NEW YORK'S NABOBS, IRA ROCKWELL, CAPTURE OF AGUINALDO, CITY APPOINTMENTS, AND SCOTT CORRESPONDENCE

 

J. P. Morgan House, corner Madison Ave. and Fifth Ave.

Coney Island Beach.

Williamsburg Bridge.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, April 5, 1901.

NEW YORK'S NABOBS.

OUR NEW YORK LETTER FULL OF INTERESTING MATTER.

Four Miles of Millionaire Residences—Coney Island—Its Many Attractions—Great Place For Amusements—The New East River Bridge Well Under Way—To Be an Imposing Structure.

   NEW YORK, April 3.—A gentleman with a taste for figures has made the announcement recently, through the daily press, that if all the millionaires living in this city could be gathered together and were to reside on a single street, there would be twenty continuous miles of them. Whether or not this statement is accurate, it is a fact that on Fifth-ave. from Murray Hill to Harlem, there is a line of palatial residences about four miles in length, nearly every house being occupied by a millionaire. In these four miles there is undoubtedly more wealth than can be found in any other residential four miles in any city of the world. This is the section of clubs and of palatial hotels, as well as of the homes of the immensely wealthy. No poor man is found within the limits of this four miles, for a very obvious reason. He cannot afford it. That portion of Fifth-ave. running along the east side of Central Park is the newest, the most exclusive, and the most fashionable part of the avenue. Here the lavish expenditure of money on the homes of the multi-millionaires makes all the world gasp with astonishment. All these places, facing Central Park, with its lakes, walks and drives, and in summer its soft green grass, are not to be excelled or even equalled by any other city.

   Coney Island, the popular summer breathing place of the Metropolis, which is, as nearly every one knows, a narrow strip of sand east of the mouth of New York harbor, facing the Atlantic ocean, had its amusement [park] opening last Sunday in the midst of a drizzling rain, and incidentally a large force of police was on hand to prevent possible violations of the liquor laws. To the average visitor, the "Island" is nothing more than a pandemonium of merry-go-rounds, variety shows, bath houses, liquor saloons, rifle galleries, cane boards, and catch-penny devices of every imaginable sort. For an occasional afternoon visit it is a very amusing place and many a New Yorker goes down at least once every summer merely to look at its innumerable picturesque and comical phases. But there is another and more serious side to Coney Island. Since the civil war the Island has been a haven for the human flotsam and jetsam of the great city at whose outer gate it lies. In the summertime every criminal, every eloping couple, every man or woman harboring suicidal intent, drifts quite naturally toward the Island, the glare and noise and bustle seeming to offer an irresistible attraction, During the heated term thousands of the so-called "masses" flock to this resort, and it will ever be popular with the poor of the East side because it gives people of very moderate means a great deal of vulgar but harmless amusement for very little money.

   A new bridge on the East river from Delancey-st., Manhattan, to Broadway, Brooklyn, is in course of construction and the giant steel towers on both sides of the river, having been completed, the next step is the stretching of the first wire from shore to shore. This first wire stretching is a preliminary to the swinging of the four real cables from which the enormous weight of the bridge, and all its traffic is to hang suspended in the air at a height of nearly 150 feet above the surface of the river. These wires, twelve in number, will be on great spindles placed on a scow and paid out into the river as the scow is towed from the New York to the Brooklyn side. Their ends will be grappled by powerful engines and dragged up until the wires swing at the required distance above the water. From each of four groups of three wires, will be hung a light swaying foot bridge, from which the workmen will build the strands, one upon another, of the enormous cables from which the bridge is to hang. It will take about four months to complete this temporary scaffolding, and although it will cost something like $150,000 when its mission is ended, it will be merely so much secondhand steel wire and lumber There will doubtless be a certain class of venturesome persons, who will manifest a strong desire to walk across this aerial foot bridge, but if a windy day is selected for the trip the experience is not likely to be an especially exhilarating one, as such a structure swung over so wide a space will describe a large arc. During the summer when the foot bridges are opened there will be some sort of a ceremony and then the venturesome souls will have their opportunity.

 

THE LATE IRA ROCKWELL OF TAYLOR, N. Y.

