Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 1901.
MISSOURI RACE RIOT.
Whites of Pierce City Drive Blacks From Town.
USED GUNS, ROPE AND THE TORCH.
Agitation Caused by Wanton Murder of White Girl—Mob Took Rifles of State Militia From Arsenal—Man Lynched May Not Have Been Guilty.
PIERCE CITY, Mo., Aug. 21.—For nearly 15 hours yesterday this town of 3,000 people was in the hands of a mob of armed whites determined to drive every negro from its precincts. In addition to the lynching Monday night of William Godley, accused of the wanton murder of Miss Gazelle Wild, and the shooting to death of his grandfather, French Godley, the mob yesterday cremated Peter Hampton, an aged negro, in his home, put the torch to the houses of five blacks; and with the aid of the state militia rifles stolen from the local company's arsenal, drove dozens of negroes from town.
After noon the excitement died down, the mob gradually dispersing, more from lack of negroes upon whom to wreak their hatred than for any other cause. Many of the negroes who fled the city are hiding in the surrounding woods, while others have gone greater distances in seeking safety.
Every negro has left the town except a few railroad porters known to be respectable, but these must also leave. The citizens say that as negroes have committed several crimes in the last 10 years none shall live here in the future.
It is now believed the man lynched, William Godley, was not the real culprit. A negro named Stark, under arrest at Tulsa, I. T., across the border from here, tallies exactly with the description of the assailant. He is held there awaiting identification, Unless the man is brought back here, it is believed there will be no further trouble. If returned here he will surely be lynched. Another suspect, Joe Lark, is under arrest in Springfield, Mo.
Eugene Barrett, also known as Carter, in a confession while a rope was around his neck yesterday, accused Joe Lark, a Frisco railroad porter, of being implicated in the crime and Lark was arrested at Springfield. Lark gave a detailed statement as to his whereabouts Sunday, and he is not believed to be guilty. It is not likely that either suspect will be taken to Pierce City while the excitement runs high. Some persons here think Barrett told the story in order to save his life.
The funeral of Miss Wild took place yesterday and was witnessed by several thousand people.
When the mob went to the section of the city occupied by the negroes someone in the cabins opened fire, but no one was hit. The mob then destroyed the five houses, but financial loss is small. Reckless firing broke several plate glass windows and a train was fired into. None of the passengers was hit.
The rifles taken from the Pierce City Military company, it is expected, will all be returned. Members of the company themselves were out hunting for the escaping negro with their rifles and they suggested the idea of taking all the guns. The local hardware stores sold out their arms early, but several applications from negroes were refused. The mob was composed of a thousand or more and no masks were worn. Thirty negro families were driven from their homes.
Elements in the killing on Sunday afternoon of Miss Wild developed yesterday. It appears she started home from church alone, her brother lingering behind. About one mile from town the brother found her with her throat cut, lying lifeless near a culvert under which her assailant had attempted to drag her. Evidence of a terrible struggle was shown. A copper-colored negro was seen sitting on the bridge a short time before the tragedy occurred. It is supposed that the negro sprang upon her when she was passing and attempted to force her beneath the bridge. She probably fought with such desperation that he could not accomplish his purpose and cut her throat in the struggle.
Monday bloodhounds were taken to the scene and the girl's bloody handkerchief was laid before them. They immediately caught the trail and ran at full speed to the home of Joe Lark, where, on being admitted, they rushed into his bedroom and sprang upon the bed. It is believed the man under arrest at Tulsa, who boarded with Lark, the Springfield suspect, slept upon this bed.
MORE POLICE ARRESTED.
Two Wardmen and a Sergeant Taken Up In New York's Crusade.
NEW YORK, Aug. 21.—As a result of the judicial inquiry being carried on by District Attorney Philbin, Justice Jerome and the officers of the Society for the Prevention of Crime into the conduct of the police department, warrants were issued yesterday for the arrest of Wardman Glennon, Wardman Dwyer and Sergeant Shiels. All these are connected with the West Thirtieth, or "Tenderloin" police station and Shiels was acting captain while Captain Flood was on his vacation this summer.
The warrants charge neglect of duty. Glennon and Dwyer were served with warrants. Sergeant Shiels, hearing that a warrant had been issued for his arrest, surrendered himself to Justice Jerome, the warrants having been signed by that magistrate.
When Glennon, Dwyer and Shiels were arraigned before Justice Jerome, that magistrate said that they were charged with violating the penal code, section 117, in failing to do their duty as police officers with reference to a disorderly house on West Thirty-third street. Their counsel demanded an examination of the defendants and their admission to bail.
