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| Hugh Grant. |
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| Henry Morgenthau. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, May 24, 1901.
BUILDING TIED UP.
$4,000 FIGHT STOPS MILLIONS IN BUILDINGS.
Serious Strike of Bricklayers—Largest Bridge in the World—Two Blocks Sell for $2,000,000—Col. Proskey Still Holds the Fort—Eighth of Inch Saves $40,000 in Moving a Gun.
New York, May 2.—The bricklayers of this city are idle for the first time in sixteen years. At noon last Friday a lockout went into effect. By 2 o'clock 5,200 men had laid down their trowels. Three hours later hardly a bricklayer could be found at work. Seven thousand bricklayers, it was estimated, had quit work, forcing 9,000 others in allied trades to be idle. A trifling dispute, involving less than $4,000, has disturbed the harmony existing for years and has tied up building operations amounting to several millions. It is estimated that 100,000 men in the building trades will be thrown out of employment.
Wm. J. Amend, a Pennsylvania railroad director, authorizes the statement that the company is negotiating contracts for the construction of the greatest bridge in the world over the North river. It will extend from Twenty-fourth Street, New York, to Hoboken, [New Jersey]. Four city blocks will be appropriated at the New York end. The bridge and its approaches will cost $80,000,000. Four years will be required for its construction. There will be sixteen tracks for railway trains and the strength of the structure will be such that they can run at full speed. Above them will be trolley tracks, driveways, bicycle path and footways. The enterprise was undertaken primarily to give the Pennsylvania passenger terminal in this city but other railways will be permitted to use the bridge. Freight will not be carried over the structure.
A rare mechanical feat of keen interest to all naval powers the world over has been successfully achieved at the Brooklyn Navy Yard by the removal of the damaged thirteen-inch gun from the forward turret of the battleship Kearsarge. Upon the success of the undertaking hinged, in the opinion of experts, the practicability of the superimposed turreted battle-ships. It was feared that it would be necessary to tear away the upper turret and remove the two big eight-inch guns and then demolish nearly all of the lower turret before the 13-inch gun could be moved. This would mean a cost of $40,000. A heavy platform of timbers was constructed and a series of ponderous cradles were built to receive the gun. Two huge pieces of armor plate, each weighing thirty tons, were removed from the lower turret. The cradles were built so as to fit exactly the differently sized shoulder bands of the guns, which are each forty feet long and weigh seventy tons. The gun was moved out slowly. So nicely had everything been calculated that there was only an eighth of an inch to spare between the largest shoulder band and the gun hole. It took six hours to complete the work.
The prices paid for real estate in this city would fairly astonish some of the Cortland county farmers, many of whom would be glad to sell their land for $50 an acre. Only last Saturday two purchases of realty were made in which the price in each case was more than a million dollars for the sites alone. Henry Morgenthau and former Mayor Hugh Grant bought the block front on the west side of Broadway between Thirty-third and Thirty-fourth streets. The price was $1,000,000. Mr. Morgenthau said last night that he intended to erect at an early day a large building on the site. He declined to give any details regarding the building. The Century Realty Company bought the block front on the east side of Sixth avenue, between Forty-third and Forty-fourth streets belonging to the General Carriage Company. The purchase price was $1,100,000.
When James Wilson moved from his home in Bedford street, on Saturday. he took charge of the work himself, so that he might be sure nothing was lost. He saw to it that the rubber plant was put in the van and that the baby carriage and the clothes wringer weren't left on the sidewalk. When the movers took his possessions to No. 571 Ninth avenue, Mr. Wilson checked off everything as it was unloaded and was congratulating himself that not even a flat iron had been mislaid. Then he went up stairs and sat down to enjoy a well-earned smoke, taking the coal skuttle out of a rocking chair to make room for himself. Suddenly he uttered a cry and jumped up. "Great Scott!" he cried, "I've lost little Mary!" So he had. The forgotten item was Mary McCabe, his seven-year old step daughter. She had been mislaid somehow in the moving. The police are looking for her.
POSSIBLY A MURDER.
MYSTERY SURROUNDING JOE TOWNSEND'S DEATH.
Coroner Santee Thoroughly Investigates the Case—The Evidence Corroborates the Theory That Townsend Was Dead or Nearly so When Struck by Train—All the Important Evidence Given Below.
As intimated in the Democrat last week, all the circumstances surrounding the death of Joseph Townsend. Who was run over by the cars near Harford one week ago last Saturday night, confirm the suspicion that Townsend was dead when the train struck him.
On Saturday last an immense crowd gathered at Burke's hall in Harford to hear the evidence given before Coroner Santee of Cortland. The fractured skull and swollen and discolored eye, together with the fact that no blood issued from the wound caused by the train, and that no blood was found upon his clothing, on the track, or upon the torn particles of flesh, all confirm the suspicion that Townsend was murdered and placed on the track to conceal the evidence of the crime. Drs. Dana and Carpenter, who performed the autopsy, say that Townsend was dead or nearly so when he was struck by the engine.
The testimony given before the coroner is given in full below:
[We have covered this story in previous posts. Click on the links below—CC ed.]
https://jeffpaine.blogspot.com/2013/05/was-it-murder-part-one.html
https://jeffpaine.blogspot.com/2013/05/was-it-murder-part-2-of-3.html
https://jeffpaine.blogspot.com/2013/05/was-it-murder-part-3-of-3.html
COMMON COUNCIL.
Railroad-st. Pavement Receives Attention—New Hydrants.
The common council held a brief but rather interesting meeting Tuesday evening, and several important matters were discussed. The council decided to "take the bull by the horns" by making an attempt to compel the Jamestown Construction Co. to live up to its contract and guarantee in the Railroad-st. paving matter. Engineer Allen has estimated the cost of repairs at $1,594, and the common council passed a resolution requiring the Jamestown company to place it in proper condition. It is very likely the company will refuse and then the courts will be appealed to.
