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| Oscar Wilde. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, December 1, 1900.
OSCAR WILDE IS DEAD.
Life of the Outcast Ended In Obscurity In Paris.
WROTE MANY BOOKS AND POEMS.
Was at One Time One of the Most Talented Literary Men In Europe But Respect For Him Was Turned to Loathing When His Crime Was Known.
DUBLIN, Dec. 1.—A dispatch to the Evening Mail from Paris says Oscar Wilde is dead. The dispatch adds that he expired in an obscure house in the latin quarter from meningitis and was received into the catholic church on his death bed.
Wilde had been living in a hotel on the Rue des Beaux Tres, where he had been known for several months under the name of Manmoth.
For some time he had been indisposed. In October he was obliged to submit to a serious operation from the effects of which he never recovered. He died at 2 o'clock Friday morning at the Maison du Peirier, an obscure hotel, in the presence of Lord Alfred Douglas.
The Paris Journal says it is rumored that Wilde committed suicide.
Oscar Wilde, who was about 45 years of age, was born in Dublin and was the son of William Mills Wilde, an eccentric surgeon-dentist, who has been termed the "crazy doctor." Dr. Wilde was knighted for curing a defect in the eyesight of a member of one of the viceroy's families. Lady Wilde, Oscar Wilde's mother, wrote poetry over the signature of "Speranza."
Oscar was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and at Oxford. He obtained the Greek medal in 1874 and the Newdigate prize for a poem in 1878. In 1879 he went to London and soon afterwards originated the so-called "aesthetic craze'' which was burlesqued by W. S. Gilbert, in "Patience." Wilde visited the United States later on and lectured on "The Uselessness of the Useful," "The Soulfulness of the Soul" and "The Worthlessness of Worth."
When he returned to Europe his success was even greater than before and he married a beautiful woman who bore him two sons. He had reached the zenith of his fame in 1894. Five of his plays were being acted in London theatres at one time and his poems and books were read everywhere.
Then came startling disclosures. He was convicted of a nameless crime and all those who had known him tried to blot his memory from their minds forever. After his release from prison he became an outcast in France and in Italy, living upon the bounty of a few friends. Quite recently a play produced in London, "Mr. and Mrs. Daventry," in which Mrs. Patrick Campbell is the star, is said to have been the work of Oscar Wilde, although his name is not attached to it. The play has been pronounced to be the most risqué thing that London has ever seen.
HENRY L. GLEASON
Chased a Street Car mid Died of Heart Disease in Syracuse.
SYRACUSE, Dec. 1. (Special)—Henry L. Gleason, formerly of Cortland, died suddenly of heart disease in a Walnut-ave. car this city this morning. In company with an insurance adjuster he went to the east part of the city and boarded the wrong car. Soon discovering his mistake, he alighted and hurried up University hill to get another car and had been seated less than a minute, when he gave a gasp and died in five minutes. The remains were taken to Mullin's undertaking rooms where Coroner Weaver pronounced it a case of heart disease. A post mortem examination will be held. The funeral arrangements are not yet completed. Mr. Gleason was a member of the insurance firm of Gleason & Gannett.
Mr. Gleason was born in Polkville in the town of Cortlandville about fifty-six years ago. He was educated in the old Cortlandville academy and at Cazenovia seminary, of which institution he was a graduate. He also took two years at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
He studied law in Cortland with the firm of Holmes & Palmer, and was admitted to the bar in 1872. From that time till 1876 he was in partnership in the practice of his profession with Irving H. Palmer under the firm name of Palmer & Gleason. After the dissolution of this partnership he became the secretary of the Hitchcock Mfg. Co., and continued in that position till that concern wound up its business in Cortland. He has since engaged in the insurance business in Syracuse.
In September 1874 he was married to Miss Harriet Patrick, a daughter of Stephen Patrick of Truxton and a sister of the present supervisor from Cuyler, Mr. J. Wesley Patrick, who survives him. Two children were born to them, Miss Angeline B. Gleason of Newark Valley and Mr. Fred Gleason of Syracuse university. Mr. Gleason was a member of the First M. E. church in Cortland and was an active worker in it.
Beard & Peck received a telegram this afternoon to go to Syracuse on the 4:43 train and take charge of the remains. They expect to bring them to Cortland for burial, but the time of the funeral and burial is not yet set.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Adopts the Report of the Committee Upon Equalization.
The board of supervisors met at 9 o'clock yesterday morning for its sixteenth day's work. After disposing of a few resolutions to add to the abstracts of several towns, the committee on equalization, through its chairman, Mr. Crosley, offered the following report, which was read by the clerk, and. Upon motion of Mr. Patrick, made a special order of business for Saturday forenoon:
To the Honorable Board of Supervisors:
Your committee on equalization submits the following report, as embraced in the table hereto annexed, which shows the aggregate corrected valuation of the several towns in Cortland county upon which is apportioned the state and county tax which, together with the town tax, makes the aggregate tax to be collected in said county of Cortland.