   Going back into the early days of Taylor we find numbered among its well-known residents Ira Rockwell, who died some time ago. His grandfather, Thadeus Rockwell, was one of the original settlers of Taylor, coming into this country with his two sons, Ezra and Thomas, from Massachusetts in 1793. The following year, 1704, a family by the name of Beebe settled on Mt. Roderick, coming here from Waterbury, Conn. Thomas Rockwell was Ira's father, and Ira was born November 23, 1811, in the township of Cincinnatus. By occupation he was a farmer and in after years lived on the old homestead, just out of Taylor village, towards Union Valley, where he resided for over half a century. He was married twice, first to Huldah N. Beebe, youngest daughter of Orallano Beebe. Eleven children was the result of their union, nine of whom are still living: they are Rose, now Mrs. Alonzo Hopkins of Syracuse; Rosetta, who survives the late Leartus Crane of Taylor; Garrett P. Rockwell, who resides on the old homestead; Rosina, now Mrs. Frank Potter, of Michigan; Henry Rockwell of Homer; Fred Rockwell, now on police force in New York; Lizzie, now Mrs. Albert Clark of Cortland; "Ned" Rockwell of Cincinnatus; and Clark Rockwell, in the custom house at New York. His first wife died in February, 1884. In October, 1885, Mr. Rockwell married Mrs. Phoebe Palmer of McGrawville, who passed away about two months before he died. He was a man who was exceptionally well liked by everyone. He always was a hard working man until he was obliged to retire from active service. Bright's disease is thought to have been the cause of his death occurred October 9, 1900. Had he lived to see November 23, he would have been 89 years of age. Thus one by one Taylor's old citizens are passing away after a life spent in the old town where they have lived so many years. Their work on earth is ended and they fall asleep to rest at last, only to lie awakened at the sounding of the trumpet. They are gone, but there remains behind a memory that can never be forgotten while Time shall last. May they rest in peace.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Capture of Aguinaldo.

   The United States is making history at a frightful rate. Combinations and coalitions, both foreign and domestic, are crowding one another. No event of recent date however, has more of prospective history in it than the capture of the Filipino leader, Emilio Aguinaldo, by that daring and picturesque son of Kansas, General Funston. The methods employed in his capture merit, and have received, outspoken condemnation. The exploit, bold equally in conception and in execution, would have more of glory in it, had not its accomplishment been through the Judas-like treachery of one of Aguinaldo's trusted officers who, under the covering of confidence reposed in him, was able to lead the bold Americans and their native allies into the very camp and presence of the chief. Censure of Gen. Funston and his comrades should not overlook the fact that the war in the Philippines at best has been but guerilla warfare, and the accepted rode of military conduct in open, honorable warfare should not be invoked two harshly against the brave Americans. Moreover, the act is certainly in full accord, in kind and degree, with all the warfare hitherto practiced on the Filipinos, and has in it no more of treachery and falsehood, and certainly much more of daring and originality.

   The country is glad at the advancement of Gen. Funston to the rank of brigadier general of the regular army, despite the West Point influence to the contrary. Gen. Otis with characteristic regular army blindness, is not able to see anything wonderful in Funston's feat in the daring capture of Aguinaldo, nor its far-reaching influence in the Eastern affairs. This attitude is not to be wondered at in one who when in command and well protected in Manila refused, as censor of press dispatches, to permit press messages praising Funston to be sent to America, but blue-penciling the words of praise remarked, "If there are to be any heroes made, I will make them." Fortunately, Americans create their own heroes, and do not take kindly to those of the ready-made official order.

   But now that Funston has been properly disposed of, what shall be done with Aguinaldo? Execute him?  For what crime? For doing what on the plane of his civilization our fathers did on theirs? Is liberty less to the Filipinos, believing that the Americans are trying to enthrall them, than it was to the Americans, believing that the British would require of them taxation without representation? Or shall this Filipino leader be regarded a new Napoleon, dangerous to the safety of nations, and sent to some new St. Helena? Such an act might react. Lord Roseberry, England's greatest statesman, in a recently published book on Napoleon, places severe strictures of unfairness on England's treatment of that much-dreaded military genius. Is it not dangerous to furnish to the Filipinos a martyr about whose name and deeds and sufferings they might be gathered in thought and purpose? A foe suppressed is not a friend created. Fires covered are not fires extinguished. As Andrew Carnegie says, "Everything is pardonable in a leader who fights for the independence of his country against an invader. History will record Aguinaldo's cause as sacred to him, regardless of our views now."

   But it should be borne in mind that the disposition of Aguinaldo is not the true center of that problem in the East which now stands facing us and calling for solution. The problem to be solved is whether the spirit of free institutions is to be preserved inviolate in America; whether a free republic can maintain imperial territory without being dragged down from her exalted position.

