of a large, strong man, with an abrupt manner, yet a benevolent face, to whom I told the object of my visit. His reply consisted of a few direct questions as to name, residence, willingness to work and wages wanted. He said: "We work up on the farm. There are no whistles or bells to begin or stop by. We begin soon in the morning and work as long as we can see. If you want to try that, come around to-morrow morning and go to work." I remarked to a friend soon afterward that I had never before secured a job of work in so short a time. Within five minutes from the time that he saw me the contract was closed.
With the large number of workmen that he had employed I helped in gathering in the many tons of hay from his farm. While he had a foreman, he, himself acted as general superintendent and riding about in his light buggy, the large white hat which he wore could be seem darting from point to point as he went to direct and look after the work. Even in these busy days we caught many flashes of his humor and manifestations of his good nature. Many a joke he told that amused us and in the merriment he himself joined.
After the hay season was over I went back to Cortland, but came again and worked for him during the summer of 1888. I well remember the last time I saw him. I rode with him from his [home] down to the village. He asked me of my studies and future plans concerning which I talked quite freely. He seemed interested in me and said that if it was possible he would be glad to give me work longer. I thanked him for his kindness and expressed my satisfaction with being in his employ. "Well," he replied, "It has been just like I told you, we don't have bells or whistles up here. We believe in doing a day's work. We begin in the working [morning?] and quit at night. Come up and help us next year."
The next summer I graduated and came South to teach. Returning to Cortland county some years after I was grieved to learn that my good friend had left the busy walks of men. I shall ever pleasantly remember the days spent in David Harum's hayfields and also the fact which means far more to me and which I trust detracts nothing from the estimation in which David Hannum is held—that he had the kindness of heart to take an interest in a poor colored boy who was working his way through school, by helping him to help himself. Others may have seen only the funny side of this unique character. I shall always think of him as a genial, helpful soul, whose nobler spirit lurked beneath his eccentricities as the sweetest berries hang beneath the vines.
ABRAHAM L. DEMOND, Pastor, Central Congregational church, New Orleans, La.
DEATH OF LUCIEN HALE.
Had Been a Resident of Cortland for Thirty-five Years.
Mr. Lucien Hale, for thirty-five years a resident of Cortland, passed away at midnight on Saturday night, Nov. 24, at his home, 99 Pendleton-st. His age was 80 years, 1 month and 18 days. Mr. Hale had been in good health till during the past summer when it was apparent that his liver was affected. He has been confined to the house since Aug. 27. Though in advanced years he retained all his faculties in a rare degree of perfection, and even in the last days of his illness his mind was perfectly clear. On Saturday, the day of his death, he seemed to realize that his end was near and he gave to his family the most minute directions as to his business, referring to many matters in detail that a man in the most perfect health might very naturally have forgotten or overlooked and then as the evening wore on he fell into a peaceful sleep and the end came as he had often expressed the hope that it might—he just stopped breathing.
Mr. Hale was born on Oct. 6, 1820, at Buellville, Onondaga county, N, Y., a settlement between Manlius and Oran. He lived in that place till 22 years of age when he went to New Bedford, Mass., and shipped on a whaling vessel bound for the Indian seas. He was a seaman for two years and returned a first mate. For the next two years be engaged in farming in Wisconsin with two older brothers.
In 1849 he went to New York and sailed around Cape Horn for the California gold fields. Upon his return in 1851 he became connected with the contracting firm of Belden & Dennison of Syracuse, and assisted in building several railroads in this state, among them the Syracuse & Binghamton railroad.
In 1865 he came to Cortland and with his brother-in-law, Hon. W. D. Tisdale, engaged in the lumber business for two years. In April, 1866, they bought the coal business of Hackett & Chittenden, and conducted that till April, 1874. For the next two years Mr. Hale and M. A. Rice were the proprietors of a boot and shoe store, but in the fall of 1876 Mr. Hale retired to join with Nathan Salisbury in the meat business. Eleven years ago Mr. Hale purchased the Grant-st. meat market and for two years conducted it alone. He then moved to 114 1/2 Port Watson-st. and has since conducted a market there, doing a large and flourishing business.
In 1855 Mr. Hale was married to Miss Theresa A. Tisdale, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Tisdale, who with five children survives him. The children are Miss Clara Hale, Miss May Hale and Mrs. B. J. Brink of Cortland, and Mrs. Charles F. Otto and Mr. Frank H. Hale of Syracuse. Two brothers and one sister also survive: Harrison Hale of Oran, and A. S. Hale and Mrs. Polly M. Candee of Syracuse.
Mr. Hale was a deacon in the Universalist church and a member of Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. & A. M.
The funeral will be held at the house Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The services at the grave will be conducted by the Masonic fraternity.
For the convenience of friends who cannot attend the funeral but who would like a last look at their long-time friend, an opportunity will be given tomorrow between 11 A. M. and 12:30 P. M., if they will then call at the house.
