BACK IN MANILA, RUSSIAN EXILES, NORTH AND SOUTH, LYMAN WHEELER AND HIS FAMOUS RUNNING HORSE, AND TOAD FIVE YEARS OLD

 

Judge William H. Taft.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, June 10, 1901.

BACK AT MANILA.

Philippine Commission Returns After Establishing Civil Government at Nueva Ecija.

   MANILA, June 10.—The Philippine commissioners returned to Manila yesterday from the province of Nueva Esija, having organized a provincial government at San Isidro, capital of the province, with Captain Jacob F. Kreps of the Twenty-second infantry regiment as governor; Lieutenant Richard C. Day of the Twenty-fourth volunteer infantry as treasurer, and Lieutenant Dewitt C. Lyles of the same regiment as supervisor.

   Judge Taft told the people that, if no power were given to levy customs, the expenses of the central government would be provided by additional internal taxes.

   Lieutenant Wray's command has had six engagements with the insurgents in the province of Sorsogon, Luzon, killing six. Twenty-three insurgents were captured at and near Atimonan, province of Tayabas, and several minor captures are reported from other parts of Southern Luzon, where the insurgents are still active.

   The report circulated in the United States that General Cailles has surrendered is unfounded.

   In a battle with the insurgents at Lipa, province of Batangas, Lieutenant Anton Springer of the Twenty-first infantry was killed, and Captain W. H. Wilhelm of the same regiment, Lieutenant Lee, Jr., and five enlisted men were wounded.

 

Russia Exiling Revolutionists.

   LONDON, June 10.—"The Russian government," says the Moscow correspondent of The Daily Express, "has been arresting and sending into exile prominent persons suspected of complicity in revolutionary agitation. Among them is Count Brobynsky, a descendant of Catherine the Great."

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

North and South.

   It is now beginning to dawn upon some Southern statesmen that the disfranchisement of the negroes is likely to precipitate a struggle between the North and South that cannot fail to be detrimental to Southern interests. For example, the Hon. Leonidas F. Livingston of Georgia says:

   I think our people are against such amendments to our state constitution. We are getting along nicely with the negro in Georgia. The states which adopt the amendments already adopted by Louisiana, Mississippi and North and South Carolina may see the time when congress will take the matter up with a view to affecting their representation in congress. So long as Georgia is doing well we do not care to run a risk of having our representation cut down in the United States congress and the electoral college.

   I think the Georgia election law remedies the whole trouble complained of in the South. Any man can vote in Georgia if he is not a felon and has paid his taxes. The great majority of negroes have only a poll tax to pay. A negro can refuse to pay his poll tax of $1, and after he has done so for twenty years he can vote any time by paying it up. But hundreds and hundreds of them prefer to take care of the dollar to voting. We have no educational qualification. The number of negroes in our state is not so large as it was formerly. Very many of them are moving away where agricultural conditions are better than they are in Georgia.

   Some Southerners boldly declare that the negroes should not be allowed to vote, but that the Southern people should step forth like men and say that they will accept the penalty laid down by the constitution. Fortunately, however, their number is small, and few of them are to be found among the politicians and among the senators and representatives from the southern states. The attitude of the vast majority of Southern people is simply this: They say that they will not allow the negroes to vote, and they will not submit to the penalty provided in the constitution of reduced representation in congress and a corresponding reduction in their electoral votes.

   This forces the issue upon the North and it is idle, says the Rochester Post Express, to suppose that the North will never accept it. There is an unwillingness to accept it, in the interest of peace and harmony between the sections, but sooner or later the struggle must come. Either the negro must be allowed to vote or the South must stop counting the negro in the basis of representation in congress and in the electoral college. The Southern people profess a reverence for the constitution, but they are violating it, both in letter and spirit, and under the constitution itself, congress must act. It is not provided that a representation of a southern state "may" be reduced for disfranchising the negroes, but that its representation "shall" be reduced. A duty that is both imperative and momentous now rests upon congress.

   ◘ Sheriff Joseph Merrill of Carrollton, Ga., who refused to give up a negro murderer to a mob of lynchers, is a man to admire. It is not likely that the sheriff had any sympathy whatever for the murderer, the latter's crime having been unusually atrocious, but as a sworn officer of the law Merrill had a duty to perform, and he performed it at the risk of his own life. If there were more such officers in the South there would be fewer lynchings.

 

RACING DAYS IN SOLON.

LYMAN WHEELER AND HIS FAMOUS RUNNING HORSE.