   We offer this one suggestion as to the disposition of Aguinaldo: That is, that he be made chief of the commissary department at the Philippines. The Filipino leader has certainly shown himself honest. The government, in the light of recent revelations in Cuba and the Philippines, stands sorely in need of honest servants for their imperialistic government. By all means have one even if he be Aguinaldo.

   Abraham Lincoln, in one of his memorable passages, said, "This is a world of compensation and he who would be no slave must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and under a just God they cannot long retain it." This country learned the truth of that utterance in the awful and bloody result of four long years of tragic agony, proving the dictum that a republic half free and half slave could not stand. Forbid that a like lesson be needed to teach America the corresponding reciprocal truth that a democracy half republic and half empire cannot long endure.

   If the capture of Aguinaldo opens the doors of opportunity for us to fix aright the status of the Filipinos, the true and avowed relation of this country to them and their government, the deed of Funston will be a true concomitant of the fateful, pregnant deeds of Dewey in Manila harbor. The two achievements will go together hand in hand. Dewey taught the Spaniards to see the Americans in their true light, and Funston will be the means of teaching Americans to see themselves in their true light and in the line of their opportunity and their true ultimate destiny.

 

CITY APPOINTMENTS.

MAYOR BROWN SELECTS FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSIONERS.

Police Board, GS. Van Hoesen, F. B. Nourse, and D. E. Stanford—Fire Board, Edward Alley, E. J. Warfield, and E. E. Ellis—The Appointees Are All Representative Business Men.

   The city charter amendments having been rushed through the legislature and become a law, Mayor Brown, at a special meeting of the common council held last Saturday evening, announced his selection of members of the fire and police commissions, and as was to be expected, they were promptly confirmed by the council.

   The appointees are as follows: Police commissioners, Gerrit S. Van Hoesen, F. B. Nourse and D. E. Stanford.

   Fire commissioners: E. J. Warfield, Edward Alley and E. E. Ellis.

   The police commissioners each hold office for a term of two years, and the fire commissioners were appointed for periods of one, two and three years as follows: E. E. Ellis, term expires Feb. 1, 1902; E. Alley. Feb. 1, 1903; E. J. Warfield, Feb. 1, 1904.

   The Democrat has no criticism to make upon the appointments. While we would have preferred at least one Democrat upon each board, in justice to Mayor Brown and to the commissioners, we are free to say that the appointees are gentlemen of unquestioned ability and fairness, and we congratulate the mayor upon the wisdom of his selections.

   The police commissioners will under the terms of the charter soon reorganize the police force, but this does not necessarily mean that radical changes will be made. It may even be that the force will remain as at present composed.

   At the same meeting the board decided to have the city team kept in the municipal building, to be in readiness in case of fire.

   At the regular meeting of the common council, held Tuesday evening, April 2, the official reports of George J. Maycumber, city chamberlain, and Frank E. Price, commissioner of charities, for the month of March, were presented, and on motion of Mr. Skeele, seconded by Mr. Scudder.

   Resolved, That the same be accepted and placed on file.

   Messrs. H. M. Kellogg and Geo. W. Edgcomb, representing Grover post No. 98, G. A. R., requested an appropriation of $75 by the common council to defray the necessary expense of observing Memorial day, and on motion of Mr. Scudder, seconded by Mr. Yager, it was

   Resolved, That the sum of $75 be appropriated to defray the expenses of the proper observance of the service of Memorial day, and that an order be drawn on the city chamberlain in favor of Post Grover, G. A. R., therefore.

   On motion of Mr. Yager, seconded by Mr. Scudder and declared carried,

   Resolved, That an additional incandescent light be placed on Court-st., near the residence of the late Judge A. P. Smith, deceased.

 

Well Appointed Rooms.

   Mr. E. E. Bates, the optician who has recently located in the Wallace building, has all the latest appliances required in his profession. All examinations are by artificial light and in the latest and most approved manner.

   Mr. Bates carries in stock all the lenses required, except for the most rare cases and has a large line of spectacles and eye glasses in which to mount them. A visit, simply of inspection, to his rooms would well repay one, to see the excellent display and the manner of testing the vision.

 

Family Relics.

