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| Benjamin B. Odell, Jr. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 7, 1901.
AFTER MANY DAYS.
RETURN OF MESSAGE THROWN IN SEA NINE YEARS AGO.
Found By Poor Fisherman Off the Coast of Norway—New York Will Present Gov. Odell's Name as a Presidential Candidate in 1904— Tallest Chimney in the United States.
New York, June 5.—This city boasts of the tallest chimney in the United States. It is 367 feet high and can be seen, at least the top of it, a distance of sixty miles. This chimney, or smokestack, was built recently for the Laurel Hill Chemical Company to carry off the smoke and gases from the several furnaces in its plant, for they have been a continual source of annoyance to the residents in this locality for a long time. The gases from the plant were complained of too, by the owners of a number of monuments in Calvary cemetery, close by.
While the undertaking of building such a large chimney was a costly one, it had to be done or else the chemical company would have been defendants in a large number of suits for damages brought against it by the owners of several valuable monuments in Calvary cemetery. On account of the numerous complaints received from the owners of these monuments, the chemical company employed a committee of experts to examine the monuments and, after its report of a microscopic and analytic examination, which showed that the nitrate, muriatic and sulphuric acid gases that came from the low chimneys, caused not only the discoloration, but the decaying of the monuments, the company decided upon building this large chimney.
It was no small task, as the land upon which the chemical company's shops are built and the adjacent land is made land—that is, filled in, and the erection of such a monstrous chimney seemed improbable. Au expert chimney construction company, which has erected hundreds of large smokestacks, both in Europe and the United States, undertook the task, which was the largest contract it had ever undertaken.
The work of securing a hard bottom was not accomplished until after it had excavated over twenty-five feet below the surface, where hard ground was reached. Upon reaching solid bottom, piles were driven as close to each other as possible and concrete was then laid on top of them to the level of the ground.
The base of the chimney is twenty-five feet square for an equal height. Above this point the chimney is round and is built up to a total height of 376 feet from the ground. At the top the diameter is eight feet and the total weight is 22,000 tons.
A political writer who is given to prophesying says: Benjamin B. Odell, now Governor of New York, will be a candidate for the nomination for president of the United States before the national Republican convention of 1904. He will have the solid backing of the Republican organization of New York, if Thomas C. Platt is then alive and in control. He will have it anyway for Mr. Odell will become Senator Platt's successor as boss, if the latter should be removed by death, or remove himself by stepping aside.
There is no question about the truth of these statements. I have them from a source that cannot be questioned. Watch Governor Odell. Every move he makes, every word he utters, every step he takes will have this end in view. And Roosevelt? There isn't any such person as Roosevelt in the eye of the Republican machine of New York. Nor has there been since Mr. Platt nominated him at Philadelphia. If Roosevelt should be nominated for president, it will be by states outside of New York, and against the vote and influence of New York.
In answer to a message thrown into the sea midway between this country and Europe nine years ago Miss Ida M. Griffith started for Europe last Friday to meet the man who found the message, and other persons in Norway, with whom she has been in correspondence through the finding of the bottle.
Little did Miss Griffith think when crossing from Europe nine years ago she threw a bottle containing a message into mid-ocean that she would ever again hear from the bit of paper. On it was written her name and address and a promise to pay $2 to the finder if the note was returned to her.
The incident had gone out of Miss Griffith's mind when a month ago there came a letter from Mrs. Ada E.Bodtker. wife of the Master of the University of Smolen. The letter enclosed the message from the sea, and a short note from Mrs. Bodtker, saying that the bottle had been found off the coast of Norway by a poor fisherman. Not being able to read English he had carried the message to Mrs. Bodtker.
In her appreciation of the finding of the bottle Miss Griffith sent $5 instead of the $2 promised. The money arrived at a time when the fisherman was ill and in want.
