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| Bowery near Grand Street, New York City. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, March 15, 1901.
KILLED FOR 6 CENTS.
OUR NEW YORK LETTER FULL OF INTERESTING MATTER.
The Bowery Not Yet a Paradise—Poor Man Pounded to Death Because He Could Not Pay Six Cents for Coffee and Bread—Cremation on the Increase—Sky-Scraper Buildings Nearly Fire Proof.
Most of those familiar with the Bowery of to-day have an idea that it is not as tough as it used to be, but that ancient thoroughfare is still capable of affording plenty of material for a melodrama of a lurid blood and thunder sort. One morning last week, inconceivable as it may seem, a man was killed on the Bowery for six cents. The facts leading up to the murder were as follows: A homeless, friendless man who had long ago forgotten how it seemed to eat regularly, walked into a small restaurant situated in the middle of the toughest block on the Bowery. The principal feature of this particular restaurant is a meal of three courses served for six cents. It is only the more affluent of the Bowery habitués who can afford to spend this amount on food and down in the basement meals consisting of a bowl of coffee and a slice of bread are served on rough wooden tables for two cents. The man having disposed of the alleged course dinner said "I ain't got a cent. What are you going to do about it?" He found out without needless delay. The four stalwart employees of the place proceeded to take the six cents out of his hide. As a preliminary to this important ceremony the man was knocked down, then he was jumped upon and kicked, and finally he was carried out and dropped on the pavement like a dead dog.
The janitors of the giant sky-scraper buildings in the lower part of the city usually live with their families on the top floor of the building. Some of the sky-scrapers even have small cottages erected upon the roof, and here remote from all disturbing sounds, the dwellers in these lofty apartments live an ideal existence in the midst of sunlight and plenty of fresh, pure air. The house-keepers living far above and apart from the business affairs below, exercise considerable wit and invention to make the most of the house room and roof at their disposal. In summer many of them have a garden and of course hammocks are absolutely indispensable. One family of roof dwellers keeps a dozen or so chickens also a dog and two cats. In the view and surroundings there is a country-like appearance that puts the life on a different plan from that of the occupants of the big new apartment houses up town. The general content and happiness of the roof dwellers is apparent, and each family of the little colony takes a keen interest in the management and belongings of people situated like themselves. Of course there are some disadvantages connected with the aerial life which can not very well be overlooked. In the winter, when the wind blows directly off the bay, the top of a skyscraper is not exactly the place to raise oranges and in the summer the roof dweller thinks himself not more than a quarter of a mile from the sun at the very highest calculation.
It has been said recently that cremation is increasing greatly in popular favor and that despite the opposition of the church, its most powerful opponent. This method of disposing of bodies gains many advocates each year. For the past fifteen years there has been a crematory in this city and during a large portion of that time enough business has been transacted to enable the company to pay handsome dividends. Last year about eight hundred bodies were incinerated, and the present year is expected to break all previous records. Certain capitalists, who have observed with envy the large profits made by the original cremation company, have recently gotten together and formed a concern with the object of erecting a new crematory, and by introducing improved methods more than double the number of incinerations. With the present furnaces it takes about four hours to consume a body, whereas in the future the work is to be done in half an hour. It is quite evident that before cremation is adopted generally the church must be won over as matters stand at present. Among most of the clergy and laymen there is a deep rooted prejudice against cremation, although certain prominent Episcopalians, Bishop Potter and Dr. Rainsford, for instance, have of late seemed inclined to show it some favor.
Some few weeks ago a storage warehouse that had been advertised for a long time as fire proof, burned to the ground. This started an interesting discussion as to whether or not the many so-called fireproof skyscrapers in this city are really capable of withstanding the fierce attacks of the flames. It seems to be the general opinion that the modern buildings are not fireproof, but merely slow-burning, and such being the case there is more of a chance to keep the fire from spreading than in former days. Most of the tall office buildings in this city, in addition to being built of slow burning materials, are wonderfully well protected, and it is said that there are no such fire precautions anywhere else in the world. Nearly every sky-scraper has its own stand pipes, hose, nozzles, etc., and the employees are drilled in their use. Also the fire department has tests and fire drills in those buildings and connections can be made so quickly that a fire could gain little or no headway. The modern appliances and apparatus have made fire fighting much easier than in the old days, but to counterbalance that, there are more fires and the buildings are higher The dwellers in apartment and tenement houses, however, are the despair of the firemen.
OUR LOCAL PICKUPS.
REPORTED BY THIS ONE, THAT ONE AND THE OTHER.
How Did March Come In?—A Cortland Merchant's Embarrassment—Quick Witted but Sarcastic Compliments Heard on the Street—Cute Speech by a Young City Miss—An Alderman's Farewell Shot.
Whether March came in as a lion or as a lamb is a mooted question.