THE MARATHON BRIDGE
Went Down in the Flood This Morning—The Village Separated.
The new iron bridge which was in process of erection at Marathon, N. Y., by the Owego Bridge Co., and which has been the subject of litigation as well as of an endless amount of talk, went down in the flood at 5 o'clock this morning and now lies at the bottom of the Tioughnioga river which is full to the top of its banks. The part of the bridge already up was supported by a trestle and frame work of planks and two arches only were up. But it had reached a state of advancement in which teams were able to cross. As the water came up in the terrific downpour of rain it washed away the plank supports and the upper part of iron not yet being securely fastened together fell down with a crash. The planks arc nearly all lodged upon an island near Killawog, three miles below.
Mr. C. F. Valentine who is up from Marathon to-day informed us that the loss to the bridge company will be about $500, and to the town for the plank which it was supplying about $200. Mr. Valentine informs us, however, that the bridge company claims that the town will have to stand the entire amount of loss, as its contract called for the completion of the bridge by Oct. 1, and it would have completed it and had it all in perfect condition before this flood came but for the litigation started by the town which stopped all work for the time being. It is sincerely to be hoped that further litigation will not be started over this matter.
The village of Marathon is now completely separated and there are no means of crossing the river. The nearest bridges are at Killawog three miles south and at Messengerville four miles north. The river is very high and the current as swift as a millrace. One man tried to cross in a row boat this morning, but he was carried over three quarters of a mile before he succeeded in making a landing.
Mr. Valentine who lives on the east side of the river and who had to come to Cortland to-day says he paid a man $3.25 for carrying him down to Killawog to the bridge to take the train. Chairman J. H. Hammond of the board of supervisors also lives on the east side and north of the village. He started down to the village this morning, but heard that the bridge was down before going half the distance. Then he turned around and drove as hard as he could north to Messengerville, to get there before the train did so as to catch the train there.
The situation is really serious in Marathon and the people will be at no end of inconvenience not being able to get back and forth in any way.
SUPERVISORS CONVENE.
Superintendent's Bills Read—Contract for Printing Journals Let.
The board of supervisors met at 10:30 o'clock this morning at their rooms and the wheels of the county legislature started turning with the rap of Chairman Hammond's gavel. The clerk read the bills of the county superintendent of the poor, and this was made a special order of business for next Wednesday forenoon. This afternoon, sealed bids for printing 3,500 Supervisors' Journals were opened and the contract was let to the Cortland Democrat for $2.66 per page, the bid of the Cortland STANDARD being $2.69 per page, and of the Homer Republican $2.70 per page.
DIFFERENCES SETTLED.
Envoys at Pekin Ready to Open Peace Negotiations.
FRENCH PROVISIONS ACCEPTED.
Main Points Substantially the Same as Submitted by France to the Powers. American Cavalry Captures Village Fortified and Held By Bandits.
PEKIN, Nov. 26.—The diplomatic body held a final meeting Saturday morning and agreed on the terms of the preliminary treaty. Nothing now remains except to secure the approval of the respective governments before definite negotiations with the Chinese peace commissioners are begun.
The precise terms of the settlement have not yet been made public here; but it is believed, outside the diplomatic corps that the main points are in substantial agreement with those contained in the French note to the powers, namely, punishment for the guilty, indemnity to governments and individuals, retention of strong legation guards, and the occupation of certain places between Pekin and Taku.
A party of American cavalry went to disperse a band of bandits in a village 16 miles from Pekin. The village was found strongly fortified, but the Americans attacked and captured it, killing seven Chinese.
A secret edict from Si Ngan Fu to the provincial viceroys and governors orders them to cease the manufacture of modern arms and to revert to the old type of weapons, because modern arms "have proved utterly useless against the foreigners."
DOINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Baron Dumarais, Killed While on an Errand of Mercy, Buried in Manila.
MANILA, Nov. 26.—The funeral of Baron Dumarais, the Frenchman who was killed by the insurgents while within their lines last year, where he had gone to intercede with Aguinaldo for the release of the Spanish prisoners, took place yesterday in the great church of San Augustin in Manila. It was attended by a distinguished concourse, including generals, commissioners, consuls and hundreds of Americans who were on each side of the catafalque, in front of the altar. Archbishop Chapelle blessed the remains.
Four natives will be hanged at Nagupan, Luzon, next Thursday. They are under conviction for arson and murder, the victims of the latter crime including two American prisoners. The military courts are now returning numerous death sentences upon natives.
Particulars have just been received from Iloilo of the battle Oct. 30 at Bugason, island of Panay, when 200 Bolomen and 50 riflemen attacked the Americans, who lost three killed, Lieutenant H. M. Koontz, Sergeant Kitchen and Corporal Burns, all of Company F, Forty-fourth infantry.
It appears that Corporal Burns was boloed while reconnoitering and Lieutenant Koontz and Sergeant Kitchen were pierced by spears while going to relieve an outpost.