The report of the committee on settling with the superintendent of the poor, submitted Monday, the twelfth day, was brought up at this time and, on motion of Mr. Crosley, the same was adopted, all present voting for such adoption.
On motion of Mr. Kinyon:
Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to settle with the outgoing superintendent of the poor and take an inventory of the property at the almshouse.
The chairman announced as such committee Messrs. Wayle, Webb and Ingersoll.
On motion of Mr. Peck, the board voted to reconsider the resolution offered by Mr. Ingersoll on the fourth day of the session, fixing the compensation to the sheriff for the board of prisoners.
The following was offered by Mr. Peck as an amendment to the original resolution of Mr. Ingersoll:
Resolved, That, inasmuch as the board has voted to put the prisoners of this county to work and the fact that provisions are much higher than in former years, the sheriff's compensation for the board of prisoners for the ensuing year be fixed at 40 cents per day and that three meals and one lodging constitute a day's board.
The amendment was carried, eleven voting for and nine against. Mr. O'Donnell was absent.
A vote being taken on the original motion, the same was declared carried, thirteen voting for and seven against.
In the afternoon committee work was taken up till 4:30 when the board adjourned.
This morning the report of the committee upon equalization was unanimously adopted by the board. The board now stands adjourned till Monday at 10:30 o'clock, A. M.
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| Mark Twain. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
Mark Twain's Service to New York.
There is a good deal more of the prophet and conservator in Samuel L. Clemens than the unthinking appreciate. No one can read Mark Twain's writings without a realized sense of solid value received, for sound manhood and good citizenship lie under them. No writer teaches and preaches with better art than he. Mr. Clemens openly assumed the role of instructor to sordid New York a few days ago where the people are too busy to see that the community interests are properly protected. He appeared before the chief of the bureau of licenses at city hall, Mr. Roche, to complain of a cabman for overcharging. Mr. Clemens was not himself the victim, but his wife's maid, who had been charged by William Beck, the cabdriver, $1.50 for being conveyed from the Grand Central station to West 10th-st. The maid demurred, the cabman insisted with vehemence on his overcharge and then the maid appealed to Mr. Clemens; still the $1.50 was demanded, despite the fact that Mr. Clemens pointed out that by the city ordinance his fare was $1; the cabman offered to compromise on $1.25, but Mr. Clemens finally paid him $1. The case was further aggravated by the fact that Beck refused to tell his name or number. The end of the formal complaint and hearing was that the cabman's license was suspended, but the most valuable feature of the episode is to be found in the reply which Mr. Clemens made to some remarks volunteered by one Winston who represented the hack drivers' union. This man said he was "always glad" to receive complaints against cabmen: but, in this case, he did not think that the "publicity and notoriety" were warranted. Then Mr. Clemens found opportunity to preach his sermon to the people of Manhattan, as follows:
This is not a matter of sentiment, my dear sir. It is simply practical business. You cannot imagine that I am making money wasting an hour or two of my time prosecuting a case in which I can have no personal interest whatever. I am doing this just as any citizen who is worthy of the name of citizen should do. He has no choice. He has a distinct duty. He is a non-classified policeman. Every citizen is a policeman, and it is his duty to assist the police and the magistracy in every way he can and give his time, if necessary, to do so. Here is a man who is a perfectly natural product of an infamous system in this city—a charge upon the lax patriotism in this city of New York that this thing can exist. You have encouraged him in every way you know how to overcharge. He is not the criminal here at all. The criminal is the citizen of New York and the absence of patriotism. I am not here to avenge myself on him. I have no quarrel with him. My quarrel is with the citizens of New York, who have encouraged him, and who created him by encouraging him to overcharge in this way.
After the lesson had been well impressed for a few days upon the mind of the cabman the famous humorist consented to the restoration of his license and the forgiveness was countersigned yesterday by the mayor's marshal. The cabman talked a little about his case on this occasion. He admitted that he had overcharged Clemens but, as be said, when he saw the old man with his fine white hair coming out of the house he thought "Here's a nice, soft old guy who'll stand an extra half.''
Mr. Clemens did not spend as happy a day at this time as did the cabby. He was confined to his bed with his cold and his Thanksgiving was mostly pills and powders.
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| Charles Rufus Skinner. |
Manual of Patriotism.
The STANDARD is indebted to Hon. Charles R.Skinner, superintendent of public instruction, for a handsomely bound copy of his "Manual of Patriotism for Use in the Public Schools of the State of New York," a very useful and valuable work of 461 pages. It is filled with the most patriotic literature of the country, carefully compiled and neatly arranged. Mr. Skinner is entitled to great credit for giving to the schools of the state a work so valuable and interesting in all of its details. It deserves to be in the hands of every teacher and pupil in the state.
ORRIS HOSE FAIR.
