The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 7, 1900.
NEW YORK LETTER.
The Rapid Transit Tunnel—Bank Detectives—Another New Theater—Lady Barbers a Thing of the Past.
(From Our Regular Correspondent.)
New York, Dec. 3.—The several excavations in different parts of the city in progress for the Rapid Transit tunnel are surrounded day after day by a curious and intensely interested crowd of citizens. At one of the openings down town where the street is torn up for a distance of about 300 feet the workmen have dug deep enough to lay bare two big water mains and an infinite number of smaller pipes all of which are to be shifted from the center of the street to the sides. As the earth is excavated it is carried for a distance of a block or more, in cars hung suspended from a cable above the street, and is deposited in carts which remove it to a convenient dumping place. This ingenious sort of a trolley system is the chief attraction to the spectators and elicits many comments of curiosity and delight. The cars, each one carrying a wagon load, are operated by means of an engine a block or so from the excavation, and as one car filled with earth glides swiftly over the cable to the waiting cart, another shoots along in the opposite direction to be refilled. The contractors in charge of the operations are seemingly confident that the tunnel can be entirely completed within five years, but the average citizen is rather skeptical, considering it too good to be true. Now, however, that the work is actually well under way, rapid transit to the residents of Harlem and outlying districts seems for the first time to be something more than a mere dream.
For many years it has been a custom among banks and large financial institutions to employ private detectives to maintain a system of espionage upon such of their employees as handled large sums of money. The recent disclosure of dishonesty on the part of two bank employees, one of whom appropriated $700,000 and the other $200,000, causes the thought to suggest itself that perhaps such a system is of little or no value. There is evidence to show that after these cases became public, certain bank officials, becoming alarmed, conducted a private investigation of their own, with the result that a German institution disposed of the services of five clerks in one day. In addition to the detectives regularly employed, others make it a point to become familiar with the names and faces of young men, seen frequently in the Tenderloin resorts, and inform themselves regarding their means and employment. If the young men are found to be holding positions where large sums of money pass through their hands, the detectives call upon their employers, and for a consideration unfold what they know of the young men's manner of life outside business hours. It would seem that two defaulters recently exposed would have been excellent subjects for observation, and as their manner of living did not excite suspicion it must be easy for others to escape.
Few things of interest to the public escape the lynx-eyed reporters of the Metropolitan press, but the passing and total extinction of the "lady barber" seems to have caused no comment. Something like two years ago, citizens doing business in Wall-st. and vicinity were amazed at the innovation which occurred in a barber shop on the ground floor of a large office building. Behind each chair where a pompous man had formerly presided, stood a neatly attired young woman, good looking and decidedly prepossessing in every way. For a time these tonsorial artist flourished like the biblical green bay tree, their shop not being large enough to contain the influx of customers. Numerous imitators sprang up in various parts of the city, and it seems that romance was not lacking, as a girl operator in a Brooklyn shop married one of her customers, a millionaire. After a year or so, however, this prosperity began to decline perceptibly. The novelty of being deftly lathered and scraped by clean white hands began to wane, and men, ever fickle in their relations with the fair sex, returned gradually to barbers of their own persuasion. Two days ago the last barber shop in the city conducted by women closed its doors, and a fad which at one time had every appearance of becoming a permanent institution, met an untimely end.
An announcement of great interest to the theatre loving public was made recently to the effect that a certain gentleman who has been extremely prominent in New York theatrical affairs for many years was about to commence the erection of his eighth theatre. It is a curious fact in connection with the career of this gentleman that of the many houses of amusement he has caused to be erected, today only two remain in his possession, the others having passed from his control, principally owing to several unfortunate litigations in which he became involved; and scarcely more than a year ago he was so deeply immersed in the financial slough of despond, that when the Sheriff's officers came to levy on his fifth theatre they found the manager asleep in his box office simply because he did not have anywhere else to go. Since then, by dint of his indomitable pluck and perseverance, he has become so firmly established, that as he walks along Broadway, to use his own expression, he can '"balance iron girders on his breast." His eighth undertaking will be the largest playhouse in the United States having a seating capacity of 4.000 (500 more than the Metropolitan Opera House,) four balconies and an enormous stage. It is the present intention of the owner to devote this theatre to the production of Melodramas of the better class.
A CRUSHING APPEAL FOR LIGHT.
"Citizen" Makes a Pertinent Query Anent the County Stone Crusher.