Eight new hydrants were ordered—two on Charles-st., one on Woodruff-st., one on Halbert-st., two on Sand-st., and one on Port Watson-st.
The aldermen are of the opinion that something must be done to rid the city of so many worthless dogs, to which a suffering public will say amen.
Mr. Yager reported many complaints for violating the bicycle ordinance in his ward, and the matter was referred to the police board.
Poor sidewalks, garbage and other matters received some attention at the hands of the council.
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| William Cody, "Buffalo Bill." |
NO TOPPLING TENTS.
All This is Obviated in the Construction of the Wild West.
Being entirely different from any exhibition on the road, it should be borne in mind that Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Congress of Rough Riders of the World, which exhibits here [Cortland] on Friday, June 14, is not shown under canvas; it being necessary to introduce the many attractions in the open air, just as they are seen in real life, beneath the blue dome of heaven and star-lit skies, and it requires an immense and entirely unobstructed arena for its presentation.
Only the seats, which fringe the vast parallelogram containing it, are canopied; and this with an extra strong and absolutely waterproof canvas covering, as impervious to water as a slate roof. Consequently, there is not the slightest danger to apprehend from storms of any kind. Let Boreas blow until he cracks his cheeks and Jupiter Pluvius turn on all his hydrants, still, twenty thousand cozily-seated and sheltered onlookers can safely enjoy the wonderful and magnetic scenes, without feeling that they have had even one drop too much—the spectators being under cover.
PAGE FOUR—SHORT EDITORIALS.
Farm Lands Taxed Too High.
The farms of the state, and especially in Central New York, have long borne the brunt of taxation in spite of the fact that they have steadily decreased in value until the owners have lost heavily upon them and can hardly get a decent living off them. The agricultural portion of New York, when the present system of taxation was inaugurated, was the financial bone of the state, but financial and social conditions have so changed that other enterprises and occupations have taken the place of farms and they are no longer the wealth producers they once were. With the changed conditions the tax system should be changed so that agricultural communities should be relieved in a measure, at least, of their unjust burdens.
Cortland county is becoming famous for murders and rumors of murders.
More than the usual number of sudden and mysterious deaths have occurred in Cortland county since Dr. E. M. Santee became coroner.
Why cannot employers and employed be compelled to settle their quarrels peaceably and without deranging the whole mechanism of transportation?
Superintendent Skinner says that ''the wisest thing for the citizens of Cortland to do is to cease leaning upon the state for assistance in the maintenance of their public school system.''
The state superintendent of public instruction says in effect to the city of Cortland: Educate your own children. The legislature of the state will not under any condition appropriate money for the purpose of maintaining an academic department [at the Normal School].
According to President Schwab of the steel trust, the great money makers of the country are not college bred. Schwab ought to remember that money is not the only thing in the world, and that some men who have died almost paupers were bigger successes than many who died millionaires.
The new city ordinance regulating the running of trains is likely to be a much greater source of danger than under the old regime. Trains now run so slow that men and boys are jumping on at all points, to the great danger of life and limb. If the trains were allowed to run faster this danger would be avoided.
A writer says that in England the kindergarten is regarded as a luxury of the rich; in America many towns of moderate size have more free kindergartens than the whole of England put together, and these have been found to be so serviceable that it is merely a question of time when they shall be made a regular part of the public school system.
CINCINNATUS, N. Y.
Condition of Albert Rice—Horse Shot Because of Injury.
Cincinnatus, May 23.—Albert Rice, the victim of the brutal assault of two weeks ago, is improving in general health; so much as to be able to ride out. His mind, however, remains a blank as to the manner of the assault, and no one is able to make him comprehend that he has been hurt or sick. His nurse left Monday of this week. Mrs. Councilman, his former housekeeper, is at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Stratton Foster, for a much needed rest, and Mrs. Mary Rathbun is taking her place. No trace has been found of Mr. Rice's supposed assailant, the tramp who worked for him for a few days; although a reward of $300 has been offered, and many efforts put forth by the authorities.
Horse Killed.
Albert Hayes lost a valuable horse last week by a peculiar accident. Floyd Hakes was delivering a load of feed to F. L. Nichols, and in driving over the bridge leading to his barn a plank broke, letting the horse down in such a way as to injure it so seriously that it was shot to put it out of its misery.
HERE AND THERE.
Buffalo Bill will be in Cortland Friday, June 14.
Strawberries are getting down where even a printer can buy them.
And still the rains descend. It is a consolation to know that it falls on the unjust as well as upon printers.
The [Cortland City] band boys cleared nearly $75 at their concert Tuesday evening, and every patron was delighted with the entertainment.
The common council would receive the thanks of a suffering public if the aldermen could see their way clear to give Venette-st some sort of light.
Quite extensive changes are to be made in St. Mary's church this season, among the improvements being the raising of the roof and alterations in the interior.
The partially burned barber shop on Railroad-st. having been demolished the past week, M. L. Decker is entitled to much credit for making the site presentable to the public.
The death of Mr. John T. Barnes occurred Tuesday evening, May 21, at his home, 64 Railroad-st. Mr. Barnes was 82 years old, and had lived in Cortland nearly fifty years.
The iron fence around the soldiers' monument, together with the guns and shells, have been painted by L. S. Bassett, a member of Grover Post, G. A. R. The paint was donated by Mayor Chas. F. Brown.
A Cortland correspondent for an-out-of town paper quotes the common council as discussing the dog "pond" question. Probably the correspondent intended to say "pound," but "pond" would be more effective.
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