Good Musical Program and Plenty of Excitement Last Night.
The Orris boys [volunteer firemen] had a great harvest last night and the large crowd seemed thoroughly satisfied. Aside from the midget marriage, an account of which is given in another column, a fine musical program was rendered by the premier minstrel company. Messrs. Maycumber and Fowler sang end songs, while Messrs. Carver and Burns of the double quartet sang ballads in a pleasing manner. The double quartet was made up of Messrs. McGuire, Williams, Lannigan, Burns, McNett, Walsh, Dowd and Carver. Their selections were well received. To-night is the last of the fair and a fine program has been arranged.
New Signs on the Cars.
The signs on all the cars of the electric road have been repainted and are now so fresh and bright in appearance that they can be seen at a long distance in the day time. The signs are placed on the hood above the head of the motorman. They are four-square, one face appearing and the particular faces being turned down into view according to the trip which the car is then making. The signs upon the four faces are "Homer and the L. V.," "McGraw," "Cortland Park," and "Train," the last mentioned referring to the car which makes the trips between the Messenger House and the Lackawanna station.
MARRIED AT LAST.
CLAUDE BRUBAKER, THE MIDGET, AND MARY WEIKLE JOINED.
Taylor Hall Packed to See Strange Couple—Zion A. M. E. Church Pastor Officiated—How They Appeared for the Ceremony—A Six Weeks' Trip Reported.
Claude Brubaker, the 3-feet midget, and Mary Weikle of Shomokin, Pa., were married lust night at Taylor hall, under the auspices of the Orris Hose fair, which has been in progress during the entire week. The ceremony was performed by Rev. George C. Smith, pastor of the African Methodist Episcopal church of Cortland.
At 9:15, after the musical program had been given, Dr. G. A. Tompkins announced the wedding. The curtain rose and the strange bridal pair, with the dusky pastor before them, stood revealed under a strong stage light to the view of the great audience, which packed the large hall to the doors. Every nook, crevice and stairway was crowded with people, and the gallery was jammed full of curious spectators. When the curtain went up, the applause was deafening.
The major seemed slightly nervous and he twisted around considerably on his short, crooked legs. Mary was the more composed of the two; she looked down upon the little fellow in an assuring, motherly way, although she looked very young and not a bit over 18 years of age. She was dressed in a tasteful white gown, while the major looked very nobby in a black suit.
As soon as the cheering had ceased, the clergyman began in a very impressive way to perform the ceremony. The large crowd was remarkably quiet and showed due respect till the couple joined hands then the absurdity of the whole affair seemed to break upon the spectators and a roar of laughter resulted. The major, however, held the hand of his bride although it was a strain upon him to reach up so high and still keep his position. The answers to the minister's questions were plainly auditable from each.
When the ceremony was completed several stepped forward and greeted the pair, who afterward were driven to Thurston's Winter Garden on Orchard-st., where the major has been employed in setting up pins in the bowling alley.
It is reported this morning that Howard Thurston, Maj. Page's manager, has made arrangements with parties in Philadelphia for a two weeks' engagement of the major and his wife at $100 per week. It is also reported that from Philadelphia they go to New York and Baltimore, to be gone six weeks in all.
Entertained at Duplicate Whist.
Miss Hendrick and Miss Booth very delightfully entertained a party of ladies at their home 10 Church-st., yesterday afternoon at duplicate whist. There were ten tables of players and twelve boards were played. The rooms were very prettily adorned with a profusion of chrysanthemums. The hostesses were assisted by Mrs. Julia F. Twiss, Mrs. Thomas E. Courtney and the Misses Emma. W. Cornish, Cornelia A. and Mary H. White. During the serving of refreshments Miss Cornish played with fine effect Chopin's waltz, Henselt's Etude, "If I Were a Bird, I'd Fly to Thee," and a selection from MacDowell.
BREVITIES.
—The Hospital board will hold a regular meeting at the hospital on Monday, Dec. 3, at 3 P. M.
—E. C. Wills, a Missionary from Africa, will occupy the pulpit at the Memorial Baptist church to-morrow morning and evening.
—Rev. W. P. Coddington, D. D., of Syracuse university will preach at the Congregational church to-morrow morning and evening.
—Rev. Warren W. Way, the new rector of Grace Episcopal church, is expected to arrive in Cortland at 5:55 to-night and will officiate for the first time at the church to-morrow.
—New display advertisements to-day are—M. W. Giles, Special sale, page 7; Warren, Tanner & Co., Dry goods, page 6; McKinney & Doubleday, Getting ready for Christmas, page 7; C. F. Thompson, Groceries, page 5.
—Rev. Dr. O. A. Houghton will address the men's meeting at the Y. M. C. A. at 4 o'clock to-morrow afternoon; Mr. U. A. Kinney will address the meeting of the Boys' Gospel army at the same place at 2:30 o'clock.
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