Editor Democrat:--You will forgive my common fault of ignorance, inasmuch as it is something quite uncommon among the vast majority of the readers of your valuable paper. Hoodwinked, as I am, at some of the doings of our county legislators, I am certainly desirous of more light on some of their more recent doings.
For example, we learn from your excellent reports of the doings of these county solons, that in a spirit of laudable philanthropy, they had resolved, decreed, determined and decided that there was a need, at once urgent and humanitarian, that ways and means be provided whereby the weary hours of our county prisoners—hours unbroken in their monotony save by a quiet moral game of "seven up"—be filled with healthful, strenuous activity. A plan both philanthropic and frugal is evolved, and every one rejoices that the healthful gymnastics of the prisoners is to be utilized for the public good. The county prisoners are to become breakers of stone in return for being breakers of law.
In imagination we could already see them with long-handled hammers poised high in air aiming the blow that would rive the stones which, when broken, were to deck the roads throughout the county. We read further on in your report and the darkness of ignorance confuses us, for there in black and white it states that these philanthropic, economical, crafty supervisors had appropriated the sum of twelve hundred dollars ($1,200) for the purpose of purchasing a stone crusher.
We ignorantly thought the prisoners were to be the stone crushers. Is this a new trust scheme, the intent whereof is to crush out all competition on the part of the prisoners? Or is the machine only to crush the hard-heads among prisoners? How is the stone crusher to be operated? Is the power to be supplied by the prisoners climbing a monotonous, endless tread-power? Or is this a new scheme of the Cortland board of public works to find a new opening for using the much-discussed city fire team?
Now, candidly, Mr. Editor, didn't you for once make a mistake in your report? Wasn't the twelve hundred dollars appropriated to buy an automobile to carry the prisoners to work at the numerous stone piles throughout the county? Wasn't the appropriation to purchase a vehicle for the stone crushers rather than a stone crushing machine? You see, we are muddled about this confusion arising from the human stone crushers and the mechanical stone crushers, a carriage for stone crushers, stone crushers in a wagon or stone crushers attached to a wagon or a wagon which is part of the stone crushing paraphernalia. A little light, Mr. Editor, will make our mental pathway brighter. Light up your editorial search-light and let some of the rays fall on this mystery, and if you find that a stone crusher machine is to be bought, please convey to the board the welcome news that the beast stone crushing machine in the world is made in Marathon, N. Y., the home of the genial chairman of the board of supervisors. CITIZEN.
PAP FOR THE SHERIFF.
Republican Supervisors Raise Price of Board After Reducing It.
Early in the session of the board of supervisors Mr. Ingersoll introduced a motion fixing the price paid the incoming sheriff for the board of prisoners at 35 cents per day This met with no opposition and was carried, the entire board apparently feeling that $2.45 a week is enough when the county furnishes rent, furnishing, heat, lights and in fact everything but the bare eatables. Excellent board can be had in Cortland for $3 a week, the landlord paying for everything out of that and still having a profit left. The price paid the sheriff has lately been 40 cents a day, or $2.80 a week and when the motion was made to reduce this to $2.45 several were in favor of making it still lower, even to 30 cents a day, or $2.10 per week.
Not long after the motion reducing the price to 35 cents a day had been passed, it dawned on some Republicans that the new sheriff, who will be affected by the cut, is one of the faithful of the g. o. p. and the wheels were set in motion to right matters for him, with the result that, last Friday, a motion was introduced by Mr. Peck to reconsider the matter, and when this was carried, the following amendment was offered:
Resolved, That, inasmuch as this board has voted to put the prisoners of this county to work and the fact that provisions are much higher than in former years, that the sheriff's compensation for the board of prisoners for the ensuing year be fixed at forty cents per day and that three meals and one lodging constitute a day's hoard.
There are twenty one members of the board and eleven are necessary to choice. Well, there were eleven ayes: Walrad, Johnson, Allen, Peck, Kingsley, F. A. Phelps, Rowe, Surdam, Crosby, Webb, Hammond.
Nine voted nay: Kinyon, Patrick, Mynard, Wavle, Bennett, Hunt, Bingham, I. W. Phelps, and Ingersoll. Mr. O'Donnell was absent. Much time was spent in discussion and many weighty arguments presented why the price should not be raised.
