Friday, September 29, 2023

NEW YEAR AT PEKIN, FIRST IN FORBIDDEN CITY, MUNICIPAL APPOINTMENTS, NEW OFFICERS, A. LEROY COLE, AND CHARITY BALL

 
General Adna Chaffee.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, January 2, 1901.

NEW YEAR AT PEKIN.

Dawn of New Century Celebrated by All Nations Except French.

   PEKIN, Jan. 2.—The advent of the new year and the new century was celebrated in Pekin on an elaborate scale. The discharge of numerous guns at midnight created a scare, and many troops were sent to discover whether the city had been attacked or whether it was a Boxer rising.

   General Chaffee held his reception in the morning and Mr. Conger received in the afternoon. A feature which caused considerable comment was a review of the British troops in honor of Queen Victoria and of the Australian federation in which all the nations were invited to send representatives. The French were conspicuous by their absence, not a single Frenchman being present at the review.

 

FIRST IN FORBIDDEN CITY.

Captain Long Reports That the Honor Belongs to American Marines.

   The dispute as to what foreign troops were the first to enter the Forbidden City of Peking appears to have been settled in a report made by Captain Charles G. Long, United States marine corps, to Colonel Henry Clay Cochrane, commanding the marine regiment at Cavite, says a Washington dispatch. Captain Long, who commanded Company D of the American marine contingent at Peking, was called on to make a report, and he did so on Nov. 4 at Cavite. On Aug. 16 Captain Long received an order to occupy the Forbidden City and "seize such buildings and quarters as might be advantageous for us to hold and occupy." Three gates leading to the Forbidden City had been taken by the Americans on the previous day, and Captain Long's company forced the fourth gate and entered the sacred territory.

   He says: "Japanese sentries objected to our entering, but I did not consider their claim to any control at that point. On entering there was no opposition, the Chinese having departed, leaving their tents and banners standing. I put guards on the best of the buildings, and the regimental colors were hoisted on one of the administration buildings. To the best of my belief this was the first occupation of the Forbidden City by any of the allied forces and the only time that any force hoisted its colors there. We remained there from about 8:30 to 5:30 p. m., when I received an order to withdraw and leave a guard at the fourth gate. Captain Matthews and Lieutenant Little, United States marines, were the officers in Company D with me."

   In forwarding this report to the commandant of the marine corps in Washington, Colonel Cochrane said, "The incident described herein became known to me while in Peking and I believe has not been mentioned thus far in any report of the campaign in China."

 

Minister Wu Ting Fang.

PAGE FOUR EDITORIALS.

The Terms With China.

   Briefly, the terms of the powers, which the Chinese envoys announce will be accepted, are: The dispatch to Berlin of a mission headed by an Imperial prince to express the Chinese emperor's regret for the murder of the German minister and the erection on the spot of assassination in Pekin of a commemorative monument; the severest punishment for the persons designated in the Imperial decree of Sept. 25 and others whom the powers may name; the suspension for five years of examinations in cities where foreigners have been massacred or cruelly treated; honorable reparation to the Japanese government for the murder of [Japanese] Chancellor of Legation Sujyama; an expiatory monument to be erected in every foreign or international cemetery which has been desecrated; prohibition of the importation of arms as well as material employed exclusively for the manufacture of arms and ammunition; indemnities for governments, societies, companies and individuals, including Chinese, who have suffered in person or property in consequence of their being of service to foreigners, financial guarantee, to be acceptable to the powers; maintenance of permanent guards for the legation and the erection of defenses, no Chinese having the right to live in the legation quarter, destruction of the forts between Pekin and the sea; military occupation by the powers of certain points to be designated for keeping open communication with the capital; publication by the Chinese government of a decree embodying a perpetual prohibition, under penalty of death, of membership in any anti-foreign society, enumerating the punishments that shall be inflicted and the suspension of examinations and announcing that the viceroys, governors and all provincial and local officials shall be held responsible for the maintenance of order and, if disorder occurs, they shall be removed and shall never again be eligible to office; amendment of present treaties; reform in the department of foreign affairs and in the manner of receiving foreign representatives.

   The note was officially presented to Prince Ching on Dec. 24, but its terms had been previously known and had been forwarded to the Chinese court at Sin-gan-fu. The quick reply is thus explained.