Bonds in the sum of $3,000 for Glennon and $2,000 for the other two were fixed and furnished and the case went over until Thursday.
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| William McKinley. |
President Visits the Zoarites.
CANTON, O., Aug. 21.—President McKinley today visited Zoar, originally a communistic village, organized about 80 years ago, and conducted on the socialistic plan until two years ago when a division of property was affected. The trip was made in Colonel Herrick's private car, which was attached to a special train.
TO ACT AS RESERVOIRS.
Farmers Urged to Build Three Acre Ponds on Their Lands.
The agricultural department has received a unique suggestion for the prevention of droughts, which in the past have done so much to destroy crops, especially in the west and southwest, says the Washington Star. The suggestion has been made that every piece of land of 80 acres be provided with a pond covering three acres which, it is claimed, will act as a reservoir to store water during times of great rainfall and diminish danger from floods, at the same time providing water for irrigation purposes.
But there will, it is claimed by the advocate of the method, be a still greater benefit from these ponds. They will cause a great deal of evaporation, which will be returned to the earth in the form of rain, and in addition the pond will give an ample supply of fish for every farmer's family.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
The Regulation of Posters.
In the war being waged in some quarters against the defacement and defilement of natural scenery, public highways, city streets and private buildings by the display of unsightly and inartistic posters and placards some timely suggestions may be had from the methods employed in Belgium, which has been called the home of artistic posters and street advertisements. The strict laws regulating billboards, posters and street signs undoubtedly account for the growth and prevalence of good taste in this direction.
Brussels, whose ordinances on this point are typical of those in most Belgian cities, permits the affixing of posters or advertising signs only at such places on the public highways as are designated by the mayor and board of aldermen. An exception to this rule is made in the case of buildings for sale or for rent. In such cases an announcement may be affixed to the front of the building, but it must not be more than eight inches wide. The only other exception is made in favor of theaters and concert halls. These are allowed to have billboards at the entrances or on the walls upon which posters may be pasted, but the boards must not project more than an inch beyond the wall.
Before any person can post bills anywhere in the city he must have a permit from the council and must carry it on his person and show it whenever so requested by the police. A copy of every poster must also be deposited at the police bureau before the advertisement can be pasted up in public places. All posters and advertising signboards are subject to a tax varying with the size of the sign. The minimum tax is 1 cent for every poster or sign of 13 by 20 inches or under, and one-fifth of a cent is added for each increase of two inches square. These regulations add something to the city's income and at the same time keep the billboard nuisance within reasonable bounds.
If American cities had ordinances similar to those of Belgium, there would be no more occasion of complaints about the unsightly and obtrusive billboards and street placards.
NEW DOG CATCHER.
FRED FREER TO OCCUPY THAT HONORABLE POSITION.
Electric Light Wires—Loafers Must Move On—City Clock to be Put in Order—The Appointive Assessors Named.
A regular meeting of the common council of the city of Cortland was held at the office of the clerk of said city on the 20th day of August, 1901, at 7:30 o'clock, P. M., at which were present Mayor Chas. F. Brown and Aldermen E. M. Yager, E. R. Wright, Geo. F. Richards, T. C. Scudder, R. S. Pettigrew and Vern W. Skeele.
The report of Aldermen Yager and Pettigrew, a committee to inspect the electric light wires of the city, was read and placed on file. This is the report that was published in yesterday's STANDARD. Mr. Yager also said that the wires were to be taken from trees and that when the plan is perfected there will be no more high voltage wires left on the buildings in the city. The committee commended the action of the electric light company in manifesting a desire to do all that it could to avoid all accidents by taking the wires from the buildings.
Clerk Hatch suggested that the places for holding elections in the different wards would have to be designated at the next meeting, consequently each alderman was made a committeeman to procure a place in his ward for holding the election.
On motion of Mr. Skeele, seconded by Mr. Pettigrew and declared carried:
Resolved, That the appointment by Mayor Chas. F. Brown of Mr. Wm. D. Tuttle as acting city judge be ratified and confirmed.
The matter of the obstructing of the sidewalks by merchants in displaying their stores was discussed, and some of the aldermen expressed the opinion that the store keepers were literally moving out on the walks. Several places were spoken of where the fathers claim that over half the sidewalk is thus used. Mr. Skeele said in the matter that if anything is done by the board that a general housecleaning time would be at hand, for if one is made to get off the walks, all would have to do likewise.