One of the latter was as follows, and the estimated figures are certainly conservative: There are on average eighty prisoners at the jail. These at $2.45 a week would be $19.60 a month for the sheriff. Now suppose some boarding house keeper in this city had eight men at $3.50 a week. The later would receive $28 a month and would be at an expense of at least $3 for rent, $2 for fuel, $3 for hired help, $1 for lights and $4 for wear and tear, interest, etc., all of which items do not enter into the expenses of the sheriff. When it comes to buying food, the sheriff would certainly provide cheaper than the boarding house and the latter after deducting the total of above items, $13, from the $28 he receives, has to do this on $15 while the sheriff has $19.60 for the same purpose
But no argument of economy could move those bent on increasing the rate so the rate of 40 cents a day will stand, and the taxpayers will ''stand' it from their pockets.
MARY MARRIES THE MIDGET.
The Belle of Shamoken Weds the Midget in Cortland.
The marriage of Claude Brubaker, better known as "Major Page, the midget," to Miss Mary Weikle, which was solemnized at the Orris Hose fair in Taylor hall last Friday evening, drew an immense crowd, the large hall being packed to the doors. The ceremony was performed by Rev. George C. Smith.
The history of this unique love affair is quite interesting. Mary, who in her stocking feet over-tops the Major by more than two to one, is the daughter of Amos Weikle of Doutyville, Pa. When Mrs. Weikle No. 1 died, Mr. Weikle wedded again, and Mary went to live in a small mining hamlet "hard by" Shamokin. Mary ripened into womanhood and into the hearts of the miners, whose pride she was. Next door lived Claude Brubaker now "Major Page."
For two years the young folks were thrown together, and the diminutive miner pressed his suit with all the ardor of his thirty-four inches, until finally Mary murmured "yes." Then the miners struck and Claude was thrown out of work. He jumped at an offer to travel with a vaudeville company, and kissing Mary goodbye, said: "Some day I'll claim you. I'll send you a ticket and you can join me."
Under the name of "Major Page," and enterprising management, the midget traveled through nearly every country in Europe and amused many crowned heads. While the "Major" was hobnobbing with monarchs, Mary waited patiently in the little mining village. Years passed and no word came—and no ticket. Mary despaired of ever hearing from her lover again.
But two weeks ago the ticket did come from Cortland and with it this message from the Major: "Come at once, my dear." Mary dared not tell her stepmother, who she knew would never consent to the match. Mary thought as women sometimes think—to herself—and secretly packed her clothes in a satchel. On Sunday afternoon, when the storm was raging at its height, and the rain pouring in torrents, Mary said to her stepmother, "I am going to Shamokin to see a friend." In vain her stepmother remonstrated. Mary started out, taking the satchel unnoticed. Two miles over the muddy road she walked, through blinding flashes of lightning and driving rain. She reached Shamokin safely and next day was on her way to join the "Major" at Cortland.
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| William McKinley. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
The President's Message.
The president's message is now before the country. It has length in abundance, presumably on the theory that generalities require greater space for their expression than do specific, definite statements. The message gives abundant and striking proof that this republic has entered the race for territory and become one of the mighty factors among the world-conquering powers, nearly five-eighths of the message is devoted to the consideration of issues without the boundaries of the United States.
Some ante-election statements seem to receive a death blow in the message. Hanna, for instance, despite his frantic fuming that there were no trusts, will learn on the authority of President McKinley that there are ''combinations of capital organized into trusts,'' but he will be compelled to admire their tender handling by the president, as in a general way he consigns their consideration to ''the studied deliberations of Congress.''
The Filipinos, who were promised to lay down their arms forthwith in the event of President McKinley's election, are still in such a condition that the message states, ''we shall need in the Philippine Islands from 45,000 to 60,000 men for some time to come.'' And this, too, despite the fact stated in the message that "The Filipinos are quick to learn and to profit by knowledge.'' It must be conceded, however, that the picture painted of the Philippine policy is not wanting in some rainbow tints of promise which it is to be hoped will materialize in the future.
The recommendation of a reduction of the taxes is somewhat disappointing, as a reduction of only $30,000,000 is asked for, with an estimated surplus of $80,000,000 on hand. Our new policy is evidently to be more expensive, but territorial expansion is in the line of luxuries, and we suppose that those who would have luxuries must pay for them at luxurious rates. The American people will not long stand ''wards of the nation'' in extensive leading strings unless they are used to lead the wards toward the altar of freedom.
In postal matters the message very properly and frankly advocates the further extension of the free delivery system in rural communities, but along conservative lines.