Transformation of a Bay Horse to a Sorrel—General Training in the Old Town— General Hatheway and His Staff—How a Nose Got Lost on the Bridge Over Solon Creek.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   SIR—Colonel Elijah Wheeler came into Solon from New Haven, Conn., one hundred years ago purchasing 100 acres. He was a man of great energy of character and raised a large family. I may not at this time be able to remember so as to name them all, but will mention them as remembered: Lyman, Johnson, John, Elijah, Charles and Orin. One daughter married Calvin Harvey. Laura married Elisha Nichols. I do not think there is a member of the colonel's family now living. He died in the winter of 1868-9, was buried in Willet. The members of the Wheeler family were all remarkable for being great lovers of good horses, including the bead of the family, and the colonel and son Lyman in the early days were enthusiastic horse racers.

   Many now living will remember the three or four days' races which were held annually every fall in Solon. The course which was a fine one was located on the Hatheway flats and it was said to be one mile around the track. Sporting men in that line came with their fast horses from towns far away. There were other places celebrated as meeting points, one of which was Warners, in the eastern part of Ontario county on the line of the old New York Central R. R.

   Lyman owned a fine gray horse named Jim. He was a noble specimen of horse flesh who finally became noted as the greatest runner in all that section, and other racing men began to think that old Jim was sure to win the race if he was in it, and decided to bar him out. Lyman was a cunning old fellow and resorted to the following ruse to fool them.

   I remember one afternoon as we were going home from school, we went into the blacksmith shop of Lyman Stone; where we often called to see the sparks fly from the red hot iron, Lyman Wheeler sat there and was giving Mr. Stone orders in reference to putting shoes on to a fine sorrel horse. One of our company said after we left the shop, did you notice Mr. Wheeler's hands all stained butternut color. He said, I believe that was his old Jim horse, for he looked just like him and he has been coloring him so the horse racers will think he has a new horse to enter in the heats. This proved to be true, but it was said that they discovered the game and the fastest running horse in all that part of the state was barred from the course. Mr. Wheeler's son Albert, then a young fellow, was one of the best riders of race horses in all those parts. Albert was a resident of McGrawville for many recent years. People came to attend those races from miles around, which made a lively berg of the corners during that exciting period.

   Solon was also one of the points where general trainings were held in those days. To the small boy they were exciting gatherings. A regiment of the state militia was ordered together, generally on the second Monday in September in Solon, where it was drilled together during the day and was reviewed by the major general of the brigade. General S. G. Hatheway held the honor of that position for several years. He was a man of commanding presence, and there was a sensation when he entered the field mounted on a fine black horse which he owned with his staff mounted and dressed in blue broadcloth uniforms with bright buttons, white plumes and golden epaulets with other trappings pertaining to soldiers of their rank. A salute was fired from a six-pound cannon owned by the Cincinnatus artillery, when the general and his staff entered the field.

   John Wheeler was fourth landlord of the Solon tavern for many years after it was vacated by Daniel Copeland and his son William S., and he was a most popular landlord and an excellent entertainer. It was during the administrations of the above named gentleman that the trainings referred to were held.

   There are probably those living in the old town and vicinity who will remember an exciting incident which occurred on one of those training days. Two prominent men of their respective localities had some disagreement and after exchanging a few hot words clenched each other among a crowd of men on the small bridge which crosses the creek at the corners, and rushing to one end the plank tipped up and both assailants fell off into the water. When they were parted it was found that one of the men had lost the end of his nose, it having been bitten off by the other. The matter was carried into the courts, but was finally settled, this writer not remembering just on what terms.

   The last of the old trainings held in Solon was in September, 1846. The boys came together seemingly bound to have a good time and they had it. The state finally discontinued that function.

   C. G. M., Winona, May 29, 1901.

 

Mr. Montague's Version.

   In Thursday's papers an account was published of the accident which occurred on North Main-st., in this city, in which a lady and her child were injured while riding with Mr. J. W. Montague. Mr. Montague now wishes to state his side of the story, believing that there is a misapprehension of the facts from the account published.

   Mr. Montague says that he was returning from Homer, driving what he supposed to be a gentle horse, hitched to a wagon with a low sloping footboard instead of dashboard. Near the D., L. & W. railroad crossing, on the road to Homer, he was hailed by a lady with a child, who asked for a ride, and Mr. Montague stopped and took them in his wagon, for the purpose of accommodating them. When the streetcar passed him, the horse became frightened; and it seems that the person who hitched up the horse, had not properly adjusted the bridle, so that he was unable to hold the horse by the bit. While pulling with all his might on the reins, his foot slipped off the footboard of the platform wagon and he was thrown to the ground, and the horse got away from him, and the woman and child were slightly injured through no fault of his as Mr. Montague claims.