While this matter was being discussed, Mr. Richards expressed the opinion that it was time to drive loafers off the street and stop the assembling of roughs in places along the street where they spit tobacco juice and insult women. The steps in front of the old Savings bank building, he thought, ought to be ordered away, as these with the trees in front take up nearly all the room at that place that the passersby need. The police, he said, should move along the crowd of boys that gathers outside the Opera House nights when the people come from the building. He declared that the rubbernecks were out there to pass insulting remarks and that the matter should be dealt with by the police of the city.
Mayor Brown stated that a great many people had spoken to him of the city clock, and that if the timepiece were to be left running that it ought to be regulated and kept on the tick so as not to deceive people. He was in favor of having some of the jewelers of the city take the clock in charge and keep it going right, and the matter was left in his hands to adjust.
Mr. Skeele reported that he had found a man that was willing to catch dogs, and that if he could get the appointment for him that the applicant would be ready to go to work tomorrow. The name of the party is Fred Freer, who lives near the trout park, and all the aldermen and the mayor expressed the belief that the right man for the place had been found.
The mayor duly appointed Mr. Fred Freer poundmaster of the city of Cortland, in place of A. Goldsmith, resigned.
On motion of Mr. Scudder, seconded by Mr. Wright and declared carried:
Resolved, That such appointment be confirmed by this board.
Mr. Skeele stated that the poundmaster had several places in view at which to establish a pound, but he did not know which one he had decided upon. The matter was left open till Thursday night, at which time the pound previously established at 83 Prospect-st. will be discontinued, and another one fixed upon. Mr. Freer will be paid 35 cents per dog for all that have to be killed.
The mayor duly appointed A. H. Watkins and W. D. Tisdale as appointive assessors of the city of Cortland.
On motion of Mr. Yager, seconded by Mr. Wright and declared carried:
Resolved, That such apportionment be ratified and continued by this board.
The minutes of the present meeting were read and confirmed.
On motion meeting adjourned to Aug. 22, 1901, at 4 o'clock, P. M. at the office of the clerk of said city.
Approved Aug. 22, 1901, CHAS. F. BBOWN, Mayor.
IN CITY COURT.
A Variety of Offences and a Variety of Sentences.
Harry Beers pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault in the third degree in police court this morning, His troubles began last evening when he got in a dispute with a man from McGraw, while the two were in the vicinity of the Cortland House. Beers, it is alleged, struck the man and was arrested by Officer Day Baker. The case was adjourned in order that the defendant might procure counsel.
Along with Beers was brought Ruthford Clark into city court charged with communicating with a prisoner. Chief Barnes said that Clark had been caught passing a bottle of whiskey into Beers' cell. To this he pleaded guilty, and the bottle nearly full of liquor that had been taken from Beers, was placed in evidence. Clark said he did not know he was doing wrong when he gave him the whiskey, and admitted on being questioned by the judge that he could not see the difference between sending in a Bible or a bottle for Beers' comfort, and was told that he could take five days in jail to ponder over the question.
Frank Smith pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawfully accosting women on the street, and seemed to regard the matter of his arrest as a huge joke, but was quickly convinced that the charge was a serious one. Judge Davis said that the defendant could count himself lucky that he was the first one to come before him on the charge, as he intended to get more and more severe in the matter till the practice of loafing around and making certain places on the sidewalks dangerous and disagreeable for women to pass by was entirely stopped. The police department, he said, were trying to break up the practice and he was going to begin by fining Smith $10 or by sending him to jail for ten days. The next one that comes before him on the same charge, he asserted, will get thirty days, the next sixty, the next ninety and the next six months.
Grange Resolutions.
At a regular meeting of Freetown grange, No. 489, the following resolutions were adopted:
WHEREAS, The Great Master has again seen fit in his divine providence to summon from our midst a beloved sister and friend, Ella E. Eaton, therefore be it
Resolved, That in her death we are deprived of one whose acts attested her deep interest in our welfare as an organization, and who was faithful in all her obligations, contributing cheerfully towards its maintenance, recognizing the necessity of and hopefully urging an advance in its methods, towards more enlarged and practical results.
Resolved, That the resolutions be placed on the minutes of this meeting, printed in the Cortland STANDARD, a copy of them be sent to the bereaved husband and son, and that the charter be draped in mourning for sixty days,
MR. AND MRS. A. H. METZGAR,
MRS. D. B. SMITH,
MRS. L. M. ISAACS.
