 |
| Townsend-Stewart Mansion. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, March 8, 1901.
MANSION TORN DOWN.
OUR NEW YORK LETTER FULL OF INTERESTING MATTER.
The Million Dollar Mansion Erected by the Late A. T. Stewart Sold for Building Material—A Theatre for Children Exclusively.
New York, March 7. —Some twenty-five years ago A. T. Stewart, the great dry goods merchant, built as a residence for himself the famous marble mansion at the corner of Fifth-ave. and Thirty-fourth-st., opposite the Waldorf-Astoria. The mansion cost over $1,000,000 and it was sold a few days ago as it stood for its estimated value as a pile of second-hand building material. When a trust company bought the land and building recently it had no use for the mansion that was all but historic, and saw a greater value in the land with the house removed. A firm of contractors purchased the building as a speculator in second-hand materials and the terms of the sale provide that the last vestige of it shall be off the ground in forty-eight days. Its construction took nearly three years. At the time it was erected it was the largest and finest mansion in New York, and workmen who have begun to demolish it have met with pretty conclusive evidence of the expensive manner in which the work of construction was carried on. The roof is of iron plates and the whole mansion is of iron and stone and marble, the amount of wood in it being inconsiderable and confined for the most part to doors and window sashes. All through the house the doors are of mahogany, the fire places are of Italian marble ornate with carving. Each fireplace is worth easily $200, and there is one in every room. The fact that even the kitchen floor is of marble shows the utter disregard the original owner had for cost.
New York has a theatre devoted exclusively to the entertainment of children. Only one performance is given each week, viz., on Saturday, because as yet it is rather in the nature of an experiment; but if the venture proves thoroughly successful, doubtless plays will be present more frequently. The greatest difficulty the promoter of the Children's Theatre has to encounter is the selection of suitable plays and those which his young patrons averaging in age about eight years, can comprehend. The play begins at 3:30 p. m., but before the curtain rises, the orchestra makes an effort to be entertaining and is fairly successful, too. There are seven members of the orchestra, three girls and three boys, [and] the first violinist being a bright boy of seven years of age. During each intermission the orchestra plays, but a good deal of preliminary tuning and talking is essential, and this always gives an opportunity for prodding with violin bows and other little pleasantries, which the small musicians are not slow to take advantage of. Each and every one of the children enjoys the play largely from start to finish but in this connection it is interesting to observe how various are the ways they have of conducting themselves during the performance. Some of them follow the play with evident understanding, laugh at the right time, are sober at pathetic points, and behave rationally. On the other hand there are a few nervous ones who laugh outright at the exciting points when laughter is distinctly inappropriate.
 |
| Supervisor Dr. Jerome Angel. |
TOWN OF TAYLOR.
INTERESTING HISTORY OP ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT.
The Men Who Made the Town Named in Honor of Gen. Zachary Taylor—The First Settlers of the Town—The First Child Born in the Town Was Keziah Beebe —The First Marriage.
During a ramble over the snow-clad hills of Taylor the past week, a Democrat representative found a bit of early history of the town and its inhabitants that will prove very interesting to our readers, as many of the early settlers have descendants now residing in all parts of Cortland county.
Taylor was formed from Solon, December 5, 1819, and was named in honor of Gen. Zachary Taylor. It lies near the center of the eastern border of the county. Its surface is mostly upland and is very broken and hilly. The declivities are generally precipitous, raising 600 to 800 feet above the valleys. Mt. Roderick, lying partly in this town and partly in Solon, is the highest point. The streams are mere brooks, generally flowing in a southerly direction and discharging their waters into the Otselic river. Solon Pond is a small sheet of water near the center of the town. The soil is sandy and gravelly loam. Taylorville, or "Bangall," contains 25 houses and Union Valley 20. The first settlers were Zerah Beebe, a Revolutionary soldier and Latus Beebe, his son, and John Tinker, his son-in-law coming here from Waterbury, Conn., in 1794.