   At a complimentary dinner given Minister Wu by the Lotus club in New York recently the distinguished Chinese diplomatist told his hosts more than they ever knew before about the name of their club. In speaking of this subject he said: "Of all the plants that grow in China the lotus is the most appreciated because of its purity. A gentleman who sits near me says that the lotus is the symbol of quiet and rest and that therefore it is an appropriate name for this club. I bow to his superior wisdom, but in China we appreciate and respect the flower not because we eat it, but because if you put it into water, no matter how troubled, mud does not stick to it, and it comes out clean and pure and delicate as ever. Therefore we call good men lotus men. Associations are formed under that name. Therefore I naturally find myself in superior company by dining with the members of this Lotus club."

   A more delicate and tactful compliment could not have been paid by anybody. Mr. Wu is a decidedly smooth individual.

 


MUNICIPAL APPOINTMENTS.

Common Council Holds Its First Meeting for the Year.

   A regular meeting of the common council of the city of Cortland was held at the office of the clerk last night. This was the first meeting of the new board and every member was present. Mayor Charles F. Brown and Aldermen E. M. Yager, E. H. Wright, George H. Richards, T. C. Scudder, R. H. Pettigrew and Vern W. Skeele.

   Reports for the month of December were made by City Chamberlain Maycumber and Commissioner of Charities Schermerhorn and were placed on file.

   The National bank of Cortland was designated as the bank of deposit of the city's funds for the coming year.

   The mayor appointed Fred Hatch as city clerk and Dr. P. T. Carpenter as city physician for the coming year; also Messrs. W. A. Stockwell, E. M. Santee, John Tuthill, H. S. Bliss, G. T. Chatterton and C. D. Ver Nooy as members of the board of health for the six wards of the city.

   The mayor also appointed the members of the board of education, the members named for one and two years respectively being the men elected for the term of office for which they are now appointed at the last election held under the village government. The members named for three years are new appointments entirely. The list is as follows:

   For One Year—G. J. Mager, W. J. Greenman, E. Keator.

   For Two Years—F. D. Smith, A. W. Edgcomb, W. H. Newton.

   For Three Years—C. L. Kinney, A. F. Stilson, F. P. Hakes.

   E. M. Yager was appointed acting mayor.

   The official bond of the city clerk was fixed at $1,000.

   The meeting then adjourned till Tuesday evening, Jan. 8, at 7:30 o'clock when it is likely the balance of the appointments will be made.

   Owing to the crowded condition of our columns to-day by reason of the fact that yesterday was a holiday and no paper was printed we give to-day only this brief outline of the proceedings, and the official minutes will be printed later.

 

THE NEW OFFICIALS

Now Performing Their Duties in County and City.

   Yesterday was the time for the general change of officers of city and county. Sheriff Brainard stepped down and out after three years of very efficient and acceptable service and passed over his keys to Sheriff Overton. Mr. Overton has not yet decided as to the appointee for under-sheriff, but has already selected some of the deputy sheriffs as follows: C. W. Harrington of Harford, John Miller of Cortland, George Thompson of Homer, Ira J. Barber of Scott and Hilton Ryan of Virgil.

   County Clerk Bushnell laid down his pen and was succeeded by County Clerk Otis D. Patrick. Mr. Patrick has named Mr. S. K. Jones as his deputy and that gentleman who has previously served so well in that capacity during the last three years will continue to perform the same duties under the new administration. Mr. Patrick will be further assisted by Mr. Howard J. Harrington, a former clerk and deputy clerk.

   The two justices of the peace of the city, Messrs. H. J. Harrington and J. H Kelley, were legislated out of office by the city charter on Dec 31. Cases of the character to have been taken before them in the past now go before the city judge.

   The new city officers began performing their duties yesterday, the common council holding its first meeting last night, an account of which is given elsewhere.

 

Grange Insurance Meeting,

   The Cortland County Fire Relief Insurance association of the Pomona grange is holding its annual meeting at the Cortland House this afternoon to settle up the business of the past year. Each of the eighteen granges in the county sends one representative to this meeting.

 

A. O. H. Members.

   All members of the A. O. H. are requested to meet to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock at their rooms to attend the funeral of Mr. John Ryan. A meeting is also called for this evening to make farther arrangements for the funeral.

 

A. LEROY COLE.

Death of One of Cortland's Most Highly Respected Citizens.