"Well, I see March has come in like a lion,'' said a gentleman as he came out from the Cortland House during the forenoon of March 1, when a flurry of snow was darkening the atmosphere.
"There is no reason why we should not have mild weather from this time on, for March has come in like a lamb," said a Main-st. merchant coming out of his store and looking up and down the street the same day.
Thus many different opinions as to whether March came in like a lion or a lamb were offered about the city. The old saying can determine nothing until the fact how March came in is settled.
◘ One of our Cortland dry goods merchants was placed in a very embarrassing position last week. He had been engaged in conversation with a friend in his office, and as the latter started for the door the telephone rang up a call. Now it so happened that the telephone was located out of range of the friend's vision, and thereby hangs the funny part of the proceeding. When the merchant responded to the call with the usual "Hello!" the visitor very naturally supposed the call was for him and sang out "Hello!" in return. The merchant again hurried up the phone by repeating "Hello! Hello!" The caller could not of course see the telephone, and he a second time demanded what was wanted. The situation was exceedingly embarrassing for the merchant, for he could not well break the telephone connection to make an explanation and the visitor began to have a suspicion that he was being guyed. Good humor was finally restored and the friend departed in a happier frame of mind that he possessed for a few moments.
◘ A specimen of very quick wit came under our observation Saturday morning last. A gentleman was walking on the sidewalk in Railroad-st. when a wheelman came along and partially collided with the pedestrian. The following colloquy followed:
Wheelman—"You couldn't give us a foot, could you?"
Pedestrian—"The sidewalk is made for foot people instead of for bicycle riders."
Wheelman—"I notice some hogs use it."
Pedestrian (quick as a flash)—It's the first time I ever saw 'em on wheels."
◘ For a little light reading let the Democrat patrons peruse the following [brief stories]. The stories will be better appreciated if read quite hastily:
Robert Rowley rolled a round roll round; a round roll Robert Rowley rolled round; where rolled the round roll Robert Rowley rolled round?
Oliver Oglethorp ogled an owl and oyster. If Oliver Oglethorp ogled an owl and oyster, where are the owl and oyster Oliver Oglethorp ogled?
◘ A good housewife of this city decided the other day to prepare some nice white, fluffy biscuit for her husband on his return from a hard day's work, and by accident she used buckwheat flour instead of the genuine white winter wheat brand. Her accidental experiment was not in vain, however, for by it a new material for making billiard balls is discovered. As a steady diet, her husband declares that buckwheat biscuits are not a success.
◘ A bright little boy on Tompkins-st. made a cute remark last week. His mother was expecting the members of a Thimble club (perhaps we should say the Thimble club) and as the time for the arrival of the visitors approached the little lad saw a group nearing the house, and astonished the family by shouting with great glee, "Here come the Bumble bees!"
◘ Over in Ithaca the newly elected common council was inducted into office last Thursday evening, and before the retiring council adjourned Alderman Jackson, who is evidently an "amoosin" fellow offered the following advice to his successors, in the form of a resolution:
That it being recognized by the people that the council of 1900-01 has lived the life of a man with the hatchet, it is eminently fitting for us to say in passing, that we are to go, more especially since there seems to be more or less demand for our seats.
That we recognize that we have been the most efficient council the city has had during the past year, although there have been occasions when we felt that we didn't exactly have all the keys.
That owing to the defunct condition of the city treasury, we would cheerfully remit to the city our entire salaries for the past quarter, if our former friends would once more love us and our enemies forgive us.
To those who follow in our footsteps we gladly offer the following suggestions:
Abolish all taxes and avoid making a flunk in attempting to collect them.
Appoint all applicants to office and avoid hard feelings. Don't attempt to remove any one from office until after death.
Promise every one an electric light in front of his house.
Never ask a man to fix his walk; it is easier to settle for broken bones.
Don't let any one stand in the way of party politics; you don't need to talk about the taxpayers until along in February of each year.
Raise all salaries except your own. You will be called the honorable for a while; later, if you are called, you will lose.
The aldermen should sign all petitions to the mayor and recommend everything.
Robert T. Moske Insane.
Last week Robert T. Moske bought the cafe in the Democrat building, and at that time he was apparently as well-balanced mentally as any one. The anxiety over the success of the venture seems to have caused a mild form of insanity, for early in the week he explained [many] fanciful schemes which could only emanate from a disordered mind, and the climax was reached Wednesday afternoon when he proceeded to smash things at the Cortland House. He had just before this been declared insane by Drs. Dana and Bennett, and he was at once placed in the county jail. He was taken to the state asylum at Binghamton last night.
From the Old Home.