The first child born was Keziah Beebe, the first marriage that of Asaph Butler and Lucy Beebe, the first death that of Zerah Beebe in 1800. A Mr. Beers taught the first school in 1810. Orlando Beebe kept the first hotel; Hulbert and Gilbert opened the first store and Ezra and Thomas Rockwell built the first saw mill in 1816.
At this time we further find that Ormal F. Forbes was supervisor, a farmer and a former merchant from Pitcher. He afterwards removed to Cincinnatus, where he died several years ago.
Edwin E. Hoag was town clerk and did carpenter work and general wagon repairing in the "Joyner Wagon factory," a building that is to-day one of Taylor's old landmarks. Mr. Hoag died about two years ago. His widow still resides here.
Among the county officials we find Taylor represented by Rev. Shubal Carver, pastor of the Congregational church at Union Valley, who was also school commissioner. He has been dead several years.
Francis Hawley, Edmund Potter, Almon Angel and D. W. Shufelt were justices of the peace.
Francis Hawley was a cheese maker in those earlier days and resided in Taylor Valley, where his son Wilson Hawley now resides and is postmaster. He died about twenty years ago.
Edmund Potter was postmaster and carried on a general blacksmith business for a number of years, finally selling out and going to Cincinnatus, Binghamton and Cortland, now residing at the latter place.
Almon Angel was a farmer. Some years ago he was elected superintendent of the poor and removed to Cortland, where he has since resided. At present he is a member of the firm of Clark & Angel at Cortland.
D. W. Shufelt was a farmer and resided at Taylor Center. He died there nearly thirty years ago. His widow afterwards married a man by the name of Maine and now resides near DeRuyter.
Rev Hansom Osborne, pastor of the W. M. church, afterwards moved to Louisiana, where he died. Some of his children now reside in Kansas.
Ambrose Allen was a natural mechanic, being a blacksmith, carpenter, an expert jeweler and gun-smith. He also conducted a flouring and saw-mill at Taylor Center, where he resided. Many will remember of hearing how one of his daughters, Hannah, a young miss of about 15 years of age, was dressed one day to attend the funeral of Mrs. Mades Brown and went down to watch a mill in operation, when the wind blew her dress skirts into the cogs of the machine, thus drawing her in and killing her before she could be saved. Mr. Allen was also an old soldier. He afterwards removed to "Dog Hollow," where he died some years ago. His widow still resides here.
Rev. Albert Ensign was pastor of the M. E. church, going from here elsewhere. He has since died.
Hiel Tanner bought the first saw-mill that was put up in the town of Joseph Rice, afterwards selling it back and went to Ohio, where he remained two years, when he again returned and repurchased the same mill of the same man, adding to it a flouring and cider mill, also a general line of wood working machinery. He was also a carpenter and joiner for over 50 years. He died nearly three years ago. A son and two daughters survive him, Dayton, who resides in Buffalo, Sophia, now Mrs. Robert Jaquins, and Marira, now Mrs. Vincent Breed, both of whom reside here.
Bruce Allen also had a blacksmith shop at Taylor Center for a number of years until he died. His widow and son Carl still reside here.
P. Kingsley kept a hotel and carried on general blacksmithing at Union Valley, where he died some years ago. Two sons, George and Charles, still reside there.
Winslow Brown a cheese maker, built and conducted the first cheese factory in town, going from here to Eaton, where he came from. He died some time ago in the Western part of the state.
William Goslyn, a cheese maker, built a factory at "Hydeville," and ran it for some years, afterwards selling out, and went West where he died some years ago.
Walter Cline had a saw and flouring mill, now conducted by Nahum Perry, east of Taylor on the Otselic river. Left here a number of years ago. Where he lives now, if he is living, is unknown.
Curtis Smith, brother of Isaac Smith, conducted a flouring and saw-mill at Taylor Center. He afterwards sold out to Ambrose Allen and went west, where he died. Isaac Smith conducts the same mill now.
Levi Neal was another old resident, managing at one time a hotel at Taylor for a number of years, afterwards working at shoemaking. He died some years ago. His widow, Mrs. Mary Neal, survives him and still resides here. Two sons, Charley and Frank, are living in Nebraska.