Then came correspondence between Miss Griffith and Mrs. Bodtker. Some days ago Miss Griffith received a letter from Mrs. Bodtker saying that she would like to meet her. Miss Griffith's mind was made up at once. She had been looking forward to going to Europe, and the invitation so strangely brought about was quickly accepted. She will be in Norway one month.
The message which now prompts the trip to Norway was thrown from a steamship in September, 1892. Miss Griffith, who is the daughter of a prominent insurance man of Newark, was traveling with a party. In the party was W. U. Byington. The message was inscribed to Mr. Byington. "It is indeed a message from the past," Miss Griffith said, "as Mr. Byington, to whom I addressed it, is dead.''
AT BUFFALO.
The Pan American as Seen "On the Spot'' by a Democrat Representative.
The Lehigh Valley railroad has an excellent service running into Buffalo and the officials are making an extra effort to please their patrons in the rush to that city that will soon begin.
We were invited to visit the Pan-American and to travel over the Lehigh Valley lines on their fast trains and recently accepted the invitation. From Ithaca or Sayre elegant vestibuled trains, making fast time, may be had and the ride from either place to Buffalo is a most pleasant and picturesque one. Dining cars are attached to many of the trains serving meals a la carte at all hours, and the Buffalo terminal lands you in the heart of the business portion of Buffalo, or at your option you will be set down at the gates of the exposition.
It is, as yet, a trifle early to visit Buffalo if you wish to see everything complete, but all will be in shape before the first of July.
Indeed there is more there and in place now, than can be seen in a two weeks' stay.
The grandest sight is the illumination, which surpasses in grandeur and magnificence anything before attempted in any age. Promptly at 8 o'clock each evening all of the 500,000 incandescent bulbs, which cover the outside of the buildings and are arranged in clusters about the grounds begin to show a red glow. This gradually increases till they are fully lighted and then every part of the ground is as light, almost as at mid-day. Of course the crowning feature is the electric tower. This rises almost four hundred feet and seems to be one mass of light. It is easily visible twenty miles away. From it at a height of 90 feet will fall in one cascade, 90,000 gallons of water a minute.
The buildings of the exposition are all completed, the ones unfinished being those of various states and countries whose appropriations were made very late. The principal incompleteness is in the placing of exhibits in the buildings, but thousands of hands are engaged in the work and it can be but a short time before all will be ready.
Landscape work and the laying of asphalt about the grounds are proceeding rapidly and must soon be finished. In fact they present a splendid appearance at present.
The arrangement of the buildings is far more convenient for the sight-seers than was that of the Chicago exposition. It is but a short walk from one to the other and much time and walking are thus saved.
Then, there is the Midway, without which no great exposition would be complete. That is now in full swing and caters to thousands daily. In its mile of length all can find amusement to their taste, from the panorama of the crucifixion to the theatre in the beautiful Orient, where the now famous dancers of that section are to be seen many times daily. Perhaps the crowning feature of the Midway is the Bostook trained wild animal show. One of the attractions there is a herd of fifteen lions, all of which were in their native jungle six months ago, and which are now in so complete a state of submission that their trainer puts them, together, through all sorts of evolutions. Besides this, nearly all nations are represented. There are Hawaii, the Philippines, Mexico, Germany, Italy and many others represented by large concessions on the Midway and others without number, occupying small space or intermingled. It is indeed a great exposition and all should visit it between now and November 1.
A NEW DEPOT SURE.
ADDITIONAL LAND PURCHASED BY THE LACKAWANNA CO.
The Maple Grove Belonging to Fred M. D. Ingersoll Secured—The Ryan & Hall Store to be Moved—Site Not Yet Positively Decided Upon—Ground to be Broken for the New Depot Soon.
Superintendent A. H. Schwarz of the D., L. & W. railroad confirms the statement made by the Democrat last March, to the effect that the Lackawanna company will erect a new passenger station in Cortland this summer, by announcing to a Democrat representative that work will begin on the structure within a short time. This new depot will be an ornament to our young city. As previously announced in our columns, the passenger depot will be located on the north side of Railroad-st., covering what is now the grass plot and the platform will extend to a point opposite Venette-st.