   The news of the sudden death of Mr. A. Leroy Cole at his home, 140 Main-st., at about 5:30 o'clock on Monday night, was a shock to many of his friends in this city who did not know that he was seriously ill. Mr. Cole had not been in usual health for two or three weeks, and for several days had been confined to his bed, but those who were most constantly at his side did not apprehend that this illness was of a serious nature. In fact, Monday he was feeling much better than for several days and sat up in a chair by the window where he could watch the passers by nearly all the forenoon. In the afternoon he sat up in bed resting himself at frequent intervals by lying down. So well did he seem that Mrs. Cole went out to attend the funeral of their long time friend, Mr. Robert Purvis, at 2 o'clock.

   His son's wife, Mrs. W. R. Cole, and her little girl Margaret were with him all the afternoon, and he seemed particularly interested in the presence of his little granddaughter who was that day able to call him "grandpa" for the first time which greatly pleased him. Mrs. Cole returned and they visited for a time. At about 4:30 o'clock he asked for a glass of water and his daughter gave it to him, but it seemed to distress him and be complained of a pain in his stomach. As the difficulty increased medicine was given him and his daughter several times spoke of going for the family physician Dr. Nash, but Mr. Cole discouraged the idea. At about 5:30 o'clock his daughter decided to go any way despite his opposition and hastened through the back yard first to her own home adjoining on Argyle Place to take her little girl home and to get her wraps.

   She was gone scarcely five minutes and looked in at Mr. Cole's again as she returned, before going for the physician, to see how her father was feeling. It was quite dusky in the house as the lamps had not been lighted and as she glanced into Mr. Cole's room she could not see him. Mrs. Cole was in the next room, having gone there only a minute before upon an errand and she came at once with a light in response to her daughter's call. Mr. Cole was leaning out of the bed upon the farther side and had stopped breathing.

  Dr. Nash was sent for at once, but there was nothing that he could do. He thought that Mr. Cole had had a shock of apoplexy and burst a blood vessel as he had perhaps been starting to rise from bed, and that the life had at once departed.

   Mr. Cole was one of the best known and one of the most highly respected citizens of the place. He was born near South Cortland, Aug. 18, 1828. His grandfather, Azor Cole, who was a general of colonial troops in the Revolutionary war, came to Cortland when the village numbered but three houses. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812. Mr. Cole was the oldest of a family of seven children, and three of his brothers were soldiers in the Union army during the civil war. He himself gave valuable assistance in organizing and fitting out the Seventy-sixth regiment which was largely raised in Cortland and adjoining counties.

   Mr. Cole's education was received in the district schools, and was somewhat limited, but he was possessed of sound common sense and had the ability to make the most of himself in every position. After the death of his mother he lived for a few years with his uncle James McNish. Shortly after this he worked seven years for himself making lime and driving team. He also worked for one year in a sash and blind factory. For three years he was the baggageman at the D., L. & W. station, then a clerk for a year for S. D. Freer in the hardware business, and then he went into partnership with G. N.  Copeland and James A. Schermerhorn in the grocery business under the firm name of Copeland & Co. This he continued for six years. He then became the manager of the large farm of Mr. W. R. Randall, which position he held for twenty-nine years, filling it with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. In the spring of 1895 he gave up the position and retired to the new home which he had purchased on Main-st., where he has since lived.

   In 1861 Mr. Cole was elected a trustee of the village of Cortland and served for three terms. He has for a number of years been a trustee of the Cortland Rural cemetery and has been president of the Cortland County Bible society.

   Mr. Cole was converted under the pastorate of Rev. Daniel Cobb in 1852, joined the First M. E. church, Cortland, and has held official positions in that church and been active in all church work since his conversion. He has been either steward, Sunday-school teacher, class teacher or trustee during all the time up to his death. He was first elected trustee in 1860, and at different times served twenty-three years as trustee and held that position on the board at the time of his death. He was leader of one of the largest classes in the church for more than thirty years, and taught a class in the Sunday-school at the same time. At intervals he served as class leader, steward, trustee, and Sunday-school teacher all at the same time.