   Mrs. Betsey Hoag of Taylor is the fortunate possessor of some very interesting family relics that are destined to become very valuable. Among them we mention a family clock that is to-day running and keeping good time that Mrs. Hoag's grandfather, Charles Potter, used to have. It was made by Solomon Stow of Southington, Conn., over 100 years ago. She has another old clock, nearly as old, that is still running. The works were made of wood by Wm. Sherman of Buckland, Mass., and was warranted to run if well used. A silver spoon 100 years old that Mrs. Hoag has had nearly 50 years, a silver dollar, date 1795, that has been in the family many years, and old chair that Mrs. Hoag received from her grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth Cole. It is still doing good service because wood was plenty those days and chairs were made to last, not to look at. Another interesting article is a stand for holding a tallow candle that was made and used by old Mr. Swan in the "Joiner Wagon Shop" in the days when candles were in use. It is a marvel of ingenuity, standing about two feet high, with an extensive arm of about nineteen inches that can be raised, lowered, extended out or brought in to accommodate the workman. The workmanship could not be bettered to-day and must be seen to be fully appreciated.

 

Death of Mrs. Mary Healey.

   The sudden demise of Mrs. Mary Healey at Truxton last Friday was a severe shock to her many friends. Mrs. Healey was 86 years old, and her health had been remarkably good up to within a short time of her death. Only two weeks ago she was in Cortland and attended several of the mission meetings at St. Mary's church. Mrs. Healey was a devout Catholic, and was very regular in her attendance at the church. She had resided in Truxton for more than fifty years, and her circle of acquaintances was very large, and it can be said of her that she was beloved by all who knew her.

   Mrs. Healey leaves the following children to mourn the loss of a kind and affectionate mother: Hon. J. P. Healey of Cleveland, O; F. G. Healey of Los Angeles. Cal.; M. J. Healey of Helena, Mont.; Mrs. P. H. McGowan of Chicago, Ill.; Mrs. William Ryan of Cortland; Mrs. Charles O'Connor and Miss Anne M. Healey of Truxton. One son, Thomas, died in the army during the civil war, being a member of the 157th N. Y. Vols. John P. Healey was also a member of the same regiment.

   She leaves a brother, Thomas McEvoy, who is well known in Cortland; and four sisters, viz: Mrs. Theresa Murphy of Kansas; Mrs. Ann McGuire of England; Mrs. Elizabeth Keenan of Australia; Mrs. Carroll of Ireland.

   The funeral was held in St. Marys church, Cortland, Monday morning at 9:30 o'clock, the Pontifical High mass being celebrated, the pastor Rev. J. J. McLoghlin being the celebrant, with Rev. Fathers Ninnigers and Rosa assistants.

 

Warning.

   My son George, having left my home and support without cause or provocation, the same being open to him, I hereby forbid all persons furnishing him anything to be charged to my account.

   E. C. Truman.

   Cortland N. Y., March 30, 1901. [Paid ad.]

 

Town of Scott, N. Y.

   Scott, April 3.—Last Wednesday morning Mr. George W. Winchester passed away. He had been ill with pneumonia a little more than a week. He was about sixty-four years of age. Mr. Winchester was a soldier in the civil war. He has been a resident of the town of Scott about fifteen years. Mr. Winchester leaves a wife, five sons, and two daughters, to mourn the loss of a husband and father. The funeral services were held Friday afternoon in the S. D. B. church, conducted by the Rev. J. T. Davis, who chose for his text, Job 14:1, 2, 10.

   This community was startled last Saturday afternoon by the announcement that Mr. James Fenton had been suddenly stricken by illness and death. When Mrs. Fenton went to church she left her husband apparently as well as usual. When she returned he was lying on the bed, nearly helpless, but still able to speak, though it was difficult to understand him. Neighbors and Dr. Ball were quickly summoned, and everything done that was possible for his relief, but all efforts were unavailing. He died at about five o'clock p. m. Mr. Fenton was born in Carlyle, N. Y. His parents died while he was very young. When about eighteen years of age he came to Spafford, where he lived a short time, but for about fifty years his home has been in the town of Scott. Several years ago he was married to Miss Amelia Larison, with whom he lived very happily and who survives him. Mr. Fenton also served in the civil war, and was a member of the G. A. R., whose members took charge of the funeral services. He was buried from the S. D. B. church, the Rev. J. T. Davis preaching from Amos 12: last clause of the 4th verse, as his text. "Prepare to meet thy God." Mr. Fenton's age was sixty-eight years, ten months and one day. Much kindness and sympathy is felt by the people generally for all these who have thus been called to pass through such deep sorrow.