To give ample room for an approach to the new structure, the company has purchased a large portion of the park formerly owned by Dr. Bolles, now the property of Fred M. D. Ingersoll, the purchase price being $4,500. This will give the company ample room for the building and for driveways.
A difficult problem to overcome is the location of the long red store occupied by Messrs. Ryan & Hall, which is on railroad land. The company has served notice that this building must be removed. It is owned by Mrs. C. W. Ryan of Rochester, who has been in Cortland this week endeavoring to select a lot on which to move the store. She has the refusal of a location on Port Watson-st., owned by W. D Tisdale, but Messrs. Ryan & Hall would prefer to do business nearer the present stand, if possible. Mrs. Ryan has conferred with L. J. Fitzgerald of the Cortland Wagon company in regard to the lot on the corner of Railroad and Pendleton-sts., but no decision has been reached as yet.
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| "Buffalo Bill" Cody. |
BUFFALO BILL'S TRAIN WRECKED.
Two Sections Collide Near Altoona, Pa.—Six Cars Smashed.
Two sections of Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, which will appear in Cortland next week, collided a few miles east of Altoona, Pa., early Saturday morning last. Colonel Cody and his staff were shaken up, but were not injured. One tent man in the caboose of the first section, into which the locomotive of the second section crashed, was fatally injured. Several others were slightly hurt. Six cars were wrecked. They were sidetracked and the train proceeded to Lewiston, where the show was billed to appear that day.
Before the train started there was an exciting buffalo hunt on the peaceful Pennsylvania meadows. A herd of four Buffaloes liberated by the wreck started on a wild run. As soon as their absence was discovered Colonel Cody dispatched a dozen Mexicans after the buffaloes. The night was rather dark, but in the course of half an hour the last of the buffaloes had been brought in. The families of the farmers, aroused by the noise of the wreck, flew to their homes in terror at the sight of the buffaloes as they scurried over country pursued by the Mexicans.
WASHINGTON LETTER.
(From Our Regular Correspondent.)
Washington, June 4.—There is a Republican revolt against the Panama-tainted Hanna program for the administration on the Isthmian Canal question, that, with the assistance of Democrats, led by Senator Morgan, will knock out the Panama lobby, if it has the strength Republicans of prominence say it has. According to the talk in eminent Republican circles, in Washington the revolt has been thoroughly planned, and it includes the making of Senator Lodge, a staunch advocate of the Nicaragua route for the canal, chairman of the senate committee on Foreign Relations, a position upon which precedent gives Senators Frye and Cullom prior claims. It will be easy enough to dispose of Frye's claim, as he is president pro-tem of the senate and is, besides, anxious to give much of his time during the next session to pushing a new Ship-Subsidy bill; but Cullom will not be so easy to push aside, as he would like to have the honor of being at the head of the committee on Foreign Relations. However, the Republican steering committee, if controlled as claimed by the revolters, can probably "persuade" him that he would better hold on to the chairmanship of the Interstate Commerce committee, and voluntarily relinquish his claim. With Lodge at the head of the Foreign Relations committee, a resolution declaring that Clayton-Bulwer treaty abrogated is to be reported and at once brought to a vote in the senate. With the adoption of that resolution, the Panama scheme would receive its death blow. The most interesting thing about this revolt is the claim of its promoters that Mr. McKinley is in secret sympathy with its object, and wishes to see congress take the action that will, in addition to killing the Panama job, force the hand of Great Britain, and show to the world that the Isthmian Canal is going to be a strictly American institution from start to finish.