When the garrison in force attacked the rebels 49 of the latter were killed. None of the other parties of attacking natives made much of a stand and the insurgents lost 103 killed all told.
First Lieutenant Albert H. McCabe of the Thirtieth volunteer infantry has been appointed an inspector in the forestry bureau.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
Tolerance In Religion.
Happily the time has passed when men wage fierce wars for the sake of their religion. Propagation of faith by the sword has ceased and has been succeeded by the better and far more effective methods of preaching and persuasion. The religion of every man in most civilized countries may be practiced without let or hindrance, and the tendency is and has been for some time to seek some neutral ground upon which all faiths may meet and agree.
The New York state conference of religion has just given practical and decided evidence of this liberal spirit of modern theology. A subcommittee consisting of Dr. Newton of All Souls' Episcopal church, Dr. Gottheil of the Jewish Temple Emanu-El and the Rev. Thomas R. Slicer of All Souls' Unitarian church has prepared a manual of common worship which is now being printed. From every field of human religious thought, ancient and modern, selections have been taken for this work, and it is intended as a manual of worship which may be used by persons of all creeds without offense to their professions of faith.
The advance of liberalism in religion marches hand in hand with the onward progress of science. There is no more encouraging indication of the advancement of mankind and of the freeing of the human mind from its historical shackles. The time seems to have arrived, at any rate in the highly civilized regions of the earth, when men of any creed know and recognize the good in others. It should surely be a matter of self congratulation for us that the United States stands in the very forefront of such advancement.
TO REMOVE THE MAINE.
Shoal Forming Around It Which Interferes With an Anchorage.
HAVANA, NOV. 26.—Advertisement for bids for the work of removing the wreck of the Maine have been issued and will be opened on Dec. 15. The wreck must be out of the harbor by April, 1, 1901. A shoal is being formed about the wreck and this is cutting down the available space for anchorages. The wrecking company which undertakes the work should make a good thing out of it by selling souvenirs.
FLOOD AT ELMIRA.
Police and Fireman Rescuing People from Houses in Boats.
ELMIRA, NOV. 26.—The Chemung river here is rising fast and fears are entertained that it may overflow its banks. Newtown creek this morning burst over its banks, and the police and firemen are working like beavers in the eastern part of the city in assisting residents from their homes in boats.
THE HUSBAND WAS GAY
And the Wife in a Man's Suit Caught Him at It.
VINELAND, N. J., Nov. 26.—Mayor Joseph Mason's office was surrounded Saturday night by over five hundred people, all anxious to catch sight of a woman in man's clothes who had caused the arrest of her husband for assault. She was Mrs. Jerome Leeds, a bride of seven mouths. She wore a dark suit, derby hat and light overcoat, and she carried an umbrella when she started from her home. She walked up town and met her husband walking in Main-st. with a woman.
"Excuse me, Miss, but perhaps you do not know that this is my husband," she said.
The woman nearly fainted and Mrs. Leeds, taking her husband by the arm, started for home. Before going many blocks the husband rebelled and the wife belabored him with her umbrella until nothing but the silver handle was left. Mrs. Leeds says he then knocked her down and choked her. She went to Mayor Mason and swore out a warrant for his arrest. Mayor Mason held the husband for a hearing to-day and sent for Mrs. Leeds' clothes before he would allow her to go home.
BREVITIES.
—The union Thanksgiving services will be held in the First Baptist church on Thursday morning, Nov. 29, at 11 o'clock. Take note of the hour of the service.
—The rainfall between 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon and 8 o'clock this afternoon was 1.50 inches as recorded in the United States weather bureau's tested rain gauge.
—The ladies of Grace Episcopal church took in $490 at their rummage sale during the last two weeks. There were very few expenses so that they were able to clear the sum of $480.84.
—New display advertisements to-day are—L. N. Hopkins, Special sale in china, page 8, M. W. Giles, Specials, page 7; A. S. Burgess, Clothing, page 7; Opera House, "The Christian," page 5.
—Yesterday was probably the rainiest Sunday during the year, it was certainly the most stormy day than we have had for a long time, and this afternoon is following hard in the tracks of yesterday.
—Miss Martha Roe informally entertained the members of the executive committee of the Ladies' Aid society of the Presbyterian church in a social way at her home, 77 Railroad-st., on Saturday evening. Very fine refreshments were served and a very pleasant evening was passed.
—Capt. George S. Cartwright, the brother of Mrs. Thomas Smith of 3 Argyle Place, who died of yellow fever in Cuba on Sept. 23, left a life insurance of $10,000 in favor of his father who is well along in years and who lives in Roxbury, Delaware Co. The face of the policy has been paid.
—The water was over the D., L. & W. tracks in several places this morning, and the early train north stopped twice to examine the tracks ahead where the water crossed the rails before proceeding. At Whitney Point the whole flat in which the village stands seemed to be flooded and the water was in the streets.
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