The Pan-American exposition at Buffalo next year is commended and important trade results are promised for all participating countries. Assurances are given that Congress can be trusted to maintain the "continued parity, under all conditions, between our two forms of metallic moneys, silver and gold."
The message recommends the laying of cables to Hawaii, Manila and Porto Rico, but the name of the favored subsidy syndicate to lay the cable is not set forth.
The references to the Nicaragua canal in the message are unsatisfactory and disappointing. Unsatisfactory in that they are indefinite, and disappointing in that inferences are forced upon the people that arrangements have not yet been fully made to construct the canal, something that the newspapers of the country had hailed as a concluded fact.
By far the most satisfactory part of the message is that which refers to the Chinese situation, and credit will accrue to the administration for the manner in which this perplexing problem has been handled. No Hannaism is evident, but Americanism is everywhere stamped upon the acts of the administration in dealing with the many phases of the situation. No jingoism has been displayed, but a calm, firm, consistent attitude has been maintained, and vigorous, prompt and efficient protection to American citizens has been afforded. In the attitude of the administration towards reparation, indemnity and punishment of the criminals immediately connected with the Chinese outrages, great commendation will be awarded, and a greater pride in American diplomacy and American political equity will universally be felt. Free institutions are the solvent of racial eccentricities, and loyalty and heart-allegiance to American principles and traditions in the conduct of American affairs at home and abroad will command respect, win honor and establish the spirit of true international equity throughout the world.
The message shows an increase of our exports, and that our export trade, for the first time in six years, over-balances our import trade.
Altogether the message is Republicanism in its most roseate view, and has much in it to commend, and will be well received, despite the disappointments scattered throughout in form of generalities, studied avoidance of some subjects and brief allusion to others. In the main it is a calm, dispassionate, dignified document, and well worth reading.
Celebration of 91st Birthday.
Cincinnatus, N. Y., Dec. 5—Augustus J. Smith celebrated his ninety-first birthday last Saturday and we believe he is the oldest man now living in the town of Cincinnatus. He is still hale and hearty and can be seen upon the streets daily in all kinds of weather. His mind is clear and it is interesting to hear him tell of his experiences, reaching over this long period of time. Mr. Smith kindly gave us a brief history of his life and experiences, a portion of which will be interesting to readers of The Democrat.
Mr. Smith was born Dec. 1, 1809, in what is now North Pitcher, then the town of German, which at that time consisted of a strip of land about five miles wide and extended from DeRuyter to Smithville, containing what is now the towns of Lincklaen, Picher and German, The strip was divided up about 1820. The entire strip was purchased by a company of Germans, and it was that which gave the name. Col. Lincklaen of Cazenovia was at the head of the company, and Mr. Smith's father was for a time an agent for the company. At that time there was but one post office for the entire town, and it was located at what is now the Brackle. It was cleared along the Otselic river, but the hills were wooded with only here and there a settler. Deers were plenty and each winter a band of Oneida Indians would come, and in some swamp would build their wigwam around a large hemlock tree. The men hunted and trapped while the squaws made baskets which they sold to the settlers.
When a boy Mr. Smith says the wolves could be heard howling nights. The last one he heard of was during the winter of 1819-1820. It destroyed some sheep near his father's place and after being tracked for two days was shot by one Jabish Breed, in Pharsalia, who received $40 bounty money for it. The last deer Mr. Smith saw was in the spring of 1831. He and his brother Harry were working in a sugar bush when two deer ran across a clearing pursued by dogs. They took to a pond and in jumping from the dam one fell between the logs and the two brothers captured it alive, but after a time it died from the effects of having been bitten by the dogs.
Mr. Smith's parents were natives of Connecticut, coming to North Pitcher soon after 1800. He was the third child, there being eight children who grew up to manhood. He is now the only one remaining. Advantages for receiving an education in those days were poor, and Mr. Smith only attended school winters until he was 12 years old, at which time he went to Connecticut with an uncle, making the trip in winter. Here he worked for four years upon a farm and then for five years worked learning the trade of tanner and shoemaker.
Returning to North Pitcher he remained until the summer of 1831, and then again returned to Connecticut. Here he worked in a store for an uncle, but after a short time was taken severely ill and after several weeks' sickness, hoping a change of climate would be beneficial, he again returned to his boyhood home. Sam Carpenter that time owned a small tannery and shoe shop which he was anxious to dispose of. Mr. Smith's friends urged him to purchase it, which he did in the spring of 1832, taking a cousin, Sheldon Blackman as a partner, but whose health soon gave out and Mr. Smith assumed the whole property. The little money he had saved had been used up during his illness, and he was given live years to pay for the property.