If the members of the Naval Board of Awards wish to increase the number of those who believe official history to record of the whilom favorites of the powers that be, they are on the right track; but if Mr. McKinley and Secretary Long wish to do so, either can head off the perpetuation of a historic lie by this board. No official announcement of that fact has yet been made, but among Naval officers it is understood that the board has decided that the head of Rear Admiral Sampson, shall appear upon one side of the official medal to be presented to the officers and sailors who participated in the destruction of the Spanish fleet, off Santiago, Cuba, thus sending him down to posterity as a participant in that battle, when he had no more, personally, to do with it, than Mr. McKinley did, until after the battle had been fought and won. It would only be common decency to call this board down, and if neither Secretary Long nor Mr. McKinley will do it, Congress may conclude to take a hand in the game.
An amusing scene took place in the Washington police court, in connection with the arraignment of a negro for the theft of a game rooster. The prisoner said: "Jedge. I jes' seen dat chicken on de sidewalk, an' de chicken acted kinder friendly. I'se fond ob game chickens wherever I sees dem, an' I had dat chicken in my arms rubbing it down an' admirin' it when dis heah policeman come up an' sez, Where did you git dat chicken? Den he run me in. I had no mo' 'tention ob taki' dat chicken dan a saint in heben. The judge accepted the plea, but in discharging the prisoner, amid the grins of those present, he said;
"I would advise you the next time you meet a chicken to take the other side of the street.''
How soldiers, even those of the regular army regard service in the Philippines, is unmistakably shown by a bit of official correspondence just made public by the war department. A number of regulars, now in the Philippines whose terms of enlistment will shortly expire, informed their officers that they would re-enlist, if assured that they would be allowed to return to the United States when the organizations to which they belong were ordered home, and that assurance has been given in a letter from the Adjutant General's office, showing that the war department has full knowledge of the discontent of the men with service at the Philippines.
Aguinaldo has been promised by Gen. MacArthur that he would be allowed to visit the United States in the fall if the war department did not object. The war department will take the matter under consideration, and conditions in the Philippines will determine its final action.
Early Days in Harford, N. Y.
As a stranger wanders up and down the fertile Owego Valley to-day, which is so thickly settled with modern dwellings of all kinds, homes that are equalled in but few parts of the state, it seems almost incredible to believe that only a few short years ago wild beasts ruled here supreme, only molested now and then by the red men, their natural born enemy.
As a Democrat representative visited some of these pleasant homes a few days ago at Harford, the thought came to him that perhaps there were those living to-day. descendants of those early settlers, who would be interested in Harford's early pioneer history. The town was organized from the west part of Virgil, May 2, 1845. The first settlement was made in 1803, the early pioneers being Dorastus DeWolf, Thomas Nichols, John Green and Cornelius Worden. At that time the deer were frequently seen in droves. Bears were also plentiful and now and then an elk was seen in the valley. Foxes, martens, wildcats and opossums were numerous. Almost a dream now, when one looks about and sees what mighty changes have taken place since that time. Mr. DeWolf settled in the south part of the town, then a perfect wilderness. Wolves were thick and Mr. DeWolf for twelve or thirteen years had to protect his sheep at night from the ravages.
With these first settlers after a time came others. The land was naturally fertile and productive. In 1845 Harford had reached a population of 921; in 1850, 949; in 1855, 926; and in 1900, 753. The first post-office was called Worthington, afterwards changed to Harford and was established in 1825. The Rev. Seth Williston, a traveling missionary, directed the first religious worship, the first meeting being held in 1804. The first store was kept by Theodore E. Hart in 1824. The first physician to answer to the calls of the sick was Dr. Fox. But those early days are as a dream and as we gather around the stoves furnished by J. C. Edmonds, Frank M. Burke, I. W. Banker and Ed. Lewis, on these rainy days and evenings and gaze into the fire with that sad sweet look and think of "ye olden day," and the "days of yesterday." One can but help remove a falling tear-drop with the end of his coat sleeve when we remember that those once sturdy pioneers are now "silent sleepers'' in the town cemeteries. They have fulfilled their mission here and have gone, leaving behind a race of descendants who are enjoying the results of their hard labors, and struggling on to finish the work that their forefathers commenced nearly 100 years ago.