Through the influence of Frank Wright and the courtesy of Editor Parsons, we are receiving in exchange the Cortland Democrat. This paper is about to enter the fortieth year of its existence and a cleaner, more newsy, and consequently more valuable county paper cannot be easily found. A most interesting feature is a series of half tone pictures of Cortland county, familiar scenes and faces, with write-ups; the correspondence from towns, also, is one of the most complete that has ever come to our observation. We can scarcely see how any family in Cortland county can afford to be off the subscription list. May prosperity continue with the Cortland Democrat.—Liverpool Telegraph.
DEATH OF MRS. A. P. SMITH.
Another Respected Citizen of Cortland Passes Away.
The death of Mrs. Ellen Prince Stedman Smith, widow of the late Judge A. P. Smith, which occurred at her home, 26 West Court-st., Tuesday morning, while not wholly unexpected, was learned with sincere regret by the people of this city.
Mrs. Smith had lived in Cortland ever since her marriage to Judge Smith in 1873, and she was highly esteemed by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance
Early in October she suffered a slight shock of apoplexy, and these have been repeated on four different occasions since that time.
Mrs. Smith was 72 years old, and she was a valued member of Grace Episcopal church. Three brothers survive her, and two step-children, Dr. David Eugene Smith of Brockport, and Mrs. A. M. Jewett of Cortland.
The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at the late residence of the deceased.
Illness of C . Fred Thompson.
The strange illness of C. Fred Thompson is causing much solicitude on the part of his many friends. Mr. Thompson seems to be afflicted with partial paralysis, his lower limbs being entirely helpless, although his health otherwise appears to be good. It is hoped by the entire community that he will speedily recover.
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| Cortland Opera House. |
"The Kilties" are Coming.
By authority of Her Majesty's government in Canada and by kind special permission of Col. Macdonald and officers commanding the celebrated 48th Highlanders Regiment of Toronto, the band of the regiment, under the leadership of Mr. John Slatter, has been engaged to make a grand official concert tour of America in full kilted regimentals. This is looked upon as the greatest band attract ion ever offered the American public. "The Kilties" are recognized as Canada's peerless musical organization and are certainly the most striking and uniquely costume military corps that has ever toured America. The band has played to thousands in a hundred American cities, creating everywhere a roof-lifting furor of enthusiasm, and judging by the great public interest which has been aroused, the audiences at Cortland Opera house next Thursday afternoon and evening will be one of the largest and most cordial ever seen in this city.
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| Mark Hanna. |
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From Our Regular Correspondent.)
Washington, March 11.—Senator Hanna's project for making the senate a one man body, by the adoption of Reed rules, has been postponed, but by no means abandoned. The kicking was so vigorous at even the mention of the project that it was apparent to Mr. Hanna that the senate would be kept in extra session all summer, with no certainty of success in the end, if the attempt was made to put the program through at this time. So it was decided to let it go over to the regular session, and to spend the recess in pulling wires to make voters for it. The adjournment of the extra session of the senate was hurried to prevent the growth of sentiment in favor of a reorganization of the committee, which would have deprived a number of senators of some of the patronage they now control.
Although the published news from Cuba indicates much kicking against the conditions laid down by congress for the withdrawal of American authority, members of the administration claim to have secret information which causes them to expect an early acceptance off the conditions by the Cubans. The rumored intention off the administration to send more troops to Cuba is strongly denied in official circles.
Other seekers after official plums are saying unprintable things about the greed of ex-senators, who are going after all the desirable places and landing them, too. Ex-Senator Carter's appointment as commissioner of the St. Louis exposition has been officially announced, and three other ex-senators Lindsley, Thurston and McBride, are understood to have man promised places on the same commission.
Tom Carter's appointment, which carries $5,000 a year for three years, with not very much work to do, was his reward for having, at the request of Mr. McKinley, talked the River and Harbor bill to death in his last senatorial hours. Senators are recalling the statement of Senator Hanna, regarded at the time as a bluff, that unless the ship subsidy bill was passed, the River and Harbor bill should not.
A proud record in their line is that of C. A. Snow & Co., the Washington Patent Lawyers, who have procured more than 22,000 patents for inventions—many of them for inventions that have played important parts in the industrial progress of the past quarter century
In an answer to the Senate resolution Secretary Long admits that commissioned officers in the navy, promoted from the ranks, are not allowed to wear the same uniforms worn by officers of the same grade graduated from Annapolis, but denies that the discriminations made because one officer went through the Naval academy and the other didn't, but he failed to give any other plausible reason thereof. He further admits the justice of the complaint of those discriminated against, by stating that the navy department is now preparing a uniform regulation book "showing all uniforms and permitting officers promoted from the ranks to wear certain insignia and uniform, not now worn by them, but which are permitted for other commissioned officers." All of which shows how thoroughly impregnated with Sampsonian snobbishness our navy department has become and the necessity for congressional action to restore American methods, and destroy the illusion in many navy officers minds that a course at Annapolis makes them better than the people who put up the money for the course.