Dyer Raymond kept a hotel at Taylor for some years afterwards, selling out to other parties, and went to Minnesota, where he died some time ago.
Seabury Brooks of Union Valley, a farmer, came into the town many years ago where he resided on the old homestead, now occupied by a son, Walter Brooks, until he reached his 100th year, passing away soon afterwards.
Elijah Jipson was a merchant at Union Valley for a number of year doing a general department store business until he died. A son, Valentine, resides still at Union Valley.
LeRoy Scrivens also resided at Taylor, where he ran a blacksmith shop working in partnership with Edmund Potter at one time, whom he afterwards bought out and continued to run for twelve or fifteen years. He afterwards moved west, where at last accounts he was still living.
Thaddeus Whitney was one of the first settlers. His occupation was that of a farmer. He resided here over 50 years and died about ten years ago. His widow died a few years later. Four sons, and one daughter survive them: Newton resides near Taylor, Brainard resides in Pennsylvania, Moses and Manning reside in Washington, D. C., and Harriet, now Mrs. D. D. Ufford, lives in Cincinnatus.
J. I. V. Potter kept a small store for many years near South Cuyler. Moved west some years ago, where he still resides. Mrs. Potter was visiting old friends here last fall. A daughter, Mrs. Albert Barber, still resides at South Cuyler.
Isaac H. Smith had a general merchant supply store at Taylor Center for some time, and still keeps a saw-mill which he has had for a number of years on Solon Pond. He is still hale and hearty for a man of his age.
Albert West conducted a store at Taylor, it burned. He sold the site to Edmund Potter and moved to Caton, Steuben county. Afterwards repurchased the store and moved back again. Some years afterwards sold and went to Leadville, Colorado, his family returning to Caton. A troublesome cancer on his face resulted in his going to New York to undergo an operation from which effects he died. This was about ten years ago.
"Dr." Ichabod Allen had a general neighborhood practice, living on Mt. Roderick. He died over 30 years ago.
Dr. Jerome Angell lived at Union Valley, and besides an extensive practice, represented the town as its supervisor for a number of years. He afterwards moved to Cortland and continued practice there until he died in 1896.
Hiram Perry owned and conducted a saw-mill for a number of years on the creek near Cheningo, and owned it at the time of his death, nearly 30 years ago. His son, Nahum, removed the machinery to where he is now. A son, John, still resides at the old homestead.
May these old sleepers rest in peace.
GOING TO BUFFALO.
Newspaper Men to be Guests of Lackawanna Railroad Next Week.
The Lackawanna railroad has invited a large party of newspaper men from along its route to be the guests of the company on a trip to inspect the Pan-American exposition at Buffalo. A special train of Pullman sleepers, running on the limited time and making but seven stops between Hoboken and Buffalo will convey the party to Buffalo next Friday. Entertainment will be provided by the hosts in Buffalo and on the return trip the train will leave that city at 10 o'clock Saturday night. When we get back, the Democrat will tell you all about the Pan-American and the trip.
New Management.
Robert T. Moske, late chef at the Cortland house and formerly of some of the large New York hotels, has purchased the Laurel cafe in the Democrat building and takes possession to-morrow night. He will be assisted by Mrs. Moske, now pastry cook at the Messenger house, who will have charge of that department. Meals will be served a la carte from 6 a. m. to 2 a. m. and regular board for $3 per week. Commutation tickets, for $3.50 will be sold for $3. All service will be prompt and of the best and a specialty will be made of a business men's luncheon from 11:30 to 2:30 every day, which will be served for 25 cents.
Speakers at A. O. H. Banquet.
The speakers at the fourth annual banquet of Division No. 1., Ancient Order of Hibernians of Cortland, to be held next Thursday evening in Empire hall, will be James E. Dolan, National vice-president of the A. O. H., James A. Barrett and James Devine of Syracuse, E. W. Hyatt and Chas. J. Otis of Homer, Rev. J. J. McLoghlin, Charles B. Dowd, Dr. James M. Milne and T. H. Dowd and Edwin Duffey of Cortland. Music will be furnished by John F. Byrnes, Wm. Walsh, Joseph McGuire and others. A meeting of the division is called for Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock.