His friends furnished him money to purchase a little stock. With a rare business ability and sense of honesty which had been characteristic of him through life, he was able to pay the debt in four years. In order to accomplish he often worked until midnight. He remained in this business for about 10 or 12 years when he traded the property for a 60-acre farm, which he rented for two or three years before selling it.
In 1845 he removed to Greene where he rented a tannery which he carried on for one year, when he again returned to North Pitcher, working at his trade until 1848, when with his cousin, John S. Blackman, he went into the mercantile business, investing the $1,500 or $1,600 he had accumulated. This business was not to his liking and after two years he disposed of his interest to David Smith. After this for three years he was in company with James C. Gladding in the manufacture of lines and cord. In 1857 he removed to Lower Cincinnatus where he purchased a tannery which he carried on for ten years, and was then succeeded by his sons Sidney and John. Since that time until recent years he carried on a shoe shop in this village.
He was married Oct. 31, 1833, to Miss Orphia Rose, who died Aug. 6, 1892. To them were born five children, all of whom are living, the only daughter being the wife of Mr. Joseph Smith of this place. His youngest son with his family have resided with him the past eight years, and the other sons are engaged in business in other localities.
We join with Mr. Smith's many friends in hoping that he may reach the century mark.
HERE AND THERE.
The coming century will have twenty-four leap years, the greatest number possible. This will be a cinch for the women.
Our merchants are making preparations for the holiday trade.
After Dec. 20 the days will begin to lengthen and if the old saying be true the cold will begin to strengthen.
Several members of Cortland Council, Knights of Columbus, were in Binghamton last Thursday evening to attend a reception and degree work by the council of that city. Among the members were District Attorney elect T. H. Dowd and John F. Dowd.
The most fashionable dance among society people throughout the country this year will be the five-step. The Democrat reporter is practicing up on it nearly every evening, and he insists that it is exceedingly pretty and a very pleasant change from the two-step and waltz.
Here is a pretty good thing from an exchange: An observing editor, after looking over the situation, concludes that some people go to church to weep, while others go there to sleep; some go there to tell their woes, while others go to show their clothes; some go there to hear the preacher, others to hear the solo screecher; boys go to reconnoiter, girls go there because they orter; many go for some reflections, but mighty few to help collections.
W. B. Bucklin bought at a mortgage foreclosure sale on Monday the house and lot No. 43 Madison-st. for $1,400.
The Homer-ave. M. E. Sunday school will delight young and old with a Christmas tree at the church on Christmas eve.
Rev. W. J. Howell preached a very strong sermon appropriate to Thanksgiving day at the First Baptist church last week Thursday.
One of our city clergymen is authority for the statement that the Prohibition conference in the Y. M. C A. gymnasium this evening will be somewhat warm.
The D., L. & W. railroad crosses five streets within the city limits of Cortland and has flagmen at four of them; the Lehigh Valley road crosses nine streets and has one flagman.
David O'Brien of Solon imbibed too freely of fire water last Friday night and was run in by First Baseman Townsend. He pleaded guilty the following day and was given four months in Onondaga penitentiary.
Mr. and Mrs. Ward Jameson have bought the Laurel cafe in the Democrat building of F. P. Barney, and will hereafter conduct it. The new proprietors propose to keep one of the best dining rooms in the city.
The storm of Tuesday night made serious work with telegraph and telephone wires, many being broken about town and elsewhere. Along the line of the Syracuse & Binghamton railroad trains were obliged to run wild-cat owing to the breakage of wires and the impossibility of securing train orders. One large pole near the Lackawanna depot was broken off entirely.
A gentleman residing in Preble met with a loss recently, so we are informed. He killed a large hog soon after election, split it in two halves and hung the same in his barn. On going to the barn next morning he found but one half of the hog. Speaking of his loss to Dr. H. D. Hunt, he said the half of his hog was stolen by the miserable Democrats. "How do you know the Democrats stole half of your hog?" asked the Doctor. "Because," replied the man, "if it had been the Republicans they would have taken the whole hog." To which the genial Al Van Hoesen responded, "Amen!"—Tully Times.
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