Could those old settlers but go through this fertile valley to-day and witness the modern improvements throughout its length and breadth, large handsome residences where log cabins used to stand, the improved harvester and binder where the hand-sickle used to hang, a steam engine instead of the ox-cart, an electric light instead of the "tallow dip," and the Pan-American and Buffalo only 5 hours removed instead of seven days, what would be their thoughts? Reader, don't you think they would all want to see it?
HERE AND THERE.
Most of the holidays this year come on Thursday.
The churches of the country are to begin a crusade against cigarettes.
Frank J. Peck has bought the Dr. Frederick Hyde house and lot on Tompkins-st.
Don't throw away your summer underwear in disgust. You may need it about Christmas.
The Binghamton Democrat says that Cortland will celebrate the 4th of July in fine shape. Glad to hear it.
This month a large number of young graduates will go out from our schools and colleges into this hustling world to find that they are just beginning to learn.
Mrs. Jerome F. Wheeler, who has been ill for several months, died on Sunday. The deceased was a well known and highly esteemed lady, and was a member of the Women's Relief Corps.
Rev. H. L. Rixon, pastor of the Homer-ave M. E. church, exchanged pulpits with Rev. W. P. Garrett of McGrawville last Sunday. In the evening Rev. H. G. Appenzeller, a missionary at Korea, preached in the Homer-ave. church.
A trifle over five inches of rain fell during the month of May, according to an official record. Here in Cortland we should say it was nearer twenty inches than five. If there be any one man who has enjoyed the prolonged rainy weather it must be the man who drives the [road] sprinkling cart. Jupiter Pluvius has been doing his work for him.
Dr. C. F. Wade has moved from Church to Orchard-st.
Cortland tent, No. 304, K. O. T. M., will observe Memorial day on Sunday, June 23.
Mrs. Frank W. Pierce of Lisle has opened dress-making rooms on Clayton-ave., Cortland.
The electric lights about town are receiving a new coat of asphaltam and a thorough cleaning.
Marv. Hoaglin of Lisle will run a merry-go-round at the Cortland park during July and August.
Alumni day at Syracuse university will be June 11. The business meeting will be called at 10 a. m.
The Standard has flopped again on the new depot matter. Its latest assertion is that Cortland will have it this year.
Would you believe there were 34 bridges of all descriptions on the Erie & Central New York railroad? Well, there are.
The members of the Cortland County Ministerial association will lay the foundation for fish yarns at Little York [Lake] next Monday.
Mrs. O. A. Kinney entertained her Sunday school class of the Presbyterian church at her home last Saturday evening at 6 o'clock dinner.
The property owners on Groton-ave. are laying new sidewalks at grade at a commendable rate of speed. It is becoming a very attractive street.
It was with great pleasure that we met C. Fred Thompson in his store the past week. Though not able to walk, he can perambulate about the store in a wheel chair.
At the Wickwire shops the new rod mill makes enough rods daily to supply all the netting looms and forty nail machines, and leaving two carloads daily for shipment.
While [train] riding from Gee Brook station to Willet one is astonished at the large number of apple trees which are denuded entirely of foliage by the worms. Hundreds of immense nests of these worms are to be seen all along the highway.
A very quiet wedding ceremony was performed at Carthage, Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock, which united a prominent Cortland physician Dr. H. T. Dana and Miss Beatrice Vrooman, a lady well known here. They will visit Buffalo, after which they will reside in Cortland.
Mrs. S. M. Cammon fell from the steps at the home of her daughter, Mrs. L. Wood, 14 Maple-ave., Wednesday morning. Her left wrist was broken and she received a severe bruise in the side of her head, which resulted in concussion of the brain. She is 71 years of age.
Sipe, of show fame, lost a valuable trained dog in Cortland.
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