Committee.
Death of Mr. Stuart.
Mr. Charles H. Stuart died Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1901, of paralysis at his home in Carthage, Mo., aged 67 years. Mr. Stuart, who formerly resided in Tompkins county, is a brother of Mrs. J. R. Miller of Cincinnatus and a brother-in-law of Mr. E. D. Wood of Cortland. The funeral will be held Thursday at his home in Carthage.
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| 1894 map showing Cortland County fairgrounds and racetrack |
WONDERFUL FIREWORKS
TO BE SHOWN AT THE COUNTY FAIR AUG. 29.
Regular Manhattan Beach Display Secured at Large Expense—Thirty-six Numbers. Each One a Choice One.
The Cortland County Fair association has decided to give its patrons one of the finest Manhattan Beach displays of fireworks ever given in this part of the state. The exhibition will be given on the grounds Thursday evening, and a special ticket costing 25 cents will be necessary for admittance to the grounds. This display, which costs the association $1,500, is not what is generally included in the term "fireworks." It is an exhibition that cannot be seen ordinarily outside of Manhattan Beach. There are thirty-six numbers in the splendid list as follows:
National salute of thirteen aerial maroons.
Grand carmine illumination by powerful electric sun.
One exhibition piece Welcome, letters handsomely embellished.
Grand flight of six weeping willow rockets, 6 pounds.
Mammoth golden forest: 200 feet front producing a most magnificent effect and displaying brilliant fountains of jerbs and jassamine fire ascending fifty to seventy feet in the air.
Grand aerial bouquet of six Neapolitan bombshells, each shell breaking three times and exhibiting at each burst different colors and effects, among which are orange, green, purple and crimson.
One grand exhibition piece Floating American Flag, 10 by 20 feet. Handsomest and by far the most realistic and beautiful reproduction in fireworks of our flag, born in America and raised everywhere.
Grand aerial bouquet of six changeable star rockets, six pounds.
Grand display of four electric spreader fountain batteries discharging streams of electric scintillating stars to a height of 250 feet.
One exhibition piece See-Saw.
Grand Aerial Bouquet, six Assistant Japanese Bombshells.
Grand display, 100 shot Niagara Batteries.
National Illumination, red changing to white changing to blue, in powerful Electric Suns.
Grand flight of six revolving dragon rockets, 6 lbs.
Grand display of four silver fountain batteries.
Grand temple piece.
Grand aerial bouquet, six Neapolitan shells each breaking three times, with all the newest electrical effects.
Extra fine display by six Mammoth Devil Among the Tailors.
One exhibition piece Yankee Windmill.
One Grand Carmine Illumination, by powerful electric sun.
Grand Illumination of the heavens, in the National colors, red, white and blue, by the simultaneous discharge of three red, white and blue bombshells.
Grand flight of six Diamond Chain Rockets, 8 pounds,.
Mammoth exhibition piece, Niagara Falls, 600 square feet.
Display of six mammoth Whistling Jacks.
One exhibition piece Union Bouquet.
Grand flight of six telescope repeating rockets, eight pounds.
Grand aerial bouquet six assorted Jap bombshells.
One exhibition piece, Hornet's Nest.
Extra fine display of six mammoth dragon's nests.
Grand flight of six mammoth balloon rockets, 8 lbs.
Grand exhibition piece, bombette fountain.
Aerial bouquet of six Neapolitan repeating bombshells, each shell breaking three times.
Grand Flight of six Jeweled Streamer Rockets, six pounds.
One exhibition piece, Good Night.
Bombardment of Heavens by the simultaneous discharge of six Japanese Bombshells 12 and 3 Jap Bombshells of 18.
Double Sheaf of Wheat consisting of simultaneous discharge of two mammoth Aerial Bouquets of Rockets.
BREVITIES.
—There will be a dance at the park tonight.
—New display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, clothing, page 8; C. F. Brown, Drugs, etc., page 2.
—It is now believed that the Ithaca band can be secured for another concert at the park the first week in September.
—Wm. F. Walsh, Edward J. Byrnes and Erwin W. Austin are taking civil service examinations this afternoon for policemen.
—The Knights of Columbus and friends took supper at the park tonight. McDermott is the caterer, and seventy-five plates will be laid.
—At a special meeting of Orris Hose company, No. 2, last evening it was decided to go to Buffalo as a company for the parade tomorrow. The company will leave Cortland at 11:33 tonight.
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