HERE AND THERE.
The weather moderated considerably the latter part of last week. Farmers are on the move.
Linus W. Peck and James Tanner were last Thursday evening elected deacons of the First Baptist church for a term of six years.
The sugar making season is near, and sugar makers say the prospects are good for a nice run of [maple] sap on account of the close winter weather of the past four months.
The Ithaca Street Railway Co. have decided to give no more passes. They estimate that during the past year 50,000 free rides have been given on complimentary passes.
William P. Francis, a Long Island weather prophet with something more than a local reputation, says we will experience a blizzard on March 20 of greater severity than that of 1888.
The startling discovery has been made that bank and government bills are germ carriers. They are, [social scientists] say, loaded with microbes which are of a more or less deadly character. Hand in your bank and government bills at the Democrat office and we will take our chances with the terrible microbes. By depositing your bank and government bills with us you may thus save your life and ours, too.
The presence of Bishop Small, head of the A. M. E. Zion church, in Cortland last Friday evening was an event of great moment to the colored people of this city. The bishop's name is a misnomer, for he is a gentleman of large size, and he has a most courteous and kindly bearing that at once commands respect. During the evening he preached in the W. C. T. U. rooms, the usual place of meeting of the Cortland church, and it was a very plain, practical exposition of the scriptures, the subject being "Watchfulness." Bishop Small left Saturday morning for Elmira.
An automobile for farm use has been invented. The vehicle may be used for plowing, planting, cultivating or harvesting. Gasoline or electricity may be used for power, and the expense for operating it is about seventy-five cents a day cheaper than horse power. As showing the changes that are taking place in farming methods, it is said that an invention has just been completed for milking cows by machinery. A lecturer on agriculture predicts that 50 years from now milk will be sold in dried state to save the transportation of water. Improved farming methods are all right, but the passing of the milk maid is said to be regretted.
The Lehigh Valley Railroad Company has completed arrangements with the rowing authorities of Pennsylvania, Cornell and Columbia Universities to repeat the perfect accommodations for Collegiates and others who desire to view the contest between their crews on Decoration Day, May 30th, as was done in May, 1899. The observation train was the best and largest ever seen at a boat race. ''The course on Cayuga Lake is the most beautiful I ever saw,'' said Ellis Ward, Pennsy's great coach. The crew [race] was viewed by 40,000 people, and won by Cornell by half a length. Harvard may enter this contest. Other races are expected on the same course the same afternoon.
The Cortland county fair will be held Sept. 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The Lehigh railroad from Cortland north has been operated under great difficulty this week.
Ouch! L. W. Simpson is "shy'' the tip of one finger because of too close intimacy with a corn cutter Monday.
The Loyal Circle of Kings Daughters will meet this afternoon at 3 o'clock with Mrs. S. N. Gooding, 141 Port Watson-st.
A two weeks' mission will be held in St. Mary's church beginning with Sunday, March 17. Further particulars will be given next week.
Every farmer will find much valuable and interesting matter in the full report of the farmers' institute at Cincinnatus, given in that department this week.
C. V. Hike is about to move his butter and egg headquarters from the Girard building, 41 Railroad-st., to 35 Railroad-st., formerly occupied by the Champion Milk Cooler Co.
The game of basket-ball between the local Y. M. C. A. and St. Johns Military school teams, Tuesday evening, was one of the best and cleanest ever played in this city. The home team defeated the visitors with ease, the final score being 21 to 9.
Not many newspapers can excel our down-town neighbor for "fakes," one of the greatest being the publication of the long list of officers of Cortlandville Grange Tuesday evening, with the astonishing statement that they were installed on that day, when in fact the officers were installed over two months ago. The Standard is the newspaper that is always so careful to verify all its statements, you know.
No comments:
Post a Comment