   The friends of Mr. L. Cutler, who for some time carried on here in Scott the business of blacksmithing, will be glad to learn that so far from going home to die, as was feared, he went to Dr. Kilmer's sanitarium, where he was restored to health. As he gave a part of his time here to the barber's trade, it will be of interest to know that he is now in a barber shop which has a large clientele in Springfield, Mass.

   One of the blood curdling "voices of the night" was abroad last Sunday evening. Some heard the strange sound, but made no great effort to find its source. Others hearing it, three brave men started out to find the disturber of the peace. The wild animal, for such it proved to be, was found in Lucien Barber's orchard. One of the party thought it was a lynx, while the other two were inclined to think it was a young fox. While discussing this point the beast made its escape without giving its name.

   Recently a lady who shall be nameless visited the "spectacle man" of our town. While he was adjusting a lens for her, his wife placed on the lady's face a pair of bows to call her attention to a certain feature in them. The lady misunderstanding the hostess' intention, immediately picked up the trial card for reading and exclaimed, "why those are lovely." When the gentleman and his wife could stop laughing, they explained that those bows were empty. Tableau, with more laughter.

   John Stoker visited friends in New Hope Saturday and Sunday.

   Will Stoker of New Hope has been visiting friends in town the past week.

   The Epworth League hold a dime social at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Palmer Monday evening.

   S. D. B. church notes: Preaching by Rev. J. T. Davis. Text Gal. 6:10. Subject, "Our Missionary and Educational Interests." C. E. society at 6:30, led by Fay E. Barber. Topic, "Missions, Love of Souls." Rom. 10:1.

 

HERE AND THERE.

   One who has kept careful account of the snow fall during the past winter says the total measurement previous to March 13 is nearly eighteen feet.

   Bicycles are coming into general use again, the streets being in condition for such locomotion.

   The last week has been a busy one for truckmen, moving being the general order of the day.

   At Cornell University there is a young man with remarkable grit. To begin with he had $110. Of this sum he paid $100 tuition and the balance for books.  He found a place where he could get his board for waiting on table. He succeeded in getting a room by tending furnace in the house. He has gone right along with his studies without incurring debt. The future must hold a bright place for such a young man and he is not alone in one college.

   The Ithaca Journal of last Friday congratulates the wheelman as follows: The Cortland county sidepath commissioners have decided definitely to complete the extension of the Gillette loop about two miles to the Tompkins county line where connection will be made with the Ithaca path which is entirely completed with the exception of a mile through Varna. This is gratifying news for the Tompkins commissioners who have been waiting to hear from the Cortland county commission. With both of these paths completed bicyclists may enjoy a straight ride over a fine route from Ithaca to Syracuse.

   There are more front yard fences in Lincoln-ave. than in any other street in Cortland.

   Dr. Sheldon Hinman, long a resident of this city, has moved to Homer.

   F. M. Quick has moved his office from the store of Glann & Clark to that of W. C. Mead, three doors farther south.

   Mr. S. P. Bloomfield, formerly with Whiteson and lately of Gloversville, has accepted a position with S. Simmons, the clothier.

   On Wednesday evening next a social will be held at the home of Mr. G. F. Dann, Homer-ave., under the auspices of the Brotherhood of St. Paul of the Homer-ave. M. E. church. Warm [maple] sugar will be served, and a literacy and musical program given. There will also be a sewing contest for the men, the prize being two pounds of sugar.

   The Bennett & Mouton company are putting on some splendidly executed plays at the Opera house this week. The company is an excellent one and their choice of plays could not be bettered. The play tonight will be "Wicked London" and tomorrow night "A Struggle for Life." At the matinee tomorrow they will put on "A Prisoner of Algiers," admission to all parts of the house being but 10 cents. Evening prices are 10, 20 and 30 cents.

   There is a remarkable lily in the window at the county clerk's office. The bulb had been in the cellar and untouched for two years till brought up about the third week in January and placed in a jar on the steam radiator in front of the window. It soon developed life, and by measurement some of the leaves have grown three-fourths of an inch in a day, till all are about three feet long. When the stalk bearing the blossoms began to grow it was measured and by the oath of County Clerk Patrick and Deputy Jones, duly signed and sealed, grew 7 3/4 inches in one day. ["Feed Me, Seymour!"—Little Shop of Horrors.]