   Mr. Montague deeply regrets the appearance, and considers that the lady is somewhat unjust in attributing blame to him, when he had freely and gratuitously accommodated her, and rendered her a favor.

 

Band Concert at Homer.

   The famous Ithaca band, with Patsy Conway as leader, will give a concert at Keator opera house in Homer on Wednesday night of this week at 8 o'clock. This band is one of the fortunate organizations to be selected to play at the Pan-American exposition at Buffalo during the present summer in the company with such bands as Sousa's, Victor Herbert's, the Mexican National band, the Kilties of Toronto and others.

 

The Heavens in June.

   During the June nights the most conspicuous object in the sky is the planet Jupiter, low in the southeast, and south and near to it, a short distance to the east, is Saturn. The two planets are moving slowly to the west and are gradually separating. Late in the fall they will be moving eastward with increasing speed. Jupiter will overtake Saturn and pass it. The brightness of Jupiter is about ten times that of Saturn; after the middle of July both will decline a little in brightness, Jupiter a little more than Saturn. During the entire month Mercury will be visible, just after sunset, near the horizon, a little north of west. Few people have ever seen this planet, and now is an unusually good opportunity to take a look at it. At the close of the month Venus will begin to be a good evening star; Mars will be seen in the west in the evening; Jupiter and Saturn will rise about dark and will be prominent objects the entire night, low in the southeast and south. Uranus will be visible to the unassisted eye, as a very faint star, a little east of the bright star Antares. The constellations will be brighter than in any of the preceding spring months.

 

The Horse Got Away.

   Two lads took one of M. H. Kingman's livery rigs yesterday and went to the 4:43 train for papers. While at the station they left the horse and the approach of the train started the animal off at a moderate gait which was accelerated when it found that no one was driving it. One of the boys managed to catch up with the rig and climbed in, but was unable to stop the horse, which was headed for home. In turning into the yard at Mr. Kingman's, the horse went against the fence, but was not badly hurt. The wagon was somewhat injured.

 

A Patrolman Resigns.

   Policeman W. T. Nix has placed his resignation as patrolman of the city of Cortland in the hands of the police commission and a special meeting of the commission is called for tonight at 8 o'clock at the city clerk's office. The resignation will doubtless be accepted and a new appointment made. The following names are now on the eligible list, having passed the civil service examination for patrolman, and the appointee will be one of them: John Meade, D. F. Waters, C. W. Townsend, G. F. Jones.

 

Toad Five Years Old.

   A lady residing on North Main-st. has noticed for the last five years a toad snugly ensconced among a bed of ferns growing by the side of her porch. It has increased in size year by year, add its identity has been fixed by a game leg which seems to be a result of some accident that has befallen his toadship. Although the lady has not placed a pink ribbon about his neck, she has a vein of sentiment in the matter and is careful not to disclose his place of abode to any one likely to do him harm.

 

Mary P. Hendrick.

BREVITIES.

   —The members of the Conservatory commencement chorus are requested to meet this evening at 8 o'clock. All should come.

   —The annual convention of the Y. P. S. C. E. of Cortland county will be held at the Congregational church in Homer tomorrow.

   —The Daughters of the American Revolution have been having their regular meeting this afternoon with Mrs. A. P. McGraw at McGraw.

   —Cortlandville lodge, No.470, F. & A. M. will hold a special communication Tuesday evening and confer the first degree after which a "smoker" will follow.

   —The regular monthly meeting of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A. will be held at the association parlors this evening at 8:15 o'clock. It is desired that every member be present.

   —Do not forget that tomorrow will be ladies' day at Athletic field. Utica will play here at that time, and as there are now many former Cortland players in that team there should be a large attendance.

   —Miss M. P. Hendrick, teacher of literature at the Normal school, was the recipient today of a beautiful floor vase from members of the graduating class who are in Miss Hendrick's literature class.

   —Mrs. D. F. Wallace on Saturday afternoon gave a very informal and exceedingly pleasant whist party at her home, 18 Church-st., to a party of ladies. There were seven tables of players. Refreshments were served later by the hostess and the afternoon was very agreeably spent.

   —New display advertisements today are—Mitch's Market, Meats, etc., page 5; City laundry, Laundry work, page 5; Bingham & Miller, clothing, page 7; W. J. Perkins, Tooth powder, etc., page 6; F. S. Bliven, Bicycles, page 4; Opera House, "Zelma Rawlston," page 5; J. W. Cudworth, Optician, page 5; City Cycle Co., Bicycles, page 5.