   Mr. Cole was one of the largest and most generous contributors in the church to all matters pertaining to the church and to religious work. In raising funds for the erection of the new church he subscribed $700. When the work was completed the trustees were in debt $10,000 after each had given all he felt able to give. The night before the dedication of the church, (in 1868) a meeting was called to endeavor to secure more pledges. At that meeting he pledged $500 more. On the morning before the dedication exercises when Rev. B. I. Ives was soliciting and urging further subscriptions Mr. Cole interrupted him and said, "Bro. Ives, I want to talk. I withdraw my pledge of $500 of last night and make it $1,000 to buy a new bell for the church." As a result of the example set by him there was raised that day $10,385 which cleared up the entire building debt. Mr. Cole also presented to the church the beautiful marble baptismal font which has been in use in the church for a number of years.

   On March 8, 1854, Mr. Cole was joined in marriage with Miss Pamelia Richardson of Cortland. Two sons were born to them: George L., who died at the age of 2 years, and William Randall Cole of Cortland, who with the wife and mother survives.

   Mr. Cole was a man of the most undoubted integrity and earnest and sincere Christian character. He was a leader in all good works. He was always a friend to the needy and to anyone in trouble. Everyone who knew him respected him and all liked him most heartily. He will be greatly missed in his church and in the community.

   The funeral will be held at the house, 146 Main-st., Thursday at 2 o'clock.

 

THE CHARITY BALL.

Management Cleared $250 for Benefit of Cortland Hospital.

   All the bills for the charity ball last Friday night have now been paid and the management finds that it has cleared $250 which it is ready to turn over to the Cortland hospital.

   There were ninety-seven of the $3 floor tickets sold, making $291. The total receipts were $351.09, the remaining $60.09 coming from the sale of spectators' tickets and contributions for the supper. Aside from the expenses for the supper the ladies kept their expenses down to $30. Mr. Rood furnished the supper for 50 cents each, just what the ladies charged for it, so that they made no profit on the supper.

   Mrs. Mary Taylor Smith of Binghamton contributed her one half, and Miss Goodrich of Cortland her one-quarter of the rent for the hall, so that only a quarter of the usual rent had to be paid for the hall.

   The management feel very thankful to all who contributed in any form or who assisted in any way in making the affair so much of a success socially and financially, and wish those concerned in this to know that they appreciate it very much.

 

ELEVATED TENT BURNED.

Telephone Linemen Hasten to Escape Blazing Paraffine.

   Charles Shirley and David Anteo, linemen in the employ of the Home Telephone Co., had a lively time with fire while making a splice near the Messenger House yesterday. They had a platform raised about twenty-five feet in the air, over which was a tent to keep out the cold. A gasoline stove and four quarts of paraffine used in making the connections, stood on the platform. A gust of wind blew the canvas over into the flames, igniting it and the flames quickly set fire to the paraffine, which blazed up in double quick time. One of the men climbed up on top of the pole and the other took refuge out on the cables. They were slightly burned, but resumed their work after a short delay.

 



CORTLAND HOUSE MANAGEMENT.

Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Squires of Buffalo to Assist Mrs. Dorr C. Smith.

   Mr. W. Chapin Squires and wife of Buffalo have arrived in Cortland and are at the Cortland House, where Mr. Squires will assist in the management of its affairs. This work is not new to him, In fact he is a veteran in the hotel business, and comes to Cortland well fitted for the position he will occupy. For two years past he has been the manager of the Lenox in Buffalo. Previous to that time he had the management of the New York Athletic club, and was also the manager of the Wyoming hotel in Scranton for many years.

 



BREVITIES.

   —Officers Sweeney and Fellows each made an arrest last Monday night.

   —During the month of December twenty-five arrests were made by the police force of the city.

   —Baggage Master Geo. J. Miller of the D., L. & W. blossomed out in one of the company's regulation suits of blue and brass buttons this morning.

   —The place of meeting for the prayer-meeting of the East Side Mission to-night, is changed from 8 to 4 Cleveland-st., at the home of Mrs. Pierce.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—J. B. Kellogg, Special sale, page 7; Mitch's Market, Fish, page 5; C. Fred Thompson, Groceries and meats, page 5.

   —The Loyal circle of King's Daughters would like to acknowledge through The STANDARD the gift of $25 from the Cortland Commandry of Knight Templars, No. 50.

   — The regular quarterly meeting of the Men's Bible class of the Presbyterian Sunday-school which was to have been held this evening at the home of Mr. F. D. Smith, 6 Argyle Place, is postponed for two weeks.

   —The condition of Mr. Fay Millen who is ill with typhoid fever is somewhat improved to-day and he is a little more comfortable, notwithstanding certain rumors to the contrary that in some way got afloat.

 

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