NEW BASEBALL RULES.
Will Do Much to "Hurry Up" the Game and Thus Please the Crowd.
There are many readers of the Democrat who are intensely interested in the game of baseball, and they will be still further interested in the following radical change in rules made by the National league magnates. Players will not under the new rules have a chance to delay games and make the spectators feel like shuffling off of this sphere:
The catcher's lines have been made a circle of ten feet behind the home plate instead of ninety feet as heretofore. This means that the catcher will be close behind the bat all through the game, and will wear his mask continually while catching.
The first and second foul ball hit, not caught on the fly will be called strikes, unless the batsman has two strikes. This rule was made to prevent intentional "fouling off" of good balls.
To prevent delaying the game a new rule was adopted as follows:
"If the ball is thrown to any other player than the catcher, and the batsman is in his proper position, ready to strike at a pitched ball, each ball so delivered shall be called a ball."
And the umpire shall call a ball on the pitcher each time he fails to deliver a ball to the batsman when in position for a longer period than twenty seconds.
On a balk by the pitcher hereafter only the base runner will be allowed to advance a base. Formerly the batsman was allowed to go to first.
Section 54 of the constitution relating to forfeited games was amended to read as follows:
In the event of a forfeit for any reason the forfeiting club shall incur such penalty, not exceeding $1,000, as may be imposed by the board of directors after a hearing held within one week from the date of such game, and any damages suffered by the non-offending club shall be paid by the offending club.
The principal object of the magnates in changing the old rules and making new ones was to "hurry up" the game and to prevent needless delays which have proven so tiresome in the past. This they seem to have accomplished.
HERE AND THERE.
St. Patrick's day comes on Sunday next.
E. H. Beavers has moved from Tully to Cortland, having accepted a position with the Electric Light Co.
The ground is getting very dry, notwithstanding the heavy body of snow. Wells in many nearby localities are failing.
E. J. Quackenbush, division passenger agent of the Lackawanna road, says the Pan-American exposition will injure small resorts this season.
After July first the [tax] stamps on bank checks, express receipts, telegraph messages and documents of a miscellaneous nature will be done away with.
The price of asphalt paving is on the decline, the bids for work at Rochester last week being $1.90 and $1.95 per yard.. This would be a good time for Cortland to pave Clinton-ave.
Four of our correspondents' favors [letters containing local news—CC ed.] arrived at the Democrat office last week just after the papers were printed. The delay, however, was caused by the train, instead of by negligence on the part of the writers.
The court of appeals has decided that the state law authorizing the taxing of dogs and the killing of them if the tax is not paid, is unconstitutional, since it authorizes the seizing of dogs without due process of law and it has long been settled as the law of the state of New York that dogs are property.
Editor Ames of the DeRuyter Gleaner thus explains the train difficulty on the Lehigh Valley road last week: "A train which left Cortland Wednesday morning with two engines lay snowbound all day some two miles west of the village, but wiggled loose and backed back to the city during the night. A train from the north got as far as Cazenovia."
Comparing doctors with editors an exchange says: If the editor makes a mistake he has to apologize for it, but if the doctor makes a mistake he has to bury it. The doctor can use a word a foot long, but if the editor uses it he has to spell it. If the doctor goes to see another man's wife he charges him for the visit. If the editor calls on another man's wife he gets a charge of buckshot.
It is pretty certain that most of our people will be afflicted with spring fever very soon.
Another harbinger of spring: Wild geese were seen going north over this city last Saturday.
Dr. G. A. Tompkins has moved his dental rooms from North Main-st. to the Grand Central block, second floor.
Dan. Reilley lost several turkeys and chickens by drowning Sunday night, the cellar to his market being flooded.
The residence corner of Greenbush and Venette-sts., bought by Mr. Angell, is being enlarged and remodeled.
Will our South Cortland correspondent peruse the Willet letter in this issue? Honors are about evenly divided between the two thus far.
A bill has been introduced in the [state] legislature permitting the fire companies of McGrawville to increase their membership from thirty to fifty.
Geo. F. Dann has bought Mr. Moore's interest in the firm of Middangh, Moore & Co., grocers at No. 8 Main-st., and the firm will hereafter be known as Middangh, Dann & Co.
Believing that a help-meet would render him valuable aid in his arduous duties as reporter for the Post-Standard, Ralph H. Davis took unto himself a wife Monday evening in the person of Miss Virginia Collins, an accomplished young lady of this city. We congratulate them both.
Dr. J. M. Milne made his first appearance as an attorney Tuesday evening, when he argued the Groton-ave. paving matter before the mayor and common council. His maiden effort was an able presentation of the case, and we have a suspicion that he will make a very talented attorney.
With this issue the Democrat begins its thirty-eighth year, and we propose to make it better than ever before. Our largely increased subscription list is an incentive to improvement.
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